Book Review: Destined (HON #9)

Title: Destined (House of Night #9)

Author: P.C. and Kristin Cast

Format: Ebook and Print

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press 2011

 

In Destined, the forces of Light and Dark collide as their epic struggle focuses on Tulsa’s House of Night. Zoey is home where she belongs, safe with her Guardian Warrior, Stark, by her side and preparing to face off against Neferet. Kalona has released his hold on Rephaim, and, through Nyx’s gift of a human form, he and Stevie Rae are finally able to be together if Rephaim can truly walk the path of the Goddess and stay free of his father’s shadow.

But is Zoey really safe? Does she truly know those who are closest to her? And will love win when it is tested by the very soul of Darkness? Find out what is destined in the next thrilling chapter of the House of Night series.

 

So I actually read the other books in this series before I started writing reviews so this is my first official House Of Night review. Lol. Let me start out by saying that I have an odd relationship with this series. I think that I am probably not the only one. I like it but there have been times when I considered not reading anymore. To be honest Zoey kind of gets on my nerves. Sometimes she’s whiny and throughout the series she has had her share of love triangles (sometimes it was with more than three guys) and I really got tired of her falling for every single guy who looked at her. Long about the time I was really growing tired of the story line Stevie Rae got her own plot and Rephaim entered the picture. I kept reading for that, because I thought the plot line was pretty original and I liked it and wanted to see what would happen. And let it be known that I am a big Heath fan. LOL. Yes, he’s merely a human but I like him.

So that’s a little of my history with HON. I gotta tell you, Destined was better than I thought it would be. I was one of the better HON books since early in the series. I felt like the plot actually moved a little bit and I enjoyed reading about more of the characters than just Zoey.

Zoey was still a big part of the book as I think it should be because she is a High Priestess and a possibly to be Queen. She didn’t annoy me as much in this book as in the past. I like that she and Stark are together, I like him and they make a great pair – I think they are stronger together than they are apart. In fact I think a lot of people will like Zoey more because she finally has settled on a guy and he’s a great guy. I think the fact that Stark loves her will make her more likable to the reader. There were still times that I think she acts whiny. She says that she doesn’t want to be the High Priestess she is – she doesn’t want to be fighting darkness and evil. I get that she’s a teenager and that she wants to be normal, I do. I also think that with everything that’s happened to her she has a right to complain and be upset. I just feel like after nine books in this series Zoey should have evolved a little more. She’s clearly a strong person dealing with everything that she has so why whine and take away from the strength that she clearly can exhibit when she has too?

I really enjoyed the appearance of Thanatos in the book and I really think that she is going to be a great character in the coming books. She sees a lot and takes in a lot without really choosing sides. I like the way she forms her opinions quietly and holds her observations close to the chest so she doesn’t give away her plans. She definitely is there for a reason and I think she will instrumental in taking down Neferet.

Neferet is quite the character. She’s evil and vile and beautiful. I liked that her plot in this novel was merely to create chaos. So simple but yet I think very effective. If I were an evil villain that would be something I would probably do – create chaos – because within chaos is where the real trouble begins.

Aurox is a new character in this book and I don’t want to give much away about him but I will say I have a lot of hope for him. If you read this book and the beginning of my review you will know exactly why I am hopeful for Aurox. 😉 I like how he had internal debates with himself. They were simple, him questioning himself and his feelings and beliefs but I found it kind of profound. He was discovering himself and I liked how throughout the book he was on an internal journey.

I also like the new plot twist between Erin and Shaunee – the “twins”. I think it’s about time they get their own identities and I think it’s a good lesson to teenage girls who are like the other half of a whole with a BFF. Being your own person and having your own feelings is okay and you shouldn’t be afraid to be yourself.

Aphrodite is a spoiled, selfish girl but I like her. In fact she’s probably one of my favorite characters. I think that the spoiled, nasty personality that she puts on is just a front to protect the extremely vulnerable girl she is inside. I like that she has Darius to love her because I think she needs that. I can’t wait to see what else is in store for her in the series.

I think the best part of the book was towards the end with the twist that happens with Kalona and let me just say again that I think Thanatos is going to be a big player in the next book. 😉 I think that Kalona is going to be an interesting character in the books to come as well. Who doesn’t like a bad boy reformed? A hot baddie gone good? It will be interesting to see if he keeps his conscience. I for one, hope he does if only for Rephaim’s sake. By the way did I mention that I really like Rephaim???

All in all, Destined, is an improvement from some of the HON novels as of late. It seemed to have more of a plot and I liked that all the characters seemed to be involved at some point or another. The book kept me entertained and reading and that makes it a success.

I would recommend this series for anyone who has some patience and likes to really get involved with the characters. This is a YA series but I would recommend it on the higher end of the young adult age range because there are some sexual references.

So there you have it. My opinion.