Marked and Betrayed both by PC & Kristin Cast

I'm going to talk about both of these books in one review instead of trying to write two separate ones. For one thing, I'm lazy and for another, they are very closely connected. The series is considered young adult, but since I haven't been one in...years, it's definitely readable by anyone.


Blurb for Marked: Enter the dark, magical world of the House of Night, a world very much like our own, except here vampyres have always existed. Sixteen-year-old Zoey Redbird has just been marked as a fledgling vampyre and joins the House of Night, a school where she will train to become 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 amazing 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.

What can I say about Marked? Zoey is a very cool heroine. She's just a teen herself, but has a selfpossession most people twice her age would kill for. The day she's Marked her life changes forever. She goes from being your average teen with an immature ex-boyfriend, a mother who ignores her and a stepfather from hell, to a young vampyre-to-be whose life has completely changed.

When she first gets to the House of Night, she goes through all those weird first-day-of-school things all people do, but she's got that even more since it's obvious right away that she's not like all the other fledglings.

What I love about Marked is how PC & Kristin have tweaked vampire legend and made it into something really unique. The story is told from Zoey's POV and it's interesting to see how she figures things out.

Aphrodite is the rival from hell. Her name does NOT have anything to do with her personality in any way, shape, or form. They are great nemeses and the way their power play goes back & forth is a great trip.

It's so hard to give a really concise review, because almost anything could be a spoiler. All I'll say is if you like a great adventure with romance, the struggle between good and bad, and some very unexpected twists....this is the book for you.


Rating: A-

You can visit the Cast's here


Betrayed by PC Cast & Kristin Cast


Back blurb: Fledgling vampyre Zoey Redbird has managed to settle in at the House of Night finishing school. She finally feels like she belongs, even gets chosen as the Leader of the Dark Daughters. Best of all, she actually has a boyfriend...or two. Then the unthinkable happens: Human teenagers are being killed, and all the evidence points to the House of Night. While danger stalks the humans in Zoey's old life, she begins to realize that the very powers that make her so unique might also threaten those she loves. Then, when she needs her new friends the most, death strikes the House of Night, and Zoey must find the courage to face a betrayal that could break her heart, her soul, and jeopardize the very fabric of her world. Betrayed, the second book in the House of Night series, is dark and sexy, and as thrilling as it is utterly shocking.

I actually read Marked when it first came out and reread it again after buying Betrayed. For some reason (don't ask me why), I didn't read Betrayed right away. Last night I decided to read Marked again to refresh my memory & then started Betrayed afterwards.

Now let me start off by saying that I didn't know what to expect. Marked ended in a way that was very surprising & I wasn't sure what Betrayed would be like. I think the blurb says it best. It is dark and sexy with so many twists & turns you'll be shaking your head...but in a good way.

Betrayed is a lot darker than Marked & it seems...older to me. Zoey hasn't been at HoN for all that long, but it seems like she's matured considerably since Marked. Her love life is confusing and she tries so hard to do what she feels is right.

There are moments I was laughing and others where I was crying my eyes out. The end is a major shock and now I'm waiting for Chosen to come out. I cannot wait to see how the story is ended.

And to think it all started when I won a copy of Goddess of Love last year. The Cast's have a very lyrical voice that will suck you right into this world they've created. I recommend it 100%.


Rating: A