Archive for house of night books
In Zoey’s world, humans and vampires co-exist. So it’s not completely out of the ordinary when Zoey is “marked” by a vampire tracker one day at school. You see, humans with special abilities are selected in their teens to become vampires. Once marked, the teen is removed from human society and taken to a special boarding school called The House of Night. When Zoey is marked she tries to avoid the inevitable, but the longer she puts off going to the new school, the sicker she becomes. Zoey’s home life (in particular, her relationship with her stepfather) isn’t great so she’s not too unhappy to be leaving her old life.
Zoey’s first day at the House of Night starts out fairly well. She meets Nefret, a beautiful and extremely kind teacher (and High Priestess) at the school who decides to be Zoey’s mentor. Nefret, although a vampire, also has special intuitive powers. She immediately recognizes that Zoey is a special vampire fledgling and decides to take her under her wing.
Zoey quickly makes friends with several students. However, she soon meets Aphrodite, another student at the school who’s part of the “in” crowd. Do you remember the movies “The Heathers” or “Jawbreaker”? Aphrodite is like the leader of those girl groups. She’s beautiful but extremely cruel to her fellow students. She’s also the president of The Dark Daughters, an elitist group of female vampire fledglings at the school who engage in acts that aren’t completely ethical. Aphrodite initially shows some interest in being Zoey’s friend but eventually turns against her when she thinks a former boyfriend is interested in Zoey. Zoey doesn’t let Aphrodite get to her but she makes it her mission to expose Aphrodite’s actions to the school.
Meanwhile, Zoey quickly adjusts to her new life, classes, and her teachers. She makes new friends, is “chosen” by a temperamental cat to be its new master, and meets a handsome young guy who seems genuinely interested in Zoey as a person. Sure, it seems odd sleeping during the day and attending classes at night but after awhile it becomes second nature.
It’s important to note that not every teen that’s Marked actually becomes a vampire. Some kids don’t survive The Change and die.
Or do they?
I really liked this fantasy book, which is the first installment in the House of Night series. The storyline as written by P.C. and Kristin Cast (mother and daughter respectively) is nicely paced and thoroughly engrossing. It’s clear early on that Zoey is developing unusual powers. We’re not entirely certain what they are, but that’s part of the attraction of this book. It makes us want to learn more about Zoey and what lies ahead for her.
This is very much a young adult, coming of age fantasy book but it written such that it works well for both young and older adults. Because of a graphic scene near the start of the book it’s probably not appropriate for teens younger than 16 but it’s a great read for the older crowd. While reading the book I couldn’t help but think of the Harry Potter series (which also centers around a strong character at a boarding school with special powers, whose fate isn’t entirely known during the first books) however that’s where the similarities end. The book stands alone as a solid new addition to the young adult vampire book category and is sure to appeal to fantasy book lovers at large. Check prices
House of Night Series by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast If you like the Stephenie Meyer books or are just looking for another vampire book series that’s appropriate for teens you should check out the House of Night series by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast.
Marked (House of Night, Book 1)
Enter the dark, magical world of The House of Night, a world very much like our own, except here vampires have always existed. Sixteen-year-old Zoey Redbird has just been Marked as a new vampire and is sent off to the House of Night, a school where she will train to become an adult vampire. It sucks to begin a new life, especially away from her friends, and on top of that, Zoey is no average vampire-in-the-making. She has special powers. To add to her stress she discovers that the leader of the Dark Daughters (the school’s stuck-up elitist group), is misusing her powers. Zoey must look deep within herself for the courage to challenge those that do harm to others.
Betrayed (House of Night, Book 2)
Young vampire Zoey Redbird has managed to settle in at the House of Night school. She’s come to terms with the vast powers that have been bestowed upon her finally feels like she belongs. She actually has a boyfriend…or two. Then the unthinkable happens: human teenagers are being killed, and all the evidence points to the House of Night. While danger stalks the humans from Zoey’s old life, she begins to realize that the very powers that make her so unique might also threaten those she loves. In this installment Zoey must find the courage to face a betrayal that could break her heart, her soul, and jeopardize the very fabric of her world. Note: I just ordered Marked (House of Night, Book 1) the first book in the House of Night series. This is a young adult series that sounds really interesting.
Chosen (House of Night, Book 3)
Zoey Redbird is a teenage diva in every respect, well, almost. She doesn’t get along with her mom and she hates her stepdad. That’s normal. She adores her sweet grandmother. That’s normal. What makes her different from the average teenage girl is that she is a vampire. In fact, two of her three boyfriends are vampires, her best friend is one of the ghoulish undead creatures that walks the streets at night preying on homeless people, and all of the students at the private boarding school she attends (called the House of Night) are vampires-in-the-making. Plus, Zoey is the president of the student body, if you consider being in charge of the Dark Daughters a leadership position. Filled with secrets, Zoey’s life becomes harder and harder to handle as she tries to juggle what she has to do with what she is expected to do. Her main obstacle is the high priestess, who reigns over both the “vampire” community and the boarding school. In this third book of the “House of Night” series, Zoey finds strength to challenge the priestess, who she believes is not what she appears to be.
Untamed (House of Night, Book 4)
Life sucks when your friends are pissed at you. Just ask Zoey Redbird – she’s become an expert on suckiness. In one week she has gone from having three boyfriends to having none, and from having a close group of friends who trusted and supported her, to being an outcast. Speaking of friends, the only two friends Zoey has left are the undead and the unMarked. And a powerful goddess has declared war on humans. But will anyone listen to her? Zoey’s adventures at the House of Night School take a wild and dangerous turn as loyalties are tested, shocking true intentions come to light, and an ancient evil is awakened.
Hunted (House of Night, Book 5)
The good news: Zoey’s friends are talking to her again. The bad news: an ancient evil with the face of an angel has been let loose, Grandma Redbird is in trouble, Heath is in trouble, and The House of Night is in trouble. Okay, let’s face it – Zoey’s whole world is in trouble! But when the trouble comes from a creature who looks like a male model will the world believe it? Especially when Zoey and a group of misfits are the only ones who really understand the danger he brings. Will Zoey have the strength and wisdom to reveal the truth? Especially when, in the House of Night, the truth is often hard to come by…
Check out the House of Night books. These books are great for adults as well as teens. I just started reading “Marked” and I can tell it’s going to be a good read. Stay tuned for more recommended books for teens and young adults!
