Review: Marked by PC and Kristin Cast
Title: Source: Library Copy
My Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
From Goodreads.comThe 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.
Recently, while talking with a long time friend, we realized we had a lot of books in common. I recommended she read Vampire Academy and she said it reminded her of the House of Night series, of which I’d never even heard of. She lent me the first book, Marked, and I quickly started reading.
I could only give this one 3.5 stars because I have to admit – the writing of P.C. and Kristin Cast leaves a lot to be desired in my mind. I was really bummed when it didn’t grab me early on, it took FOREVER to get to 60%, but then? It finally jumped at me and I couldn’t read fast enough. The style is pretty simplistic, which I’m ok with, but at times it felt like it was written for teens by teens. (Which, nothing wrong with that! I just wasn’t expecting that style.)
It took my awhile to latch onto the characters too. It wasn’t until about the halfway point that I really connected with Zoey. And somewhere around that point I also fell for Erik! (I can’t wait to see more of him!) The only two characters that grabbed me from the start were Neferet and Grandma Redbird! (Although I have to admit? Aphrodite was the perfect Mean Girl!!)
I really enjoyed Marked, especially when I look back at it and realize that this was more about getting to know the characters for a long series. I am anxious to jump into this world and take this journey. But for me, it was a struggle to start because there were pieces that reminded me of Vampire Academy and even more that reminded me of Hex Hall – two Series that I absolutely adore and set the bar pretty high!
As for recommendations? I’d say I’m too early in the game to really throw one out to a specific crowd. It was a fun read, and I’m anxious for book #2, but I still need to see the tempo pick up before I go as far as recommending.
