The House of Night series is set in a world very much like our own, except in 16-year-old Zoey Redbird's world, vampyres have always existed. In this first book in the series, Zoey enters the House of Night, a school where, after having undergone the Change, she will train to become an adult vampire--that is, if she makes it through the Change. Not all of those who are chosen do. It’s tough to begin a new life, away from her parents and friends, and on top of that, Zoey finds she is no average fledgling. She has been Marked as special by the vampyre Goddess, Nyx. But she is not the only fledgling at the House of Night with special powers. When she discovers that the leader of the Dark Daughters, the school's most elite club, is misusing her Goddess-given gifts, Zoey must look deep within herself for the courage to embrace her destiny--with a little help from her new vampyre friends.
After reading Stephenie Meyer's series, Twilight, New Moon, & Eclipse I sought something similar. This will do, but not nearly as good. The story line was just as you'd imagine, Girl against The World & no suprises popped up. It was just OK.
writes,
Marked has all the great makings of a novel - great humor, well researched cultural background, and creativity. I'll admit, when I read the first few pages, I feared it would be one of those ridiculous stereotypical cheerleader main characters narrating the story - thank goodness that wasn't so! I found the idea of vampire finishing school interesting, and Ms. Cast pulled it off excellently.
So why didn't this earn a five?
First was the not-so-subtle insults to non-pagan religions.
Second was the fact that Zoey seemed like she was bordering on Mary-Sue-dom. It seemed to me that the author was stretching it a bit: she just happens to be Cherokee, she just happens to be the only one who has a magical cat, her boyfriend happens to randomly be the hottest guy in school (why did he find her so attractive? It didn't seem natural to me).
Third, I personally found the sexual scene in the beginning (and the heavy on going jokes) over the top. Still, it was nothing that made me feel completely uncomfortable.
Fourth? This is a minor thing, but Zoey's friends at the House seemed too set up/diverse to be a natural occurrence.
writes,
If you think you know what to expect from a PC Cast, then think again, this fantastic new series is unlike anything she's done before, so it looks like the addition of her daughter Kristin as a writing partner had a major impact. Remember the hellish days of the school cliques and being targeted by the most powerful girl in the school and lusting over the hottest boy? Well add to that you've just discovered you're a potential vampyre and you might have a tiny idea of the nightmare that is currently Zoey Redbird's existence.
In Zoey's world vampyres have always existed, they're just kind of weird and nobody wants to admit they know any. So when Zoey starts developing symptoms, she's packed off to the House of Night, a school where she'll spend the next four years of her life training to see if she'll survive the change from Human to Vampyre. It's never easy being the new kid, and when you've just been "Marked" as one of the most powerful fledglings in history you'd better make sure you keep your friends close but your enemies closer. Now if Zoey can just figure out who she's supposed to trust, then things would be a lot easier.
If like us you've been wowed by Stephanie Meyer's Twilight and Rachel Caine's Morganville Vampires then here's another intense, addictive young adult series that will keep you reading well past your bedtime.
