The Dark Divine by Bree Despain

BOOK 1 IN THE DARK DIVINE SERIES

Title: The Dark Divine

Author: Bree Despain

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance

Stars: 4.5 Stars

Published: December 22, 2009

Publisher: EgmontUSA

Synopsis

        Grace Divine—daughter of the local pastor—always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared and her brother Jude came home covered in his own blood.

           Now that Daniel's returned, Grace must choose between her growing attraction to him and her loyalty to her brother.

         As Grace gets closer to Daniel, she learns the truth about that mysterious night and how to save the ones she loves, but it might cost her the one thing she cherishes most: her soul.

My Review

        Let me just begin about saying something about the cover of the book. Well, I totally love the cover I love how that purple cloth partly covered those perfectly shaped pale feet. Also with the toe nails having the same color with the cloth. I love how it blended so well with the black background giving off a gorgeous cover.

    The storyline goes about Grace Divine daughter of the local pastor with everything in her life just to be under control and with her having the "Perfect Family". A family everyone wanted. Until her brother's ex-best friend and her childhood crush Daniel Kalbi reappears in the scene. With Grace seeking about what happened with Daniel and her brother Jude Divine just before the night Daniel disappeared. As the plot thickens Grace is torn between the urge to be with Daniel or to avoid him as it will be safer not just for her but for her family as well. 

       When I started reading this book I was just as well as curious as Grace Divine to the extent of being tempted skipping several chapters just to read on the part where the book will reveal how it all happened. How it all started. How Daniel Kalbi and Grace's brother Jude Divine got caught up in something that resulted with something terrible.

       As what I have experienced in reading the first few chapters of the book Grace Divine the main protagonist of the story didn't give me such impact. She was just a normal girl with normal everyday routine just like everyone of us. I know for an instance that I will not be expecting a lot about her character because everything you will see is all there is to it. Just a plain character with nothing to expect. Nothing more nothing less. But as I read deeper through the book Grace revealed an unexpected courage. A courage that helped her and the people dear to her in fighting the inner darkness hidden within themselves and to not give up with the demands of the evil.

       Other characters will let you laugh, cry and curse all at the same time. As I find myself reading the latter part of the book I was emotionally attached to everyone of them because I for one have seen how Grace valued the gift of friendship even to an untrustworthy person. She gives everyone a fair chance to change, to respect and to second chances.

        THE DARK DIVINE is a book that will keep you wanting more, knowing more and seeking more. Surely will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the whole book with its darkly thrilling twists and turns that you will never see coming. 

Book Trailer

Fallen by Lauren Kate

BOOK 1 IN FALLEN SERIES

Title: Fallen

Author: Lauren Kate

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance

Stars: 4.5 Stars

Published: December 8, 2009

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Synopsis

         There’s something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.

        Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price’s attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He’s the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.

          Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce–and goes out of his way to make that very clear–she can’t let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her. 


My Review

          First off I really love the cover it has this dark gothic theme to it. When I first saw this book I thought "What the hell is she doing in the middle of a scary looking forest?". The cover itself is the sole reason that had drawn me into wanting this book to be on my bookshelf. I literally judge a book by its cover so definitely I'm guilty as charged. Books having an eye-catching cover is a plus factor for me and drives my curious mind so badly.

       The story focused on a girl named Lucinda "Luce" Price who was sent in Sword & Cross boarding school a reform school for disturbed and uncontrollable teens. There she met Cam the guy with the alluring green eyes and Daniel the man who she thought she has seen before. As the story goes on Luce became interested in digging the mystery behind Daniel's dark personality. She was so caught up into wanting to know more about him. She was so drawn to him she doesn't know why, even though Daniel seems to be aloof at her. Cam on the other hand is so publicly affectionate and kind to Luce always there for Luce when Daniel is deliberately avoiding her.


     There are also some interesting characters in the book that will keep you laughing specially during intense moments and there are some characters you definitely need to watch out for. As the story keeps going it will reveal more of the characters. You will know how each and everyone of the characters are in connection with each other. All of them have this perfect role to fit into.

     The book will give you a good read specially during the night even though it is a little slow at the beginning. The author never failed in letting the readers use their imaginative and creative minds as she drifts off with giving a good description of the scenery and has never failed on giving me goosebumps as I encountered dark and thrilling scenes. As I peeled through the book it is as if I am physically there where it all happened right in front of my very eyes. So even after I was through with the book the place and characters stayed with me for a little while. I liked the writing style of the author because for what I see she intended to introduce the characters with every bit of information she wants her readers to be wanting more to be rooted and consumed by how the story goes. 


     FALLEN is definitely a good read with its edgy, dark and unexpected twists and turns it never failed my expectations. I'll be looking forward to the sequel as this book is just the first installment on a four part series. This book surely is something every paranormal romance readers should watch out for. 


Book Trailer