Title: The Dark Divine
Author: Bree Despain
Pages: 372
 

After the hype of the Soul Screamers series and the emotional ending of the third book I was hesitant to start a new book. First, I couldn’t get out of my hangover. Second, I just felt that it wouldn’t live up to my expectation or to my taste because Rachel Vincent knows how to glue you to her book, caught in every page enjoying the intense but awesome ride. And boy I was right, The Dark Divine didn’t match the intensity. That, and I’m not particularly fond of wolves.

No, not that I didn’t like wolves it’s more I didn’t like the idea of the wolf being “the guy” as opposed to being “the other guy” (do you get my point, argh, I am super weird today). I love Jacob and he is a wolf (more of a shapeshifter) and by this time it’s probably obvious that the guys I like are either funny or mysterious (can I be more shallow). The character here, Daniel Kalbi isn’t exactly the “preferred” hot guy girl like me is swooning for. He is although, as the cashier describe in the book is “wicked hot” and putting that statement in the table, it means he is good looking. But in some weird way I’m not totally giving in. There’s something wrong in his character that I didn’t like, though I feel some sympathy over his very hard life. And that’s the only affection I have for his character. He is a poor guy with no family and the only place he belongs has been Grace’s family. But there something happened between Grace’s brother, Jude and Daniel. When he returned to their town, Grace (like every heroine in YA genre) is still attracted to him. But when she finally confessed, Daniel somewhat rejected her and told her the reason why her brother was completely mad at him. Knowing the truth, Grace was devastated and tried to ignore Daniel. But there’s a cure to release the wolf spirit – the person who loves him must kill the wolf within.

I’ve been using this statement a lot, but to describe the book, it was one of those ‘ok books.’ I give it a four star at my shelfari because I did enjoy the book but it’s not engrossing book that you’re so excited to read the next. The second book will be out later this month. I will still read it, I mean I read Crescendo and I have irksome relationship with Hush, Hush so with the obvious difference in level of likingness (if that’s a word), possibility of me reading the second installment is big. I read some reviews that they didn’t like Daniel in the second book and they like the other guy Talbo. Ok let see if I’m gonna agree with them, more often than not, the added character (mostly a guy) kinda change the game for me.

There’s a lot the religious aspect in this book. Grace is a daughter of a pastor so that’s given. I’m pretty much agree with some things Grace said, like banning Harry Potter books because it celebrated witchcrafts, our pastor did said something like it too. There is one time our pastor was holding a Yu-Gi-Oh! Card and told us that parents must have proper guidance with their kids’ toys these days. I was like surprised because, no, I’m not playing it but because I’m watching it. Conscience eats me terribly. But I still watch after some years. While Grace is a pastor’s daughter like Jamie in A Walk to Remember, I don’t find her character ‘holier-than-thou.’ She still, is a girl helping the needy and setting a good example, I feel there’s a lot expectations being a pastor’s daughter. But she is fragile as all human are, capable of mistake but I’m happy she didn’t give up to her faith and to – Daniel.

I enjoy it regardless; I’m pretty generous when rating a book, normally this kind of book may only worth two to three star. The plot may fall to the average YA paranormal but there are elements in there that I find very innovative. So I still take pleasure in reading it, I guess the four stars are worth it.