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. ( )

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. ( )

Young Adult Novel

‘Marked’ is the first book in the ‘House of Night’ series. I found no awards that the book had won or been nominated for, but did find MANY positive reviews.

In ‘Marked’ we are introduced to Zoe Redbird, a normal teenager who wants nothing more than to live her life as a normal teenager. Unfortunately for Zoe she is one of the marked, teens who have a crescent moon tattoo that appears on their forehead, marking them as a future vampire. Zoe has to give up her human lifestyle and move to the House of Night, a school for fledgling vampires. She leaves behind a less than supportive family (other than her grandmother) and an adoring boyfriend to venture into a world full of strangers and strange people where she must learn to follow the path of Nyx (the vampire Goddess). Zoe makes good friends and bad enemies while adjusting to her new life as a vampire.

‘Marked’ is a fast paced novel that has a main character it is easy for teens to identify with. Even after Zoe is marked as a fledgling she is subject to the normal teenage problems; boys, catty girls, boys, school, boys, and alienation from the adults in her life. This book continues the vampire rage started with ‘Twilight’, but the characters are more realistic and the story line is completely original – right down to the ‘rules’ that set the vampires apart from humans. I especially enjoyed the tattoos that mark the fledglings and adults, and the different abilities that each vampire manifests after they attain adulthood. These details really liven up the story; they keep the reader from skimming details that are oft repeated in most vampire stories. Cast brings her characters to life in a way rarely seen, especially in teen fiction. All in all this book was an excellent read – for adults as well as teens.

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). ( )

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. ( )