The Wretched Divine had so much going for it. I have really enjoyed Grace’s previous books, but this was not for me. I was rooting for you! Keep reading this book review of The Wretched Divine for my full thoughts.
Summary
Aurelie Chantelune was born to serve. Raised as a knight in a kingdom ravaged by demons, she’s spent her life honing her blade, driven by the memory of the monsters who tore her family apart and by the knowledge that she’s one of the few who can stop them.
If Aurelie can claim her first kill, she’ll inherit a legacy passed down through the Chantelune bloodline: a soulbond with Yuriel, an angel whose power is vital to her kingdom’s survival. But when those she loves begin turning into the very monsters she’s sworn to destroy, Aurelie is forced to seek help from the last place she ever imagined. Desperate, she forges a second and far more dangerous bond with Severin, a demon she can hardly trust, but who claims to know how to end the war for good.
With their lives and fates entwined, Aurelie, Yuriel, and Severin must team up to hunt down a cure capable of turning demons back into humans. But the more they learn about one another and the deeper their relationships grow, the more Aurelie begins to question the war and her place in it. With both of her bonded on opposing sides, she’ll have to make a choice: continue to stand with the angels, or risk everything by trusting a demon.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
The Wretched Divine is full of angels and demons. It’s full of the idea that we cannot suffer love, that love is this point of distraction, a danger. The world is steeped in atmosphere, but I think I just might not be a fan of angels? I have no problems with demons, so do with that info what you will, but the angelic structure wasn’t for me. Is it also my fault if I couldn’t tell the difference between them? Or maybe that’s on purpose? I also saw Grace say this was like a more adult Daughter of Smoke and Bone and that wasn’t my cup of tea completely either so I don’t feel as bad? While the premise hooked me and I liked the initial set ups, the middle felt a bit like it was lagging.
It felt like a bit of a predictable model for the action of battle, fall out, romance, and again. Additionally, I liked Aurelie initially, but I kind of felt like she fell flat after a bit. I also have this pet peeve of characters who use family as a motivator for their activity, but then I don’t feel their bond as much as I’d like? What I did like though, was the romantic conflict points – giving love triangle vibes hard – and I kept confusing – at the very beginning – the sides haha. I think I had HUGE expectations for The Wretched Divine because of how much I liked Belladonna and All the Stars and Teeth, but so many factors came together to make the un-perfect storm.
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Find The Wretched Divine on Goodreads, Storygraph, Blackwells, & Libro. fm.