✍️ Author Biography
Bree Despain
📅 1979
🌍 American
📚 3 free books
⭐ Known for: The Dark Divine (2009)
Bree Despain is an American author of young adult fantasy novels, known for her "Dark Divine" and "Into The Dark" series.
Bree Despain, born in 1979, is an American author who crafts young adult fiction. She pursued her passion for writing by earning a master's degree in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Despain's commitment to her craft intensified after a car accident, which served as a catalyst, prompting her to prioritize completing and publishing her literary work.
Her published works include the "Dark Divine" trilogy and the "Into The Dark" trilogy. The "Dark Divine" series commenced with its first novel in 2009, followed by its second installment in late 2010 and concluding in early 2012. This series centers on a pastor's daughter whose life is disrupted by the return of a childhood friend. Despain's subsequent "Into The Dark" series, beginning with "The Shadow Prince," offers a contemporary reimagining of classic myths, specifically the Persephone/Hades and Orpheus/Eurydice narratives. The second book in this series was released in April 2015, with the final installment published in the fall of 2016.
Literary Career and Motivation
Bree Despain's journey into full-time authorship was significantly shaped by a life-altering car accident. This event prompted a profound personal reflection, highlighting the regret she would feel if she never saw her writing aspirations realized. This realization spurred her to dedicate herself to completing and publishing her books. Her academic background includes a master's degree in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, providing a formal foundation for her creative endeavors.
Thematic Elements in Her Work
Despain's "Dark Divine" trilogy introduces readers to a narrative centered on Grace Divine, the daughter of a pastor, whose life takes an unexpected turn with the reappearance of an old acquaintance. The "Into The Dark" series, on the other hand, delves into modern interpretations of ancient mythology. The first book in this series, "The Shadow Prince," is described as a contemporary retelling of the Persephone/Hades and Orpheus/Eurydice myths, exploring themes of love, loss, and the underworld through a modern lens.