Marked: Alex Verus, Book 9

Written by Benedict Jacka

Narrated by Gildart Jackson

Alex Verus is tracking down dangerous magical items unleashed into the world by Dark Mages—however, when the Light Council decide they need his help in negotiating with the perpetrators, Alex must use all his cunning and magic to strike a deal.

The ninth novel in the urban fantasy series which began with Fated—the Alex Verus novels are magic-filled fan favourites, perfect for fans of Jim Butcher and Ben Aaronovitch.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Little, Brown (Hachette UK) Audio
• Release date: Jul 3, 2018
• ISBN: 9780356507248

Reviews for Marked

[Nicole Foote-Lenoir · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another good installment of the Alex Verus series as we go deeper into plots of the dark mages and Anne and Alex's relationship.

[angelarenea-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This review is now posted on Reading with Angela Renea

I had heard about the House of Night series books a lot, and thought I'd give them a try, although I admit, I really did not expect to like them all that much. That being said I thought that this book was really well written, and laid out.

I particularly loved the matriarchal society that P.C. and Kristen Cast have designed and the very unique way in which they write the vampyres. This is not your run of the mill vampires are scary, but these ones are not all bad story. It presents vampires as more of a secret society.

It isn't a book for everyone, but It reminds me of the popular television show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, in the way that it takes normal problems that teens and young adults would be going through, and makes them into supernatural or magical issues.

There was a slight(ok, not so slight) undertone of feminism in the book, but it was not irritating, or overpowering. It did not overpower the plot as many of the feminist themed books tend to do. I am pretty sure that there were also ties to Wicca but I am not 100% on that as I am not familiar with that group.

I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought that I would and honestly the thing that held me back from 5 stars was the language. It was clearly trying to be 'hip' and 'cool' but came off childish, unrealistic, and to use a lame word, lame. That combined with some of the choices Zoey made were frustrating, however I guess that's just part of her character.

Overall I think that this book would appeal to a wide variety of readers, including those looking for a romance, and those looking for something with a little bit more plot to it. I recomend that you give this series a chance!

[shahnareads · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I read this back in 2009 and I remember liking it.
I like me some vampires.

[monsterofbooks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

YAY My 10th book review and I'm so glad to say that my 10th book that I'm reviewing is a "Maura Choice", I honestly recommend this series. Even though I've only read the first book. Ok so I really recommend the first book, how about that? Ok anyways it's a really fast paced book with likable, realistic characters and even though It's about Vampire it does have some realistic issues , aka boyfriends and bullies. Or Mean girls. I just found it interesting and it was well described ,I could imagine everything that was going. Also the writing never got boring so it never became slow pasted. Though it wasn't action packed as I think the next books in the series , I still believe it was awesome. I gave myself a pat on the back for fishing this in almost one sitting *had to stop because of supper and movie time*. The only thing I complain about is that it wasn't as action packed as I would of liked it to be. Also some stuff can be very obvious while other stuff that still hasn't fully been explain will keep you guessing. My Favorite character is of course Zoey for she's a amazing protagonist but I also lover her teacher Neferet for she seems like a interesting character. I really like the Erik + Zoey thing but I also hate it for I think Erik is a bit of a playboy. Heather *Zoey's Ex* is a bit annoying. I also wish Damien wasn't gay because for some odd reason I think he and Zoey would make a good pair, is that odd? Anyways I defiently recomend this to anyone. The mother and daughter duo *the authors* are amazing and really have created a wonderful start to what seems like a intriguing series and I can't wait to read the second one.

[supersam_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

it was amazing this series is worth reading

[krisszane · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Zoey had been marked and had to move to the house of night. She then begins the process of becoming a Vampire. Zoey had a lot to learn but she has the help of Nyx and her friends to get though it. Zoey also had a lot of boy trouble.

[skstiles612 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Unlike books like the Twilight Series, vampires are out in the open in this book. I mean they seem to be an accepted part of this society. I can’t say I would get the next book. I didn’t hate it and I didn’t love it. I am undecided as yet. Zoey has been marked to become a vampire. Zoey spends quite a bit of time preaching against sex, drugs alcohol etc. She comes off as if she was trying to convince people of her beliefs. She seems fake, a phoney. If you like vampire stories then you would like the book, especially when Zoey decides to accept who of what she is. At times I felt the content was too mature for my students yet other times it seemed very immature. This is definitely a book I will loan to my vampire loving students to get their opinion before I decide whether or not to get the second one. Their reviews will give me a look at things through different eyes and give me a different perspective. For this reason I will withhold final judgement on this book

[joririchardson · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Obviously, this book was entirely written in an attempt to appeal to Twilight fans. Though many would classify it in the same category, I honestly don't see the resemblance. The element of Vampires (or, Vampyres, in this book) was about the only similarity, and even that was presented differently. While Twilight is romantic and beautiful, this book is catty and modern, complete with annoying teenage slang and battles over who will be Miss Popular.To me, much of this book seemed as if the mother-daughter authors were trying way too hard, and the reader could tell. The plot was hurried into, and even more hurried out of, all with no surprises or twists of any kind. The plot was highly predictable.Not all of this book was horrible, however. In the middle, I enjoyed reading about the School's way of life, and found the story engaging (far from amazing, but oh well...). The characters were realistic enough, and the book never slowed down long enough to be truly boring.It wasn't a lack of excitement that made this book mediocre and average. It was the flimsy plot, the medium-talent writing, and the utter corniness of it all.A shallow, Gossip Girl version of "Twilight."

[mandyk90210 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I've always had a fancy for vampire books, but never the original vampires like Dracula. I like the idea that Vampires can have normal lives too. The little twists and turns in this book had me hooked from the start, though at first I wasn't sure what the chapter about Zoey's boyfriend had to do with anything. This book held my attention and didn't skimp on the details! I was enchanted from the beginning. Two thumbs way up!

[iris0boekenplank · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

*Originally Reviewed at Witchmag's Boekenplank*Okay, after reading Marked, I can’t do nothing but admit it: books about cold-blooded bloodsuckers can be fun (emphasis on can ;) ). This was the utmost book that I ignored, just because there’s no werewolf or other magical creäture in sight. Once again a fantastic book that I almost did not read because of my reluctance to read books where vampires have leading roles. Not reading this book would have been such a shame! From now on I’ll try to not hold such things against the book and just read it!Like I said, this book was good. Very good. Marked is a story that will make you forget the world. That will make you forget how hot it is outside and that your melting (yeah, for once we have tropical weather in my dreary country :( ). The plot is too good to stop. It will keep you entertained and bent on reading the next page. I easily finished this book in a couple of hours. That strong was the hold Marked had on me ^^What made this book so good? Let’s start with the amazing world that P.C. Cast and her daughter created. Where a goddess roams free, vampires walk the earth and handsome male vampires can be admired. A world I would not mind spending some time in, if only to admire all the male treasures ^^ Oh and it became even better when they introduced the five elements! Apparently vampires have a natural connection to them and can use them to perform magic! How cool is that? Another subject I love to read about. I knew then that this was going to be a fantastic book I’d love to read ^^Zoey, too, is a factor that made reading Marked a blast. Unfortunately, she hasn’t had an easy life at her young age (16 young… oh god I’m getting old ><). With an ass of a stepfather, a spineless mother and no real friends at school (yeah, Kayly, that behavior? That’s NOT how friends act!). Fortunately she has one of the best grandma’s around. I loved that Zoey kept her head high despite everything. Even her sudden transformation to a vampire fledgling doesn’t fade her much. She keeps on making very witty remarks that always had me laughing out loud.Finally, there is the fantastic and captivating story. Through Zoey’s eyes we read how it feels to be ripped out of your daily life. To suddenly be chosen as a vampire, a transformation you might not survive. To find out that a vampire goddess has great plans for you, which will make you an outsider at your new school. Fortunately not all is bad. There are fun and nice things too for Zoey. Like the new friendships she makes, or that cute boy she meets. Always good to read about stuff like that ^^ Ad all this to the gripping writing style and you’ll have yourself a book that is impossible to put down till the last letter has been read ^^Conclusion4 HEARTS. Unexpectedly I enjoyed reading this book, with his unusual description of vampires and its amazing lead, Zoey. The writing style is very easy and definitely catchy. The plot too will stuck it’s claws on you, so be prepared before you start reading, cause you won’t stop any time soon!

[belles007-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Decent teenage vampire story that focuses more on the battle between good and evil instead of on a love story.

[krissa7 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I cant say that I didnt enjoy the book. BUT. I reread it and found it quite boring :(It lost my intrest. The first time I read it ,I had read the third and fifth before it, I was so giddy, a girl with special powers, crappy parents, and a best friend to lean on when things got tough, and shes a VANPIRE GOING TO VAMPIRE SCHOOL! The story line was good, there were many usage errors thou, and it went out with a bang leaving teen readers (like me) wanting more. As the series goes on, this mother daughter duo get more of a feel for the story. When I read I imagine Im the character, and while reading this book I was scared, I mean, Im good at reading, and can usally decide wher a book is going, but I was drawing a blank. The climax of the book snuck up on me, like when Erik snuck up on Zoe, but I didnt 'fear' for the character, she was too perfect. The characters need more life and the plot needs more 'pizzaz'! Other than that the book was great and a very enjoyable read, I recomend it more for thouse how liked the 'Gifted' and 'Twilight' series.

[klmesoftly · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

This is one of those rare books in which the protagonist is completely, utterly impossible to like. I can't stand the bitch. Whether by my own masochism or sadistic desire to inflict this book on friends, I managed to read it in its entirety, but I can't see how anyone could seriously enjoy reading about someone so self-absorbed and obnoxious, surrounded by other characters so ignorantly caricatured. I thought Twilight was possibly the worst Young Adult novel in existence before picking this book up. Obviously, I was wrong.

[kat_in_wonderland · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I couldn't put it down. To be honest the writing isn't amazing, and it is geared towards a YA audience so there are some immature plot-lines. (Let's face it , they're in High School) but I loved it. I read it in a day and then went back to Borders and picked up the next in the series. I did the same thing for a week until I read the whole series. It's certainly not what I'd call literature, but it's a good series to sit back and simply enjoy.

[amydross · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The main hole in this book was the bitchy, unsympathetic, too-perfect-to-be-real main character. We're supposed to believe she's been specially chosen by the goddess for her mature, empathic spirit -- meanwhile she can't go two pages without bratting about her exciting new life, dismissing her roommate as low-class, condescending to the lone gay character, and making blatant and self-serving power plays. All this would be fine if she were meant to be a deliciously evil character, but we're supposed to believe she's somehow holier than all the other vamps. I didn't buy it.

[generalkala · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is shallow, trashy and badly-written. Somehow however, I loved it.I nearly gave up on it completely by the end of the first chapter because the writing style was so immature and basic. I'm glad I didn't though - I got completely sucked in by the plot after I got past those aful first few chapters.I couldn't put it down. After I finished, I went straight out and bought the next.So buy it. Don't expect great literature, but it is worth a read. And don't expect it to be like Twilight - it's definitely not.

[chase92_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

With more and more vampire novels emerging in the market, it’s no wonder if people are starting to get tired of this genre. The House Of Night series, however, is one of the few vampire novels that can keep readers interested in the literally soulless monsters.What had captured my interest about this book was its premise, which contains elements from some of the bestselling novels of the decade, from Harry Potter (a school for vampires) to the Twilight saga (the romance). The characters are, sadly, so wafer thin you don’t really care about them. Even the Cast duo’s attempts to make their characters more interesting (a gay brainiac, soul twins) didn’t stir me up. I’m especially bored (not to mention a little disgusted) with Zoey, who can’t seem to swear properly (she says bullpoop instead of bullsh*t).The plot, on the other hand, is superb. It’s well-paced, doesn’t meander much, and packs quite some action. The vampyre biology is also fascinating – in the series, vampirism can, to some extent, be explained by science, though it retains some supernatural elements. Individuals that are Marked becomes fledglings, and gains crescent moon symbol on their foreheads. If their bodies can’t accept the change, they will die. If they do successfully mature into vampyres, however, their crescent moon symbol expands into a series of intricate tattoos. Marked doesn’t reveal all of the vampyre mythology, leaving readers to discover more further on in the series.Another detail that might appeal to readers is the cover. The fuchsia colour and black background gives the eyes and title a sort of fluorescent effect. The cover is also adhered with intricate designs, which I imagine to be what the tattoo of an adult vampyre looks like.Overall, Marked is a good start to the House of Night series, and a refreshing change from other slow-paced vampire novels *cough The Twilight Saga cough*. With the right mix of romance, action and horror, Marked is sure to attract a wide range of readers.

[nevusmom · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I picked up this book on a whim. It clearly has a target audience of adolescent girls, but I think some adults may enjoy it as well.Apparently, there are vampyre "trackers" who mark certain people to attend the House of Night (vampyre finishing school?), who may or may not become full-fledged vampyres. If they don't, they die. Pure and simple. Or maybe not.....This book has the stereo-typical teenaged characters: the mean and perfect Aphrodite and her gang, the friendly and countrified Stevie Rae, the nerd nobody likes, and, of course, our heroine Zoey, whose human best-friend is very much interested in Zoey's ex "almost" boyfriend, the uber-jock Heath. I appreciated the Tulsa area references, since I am from NE OKlahoma and know the area. I didn't appreciate the obvious slamming of evangelical Christianity (even though there is much to slam them about).

[mmillet_7 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Even though vampyres are a large part of everyday society - many famous actors, musicians, and artists can be found within their ranks - most people fear and downright hate them. So it's no surprise when Zoey Redbird is unexpectedly marked (a type of tattoo used to identify who and how advanced vampyres are) by the vampyre tracker at her school that her friends and ex-boyfriend are horrified by the change. Not to mention her mother and step-father who couldn't be more disgusted. Zoey's only support comes from her grandmother who takes her to the House of Night (or the Vampyre Finishing School) where she will be trained in all things bloodsucker. Just like any other new school, Zoey makes some new friends quickly and some enemies even faster. The beautiful Aphrodite (guess who chose her own name?) joined with her merry band of sycophants go out of their way to be cruel to Zoey, seeing her as an immediate threat to Aphrodite's domain. But Zoey is unique, specifically called by the goddess Nyx and given special powers that she isn't entirely sure about. All she knows is that she's there to make a change and that it won't be easy.The whole idea of a vampire finishing school is a interesting concept I just felt like some things were not explained as well as I would have liked (probably why it's a series). For example: Zoey is told she will get sicker and sicker until she goes to live at the House of Night after she is marked but no one explains why the house makes her better. They don't give any special medicine or make them drink blood yet so why the importance? Despite that, every character seems very real to me: I could hear Stevie Rae's twang and loved the Twins banter. Zoey was also great - full of self confidence but totally relaxed with friends. The only person who I felt was pretty darn flat was Erik Night - the hot guy who catches Zoey's eye. Not much too the boy besides being good looking. Maybe he'll get interesting in the coming books. My one major gripe with this book was how preachy it can be at times. Zoey goes off on little rants on a variety of topics including teenage drinking and drug use, makeup styles, cats, and even sexual practices which I felt were a little too pedantic for a teenager to be spouting off. Other than that it moved along at a nice clip - it just didn't wow me by any means.

[schnaucl_read · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

One day after school Zoey is marked by a tracker vampyre (presumably a vampyre who tracks down those who will turn into vampyres) which means that she will turn into a vampyre . She will have to leave the world she knows and attend the House of Night private high school, if she doesn't she will become sicker and sicker until she dies. Of course, not everyone survives the change and so even going to the high school won't necessarily save her. Zoey has one advantage over other fledglings, she's been personally selected by the vampyre goddess Nyx.This book was extremely frustrating for me. Despite the annoying spelling of vampyres (really? With a "y?") the Casts have a new and interesting take on the species. I like the idea of being marked and the terror of not knowing when you or a friend might suddenly die. The school sounds interesting, and the set up for the future is also promising. Here's why I won't be reading the series:First of all Zoey is pretty Mary Sue. She's extra special and all the popular people hate her while the hottest guy wants her. And she quickly becomes the center and leader of her own group of friends. Her mentor (who also mentors the popular girl) sides with her over the popular girl. . . One of the characters uses what are apparently $5 words. He's clearly using the words to show how smart he is rather than using the words because they're part of his natural vocabulary. And then the words have to be explained in a condescending way. Unfortunately, it makes the author(s) come off as pretty condescending. I knew all the words, I knew them when I was the age of the target audience of the book and I don't like being talked down to.But here's the real killer, the book tries to appeal to a high school audience, and in terms of how the teens talk it succeeds. The speech patterns ring true even if they are irritating. (Apparently the mom wrote the book and the daughter helped with the language). But then the main character comes off as a very heavy handed prude. Only "losers" drink or do pot in high school. I certainly am not advocating underage drinking and pot usage, but at least at my high school the vast majority of student had tried one or both. Now, I know prudish kids like that existed, I was that kid. Reading this book made me realize just how godawful irritating, annoying and clueless I must have been. I grant you the (ex) boyfiend who was drunk all the time probably was a loser, but Zoey lumps everyone who has ever tried drugs or alcohol in the same category as chronic drug abusers. Some experimentation is going to happen. The book does not need to be a just say no campaign. Speaking of just say no, the sex stuff is even worse and more heavy handed. The popular girl gives a guy a blowjob and Zoey assume she and all her friends are going to be STD ridden and pregnant (of course, there's no mention of the fact that the guys might be promiscuous). I can agree that blowjobs in the hallway are highly inappropriate but I'm not loving STD ridden and pregnant. But what finally killed it for me was when Zoey decides that making out with her boyfriend makes her "sluttish." I may have been prudish in high school, but even I didn't think a make out session meant someone was a slut.I don't like it when authors are condescending and I hate it when I feel like I'm being preached at. It's really too bad because I do want to know what happens next, but not enough to put up with that attitude.

[peaceloveandpat_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The real story started towards 3/4 f the book, unnecessary scenes, excessive pop culture citation, and under develop characters. The story does have a very interesting plot so I am hoping that this will get better. Reading the book was fun but the element of the usual fantasy-paranormal tenor was low for a second I thought I was reading Gossip Girls. There are reminders that they are vampire fledgling, no one will miss it. "Zoey and her Crescent Moon Mark" and that Zoey is special because the goddess vampire Nyx has chosen her. But other than that, it consist of complaints about raccoon eyes, hags from hell, drinking, smoking, sex, hypocrisy, etc..I get it that this book is more for the teenagers but it all sounds pretentious and Zoey is very Mary Sue that it contradicts with the bloodlust part and her raging hormones when she is near Erik. I wonder if the Mother-Daughter tandem in writing has anything to do with it.Let's talk about the Daughters of the Night. It was more of like a social circle for the rich, beautiful and snotty than an actual organization that insinuates importance. So stripping Aprodithe of her power to lead that group was a nice touch, so I am giving this series another try, in the hopes that Zoey's character exceeds expectations that would really make a difference in her vampire world.

[flemmily · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Although I found the writing rather cliche, I really enjoyed this book. It was a young adult book in the style of the Hollows series - a little less sex and humor, a little more romance and boarding school drama.I cannot believe the phrase "with great power comes great responsibility" was seriously used in the book.

[seekingflight · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Zoey Redbird is the newest fledging at the House of Night, an academy where those Marked to be ‘vampyres’ either complete the change or die. The characters in these books are caricatures, and I didn’t particularly enjoy the writing (it struck me as bland, repetitive and predictable). However, there *is* a glimmer of something that does appeal to me in these books, because I am continuing with the series, and I do (almost in spite of myself) want to know what happens next. If you're not sure whether to continue with the series, I found that it did improve a little as I got further into it, although many of the things that bothered me in the first book did continue to bother me in later books ...

[lwatson1120 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is mix between the Harry Potter and Twilight series. I finished this book in a day in a half. Once reading all of the introduction/opening part of the book, the plot gained momentum and the suspense increased three-fold. The characters are well developed, and the story line is very intriguing. Knowing beforehand that this is only book one out of nine total books, it leaves you with wanting more. Please be aware that this is classified as a teenage fiction book, and some parts are very “young in age”, but this is how the author(s) wrote the book to read. If you did enjoy either Harry Potter or Twilight, I would recommend that you read this book!

[gaskella_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Written by a mother and daughter team, this is the first in a series called the 'House of Night'. In the Casts' world, teenagers are 'marked' to become vampires. It has a cracking opening line - "Just when I thought my day couldn't get any worse I saw the dead guy standing next to my locker." Zoey is picked to become a vampyre (yes, with a 'y'), the tracker marks her forehead and from that moment on her life changes.She has to abandon everything and go to the 'House of Night' - the vampyre finishing school where they will take over her schooling and help her go through the change into becoming a vampyre. She's happy to leave her mother and her horrible new husband, but has to say goodbye to her Cherokee grandmother who lives out of town. While out looking for her Gran who is out in the hills, Zoey falls and has a vision from the vampyre goddess Nyx who asks her to be her eyes and ears at the House of Night. Once at school, she finds that she's the centre of attention, for the mark on her forehead has changed - it's different to all the other fledglings' ones, and not only is the headmistress Zoey's mentor, but the head girl Aphrodite is soon on her case!What ensues is more of a typical boarding school novel with secret clubs, cliques and escapades, and all the stereotypes above are present too. Many have commented that there's a touch of Hogwarts about it with the pupils learning to be vampyres, but these teenaged vampyres' blood is full of raging hormones so it's definitely not suitable for younger teens. It was more fun and definitely has a better sense of humour than Twilight, but I don't feel the compulsive need to read more of the series, (well - maybe!).

[missnickynack · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Enter the dark, magical world of the House of Night a world very much like our own, except here vampyreshave always existed. Sixteen-year old Zoey redbird has just been Marked as a fledglingvampyre and joins the House of Night, a school where she will train to becaome an adult vampyre. That is, if she makes it through the Change-and not all of those who are Marked do. It sucks to begin a new life, especially away from her friends, and on top of that, Zoey is no average fledgling. She has been chosen as special by the vampyre Goddess Nyx. Zoey discovers she has amazin powers, but along with her powers come bloodlust and an unfortunate ability to Imprint her human ex-boyfriend. To add to her stress, 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 group, 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.

[kaekiro · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I hate to give bad reviews, but I can't give this book or this series a good one. I wanted to like it, it has wicca undertones and that's my religion, and it does have a somewhat original setup, but it was just almost painful to read. Grammatical and spelling errors aside, this book had no real meat to it. Characters and their relationships were shallow. The main character is infuriating and unlikable, and not in the "is unlikable because she's been through so much and has been made this way" fun unlikable way. She's just such a child and immature even for a teen. And she has the typical character-god phenomena poor writers have where they make their characters masters of everything so they will be gifted instead of making them have a unique voice of their own. It's like dragon ball z, where goku just becomes ridiculous because it gets out of control. The plot was not fleshed out either. It's like the author had no idea of grand scheme before she started. I've never seen such poor writing be published. I had hoped the series would mature some, so I read every book released to date, and it just was a waste of time. I would give it less stars, but I feel mean enough with the rating I gave.

[elissajanine · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book pretty much fit my expectations of a Twilight-era teen vampire series--a pretty engaging plot (one that teens seem to get "sucked into"), flat characters that fulfill certain roles within the story (including some very stereotypical characters in minority roles--"the African princess" or the gay boy who reassures Zoey that he won't want "to touch your boobies"), and a modern, sarcastic voice. The authors work a very pagan/wiccan angle into the vampyre boarding school, and I can see the appeal this type of ritualistic magic has on teens, as well as the idea of an underdog girl--Zoey Redbird--who is somehow special, the first fledgling ever to be marked so completely by the goddess Nyx and showing an affinity for all five elements. Zoey's powers are clearly just beginning to develop, and the mysterious setting of the House of Night offers a lot of potential for future adventures.Personally, the flat prose and characterization and Zoey Redbird's moralizing voice made it hard for me to finish the book, but I can understand its appeal to teens looking for some mystery and mythology with their vampires. (And of course there was even romance!)

[8f_sam · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was awesome! I mean, I've read a lot of vampire (or vampyre in this book) books, but I have to admit, this was one of the best!! It seriously kicks Twilight's butt! I always knew right from the start that Zoey was special, and that weird things were gonna happen to her! I mean, most of the time the things happen to the main characters, anyways! But I knew right from the start, when she saw the 2 kids messing around in the hall on her first day, that the girl was gonna end up as her enemy, and the boy was gonna end up as her boyfriend! But I never predicted the ending! That was just WAY cool! I loved this book!

[ozma333 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

This is a terrible book. It is cliche and so horribly obvious that I couldn't get past five chapters. It is very clear that the author of this book was out to drive messages home to today's teens: intense organized religion: bad. Homosexuality: good. Fat/lazy people: bad. Paris Hilton: bad. Lots of make-up: bad. Eating all healthy food and chocolate only in moderation: good. The list could go on. I do not enjoy being preached at while I read and it was so clear that it was the author's intent that there were several times I was throwing the book down screaming in my head "not again!" There are no grey areas to her accusations either. All gay people are fantastic, all religious people are narrow-minded, etc... I will never pick up a book by this author again, simply terrible and offensive.