House of night series – P.C Cast and Kristin Cast

For the best part of the last two weeks I have immersed myself in the dramas of the House of Night. And I do mean the best part in terms of time and in terms of it been the highlight of the last few weeks. When I haven't been reading them, I have been thinking of the characters and what was going to happen and what I would do it the situation. I haven't experienced that about a series for a while, but perhaps it is also because I have been flooded by the story. I have read the eight books in the series and the last one with bated breath as I thought the story was coming to a conclusion. Wrong! These is still more to go and the next book “Destined” is due our at the end of October!
So.....why do I like the books so much
I really related to the heroine of the story, Zoey Redbird, is strong, loyal and far from perfect She makes mistakes, she keeps secrets she probably shouldn't, she is confused about love and the boys in her life, and when she cries she snots a lot. She is a 16 year old who becomes marked – that is chosen out of the human race because she will, in time, become a vampyre. It is a literal mark - the outline of a blue crescent moon that appears of her forehead. She must leave her present life and live at a school for fledglings (vampyres in the making). A fledgling needs to be strong to survive the change or they may die and being close to other vampyres makes fledglings stronger.  Before Zoey arrives at the school however she is visited by the goddess Nix (a sort of good Gaian mother nature type being) and her blue crescent moon tattoo becomes filled in – something that doesn't usually happen until a fledgling becomes a vampyre. So from the start Zoey is marked as special and she is also given unique gifts not seen in a fledgling before.
Like most heroines Zoey is supported by a group of friends who become known as the nerd herd. These friends are also specially blessed by the goddess Nix. There is her BFF Stevie Rae, studious Damien, fashionista 'twins' Shaunee and Erin, rich and bitchy Aphrodite, exuberant Jack, boyfriend Erik, and human ex-boyfriend Heath. I loved the interactions between these characters and how they develop (with some very unexpected developments) though the series.
The plot follows the age old idea of good verses evil, Light verses Darkness. However evil isn't devoid of Light and good can also be touched by Darkness. The authors are not afraid to kill off characters or allow characters to have a change of heart. And this plays out in the unexpected twists and turns in the plot. I did have one point of issue about the portrayal and treatment of one of Zoey's boyfriends who had become my favourite, however as the plot progressed in made sense, much to my dismay. As for the uncontrollable urge to continue reading book after book, the authors delight in leaving the reader hanging at the end of the novel (thus my long reading sessions into the wee hours of the morning).
I can't say too much about the books or the characters without revealing spoilers but if you love vampire fiction you will LOVE this series. 8/10

The books in the series can be found on the House of Night website