Marked

Het leven is moeilijk als je zestien bent, je moeder getrouwd is met een loser van een stiefvader en je vriendje liever bier drinkt en chilt met zijn maten. Maar het is lang niet zo moeilijk als Uitverkoren zijn. Als de zestienjarige Zoey wordt uitverkoren door een vampier weet ze dat haar leven voorgoed zal veranderen: op haar voorhoofd verschijnt het teken van de vampiers en ze zal haar familie moeten verlaten om naar het Huis van de Nacht te gaan, een school waar ze maar één vak kennen: hoe word ik een vampier. Er zit echter een addertje onder het gras: als je niet slaagt, sterf je...

Het verhaal is erg herkenbaar geschreven. Zoey worstelt niet alleen met het feit dat ze verkozen is, ook met andere alledaagse (tiener)problemen. Leest lekker weg en is zo geschreven dat je je goed in kunt leven.

The first time I read this book I must have been around 12/13, so just over 10 years ago. I would have rated this a solid four, potentially a five back then as I remember devouring half of the series with great enjoyment.

Now as a 24-year-old literature student I found a lot of nostalgia but not a lot substance. The story is obviously enchanting and interesting, yet it feels immature even for a 13 year old to read, the syntax can be incredibly underdeveloped and I found myself cringing at far more than I remember. Yet, I can't say I didn't enjoy it, I'm not going to stop reading this series because it's comforting, it's like really cheap chocolate, it's cheap but it's still good.

I'm praying with each book of the series we see a development of the writing style and narrative as we watch Zoey mature and develop through her Change.

First of all, feel free to express any differences you have with me, as long as it is civil. I am all about comparing and discussing books. I see no need to argue via web about the book. Everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion.
I remember liking this book a lot better a couple years ago when I read it for the first time. Now, however, I feel very little happened in the 306 pages. I understand it is intended for the young adults, (which I am 22 now), but I am not understanding how negative these reviews are. I am not going to go on a tangent about other reviews though, so here is mine.

Dislikes:
I would have liked a little more suspense leading up to Zoey's marking.
There were times I got a bit annoyed with the inserted side comments and sarcasm, because of the frequent use of them.
Some of the “attention getters” did not have to be so inappropriate.
I could not help but feel a little uneasy every time a rude comment, or reference was made about the “step-loser”. Instead of feeling the dislike Zoey had for him, and the insults being directed at him, I felt it was always addressed to Christianity as a whole.
I would have liked Erik to be introduced in a less cliché fashion.

Likes:
I like the relatable parts such as when Zoey describes feeling like she does not belong. I enjoy being able to relate to characters when I read. It helps me feel like I am really part of the book.
Reading this book a couple years ago verses reading it now, does not change my likes and dislikes. I still enjoyed the book, in spite of my dislikes.
For some reason I got super excited when Zoey found Nala. I like cats and dogs alike, but this moment reminded me of when I found my black cat Spooks. The happiness just overwhelmed me. This goes with the being able to relate aspect of my review.

Favorite quote: “Darkness does not always equate to evil, just as light does not always bring good.”

Marked is the first book in the House of Night series, written by mother/daughter team P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast. I picked up this series after it was recommended to me by Amazon.com, because I ordered the entire Twilight Saga series. I wanted to let a little bit of time (a couple months) pass after completing the last book in the Twilight Saga before starting to read this series, so I would have a fresh mind. I have to say that I really enjoyed this first book in the series. I'm very excited to read the rest of the series.

Marked is about teen Zoey Redbird who receives the mark of the vampyre while at school. Vampyres (this is the spelling the authors use) are fairly common in society in this story and most humans have managed to live side by side with them, admiring and fearing them at the same time. When Zoey receives the crescent moon mark, she must leave her home and move to the vampyre school, The House of Night. As a fledgling vampyre, she is introduced to a whole new way of living: attending school from 8pm to 4am, participating in the nightly ritual calling for the favor of the Vampyre Goddess Nyx and surviving the typical teenage drama (boys, bullies, popularity, and just trying to “fit in”).

I thought the teenage “voice” of the characters was extremely authentic. Both of the authors are very familiar with the teen “voice”: P.C. is a high school teacher and Kristin is currently in college. I was able to relate to Zoey's experiences as the new student as well. I was always a new student growing up, moving around every 3 years, but there always seemed to be a group of kids at each of my new schools, who opened their circle to me and accepted me. Like me, Zoey is also welcomed by a small group of friends and thus finds a bit of relief in the drama-filled world of high school (even if it is a vampyre high school).

I just started the second book in the series and I'm very excited to read more of Zoey's adventures.