Marked: A House of Night Novel

couldn't get past the first several chapter's, was too dark and heavy with occult-like anti-Christian themes. Definitely not my cup of tea!? seemed interesting, but just a touch full and dragging, until the creepy malevolent themes took over. I love Twilight, and am an obsessive Potterhead, this is nothing like those!! it's not something I would let a young tween or teen read, if I'm unwilling to read it myself?! I'm a month from turning 39, and it's themes still makes me uncomfortable; also the writing does feel very forced, even only having read about a half dozen chapters. If dark, and black magic subject matter are your thing, then this might be something you'd enjoy! if you're a morals don't allow you to blur the lines of good and evil, maybe avoid this series!? No judgements, just being honest with my two cents... dreamergirl84 -

by P. C. Cast, Kristin Cast - 2007-05-01 - St. Martin's Griffin 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. P.C. Cast is an award-winning fantasy and paranormal romance author, as well as an experienced speaker and teacher. Her novels have been awarded the prestigious Prism, Daphne du Maurier, Affaire du Coeur, and other awards. She lives and teaches in Oklahoma. Kristin Cast has won awards for her poetry and journalism. She attends Northeastern State University, where she is working toward fulfilling her goal of becoming a biology teacher. 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. ""Marked" is one of the best coming of age stories to come out of Oklahoma since S. E. Hinton's "The Outsiders." It teaches about the beauty of being a social outcast, friendship, and finding your own inner spirituality."--"The Beltane Papers ""From the moment I stuck my face in this book it hooked me! Totally awesome new take on vampires! "Marked "is hot and dark and funny. It rocks!"--Gena Showalter, author of MTV's "Oh My Goth" "Cast reeled me in from paragraph one. I snorted and giggled through the whole thing, and devoured it in one sitting."--MaryJanice Davidson, "New York"" Times" best-selling author of the "Undead" series "In 16-year-old Zoey Redbird's world, vampyres not only exist but are also tolerated by humans. Those whom the creatures 'mark' as special enter the House of Night school where they will either become vampyres themselves, or, if their body rejects the change, die. To Zoey, being marked is truly a blessing, though she's scared at first. She has never fit into the human world and has always felt she is destined for something else. Her grandmother, a descendant of the Cherokee, has always supported her emotionally, and it is she who takes the girl to her new school. But even there the teen stands apart from the others. Her mark from the Goddess Nyx is a special one, showing that her powers are very strong for one so young. At the House of Night, Zoey finds true friendship, loyalty, and romance as well as mistrust and deception. She realizes that all is not right in the vampyre world and that the problems she thought she left behind exist there as well. Readers will identify

"Just when I thought my day couldn't get any worse, I saw the dead guy standing next to my locker." The opening sentence hooks the reader; they will devour the whole book quickly and ask for more. Zoey's life is about to change forever. She woke up one morning normal and by the end of the day she's been marked. Being marked indicates that she will turn into a vampire. She needs to leave her family and friends behind and start a new life with other marked teens at the House of Night. Zoey's never completely fit in, but now she might have a chance. After a fight with her mother and stepfather, Zoey goes to her grandmother's house for advice. Before seeing her grandmother, Zoey has a vision of the Goddess Nyx, who states that she is special and names Zoey her personal eyes and ears in the world. Zoey faints, but not before the Goddess replaces her mark with a blue crescent, which is extremely rare. When Zoey arrives at the House of Night, she finds herself the object of attention because of her crescent. Her roommate and her new acquaintances quickly find their way into Zoey's heart. She finds herself surrounded with friends for the first time, but she also encounters a powerful enemy. As her entire lifestyle changes, Zoey finds peace within herself as she accepts her destiny and steps up to challenge her enemy's misguided judgement. If you like vampires and enjoy supernatural tales, you don't want to miss this first book in a great new series. **TRT Gold Star Award