Review for In The Forests of the Night by Ameila Atwater-Rhodes

In The Forests of the Night
by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

Published: May 2000
Pages: 147
Rating: 3/5

I was born to the name of Rachel Weatere in the year 1684, more than three hundred years ago.

The one who changed me named me Risika, and Risika I became, though I never asked what it meant. I continue to call myself Risika, even though I was transformed into what I am against my will.

By day, Risika sleeps in a shaded room in Concord, Massachusetts. By night, she hunts the streets of New York City. She is used to being alone.

But now someone is following Risika. Someone has left her a black rose, the same sort of rose that sealed her fate three hundred years ago.

Three hundred years ago Risika had a family — a brother and a sister who loved her. Three hundred years ago she was human.

Now she is a vampire, a powerful one. And her past has come back to torment her.

This atmospheric, haunting tale marks the stunning debut of a promising fourteen-year-old novelist.

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Fiction or non-fiction? Fiction

Genre? Young Adult

What led you to pick up this book? I saw it on a Shelfari Group I am in, and it looked like a quick, interesting read.

What did you like most about the book? The way the chapters were arranged... some were in the past (1701) and others were in the present. It was a great way for the reader to learn the history of the main character.

What did you like least? The author seemed to be "telling" the story instead of "showing" it.

Which of your readers are most likely to enjoy this book? I would say readers between 12-15 would probably enjoy this book the most.

What did you think of the main character? She was different... yes, it's a vampire tale, and she was a vampire, but there were some things that were different about her.

What is the central character’s biggest problem? Trying to avenge her brother's murder.

How do you think he/she feels? She has finally accepted being a vampire, yet she still holds on to some of her human morals.

What strengths does she have that help her cope? She is told by an older vampire that she is as strong as, if not more so, than her enemy. This allows her to gain the courage to seek vengeance for her brother's death.

What effect do the people in the book have on one another? The enemy of the main character keeps her doubting herself until the very end, which keeps her from attacking him outright.

Share a favorite scene from the book: Probably in the very beginning, when she is with Tora, the Bengal tiger. The way she speaks of Tora drew me in and made me want to keep reading.

What did you think of the ending? It was a good ending, but a little abrupt. I didn't realize it was the end of the story until I turned the page.

Do you recommend this book? I recommend this book to readers who are 13-15 years old and like vampire stories.

Review for Chosen by PC Cast and Kristin Cast

Chosen
by PC Cast & Kristin Cast

Published: March 2008
Pages: 320
Rating: 4.5/5

Dark forces are at work at the House of Night and fledgling vampyre Zoey Redbird's adventures at the school take a mysterious turn. Those who appear to be friends are turning out to be enemies. And oddly enough, sworn enemies are also turning into friends. So begins the gripping third installment of this “highly addictive series” (Romantic Times), in which Zoey's mettle will be tested like never before. Her best friend, Stevie Rae, is undead and struggling to maintain a grip on her humanity. Zoey doesn't have a clue how to help her, but she does know that anything she and Stevie Rae discover must be kept secret from everyone else at the House of Night, where trust has become a rare commodity. Speaking of rare: Zoey finds herself in the very unexpected and rare position of having three boyfriends. Mix a little bloodlust into the equation and the situation has the potential to spell social disaster. Just when it seems things couldn't get any tougher, vampyres start turning up dead. Really dead. It looks like the People of Faith, and Zoey's horrid step-father in particular, are tired of living side-by-side with vampyres. But, as Zoey and her friends so often find out, how things appear rarely reflects the truth…

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This was better than Marked, but not quite as good as Chosen. I loved it, though. I can't wait to read Untamed (patiently waiting for it from the library).

I read this in one sitting... I just could NOT put it down. Definitely a good read!

Once again, the repetition of things that happened in the past books gets to be annoying, but you learn to ignore it.

I'm really in love with the style of writing, it's very informal... as though Zoey is telling her story directly to you.

Zoey has really developed as a character after reading this book, and I can't wait to learn more about her and the other characters. Once again, this one had me laughing & crying!

Review for Betrayed by PC Cast & Kristin Cast

Betrayed
by PC Cast & Kristin Cast

Published: October 2007
Pages: 320
Rating: 5/5

Fledgling vampyre Zoey Redbird has managed to settle in at the House of Night finishing school. She finally feels like she belongs, even gets chosen as the Leader of the Dark Daughters. Best of all, she actually has a boyfriend... or two. Then the unthinkable happens: Human teenagers are being killed, and all the evidence points to the House of Night. While danger stalks the humans from Zoey's old life, she begins to realize that the very powers that make her so unique might also threathen those she loves. Then, when she needs her new friends the most, death strikes the House of Night, and Zoey must find the courage to face a betrayal that could break her heart, her soul, and jeopardize the very fabric of her world. Betrayed, the second book in the House of Night series, is dark and sexy, and as thrilling as it is utterly shocking.

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I read this book in one sitting and I loved it! It made me keep turning pages and kept me on the edge of my seat.

The repeating of things that happened in the first book is a bit annoying, but that is only for the first few chapters, and I can see that it would help someone to simply start reading the series with this book, instead of the first (Marked). However, I honestly believe you wouldn't get as much out of this series by skipping the first book.

This story had me feeling the emotions that Zoey (the main character) was feeling. I felt betrayed, so that is absolutely the perfect title of this novel. It is very well-written and perfect for anyone who enjoyed the first book in the series.

I would say that young adult readers aged 16 and up would enjoy this. I am 21 and I have fallen in love with Zoey and her eclectic group of close friends. As long as you are young at heart when you read this novel, you sould be able to enjoy it for what it truly is... a wonderfully written tale that will capture your attention, tug at your emotions, and have you reading until the very end.

I'm going to count this as my Drama Thriller for the 08/09 Suspense & Thriller Challenge.