Marked by P.C. Cast + Kristin Cast

Title : Marked
Author : P.C. Cast + Kristin Cast
Genre : Young Adult, Paranormal
Series : Book #1, House of Night
Pages : 320
Publish Date : May 01, 2007
Publisher : St. Martin's Griffin
Started Reading : January 23, 2011
Completed Reading : January 25, 2011
Book Rating : 4/5


ENTER THE DARK, MAGICAL WORLD OF THE HOUSE OF NIGHT. 

a world very much like our own, except here vampyres have always existed. Sixteen-year-old Zoey Redbird has just been Marked as a fledgling vampyre and joins the House of Night, a school where she will train to become an adult vampyre. That is, if she makes it through the Change - and not all of those who are Marked do. It sucks to begin a new life, especially away from her friends, and on top of that, Zoey is no average fledgling. She has been chosen as special by the vampyre Goddess Nyx. Zoey discovers she has amazing powers, but along with her powers come bloodlust and an unfortunate ability to Imprint her human ex-boyfriend. To add to her stress, 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 group, 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.


*****

This was a pretty good read. And I had this in my TBR list since last year (i think). It's a pretty different view from vampires that we're used to. First off, people don't get to be a vampire because they are bitten. They are Marked (hence, the title). I just don't remember if they explained how one was Marked... hmmm. I don't think it was explained. I wish though that Erik had more to do with the "circle" that they did during the rituals. I think I sort of expected it because of what he is in Zoey's life.

My favorite part was when Zoey's grandmother was trying to console Zoey about the changes happening to her.

"You're special Zoey. You always have been. Why should that change now?"

"I don't feel special. I feel like a freak."

"Then remember something. You're still you. Doesn't matter that you've been Marked. Doesn't matter that you're going through the Change. Inside, your spirit is still your spirit. On the outside you might look like a familiar stranger, but you need only look inside to find the you you've known for sixteen years."

To put it simply, it's really about Change and how one goes through that phase. And how at times, you'll feel lost, but in the end, you'd eventually find who you are.. and that there will always be someone (friends, family, loved ones) who'll be there with you  all the way.

I'd definitely read the rest of the series. :)