The New Twilight?? SSR Book Assignment

Ok, so I know some of you are like what!? I bet you are thinking that nothing can compare to Twilight. I totally agree with you! However, after reading the Twilight series, I became obsessed with anything vampire. (I desperately wished that their was a real, live vampire named Edward out there for me!) Anyways, my hairstylist (who is also a Twilight fan) recommended the book Marked to me, which is about a vampire high school. I started reading the book and I couldn't put it down! It took me about a day and a half to finish the three hundred and five page novel.

Marked is the first book in a series of books called A House of Night written by P.C. Cast and her daughter Kristin Cast. The protagonist, Zoey Redbird, is a normal teenage girl who lives in a world where anyone who is "marked" becomes a fledgling vampyre and must attend the House of Night school. At the school, fledgling vampyres train to become adult vampyres. When Zoey is unexpectedly "marked," her whole life is turned upside down. Zoey quickly learns that not all vampyre fledglings live through the Change from fledgling to adult, and if she is not strong enough for the Change she will die. She is thrown into a new school, a new destiny, and basically a new life.

Once a student at the House of Night, Zoey realizes that her new school is very similar to her high school back home, minus the fact that they are all training to become bloodsucking vampyres. There is the snobby, ultra-powerful, and elite group, the Dark Daughters, whose corrupt leader, Aphrodite, thirsts for power and control. And of course, there is the completely amazing and handsome boy that has an interest in Zoey. The modern twist of vampyres in a high school is really interesting. It's like 90210, vampyre style.

Over the course of the book, Zoey learns that she has been given unique powers by the vampyre Goddess Nyx. Her unique powers are a great gift, however it makes Zoey different from the rest of the fledglings. She is new, she is different, and all she wants is to fit in. Zoey must take strength from her Cherokee heritage in order to use her special gift to stand up against the evil Aphrodite. All the while, Zoey is trying to make friends and complete her classes. The authors hooked me from the very beginning, not only with the storyline, but with the characters in the novel. Zoey is such a great character because of her imperfections. She is just this ordinary girl, who was "marked" for greatness.

I definitely wouldn't say that the House of Night series is the new Twilight, however, it is just as addicting to read. It will definitely quench your thrist for vampire novels. The authors created modern characters, who we can really relate to. There isn't as much lovey dovey scenes in Marked, it actually more on the creepy side. All in all, I would highly recommend Marked, especially if you loved Twilight. It is fun to compare the different characteristics of vampires in each book. Surprisingly enough, in both Twilight and Marked, vampires are always gorgeous and they can go in the sun, but they prefer not to.

I am currently reading the second novel in the series, Betrayed. So far it is pretty good. The great thing about reading the Twilight and the House of Night series, is that when you are finished reading one of the books you still have the rest of the series to read. Than again, once you finish the last book, it's really depressing. (Good thing there is FIVE books in the House of Night series!)

Oh and if anyone decides to read Marked, could you tell me why they spell vampyre like that?? It is so wierd?? I kept switching off from the two different spellings, not knowing which one to use.

What do you think?

VAMPIRE?

VAMPYRE?