Tempted (House of Night #6) by P.C. and Kristin Cast

The House of Night series by mother-daughter writing team P.C. and Kristin Cast follows the trials and tribulations of a young, newly-marked, female vampyre named Zoey. If you have not read the first book Marked, please read no further than this introductory paragraph as the following is sure to contain spoilers for the series. You can check out my thoughts on the first book and the series in general here. Make sure, once you've caught up, to check back and see my thoughts on this book!

Can't a girl catch a break? Between 3 boyfriends, fallen immortals, and a crazed former high priestess, fledgling Zoey Redbird has got her hands full. After battling Kalona, the fallen immortal, and Neferet, the crazed former high priestess of the Tulsa House of Night, Zoey and her friends take refuge with the nuns during the ice storm.

Most of the team rests up and prepares to move back to the House of Night, while Zoey must make her rounds. She's got to visit her wounded Warrior Stark, who took a major hit during the battle, but insists that he's more concerned about his high priestess. Then there's Heath to contend with. Her human consort can seem like a pain, but Zoey finds that no matter what happens he is the only one who can ground her and bring her back to reality. And finally there is Erik, who just doesn't seem to understand that Zoey can't only be with him. She's got other people who depend on her and need her, not just Stark and Heath.

In the mean time, Kalona is haunting her dreams, Stevie Rae is acting suspicious, and the gang is beginning to wonder what is in their near future. In her dreams, Kalona tries desperately to make Zoey understand that they are meant to be together and that it is not natural to stay apart. She hears his call is and drawn to his message. Stevie Rae is hiding something and it's not just more red fledglings. Zoey can feel that there is something more that is going unsaid between them, but she is trying to trust her best friend to tell the truth in her own time. Finally, Aphrodite, Darius,Damien, Jack, Erin, & Shaunee are beginning to wonder what has happened to their school, what Aphrodite's multiple visions mean, & where all of this is leading.

A major battle is brewing and this is only the beginning. Will all the fledglings make it to the end?

A spine-tingling, suspenseful read, Tempted brings back all that we love about the House of Night series and characters and then more. With things so twisted and uncertain, we really get to see what some of the characters are made of when they are put into difficult situations. While this book in particular, did not include the "gang" (Jack, Damien, Erin & Shaunee) nearly as much as some of the previous books, I enjoyed getting reacquainted with Stevie Rae & the now human Aphrodite. A fast-paced storyline that leaves you begging for more when you get to the "no way!" ending. I look forward to the next installment!

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday recognizes that we as bookies pine for books. This post is about what I am impatiently waiting for right now. It was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week's selection is Tempted by P.C. and Kristin Cast. The 6th title in the House of Night series coming out on October 27, 2009. Be forewarned! As this is the 6th book in a series, major spoilers follow if you haven't read the rest of the series yet. Check here for my post on the series in general (without spoilers) and the first book Marked. You have been warned.


Zoey needs a break after some serious excitement. Sadly, the House of Night school for vampyres doesn't feature breaks on its curriculum - even for a High Priestess in training and her gang. Plus juggling three guys is no stress reliever, especially when one is a sexy Warrior so into protecting Zoey that he's sensing her emotions. Wider stresses lurk too, and the dark force in Tulsa's tunnels is spreading. Could Stevie Rae be responsible for more than a group of misfit fledglings? And Aphrodite's visions warn Zoey to stay away from the immortal Kalona and his dark allure - but they also show that only Zoey can stop him. She's not exactly keen to meet up, but if Zoey doesn't go to Kalona he'll exact a fiery vengeance on those closest to her. She just has to find the courage to do what's necessary, or everything that's important to her will be destroyed.
-From Goodreads

I have fallen in love with this series. While there is high school drama in large quantities, there is just something about this series that pulls me in a way that not many other teen paranormal series can mimic. The characters are very approachable and the story has many twists and turns in it. I also like that there is Native American and Wiccan parts brought in as well as vampire lore. A good series for those who enjoy drama, sexy vampires, and a whole lot of mischief!

The House of Night Series by P.C. and Kristin Cast

How would you react if you went from being an average teenager, worrying about boyfriend issues and what you were going to wear to the next dance, to being a vampyre fledgling who will either complete the change into a full grown adult vampyre or DIE in the next 4 years?

That is the exact predicament that Zoey has found herself in when a tracker shows up at her school and marks her. While Zoey is miserable in her home life, living with a Stepford-wife mother and the loser of a step-father, she didn't really want to move in to the House of Night and leave everythign she knew. Then again, no one else really wanted to go there either.

And so begins Marked, the first book in the House of Night series. It follows the newly marked Zoey and her posse of friends during their trials and tribulations, not only as teenagers, but as up and coming vampyres. Stay tuned for later updates on the following titles in the series: Betrayed, Chosen, Untamed, Hunted, and being released this October Tempted.