Awakened by P.C. and Kristin Cast
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (January 4th, 2011)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Hardback: 336 pages
Series: House of Night #8
Rating: 4 of 5 stars
“My love, speak to me. Tell me everything.” Neferet went to Kalona, kneeling before him, stroking the soft, dark wings that unfurled loosely around the immortal.
“What would you have me say?” He didn’t meet her eyes.
“Zoey lives.” Neferet’s voice was flat, cold, lifeless.
“She does.”
“Then you owe me the subservience of your immortal soul.” She started to walk away from him.
“Where are you going? What will happen next?”
“It is quite simple. I will ensure Zoey is drawn back to Oklahoma. There, on my own terms, I will complete the task you failed.”
Exonerated by the Vampyre High Council and returned to her position of High Priestess at Tulsa’s House of Night, Neferet has sworn vengeance on Zoey. Dominion over Kalona is only one of the weapons she plans to use against Z. But Zoey has found sanctuary on the Isle of Skye and is being groomed by Queen Sgiach to take over for her there. Being Queen would be cool, wouldn’t it? Why should she return to Tulsa? After losing her human consort, Heath, she will never be the same – and her relationship with her super-hot-warrior, Stark, may never be the same either…
And what about Stevie Rae and Rephaim? The Raven Mocker refuses to be used against Stevie Rae, but what choice does he have when no one in the entire world, including Zoey, would be okay with their relationship? Does he betray his father or his heart?
In the pulse-pounding 8th book in the bestselling House of Night series, how far will the bonds of friendship stretch and how strong are the ties that bind one girl’s heart?
Review: I think I may have even liked this book better than Burned, which I reviewed a few weeks ago. It seems to tell more about the characters and focus on that a little more than just giving constant action. I'll try to stay away from spoilers but I will say that I'm surprised by how much I like the new addition, Rephaim. Wow! Although he has been around for a few books now, we get the chance to really get to know him in Awakened and I was not disappointed. Because of that, even Stevie Rae didn't annoy me as bad as usual.
Some of my same complaints from book 7 are still in book 8. Too many points of view, Stevie Rae's dialogue takes away from the story, and the plot has focused too long on Kalona and Neferet. I can't figure out how so many of the"adults" don't know what Neferet is up to. Why is it only Zoey and her group? I just think it's time to wrap up that part of the story and step away.
Awakened, finally, gave Zoey and Stark some time together. I won't give details but I was happy to see Zoey have some time to relax and explore a new place. The ending of this book was shocking! I know some people will be unhappy with the new development but I, personally, was pleased and can't wait to see what that new plot goes. Interesting stuff!!
I will absolutely be picking up Destined (book 9) when it comes out in November. I can't seem to break away from these characters!
Find P.C. and Kristin Cast
Website | House of Night | P.C.'s Blog | Facebook
Purchase Awakened
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository
