Review: Divine Vices by Melissa Parkin

Danger seldom leaves its victims unscathed in the ways of seduction, and this lesson is one that sixteen-year-old Cassie Foster now knows all too well.

Nine months following the traumatic accident that claimed the life of her mother and sister, this high school junior has at last found a fresh start in the quiet town of New Haven, Maine. In the company of her best friends, Ian and Gwen, she’s bracing the usual turmoil of adolescence and taking all in stride… until the new transfer student, Jackson Matthews, comes walking into her life. He’s arrogant, sarcastic, roguish, devastatingly sexy, and the very last thing Cassie wants to entertain. But when circumstances drive these two together, she finds herself a bit too close for comfort as their bond intensifies. Plagued by unexplainable events, a sudden string of disappearances, and even a cult-related murder, Cassie begins to fear for her life. Is it all just a coincidence that these happenings began when this Casanova strolled into town, or has she in fact fallen for a real lady-killer, or worse? (Goodreads)

I was given a electronic copy of this book from the author, in exchange for an honest review. I have to say that when I began this book I had high hopes. I liked Cassie. She was a bit edgy and I loved reading about her relationship with her father. When Jackson Matthews showed up, I'll admit the author did a good job of beginning to form his character. I couldn't tell if he was a jerk, of some misunderstood kid. I liked watching the dance between Cassie and him, although I knew that Ian had a thing for her. Now... I had very few issues with the book until the Ouija board. It all just felt... I don't know, off. Like it didn't belong. Until that point, I didn't realize there would be paranormal elements in the book so I was a bit taken aback. Even still, I was alright with the book, until the very end, when they were decorating for prom and everything hit the fan. It made no sense to me. I felt like the author was trying to hard to make the book mysterious. Jackson's character was deliberately being obtuse, and it was like the author was trying to confuse us to encourage us the want to read more but in reality I was just frustrated. The book was trying too hard, it no longer felt natural or real, everything was forced. 

I'm giving this book three stars because until the end I did enjoy it. Everything just got out of hand. I have high hopes for this series, with a few adjustments.