Module 13 - A House of Night Novel: Marked

Coverart retrieved from the books record in worldcat

Biography

Cast, PC, & Cast, K. (2007).  Marked.  The House of Night Novels.  New York: St. Martin’s Griffin.

Summary

Zoeyy is like any other high school teenager.  She has problems with her parents, has a boyfriend, and she hates math.  In her world though, vampires have always existed as another race that lives an uneasy coexistence with humans.  In this first installation of the House of Night Novels, Zoey is marked by a vampyre tracker and forced to leave her family and friends to live in the House of Night academy where she will learn about the life of a vampire while she undergoes the Change from human to vampire.  In this school, students are called fledglings but upon awakening in the infirmary next to her grandmother, Zoey learns that she is not like the other first year students and that she was given a gift from Nyx, the vampyre goddess.  With the help of her four new friends, Zoey develops the courage and confidence to accept her fate.

My Impression

This is one of my eldest daughter’s favorite series.  I was reluctant to read these books when she first bought them because it seemed like a knockoff of the Harry Potter series.  I am glad she convinced me to read them and that our instructor allowed me to substitute this series for one of the titles on our list.  While there may be parents who will disapprove of these books due to characters and events that suggest the occult, it is a great book about new beginnings, developing friendships, dealing with death, and leadership.  The authors developed strong characters who even though they are vampires, people can still relate too.  I’ve already read the first two titles of the series and looking forward to reading the rest over the summer.

Reviews/Awards

YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 2008

Oklahoma Book Award, 2008

“Although she is a vampyre, Zoey Redbird's journey is one for every teen.  Her voice is genuine, and with the exception of a few vocabulary pitfalls, captures the sincerity and frankness of a teenager in search of a new home and a place where she truly belongs.  The emotional portrayal of Zoey's troubles and tribulations enhances the quality of these books.  True to life, she struggles with issues of trust, loyalty, love, sexuality, and identity and moves through a myriad of conflicting emotions from happiness to confusion to grief.  These books will have the reader laughing hysterically and sobbing unreservedly--sometimes all at once.”  —Courtney Wika (VOYA, December 2007 (Vol. 30, No. 5)).

“Even in vampire finishing school, there are injustices to be corrected. In this first book of the “House of Night” series, readers are introduced to a world where vampires are known to live and exist. They will be left eagerly awaiting the next installment.”—Kathleen Foucart (Children’s Literature).

 

Suggested Activities

The House of Night series would be a good lead in to the classic vampire stories as well as a good comparison between the vampire stories made into movies.  During a library session, students or patrons could watch the interview with PC and Kristin Cast conducted by CW at the Will Rogers High School Auditorium.  In a school setting, students could be asked to draw comparisons between the vampires in this series vs. the vampires in the classic stories or those found on TV and in the movies.  Another activity could be to write letters to the authors asking any questions they may have about the series.