My cousin has been on me to start these novels for the longest time, being a fan of the Twilight Saga and such. Since I was in the mood for more teen vampire fiction (does this genre ever end) I took her advice and embarked on my journey – which will include 8 more novels in the series. The next one is Betrayed.
A hybrid of the Twilight and Harry Potter Series, these novels are about a change taking place amongst humans – specifically for the students at the House of Night (the marked or chosen ones) - bringing forth ancient powers and gifts and turning the successful changers into vampires (or vampyres). The characters worship the Goddess Nyx and struggle to make it through the Change using their individual strengths and her guidance.
Marked was a fun novel to read, but along with that it also references many topics of our time, such as junk DNA, vaccines (which are made to prevent the Change) and spiritual ideas and rituals. There’s no deep dissertation on these topics, unfortunately, just a quick word here and there in relation to the simple context of the novel.
Zoey Redbird, with her native heritage, Grandmother’s wisdom, and inheritance from Nyx, leads the pack. But she has her challenges – mostly Aphrodite, a superficial but beautiful fledgling whose selfishness and immaturity causes harm and heartbreak to almost everyone (but even she has a divine part to play). Zoey’s aim is to find a place where she belongs and to learn about her new friends and whether or not she can trust them. And, of course, to explore her new found blessings and romance(s) (I peaked at the other books to come).
I loved the Wiccan rituals and learned how to use a smudge stick. Coincidentally, I’d just bought one before reading this novel. Lavender and sage (white) is the best option for cleansing (a person, place or object) of spiritual negativity and influence. The smoke of these sacred plants and resins purify, especially when used with prayer. Lavender helps with balance (of light and dark, one would guess) and draws loving energy. Sweet grass is one of the most sacred herbs, bringing forth spiritual energy (only to be used after sage has been used to purify).
The only thing that continued to bother me throughout the novel was the lack of compassion and understanding for the souls (humans) who’ve not made it to the House of Night...yet - even from Zoey. I found all of the characters to be very judgemental, displaying a type of vanity, considering their own personal species to be superior and to be modelled by others (ego – made in their image). I prefer to believe all spirits are individual and should be celebrated as so. Some are beautiful, some are not. Some are loud and some are soft. It’s just the nature of all things. Not to be fixed, only to be grown at an appropriate pace and to be admired.
The language, content and style are very simple, but I enjoyed having a little literary fun, which is certainly no crime. I’ll give it a break for awhile and then continue on again soon with the rest of the House of Night novels. I’ve even convinced a friend to join me! :)
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