Book Review: The Sacred & the Divine by Kate Christensen and Melissa Henderson
There’s something inherently captivating about stories steeped in history, magic, and the intricacies of young love. When I stumbled upon The Sacred & the Divine, co-written by Kate Christensen and Melissa Henderson, I couldn’t resist diving into its pages. As a lover of YA fiction, I was particularly drawn in by the mention of Tarot and the 1800s—two themes that instantly spark intrigue. However, while the book gripped my attention in many respects, it also presented challenges that had me reflecting on my reading experience.
From the start, I must applaud Christensen and Henderson for their impressive collaboration. The narrative flows effortlessly, evoking thoughts about how co-authoring can create a cohesive voice without allowing individual styles to clash. Yet, I found myself curious about how they blended their creative energies on this journey together—wouldn’t it be fascinating to hear their thoughts on that?
As I settled into the familiar confines of YA literature, I was reminded of my own teenage escapades. In truth, I likely would have cherished this story even more in my youth, given its blend of adventure, self-discovery, and budding romance. The prose is straightforward and accessible, though occasionally laden with modern phrases that felt out of place for the 1848 setting (Herox’s journey, anyone?). As much as I wanted to suspend disbelief, there were moments when the language jolted me back to the present.
The plot, while predictable—something I’ve come to expect from YA—had its charming elements. With themes surrounding Tarot, historical medicine, and folk remedies, it managed to capture my attention, even if my prior knowledge heightened my critical lens. For instance, I was vexed to see the characters predominantly using only the Major Arcana; it felt like a disservice when the depth of Tarot deserves so much more exploration.
Speaking of characters, I must admit my feelings were a tad mixed. Daisy, the main character, did not resonate with me as deeply as I’d hoped. Instead, it was supporting characters like Henry, Avery, and Frankie who piqued my interest. The love triangle involving Daisy, Nate, and Jasper felt like a nod to Pride and Prejudice, yet I longed for more exploration of other relationships, such as those between Henry and Morrigan, and Avery and Frankie. The secondary dynamics had a richness that overshadowed Daisy’s journey, making me wish for a different protagonist at times.
The book discusses poignant issues—women’s rights, racial themes, and open-mindedness—that are undeniably important. However, I found myself grappling with the cover art featuring Rider-Waite Tarot cards, given their complex historical context. That said, the chapter art was indeed lovely, even if it fell short of illustrating Daisy’s unique hand-painted cards.
Now onto the ending—a quick, cliffhanger twist that left me wondering about a potential sequel. Would I pick it up? Absolutely! My curiosity has certainly been piqued, especially when it comes to the futures of Morrigan and Henry, as well as Bernadette and Kathryn.
The Sacred & the Divine offers something for young readers navigating the waters of identity and self-discovery, even if it left me feeling ambivalent as an adult. Its exploration of historical themes and LGBTQ+ representation may resonate particularly well with those discovering these narratives for the first time. Although I settled on a 3.5/5 rating, the allure of future installments and the chance to dive deeper into this world of magic and love makes me eager to see where Christensen and Henderson take us next. If you’re in the mood for a historical YA read sprinkled with romance and magical intrigue, this book might just be the adventure you’re seeking.