Abundant Books

The blog of a self confessed book addict. Reviews and musing about what, where and how I read.

Wednesday, November 05, 2008


Chosen (House of Night, Book 3)
By P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast


The third book in the House of Night series, Chosen picks up shortly after Betrayed. Dealing with the secrets she has to hide from her friends, knowing that any knowledge of Stevie Ray's condition could put them, not to mention Stevie Ray, in jeopardy, Zoey decides the safest thing for all involved is to keep the secret to herself .... and Aphrodite. But that's not the only thing she has to deal with. Suddenly not only does Zoey have to deal with her bloodlust issues and dating three guys at once - Heath is still desperate to maintain their relationship, Erik is her vampire boyfriend and Poet Laureate Lorne Blake is making his intentions very clear.

The conflict between Neferet and Zoey deepens, almost hitting a crescendo with a startling discovery of just what exactly the high priestess is willing to do to destroy Zoey. Aphrodite becomes a frenemy of sorts to Zoey, something the group just can't understand with their limited knowledge of what is actually going on. Zoey has to come to terms with the realisation that her best friend - who is now the Undead dead - needs her help or her soul will be lost to darkness forever and that humans are stalking vampires and murdering them - causing the vampires at and students at the House of Night to become uneasy with humans being so close to them.

Tegan and I are looking forward to the next installment of this series.

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Betrayed (House of Night, Book 2)
By P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast


This book starts up immediately where "Marked" left off - Zoey is settling into life as a vampire fledgling, surrounded by her newfound friends at the House of Night. She has proven herself a worthwhile student in the goddess, Nyx's, eyes and has been marked with a unique design across her forehead - something that has never been done to anyone - vampire or fledgling. Not only does Zoey have to take the responsibility as the leader of the Dark Daughters, she has a blooming relationship with Erik Night evolving, an imprint with her ex-human boyfriend, the famous poet and vampire teacher Lorne seemingly attracted to her and teens around town are being killed, with all signs pointing to the vampires and the House of Night as the culprits.

This is not your run of the mill series about vampires. It is more about teens who feel they don't fit in either at school or at home and have not had someone to help them realise their full potential in life. The metaphor of "the change" from human to vampire is subtle but easily grasped by teens that everyone has great potential even if they may not see it at a point in time of their life. It's easy to get caught up in Zoey's world; Tegan and I really enjoy this series and look forward to the others!

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Marked (House of Night, Book 1)
By P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast


In 16-year-old Zoey Redbird's world, vampires not only exist but are also tolerated by humans. Those whom the creatures "mark" as special enter the House of Night school where they will either become vampires themselves, or, if their body rejects the change, die. To Zoey, being marked is truly a blessing, though she's scared at first. She has never fit into the human world and has always felt she is destined for something else. Zoey's mother is weak, and her step-father all but hates her. Her grandmother, a descendant of the Cherokee, has always supported her emotionally, and it is she who takes the girl to her new school.

But even there the teen stands apart from the others. Her mark from the Goddess Nyx is a special one, showing that her powers are very strong for one so young. At the House of Night, Zoey finds true friendship, loyalty, and romance as well as mistrust and deception. She realises that all is not right in the vampire world and that the problems she thought she left behind exist there as well. The story moves quickly and purposely leaves many unresolved issues.

Marked is the first in the series. It seems to target older teens, but adults will find themselves drawn to it as well. I've been captured by Zoey's world and want to see how her special spiritualism develops over time. This book also left enough unanswered questions that I'm drawn to find out more. My teenage daughter also thoroughly enjoyed this book and has encouraged her friends to read it too.

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Saturday, November 01, 2008

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