Book Review: Marked

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.

–From Goodreads

Cover Inspection:
I don’t really love this cover. It’s interesting enough, but it doesn’t call out to me like some others.

First Thoughts:
If all the dialogue sounds like this, I’m seriously going to go mad.

***

My Review:
Okay I will not lie, this book’s writing style made me cringe and I almost put it down just based on that. I have nothing against catering to your audience. Of course if you’re writing YA fiction, you should cater to that age of readers. However it’s my opinion that the writing in this story went a little overboard on “hip teen” lingo. Luckily I’m persistent, and so I dove into the book looking for the overall story.

Once I was past the way that Zoey and her friends speak to one another, I found that the story within was actually rather interesting. The vampyres in Zoey’s world are actually known to exist by the outside populous, and although they aren’t liked they are accepted. I’ll admit that I was intrigued by the fact that they had their own boarding school, complete with teachers in each aspect that they needed to master. I also really fell in love with a few of the other characters that surround Zoey in her journey.

Unfortunately the writing and the subtle life lessons that are thrown into the story really turned me off. I may pick up the next installment of the book to find out what happens to the characters, but I’m honestly not sure. There are too many things that I had a hard time with. Perhaps it is my age that created so much trouble with this book, it’s hard to say. I still would recommend this as a library book! Give it a try. You’ll never know until you try.

Book Details
Title: Marked (House of Night #1)
Author: P.C. Cast
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Pages: Paperback; 306
Source: Purchased from used book store

Final Rating: 2 Keys to My Heart
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