Review: Marked

Marked
House of Night #1
P.C Cast & Kristin Cast

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.

Rating: 4/5

Quotes:
“You are old beyond your years Zoeybird. Believe in yourself and you will find a way. But remember darkness does not always equate to evil just like light does not always bring good.”

The problem, of course, was that turning into a monster was the brighter of my two choices. Choice Number 1: I turn into a vampyre, which equals a monster in just about any human’s mind. Choice Number 2: My body rejects the Change and I die. Forever.

“Before I could cry or scream I whirled around and stalked to my bedroom,slamming the door behind me.
I hope they all drown.
"Zoey your mother and I need to speak with you."
Great. Clearly they didn't drown.”

My Thoughts:
I was a bit hesitant about starting this book because I thought it would be really cliche but I was happily surprised to find it wasn't really. I was just as hesitant to start the Vampire Academy series, but that ended well so I gave this one a chance. And even though both The House of Night and Vampire Academy have the same basic idea of vampires at a boring school, they are otherwise not similar at all.

Romance: Heath is gross and stupid that is all I have to say about him. But I didn't really like Erik either. He seemed a little toooo convenient. I don't know, maybe he has the best intentions, but right now I am very suspicious of him.

Friendship: I loved Zoey's new found friends. Her best friend from when she was human seemed like a really bad friend, so good riddance to her. Stevie Rae is so adorable and so much of a better friend than that other girl (whose name escapes me at the moment). Damien is awesome too in his ways and the twins are snappy and sassy and really funny. I wouldn't mind at all to have a group of friends like them.

Action: There is just a bit of action in this book that I can't really talk about because it would give a lot away but it is really well written and it shows off how in control Zoey can be with her new found powers.

Ending: The ending was good, but this book basically felt like a set up for the rest of the series. That is not to say that it wasn't good, it is just that there wasn't a whole ton of resolution, just a lot of plot building. But it did it in a way that makes me interested to read the next book.

What Bugged Me: I think the only thing that really bugged me is when Zoey was marked. Being marked is a huge thing! I mean it is basically the start of a new life and Zoey barely reacted at first. Her best friend was freaking out, but Zoey was unnervingly calm about it. She freaked out a little bit later on but it seemed like she wasn't even shocked when it first happened.

Have you read this book? What did you think?