Destined(House of Night 9)Author: P.C. and Kristin CastPublisher: St. Martin’s Griffin, 2011
Zoey is finally home where she belongs, safe with her Guardian Warrior, Stark, by her side, and preparing to face off against Neferet -- which would be a whole lot easier if the High Council saw the ex-High Priestess for what she really is. Kalona has released his hold on Rephaim, and, through Nyx's gift of a human form, Rephaim and Stevie Rae are finally able to be together -- if he can truly walk the path of the Goddess and stay free of his father's shadow.
But there are new forces at work at the House of Night. An influx of humans, including Lenobia's handsome horse whisperer, threatens their precarious stability. And then there's the mysterious Aurox, a jaw-droppingly gorgeous teen boy who is actually more -- or possibly less -- than human. Only Neferet knows he was created to be her greatest weapon. But Zoey can sense the part of his soul that remains human, the compassion that wars with his Dark calling. And there's something strangely familiar about him . . .
Will Neferet's true nature be revealed before she succeeds at extinguishing Light? And will Zoey be able to touch Aurox's humanity in time to protect them all? Find out what's destined in the next thrilling chapter of the House of Night series.
But there are new forces at work at the House of Night. An influx of humans, including Lenobia's handsome horse whisperer, threatens their precarious stability. And then there's the mysterious Aurox, a jaw-droppingly gorgeous teen boy who is actually more -- or possibly less -- than human. Only Neferet knows he was created to be her greatest weapon. But Zoey can sense the part of his soul that remains human, the compassion that wars with his Dark calling. And there's something strangely familiar about him . . .
Will Neferet's true nature be revealed before she succeeds at extinguishing Light? And will Zoey be able to touch Aurox's humanity in time to protect them all? Find out what's destined in the next thrilling chapter of the House of Night series.
My Review:
I must admit that the last couple of novels in the House of Night series have left me wanting. Wanting for more to happen, for things to get resolved, to not be left hanging at the end, and so I was apprehensive of these shortcomings when I began reading Destined. I shouldn’t have been concerned. Destined kept me hooked the whole time! The new issues that arise in this book are pretty deep, and I liked how they were dealt with. And thank goodness things are finally moving forwards concerning the main villain of the series. About time!
What keeps me coming back to the House of Night series are Zoey’s friends, the Nerd Herd. I love the way they interact with each other. I think it’s pretty hard to write a scene with two or three characters. I can’t imagine how complicated it must be when there are five or more. P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast have done a wonderful job of handling all those characters. They are just so complex and full of life! There are two new characters introduced in this book. And I can’t wait to get to know them more. I will now quote Aphrodite on her favorite phrase and say, for shits sake I couldn’t help but not hate Aurox! And believe me I wanted to.
The ending was just perfect. For a minute I almost lost it. I just wanted to shut the book and avoid the terrible thing about to happen, but I had to keep reading. I had to know! And then I knew and I swear I could feel the tension leave my whole body, so into the scene I was. I loved it.
Completely.
House of Night fans, get ready to have your world rocked.
Favorite Quotes:
~Rephaim~
From the midst of battle, Dragon Lankford’s voice carried to him. “You are either for or against us! There is no middle ground.”
“There is middle ground!” Rephaim yelled back, holding his arms wide as if in surrender. “It is where I stand!” He took a step toward Dragon. “They weren’t attacking!” he repeated. “Nisroc, brothers, stop fighting!”
~Aurox~
I didn’t want to meet his eyes, so instead I looked at the paper he handed me. On it, in big block letters was the question: WHAT AM I? And he’d signed it.
Totally surprised, I met his gaze. He looked back at me steadily. Then he spoke so softly only I could hear him saying, “I would like to know.”
~Aurox~
“Yes, I feel!” he shouted, and his voice echoed within the speeding vehicle, as if he was alone in a cave—always alone. “I do feel, even though Priestess says I do not.” He smashed his fist in the dashboard, not minding that his knuckles split and the leather dented. “I feel her sadness. I feel her need. I feel her loneliness. Why? Why does Zoey Redbird make me feel?”
