Betrayed: PC Cast & Kristin Cast

"Betrayed" is the second in "The House of Night" series by mother/daughter author team PC Cast and Kristin Cast. I have to admit- I "heart" these books. The characters are well formed, especially Zoey, our narrator. The first person narrative really gets in her head and makes you feel like she's a real person.

As Zoey's school year continues, and her powers begin to grow, she discovers that there is something much more sinister going on at the House of Night than she could ever imagine. Overheard conversations and overseen events make Zoey realize that the people around her aren't as black and white as she once thought. Meanwhile, something is attacking the football stars from Zoey's former highschool, Heath is still calling, and a new teacher at the school seems to have the hots for Zoey- but such a romance is forbidden. Zoey's also trying to rebuild the Dark Daughters into an upstanding society group, and what about poor Eric? In the first half of the book, he's out of the picture while attending a monologue contest. Oh- and Aphrodite? Well, let's just say there's more to her than meets the eye- and that "darkness does not always bring evil."

I don't want to give away too much, in case you're reading this and haven't read the first book. And why not? The books are fantastic, and I'm sooo not happy about having to wait until March for the next one (and the best thing- straight to paperback so no waiting for the hardcover to paperback). I can't wait to see how this series turns out (or if there are plans for it to run indefinitely- which I wouldn't mind either).

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Books Book Teens Reading

Bella at Midnight: Diane Stanley

When her mother dies during childbirth, infant Isabella is sent away to live with a wetnurse. Her father, a knight, wants nothing to do with her, and he refuses her Aunt Maud's request to keep the girl (Edward, the knight, wants nothing to do with his wife's family though it's never entirely obvious as to why he cloisters his wife away). So Maud reluctantly leaves Bella with "peasants" who raise Bella as their own.

Bella grows into a beautiful, well rounded teen, whose best friend just happens to be Prince Julian, who frequently visits Bella's family at first to visit his old wetnurse, but over the years it becomes obvious that Bella is the main reason for his visits. The two are best friends, and you can't help but route for them to grow up into more.

But after being rebuked by Julian in the village one afternoon, Bella is crushed. Before Julian can apologized, he's whisked off to a neighboring kingdom as the result of a truce.

It's at this point, the story switches to the tale of a mother and her two daughters, who suddenly find themselves penniless after losing their father. At first, I was completely confused, unable to see why I was suddenly forced away from Bella and Julian's story, but the reasons soon become clear. I don't want to give too much away, but Stanley does an incredible job taking a familiar tale and making it new again, complete with a strong heroine, something the original tale didn't have (what tale you ask? you'll just have to read it).

I really enjoyed this book. It's got all the best elements of a fairy tale with a plucky, endearing heroine and a handsome and just prince. This is highly recommended as a great read.


Buy this book shop at our Amazon.com "Great Reads" bookstore.


Books Book Teens Reading