Review : Burned (House of Night #7)

Title: Burned (House of Night #7)
Author: PC & Kristen Cast
Publisher: St Martin's Griffin
Pages: 364
Challenge: YA Series
Source: Personal Copy


My Rating:

Zoey Redbird is the youngest High Priestess in House of Night history and is the only person – vamp or fledgling – that can stop the evil Neferet from raising all kinds of immortal trouble. And she might just have a chance if she wasn’t so busy being dead. Well, dead is too strong a word. Stevie Rae knows she can bring her BFF back from her unscheduled va-cay in the Otherworld. But it’s going to take a lot more than hoping to bring Zoey back. Stevie Rae will have to give up a few secrets of her own . . .summary from goodreads.com

After reading this latest installment, I can safely say I am done with the House of Night series for good. The only reason I finished BURNED was out of loyalty. This was one of the series that got me back into reading. I loved the whole idea of boarding school for vampires with special powers (it was as if Twilight met Harry Potter). I loved Zoey and the nerd heard and loved reading about all the adventures they had, but lately, these past couple of books have not been living up to their predecessors.

One of the things that really bugged me in this book was the switching POV. I don't understand how a chapter in Zoey's POV would be in first person, but then the next chapter (or any chapter that wasn’t Zoey’s POV) would be in the third person. Does that make sense? It confused the heck out of me. If you’re going to use multiple POV’s at least make them work.

Another pet peeve of mine; what’s up with all the F-bombs? Aside from being totally inappropriate, it was such a distraction. I may not be a teen anymore, but I don’t remember saying fuck in every other sentence. It seemed to be like the Cast’s were trying too hard to get the “teenage voice” down. Also, the storyline was just too slow. I literally had to skip parts in hopes that the story would pick up the pace later on.

The only good thing I can say about BURNED is Stark. I love his character and I very much enjoyed his journey in this book. I respected the fact that he felt forced to go on this “mission” to save his queen (Zoey)…. And that little twist about having to defeat the evil within himself?! Totally surprised me, very clever. Was not expecting that.

Overall, I think it’s safe to say that I will not be continuing with the series. If by any chance I start to hear the series improves, (I mean, they are planning on having 12 books in the series, this is barely book 7), I might pick it back up. But I’ll most likely get it from the library. I’m done spending money on the House of Night novels.

Review: Tempted by PC & Kristen Cast

Title: Tempted (House of Night #6)
Author: PC & Kristen Cast
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Pages: 336
Challenge: YA Series

My Rating:
 

Zoey needs a break after some serious excitement. Sadly, the House of Night school for vampyres doesn't feature breaks on its curriculum - even for a High Priestess in training and her gang. Plus juggling three guys is no stress reliever, especially when one is a sexy Warrior so into protecting Zoey that he's sensing her emotions. Wider stresses lurk too, and the dark force in Tulsa's tunnels is spreading. Could Stevie Rae be responsible for more than a group of misfit fledglings? And Aphrodite's visions warn Zoey to stay away from the immortal Kalona and his dark allure - but they also show that only Zoey can stop him. She's not exactly keen to meet up, but if Zoey doesn't go to Kalona he'll exact a fiery vengeance on those closest to her. She just has to find the courage to do what's necessary, or everything that's important to her will be destroyed. -summary from goodreads.com

I've stuck with his series for quite some time now. I really enjoyed the first five House of Night books, with the exception of book 3.... its was just bad. I remember all books as being addicting, edge of my seat interesting. I know I was often annoyed by the constant recapping, but I thought the characters were good and the story line was strong.... but Tempted was different. It was more of a bitter-sweet read- let me explain;

For starters, I felt that it took too long for the story to actually develop into an interesting plot. The books begins with the same problem Zoey has had throughout all 6 books; she can’t decide which boy toy she wants on her top shelf... I'll be honest, I'm starting to really dislike Zoey! She is like the Whore of all Babylon (excuse the language), yet every male character (with the exception of Damien and Jack) fall for her... I laughed my butt off when Erik told her, "I'm sick of you cheating on me with everyone who has a dick." Haaaaa! Even the characters in the book share my opinion! This whole book was supposed to be a big build up to Zoey's showdown with Kalona, but the story ends so suddenly that I felt ripped off. The actual "fight" isn't a fight at all and is done in about two pages. It just seemed pointless for the group to take a trip to Italy to have the book end as it did.

Despite whatever I just wrote, I did like the book. Stark was around alot and he is my favorite character hands down. It was nice to see more of him.... What he see's in Zoey, I will never understand. About the POV's changing in the book; I was worried at first that things would get confusing, but I found myself relieved to be in someone else's head that wasn't Zoey. It was very refreshing. I really liked the Heath and Stark parts, even though they were very small. And, surprisingly enough, I really enjoyed all Zoey/Stark interactions; I really see a relationship growing between the two, even though it's very obvious that Stark fights his true feelings for Zoey throughout the entire book.

Now do you understand why this book is more of a bitter-sweet read? The ending was a bit disappointing (not to mention super sad), but if you must know, yes- I will read the next installment but only because I already bought it. Hopefully the next book, Burned, picks up the slack and gets back into all the action.

Review: Hunted (House of Night #5)

Title: Hunted (House of Night #5)
Author: PC & Kristen Cast
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Challenge: YA Series Challenge
Pages: 323


My Rating:

What if the hottest guy in the world was hiding a nameless evil, and all he wanted was you? Kalona looks gorgeous, and he has the House of Night under his spell. A past life holds the key to breaking his rapidly spreading influence, but what if this past life shows Zoey secrets she doesn’t want to hear and truths she can’t face? On the run and holed up in Tulsa’s Prohibition-era tunnels, Zoey and her gang must discover a way to deal with something that might bring them all down. Meanwhile, Zoey has a few other little problems. The red fledglings have cleaned up well – they’ve even managed to make the dark, creepy tunnels feel more like home – but are they really as friendly as they seem? On the boyfriend front, Zoey has a chance to make things right with super-hot ex-, Erik, but she can’t stop thinking about Stark, the archer who died in her arms after one unforgettable night, and she is driven to try to save him from Neferet’s sinister influence at all costs. Will anyone believe the power evil has to hide among us? -summary from goodreads.com

Hurray for Hunted! I seriously was beginning to doubt the mother-daughter duo, but they have pulled it off once again! I won’t lie, I was really feeling this book…. we finally see a bit more action going on, the plot moves forward (even though at times, the book did seem like a bit of a “filler”, but it’s ok cause I loved it). And although, to me personally, Zoey is on the brink of looking like a hoe, I LOVE STARK! (Erik, who?) I'm very happy with what happens between Zoey and Stark, but a bit of closure with Erik or Heath would have been nice. Maybe we’ll see this in the next installment.

The only thing I wasn’t feeling was the fact that I'm finding way too much repetition for such a short book. These books are way too short and the first couple of chapters are dedicated to summarizing past events. Um, hello! This is book 5 for goodness sake. If we’ve followed this far I’m pretty sure we know what’s going on.

Overall, Hunted is an awesome add to the HON series! More than anything, this book shows us how Zoey struggles with her powers and her friends, not so much as by arguing, but how to make them see her point of view. She still continues to have a bit of guy drama, but not as much as in other books. It was nice to read about Zoey’s true feelings and what she planned on doing about everything and everyone. It truly was a light, easy, entertaining read. If you’ve followed Zoey and the Nerd Heard up to book 5, read it now! You won’t be disappointed.

Review: Untamed (House of Night #4)

Title: Untamed (House of Night #4)
Author: PC & Kristen Cast
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Pages: 338
Challenge: YA Series 2011

My Rating:

Life sucks when your friends are pissed at you. Just ask Zoey Redbird – she’s become an expert on suckiness. In one week she has gone from having three boyfriends to having none, and from having a close group of friends who trusted and supported her, to being an outcast. Speaking of friends, the only two Zoey has left are undead and unMarked. And Neferet has declared war on humans, which Zoey knows in her heart is wrong. But will anyone listen to her?  Zoey's adventures at vampyre finishing school take a wild and dangerous turn as loyalties are tested, shocking true intentions come to light, and an ancient evil is awakened in PC and Kristin Cast's spellbinding fourth House of Night novel. -Summary from goodreads.com

Hurray for Untamed! After reading Chosen, I was really hesitant about picking up this next book in the series. I'm reading this series for  YA series challenge and to be honest I was so close to just dropping the House of Night series as a whole. I really enjoyed the first 2 books, the 3 one not so much, so I didn't know what to expect from this one... But let me tell you now that the mother-daughter team pulled it off!

Untamed starts of right where book 3 ended. Zoey is slowly getting back into the good grace of her friends, and things seem to be getting better w/Erik. Neferet is still an evil witch, but you'll have to read the book to know what’s going on w/her. I don't want to give too much away. I really admired Zoey in this installment. Even though she's a got a shit ton of problems, she faces them head on and with a brave attitude. I'm also really beginning to accept Zoey and Aphrodite's friendship. During the past books, Aphrodite really didn't warm up to me, but in Untamed, you see their friendship grow, and you can't help but love it.

Overall, Untamed gets our Nerd Herd back together as they face new enemies and challenges but they also make quite a few friends along the way! So glad to see that Zoey is back on track and ready to kick ass in the next book; Hunted.

Review: Chosen (House of Night #3)

Title: Chosen (House of Night #3)
Author: PC & Kristen Cast
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Pages: 320
Challenge: YA Series 2011

My Rating:

Dark forces are at work at the House of Night and fledgling vampyre Zoey Redbird’s adventures at the school take a mysterious turn. Those who appear to be friends are turning out to be enemies. And oddly enough, sworn enemies are also turning into friends. So begins the gripping third installment of this “highly addictive series” (Romantic Times), in which Zoey’s mettle will be tested like never before. Her best friend, Stevie Rae, is undead and struggling to maintain a grip on her humanity. Zoey doesn’t have a clue how to help her, but she does know that anything she and Stevie Rae discover must be kept secret from everyone else at the House of Night, where trust has become a rare commodity. Speaking of rare: Zoey finds herself in the very unexpected and rare position of having three boyfriends. Mix a little bloodlust into the equation and the situation has the potential to spell social disaster. Just when it seems things couldn’t get any tougher, vampyres start turning up dead. Really dead. It looks like the People of Faith, and Zoey’s horrid step-father in particular, are tired of living side-by-side with vampyres. But, as Zoey and her friends so often find out, how things appear rarely reflects the truth…  -Summary from goodreads.com

 
Review: What is going on with this series? If you read my opinion of HON book #1, Marked- you'd know that I loved it! Devoured it in less then a day. The second book was good too. Not as great as the first, but sequels never live up to their predecessor… But to be honest, Chosen was really lagging it!

Throughout the whole book I found myself wanting to reach into the book and slap Zoey around. Her attitude is just plain wrong; she doesn't even have common sense. I felt so bad for Erik... Zoey had such a good thing going with him and now she just messed it all up! Stupid Loren. Oh and poor Stevie Rae! To be honest, she was one of my favorite characters from the first two books. I'll most likely continue reading the series just to see what happens with her and the whole 'red fledging' thing going on. 

I know I'm probably being a bit harsh, but I can't believe how quickly things went down hill in this book. Another thing that's starting to bug is the author's obvious "dislike" towards religion. Yes, I understand that in the novel "the people of faith" are not very nice, but is there really a need to constantly talk bad about them?

Alassss.... Like any good series, I think there comes point where not everything can be smiles and sunshine. Zoey needs to overcome these challenges & keep moving forward! I'm crossing fingers that this is what the author has planned, cause this next book has to get back on track!

 

Review: Betrayed (House of Night #2)

Title: Betrayed (House of Night #2)
Author: PC & Kristen Cast
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Pages: 310
Challenege: YA Series 2011



My Rating:

Fledgling vampyre Zoey Redbird has managed to settle in at the House of Night.  She’s come to terms with the vast powers the vampyre goddess, Nyx, has given her, and is getting a handle on being the new Leader of the Dark Daughters. Best of all, Zoey finally feels like she belongs--like she really fits in. 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 from 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. -summary from goodreads.com

3 words: FUN, suspenseful, and entertaining!

In the second installment of the House of Night Series, we follow Zoey Redbird, who is currently the most powerful fledging ever known and is discovering more about her powers and her connection with the goddess Nyx, that's a big part of her story in this book. Zoey is trying to find her place at HON and has surrounded herself with a great group of friends. She's also learning the ropes on being a nurturing leader of the Dark Daughters. She is still dealing with Aphrodite, her biggest competitor and nemesis at the academy, but she soon learns that there is more to this rogue teen than meets the eye.
However, when a couple of football players from her old high school turn out dead, and everything points to a vampire killer, the million dollar question is; “Who’s behind the attacks?” 

Betrayed is a dark and compelling teen paranormal novel. Zoey is a believable character, and her friends are three-dimensional and wonderful. Throughout the story, we get very good character development, especially with Aphrodite. In the first book I just knew that I wasn't going to like Aphrodite's character at all but after this book I think I'm changing my mind. We learn why she acts the way she does and does some of the things that she does. We also learn a bit about her family and that explains A LOT! Nefaret's part in this book is very telling as well. I can't really say more than that without giving anything away but I can't wait to see what happens next with her.

The story takes a few steps away from the storyline in Marked. The twists and turns are interesting, but I'm not thrilled with the cliffhanger type of ending. I do look forward to reading Chosen, especially to know what happens between Zoey and Erik/Loren. I read many reviews in which people stated that they didn’t like the whole love triangle going on with Zoey, but to be honest I didn’t mind it at all. If anything, it kept the story that much interesting and entertaining.

Overall, Betrayed was a entertaining and suspenful read! If you're looking for a compelling YA vampire series, pick this one up now :)

Review: Marked (House of Night #1)

Title: Marked (House of Night #1)

Author: PC & Kristen Cast

Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Pages: 320

My Rating:

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 from goodreads.com

This book was such a great, funny and quick read! PC & Kristen Cast have a created an awesome kick-ass magical vampire (Correction- vampyre) world where both vampires & humans learn to co-exist. The book tells the story of 16 year old Zoey, how she's marked as a vampyre & sent off to live at the House of Night. HON turns out to be more like a boarding school for vampyres... Kind of like saying Harry Potter meets twilight, you know, without the sparkling vampire crap....!

Throughout the book Zoey makes friends (as well as enemies), learns a thing or two about controlling elements & falls for the cutest guy in school, Erik Night! But don't worry, her feelings are mutual... :) haha! My fav character would have to be Damien. You gotta love the hot gay nerd! I really disliked Aphrodite (really? who would actually pick that as a name?), she's just a straight out b*. But I will admit, she did have her funny moments!

Overall this book is a unique, funny, fast paced read that you will not be able to put down! Lucky for me- the sequel is sitting in my bookshelf!