It's been a while since I've read Nora Roberts, but I enjoyed this for the most part. Yes, there were definitely some disturbing parts, but the book is titled Divine Evil, so I expected the book to have those dark moments. My issue with the book was Claire. For the most part, I liked her, but there were times when she was just completely unreasonable with Cam. Well, that and the ending. There was the one hint and it made me wonder when that reveal would happen and it all made sense, but at the same time, was the most disturbing. Oh, and one minor pet peeve. The synopsis says that Cam loved Claire throughout high school, but that was not the case. I do have to say that the reality was better and I loved their ease with each other, after the initial meeting that is. Cam returned home after the death of his partner. Claire returns home to face her demons, those resulting from the death of her father. Both damaged in some way. One running away from his demons, and the other determined to put the past to rest. Suffering from nightmares that begin to affect her work, she decides to return to her childhood home with the hope that being there will help inspire her. After a chance meeting with Cam, things between them heat up. Unexpected feelings come to light at the same time that strange, completely uncharacteristic things start to occur in their home town. People disappearing, one murdered, and one attacked. In a town neither expected to see these things. And from people they have known throughout their lives. Cam comes to learn he doesn't know who to trust whereas Claire trusts the wrong people, and finds herself living her greatest nightmare.Again, I found myself frustrated with Claire, but at the same time, I got it. How could she have known? There were times where I did not know how Cam was going to figure things out. Partly frustrated at the pace, but also thinking how pat or obvious was this going to be? I wavered on if I liked where it was going or not. And aside from the very end, I came to the conclusion that overall, I liked it even if I'm not happy with that very last part.
As usual, this was not a disappointing read. After reading ones that dealt with witchcraft, it was different to read one that dealt with Satan and worshiping and all that goes along with. I will say this was well written, leaving one to use their thoughts in the interpretation. I don't like to read books where there is so much detail written into the story, that it takes away from the story. This didn't have the horror and blood to the point where if it was a movie, one would be covering their head. And along the story line, there is the love unfolding between the two main characters, Clare and Cam. While reading, you wonder what twist is going to come next, who is to be trusted. Right up until the end, you were still guessing, is it actually over once they found where the ritual was being held and where Clare had been held for nearly a week after being kidnapped. And in the final pages, the one you would least expect, to be the one that started it all and got away. To move on, to start over. It leaves you thinking if perhaps she will seek revenge on those who tried to take it all away from her. Very will written book and opens your eyes up to other things that are all around us but yet we tend to deny exist. Will pass this book on so others can enjoy reading it as well.
What do You think about Divine Evil (2005)?
First let me state this is not your typical novel by Nora Roberts. This was a suspense, thriller , and horror rolled up into one. Was there romance? Yes...but not what you expect when you pick up a Nora Roberts romance novel. I would have gave this book 5 stars but somethings were a little to graphic for me. A couple of times I had to put the book down because it got a little to real or just weirded me out. And the ending leaves you grasping the pages going, "what the he'll just happened?" in a good way. But really I was impressed by this book. It showed the talent of a good writer.
—Gwen Popen
4.5 stars. This is my mums book. I ran out of books to read so she lent it me. I really enjoyed this book. I found it hard to put it down. The story was really interesting and mysterious. At first, I was a little shocked at how dark it was. The plot is a lot darker than the blurb lets you believe. I liked the characters, including Clare and Cameron. I liked reading their relationship and liked how it progressed throughout the book. My favourite character has to be Annie though. She was so sweet and I couldn't help but smile at the parts she was in. The reason I gave it 4.5 stars was because I wasn't keen on the ending. I still have questions that need to be answered. What happened to the men? What happened to Ernie? How did people react? What happened with Clare and Cameron? I felt that the book could have done with one last chapter, maybe about what had happened when it all came out, how people reacted etc. It was a really good book with a lot of surprises. If you're interested in mystery books with romance, this would be a good book to read.
—Emily
There are quite a few negative reviews for this book - which surprises me a little, but at the same time, I can also understand. Divine Evil is a rather atypical for Roberts as its much more descriptive and gruesome than her other books. The plot deals with a Satanic cult that abuses and tortures young women/girls and Roberts is surprising graphic in her detailing of those situations. It creeped me out a bit, but not nearly enough to stop reading the book or to refuse to read another Nora Roberts book (as some reviewers said they have done). Personally, I thought the descriptiveness added to the reality of the story and created a great dark and twisted nuance. But if you are one who is squeamish, then you probably should steer clear of this book.As for the romance. I really enjoyed it quite a bit. I loved the first scene between Clare and Cam. It was rather amusing. On the whole, there's a great chemistry between the two and I liked reading about the progression of their relationship. (I'd say more, but it's been ages since I last read this book). Clare was an interesting heroine to read about - her repressed memories, how they've haunted her and affected her work as an artist. She's a heroine that you can really root for.I think my only complaint overall about the book was the very end. There was just a not-so-little detail that really rather bugged me....but I won't say what so I don't give away anything. I would rather Roberts not have done what she did. It left me wondering too much. But I still loved the book. It's definitely one of my all-time keepers and Nora Roberts favorite.
—jenjn79
