Marked by P.C. and Kristin Cast

Imagine a world where vampires (or rather vampyres as it's spelled in this story) live openly among humans. That's the world in which Zoey Redbird lives. Zoey lives an average teen life near Tulsa, Oklahoma. Then one day at school, she is Marked. That means Zoey will turn into a Vampyre- unless she is unable to survive the change from human to vampyre. In Zoey's world, becoming a vampyre is not cool. Her society is generally prejudiced against vampyres, and Zoey is horrified to have to admit to her friends and family that she will become one. Plus, being marked a vampyre means Zoey will have to leave her family to go to House of Night, a vampyre boarding school where fledgling vampyres learn how to be, well, vampyres.

Zoey finds strength in her Cherokee heritage as she tries to deal with the loss of her prejudiced family and friends and learns the ways of her new life. However, she must deal with the extraordinary details of life as a vampyre fledgling. Zoey has unusual powers for a new vampyre, and this causes jealousy and suspicion among some of her new classmates at House of Night- especially Aphrodite, the leader of the Dark Daughters, an exclusive club. Compounding her problems, Zoey's ex-boyfriend becomes obsessed with her. Luckily, Zoey gains a new group of supportive friends and a mentor to help her navigate through her first days at the House of Night.

Marked is the first book in the House of Night series so don't expect all of Zoey's problems to be solved in these pages. I was worried that with two authors, the book would be disjointed and difficult to follow, but that is not the case. The story unfolds smoothly and it is difficult to put down without trying to peek at the next chapter. Some parts did feel a little long to me. For example, the rituals are described and more detail than I cared for, but that might just be me. I tend to like my books to get to the point quickly. Overall however, I enjoyed this story and look forward to reading the next installment.

Book; 13+; ISBN 978-1742141862; New York: St. Martin's Griffin, 2007

Evermore by Alyson Noel

Wouldn't it be cool to be able to read minds and know the moods of those around you? Ever Bloom can, but she is not so happy about it. Ever has lost almost her entire family in a car accident and now lives with her older sister, who is a successful lawyer in southern California. Ever almost died in the accident too, and, after a near death experience, has been able to read people's minds and see their auras. Unfortunately, she cannot turn her power on and off at will. School is sometimes overwhelming with the overload of her classmates' and teachers' thoughts, and has gone from the popular teen she once was to a reclusive girl who hides under hoodies and constantly has her iPod's earphones blocking out the world around her.

Then, one day, the hot new guy, Damen, sits next to Ever and she finds relief from the onslaught of thoughts. She is also unable to hear Damen's thoughts or see his aura. Gradually, Ever realizes that Damen is not a normal human either. As she falls for Damen, Ever finds herself in danger as someone else also wants him, and this girl will stop at nothing to claim the guy she believes is destined to be hers- even if it means killing Ever. Talk about crazy stalkers!

In the beginning, this story seems like another Twilight wannabe- down to how Ever and Damen meet in science class. However, after a few chapters, it develops into its own story line. To explain how the story is different would give away one of the surprises of the novel so you'll have to read it for yourself. It does stand out from all the other vampire and supernatural books that have inundated bookshelves in the past couple years. It is an addictive read and will have you staying up late to read "just one more chapter."

Book; 13+; ISBN 978-0312532758; New York: St. Martin's Griffin, 2009.

Breathe My Name by R.A. Nelson

Francis has what appears to be a perfect life. She has a great, loving family, close friends, and no major problems- or so it seems. Francis was adopted as a young child by her family after her biological mother murdered her three sisters during a moment of insanity. Her mother had tried to kill her too, but she was able to escape thanks to a surprise visit by a stranger. Breathe My Name tells the story of how Francis comes to terms with her mother's actions, her own survivor's guilt, and her over-protective, adoptive family. When Francis meets hot-new-boy-in-school, Nix, she begins to follow a path that will take her towards forgiving her mother and herself.

The cover description of Breathe My Name misleads the reader into thinking the book will be a horror or suspense novel where the mother wants to "finish the job" by luring and killing her surviving daughter. While the story does have a somewhat creepy vibe to it, it is more a realistic story of coming of age and survival. The mother does not come after Francis; though Francis does find herself in danger. While this is not a fast read, it is not boring. Nelson keeps the story moving by alternating between Francis' current life and her past life where we see how her mother slowly falls into insanity and learn what happened on that fateful day when her sisters were murdered.

Book; 13+; ISBN 978-1595141866; New York: Razorbill, 2007.

Secret Keeper by Mitali Perkins

Secret Keeper is about Asha Gupta and her family's move from cosmopolitan Delhi to live with her uncle's family in Calcutta while her father looks for work in New York. The plan is for Asha, her sister, Reet, and their mother to join Baba (the affectionate term for an Indian father, kind of like "Dad") in New York once he finds a job. However, finding a job takes longer than expected and Asha must learn to cope with living in her uncle's house with her critical aunt and grandmother. As her family runs out of money, they are increasingly dependent upon her uncle's charity. Furthermore, this is the 1970s, and the Gupta family follows traditional Indian customs, such as arranged marriages, while Asha and Reet are ready for the changing, modern world. Soon, the family is looking for a suitable match for Reet, who is not ready for marriage. Accentuating the clash between traditional and modern worlds, Asha has met the boy next door and begins to have feelings for him while also dreaming of going to college to become a psychologist. When tragedy strikes the Guptas, they must find a way to pull together, even if that means making more sacrifices with their dreams.

This story will suck you in and make you want to read late to see what will happen to Asha, Reet, and their family. Will Baba get a job before his daughters are married off in Calcutta? Will Asha find a way to go to college? There are no easy answers for the characters in this book, but that is a part of what makes it so endearing. Perkins wrote a book that flows very well and does not waste the reader's time. There are no "long" parts to this book. Every word is important to the story. Mains themes include tradition, culture, depression, sacrifice and family.

Book; 12+; ISBN 978-0385733403; New York: Delacorte Press, 2009.

Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott

This book is not for the faint hearted. It is a short but very powerful read. The heroine of the story was kidnapped when she was ten years old by Ray, a pedophile, who renamed her Alice. For five years, Alice has lived through repeated rape and servitude. Now, Alice is fifteen- the age at which she expected Ray to kill her and find another young girl to kidnap. Alice had even been looking forward to turning fifteen because of this. However, Ray is keeping her. Alice will discover that Ray has more plans for her that will make her wish even harder for death to come.

This story deals with some very difficult issues. What would you do if you were kidnapped and your captor told you he would kill your family if you ever told anyone or ran away? Would you wish for your death or even for someone else to take your place if it meant your freedom? The descriptions of rape are not graphic, but leave little to the imagination and occur throughout the book. As a matter of fact, Scott slaps you within the first three pages with her blunt storytelling. It is a fast read with very short chapters that switch between the present and Alice's explanation of how she was kidnapped and her past with Ray.

Living Dead Girl will grip you from the beginning to the end (I read it in one sitting). You will definitely be left with a lot to think about after finishing this book!

Book; age 14+; ISBN 9781416960591; New York: Simon Pulse, 2008