I was anxiously awaiting the release of Lucian Divine since the cover reveal late last year. This book sounded so different and inventive to me- I couldn’t wait! After reading Swear on this Life earlier in 2016, I knew Renee could tug on my heartstrings in the best possible way.
First, I have to say the creativity of this story did not let me down in the least. I kept thinking of the Bible verse from Hebrews as I read, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” Do we ever know where the unexplained things in our life come from? Maybe they’re coincidence, maybe an act of God, or maybe they’re the work of angels. As humans, that veil to the other side rarely lifts enough for us to see beyond. Renee fictionally lifted that veil in a fun and imaginative way only she was capable of. I commend her risk-taking with this story. It has to be a challenge to write a story like this, knowing she could offend atheists and agnostics and the religious with one single book. While I am a Christian, with a Southern Baptist preacher for a father-in-law, I can appreciate this is a work of fiction and simply told in good humor, as Renee mentions in her Author’s Note.
Overall, the story started off excellent, in my opinion. It was intriguing, funny, and I could not wait to read more. After Lucian and Evey met, however, I felt the story progressed rather quickly and found myself flipping back to make sure I hadn’t missed a page or further description. I felt like it was insta-love to the max, where there should have been a bit more of a build-up. It felt as if the big moments of their relationship were too hasty. This left me a little bored about 3/4 of the way in because it felt as if everything had already been accomplished. The only sort of climax was the sense of impending doom or punishment for the consequences of their actions. It was a bit of a downer when the story started so fun, but it was possibly how things would have gone if the fiction could be made into reality. In the end, the story redeemed itself and became interesting again with the conclusion. This story was sweet and completely different from anything I have ever read. I can’t wait to pick up Renee’s other novels, and hope you will too, her writing and humor is a win-win in my book!
Ashes Books & Bobs 