The Dark Divine

Gr 9 Up—Grace, Daniel, and Jude were best friends until the night three years ago when Jude came home covered with blood and Daniel disappeared without a trace. Now mysterious happenings are taking place in the neighborhood. Daniel is back and Grace involves herself in his life again—but this time it's more than just friendship. Grace and Jude's father is a church pastor who lives his faith. Daniel had lived with the Divines for a time after being removed from an abusive father. When Daniel reveals to Grace that he is a werewolf, Grace and her father work to free him from this curse through their knowledge of a little known legend. But is Daniel or someone else responsible for those disappearances and animal mutilations? It is up to Grace and Daniel to make sense of that night three years ago and solve the new mystery. The story's saving grace is the role faith and forgiveness play in making this somewhat more than your average YA paranormal romance. Narrator Eileen Stevens provides plenty of suspense. Primary characters are well-defined and voiced, though secondary characters are fairly one dimensional. The mystery and energy of the story are heightened through Steven's use of pacing, breath, and pitch. The story drags somewhat in the middle, but builds to a conclusion that suggests a sequel.—Ann Brownson, Ballenger Teachers Center, Booth Library, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston