Book Review: Marked (House of Night Series #1) by P.C. and Kristin Cast

Title: Marked (House of Night Series #1)

Author: P.C. and Kristin Cast

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Publishing Date: May 2007

Length: 320 pages

Genre: Fantasy, YA 

3/5 *** Marked is a youthful and fresh new vampyr book. Mark this as your next to-read novel!

~ The Authors ~

P.C. Cast was born in Watseka, Illinois, and grew up being shuttled back-and-forth between Illinois and Oklahoma, which is where she fell in love with Quarter Horses and mythology (at about the same time). After high school she joined the United States Air Force and began public speaking and writing. Since her tour in the USAF, she has been speaking and teaching professionally. P.C. Cast is an experienced teacher and talented speaker and a New York Times Best Selling author. She lives in Oklahoma with her fabulous daughter, her spoiled cat, and her adorable Scotties!

Author profile by Goodreads 

At 19-years-old, Kristin is thrilled to be coauthoring the YA series, THE HOUSE OF NIGHT, with her mother. The first book in the series will be her first published novel. She has won awards for her poetry, as well as served as journalist for her intermediate high school newspaper, Tiger Tales, and as editor for her high school magazine, Tiger Eye. Kristin attends Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and is working hard to fulfill her goal of becoming a veterinarian without bankrupting her mother. One of the Scottinators belong to her, although we’re not telling either of the dogs that she’s going to someday be their veterinarian. Kristin would love to hear from her fans, and can also be reached through her mother’s website.

Author profile by Goodreads 

For further information check out http://www.pccast.net/

~ The Novel ~

Marked was published in 2007 by St. Martin's Griffin and is only the first novel in the huge House of Night series which is planned to include twelve Books. It was followed by Betrayed (2007), Chosen (2008), Untamed (2009), Hunted (2009), Tempted (2009) and Burned (2010). Awakened, the 8th installment, will be released in January 2011.

For further information check out http://www.houseofnightseries.com/

~ The Story ~

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.

Summary by Goodreads

To read the first chapter of Marked, click here!

~ The Review ~

We are welcomed to the House of Night and introduced to all new rules and characteristics of vampyres immediately. So we get the chance to experience a whole new kind of vampire world together with likeable protagonist Zoey. Interesting new elements are marks, cats choosing you as their pet owner or a social system based on the favours of the Goddess Nyx.

I really like the idea of giving many vampyres a special affinity, which can be elemental, psychological or physical. P.C. and Kristin Cast provide a wide range of different personalities, protagonists and antagonists. I also like the idea of mother and daughter as co-authors. The mixture of well developed plot and application of casual language make this novel a fun and easy read.

Marked is about the adventures of a teenage vampyr, making new friends, experiencing love and fighting ancient enemies in the House of Night.

~ We love this book because… ~

1) of its youthful writing style

2) of a whole bunch of great new friends

3) we would love to control an elemental power ourselves

4) we draw a crescent moon  on our forehead pretending we are marked

5) we love huge series and Marked is just the first book in a series of twelve!

~ The Verdict ~

If you like to expand your vampire novel horizon, Marked is just the right choice to start with. It is an easy, but fresh and funny read! Let’s enter the House of Night together with Zoey Redbird!