Sara Hantz » Blog Archive » BOOK REVIEW…Marked: A House of Night Novel by P C Cast and Kristin Cast

April 29, 2007

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.

When I was asked to review Marked, I wasn’t sure what my reaction would be. I don’t read paranormal books, especially not books with vampires in them.

Well, all I can say is WOW!!! It hooked me from the start. It’s one of those rare books that, if you have to put it down, you spend the intervening time wondering what’s going to happen next to the characters.

I love Zoey, for her strength of character, and also her vulnerability and the loyalty she shows to her friends. The writing is really evocative and the atmosphere the authors create eerily realistic – the Dark Daughters scene toward the end of the book is totally riveting.

I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. I’m sure P C Cast and Kristin Cast are going to have an awesome career in young adult fiction. Check out www.pccast.blogspot.com for an article by Kristin on writing the book, and also the website of P C Cast http://www.pccast.net/

Posted by Sara Hantz in Uncategorized @ 12:27 pm

On May 1st, 2007 at 1:58 pm
Alyssa Goodnight Says:

That book sounds great! I never read paranormals myself, but then on a blog recommendation, I read Twilight by Stephenie Meyers, loved it, and recently read Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith. Looks like this one is next!
On June 28th, 2007 at 2:19 am
Leandros Says:

Cool…
On July 9th, 2007 at 11:33 pm
Loukas Says:

Cool.
On July 10th, 2007 at 1:09 am
Grigorios Says:

Nice…
On July 10th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
Demetri Says:

Cool!
On July 10th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
Argyros Says:

Interesting…
On July 10th, 2007 at 8:26 pm
Sophocles Says:

Cool…
On July 10th, 2007 at 10:29 pm
George Says:

Nice
On July 11th, 2007 at 5:54 am
Samaras Says:

Sorry
On July 11th, 2007 at 7:37 am
Andreas Says:

Nice
On July 11th, 2007 at 9:18 am
Ivan Says:

Sorry
On July 11th, 2007 at 5:13 pm
Xenophon Says:

Cool!
On July 12th, 2007 at 6:04 pm
Aristotelis Says:

interesting
On August 17th, 2007 at 10:30 pm
Sterghios Says:

Nice
On September 24th, 2007 at 10:19 am
Kirsten Says:

This book is SOOO WONDERFUL!! As soon as I finish the first chapter, I couldn’t stop reading. It’s really hard for a book to do that in my point of view. I can’t wait for the second book to come out. PC and Kristin Cast are the BEST!!!
On October 1st, 2007 at 12:07 pm
Shelby Says:

Marked was a great book. It opened the magical world to me. Zoey can relate to anyone (except for being a vampyre). I love fantasy and this book took my love to a whole new level.
On October 10th, 2007 at 8:12 am
I Won! « A Bunch of Wordz Says:

[...] Hantz had this to say about it in her blog at sarahantz.com: When I was asked to review Marked, I wasn’t sure what my reaction would be. I don’t read [...]
On November 27th, 2007 at 10:08 am
Sarah Says:

Marked was one of the best books i’ve ever read.at first I was never really into that kind of stuff but then I read Twilight and now I’m always on the lookout for books that have anything to do with vampires,werewolves,werecats you name it.Also there’s a really good book out called A Great and Terrible Beauty.If you haven’t had the chance to read it you should.
On December 7th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
Jennifer Says:

The second book “Betrayed” made me so sad at the part with poor Stevie Rae.

I love the House of Night books, and look forward to “Chosen.”
On December 16th, 2007 at 11:12 am
Idetrorce Says:

very interesting, but I don’t agree with you
Idetrorce
On December 22nd, 2007 at 9:05 pm
Bee..anca Says:

Wow! well I havent read anything for a while (the last books i read were the Twilight series - absolutely looovved them) and now that it’s holidays i’ve been looking forward to reading something new, I saw Marked and Betrayed at the shops the other day and wasn’t sure about them, but having read these reviews I think I’ll definately get them!

Thanks!
On January 2nd, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Kaity Says:

omg i so love this book! i am such a vampire freak and once i started the first chapter i could not stop reading! its was amazing! I am just wating for the second one betrayed to come in!
On January 3rd, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Aminah Says:

Those books were the best books ive ever read i just finished the first and second and i cant wait for the third the house of night books rule!!!
On January 3rd, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Aminah Says:

I am such a huge vampire freak like omg i love that stuff.
On January 3rd, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Aminah Says:

i just read betrayed i couldnt put it down and i started to cry when i was reading it was so sad.
On January 3rd, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Aminah Says:

the house of night and twilight series have got me hooked.
On January 30th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Zoe Says:

I just finished the book about a minute ago and it was GREAT! It had me hooked as soon as I started reading it. EVERYONE MUST READ THIS TOTALLY AWESOME BOOK!!