Marked by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

Marked by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

2007, St. Martin's Griffin

Series: Book 1 of House of Night

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Synopsis: 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.

Why read: Heard great things about the series

What impressed me: I really enjoyed the set up of how vampires become vampires in Marked. Instead of it being immediate, the Change takes years, all the while those who may become vampires are in danger of dying because their Change went wrong. I loved the House of Night, the school where those who are in the process of Changing learn about what they are to become. Zoey is a great character, as are her friends, and I can't wait to read more about them.

What disappointed me: I thought the inclusion of Nix as the almighty vampyre goddess was a little more than the book needed. It added a higher mystical power that I felt wasn't quite necessary and may be used in future books as an easy way out of situations.

Recommended: Yes. Marked sets the stage for a great YA vampire series.

Continue series: Absolutely. I have a lot of catching up to do.