Destined by PC Cast and Kristin Cast

Title: Destined
Series: House of Nights #9
Author: PC Cast and Kristin Cast
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
November 8, 2011

Synopsis:

Zoey is finally home where she belongs, safe with her Guardian Warrior, Stark, by her side, and preparing to face off against Neferet – which would be a whole lot easier if the High Counsel saw the ex-High Priestess for what she really is. Kalona has released his hold on Rephaim, and, through Nyx's gift of a human form, Rephaim and Stevie Rae are finally able to be together – if he can truly walk the path of the Goddess and stay free of his father's shadow…

But there are new forces at work at the House of Night. An influx of humans, including Lenobia’s handsome horse whisperer, threatens their precarious stability. And then there’s the mysterious Aurox, a jaw-droppingly gorgeous teen boy who is actually more – or possibly less – than human. Only Neferet knows he was created to be her greatest weapon. But Zoey can sense the part of his soul that remains human, the compassion that wars with his Dark calling. And there’s something strangely familiar about him…

Will Neferet’s true nature be revealed before she succeeds in silencing them all? And will Zoey be able to touch Aurox’s humanity in time to protect him – and everyone – from his own fate? Find out what’s destined in the next thrilling chapter of the House of Night series.

 

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Destined may be my favorite House of Night books to date. The wait for it was unbearable after all that happened in Awakened. October and November have been filled with so many great book releases that it was hard to choose what I would read and when. Lucky for me, Destined, won the vote.

I have seen review after review complaining about Heath being thrown back into the mix. If you read Awakened then you knew this was going to happen. I loved his role as Aurox and can't wait to find out what happens next. Like every House of Night book, there was a huge cliffhanger causing much pain and nail-biting until the next release.

As the book begins, we find Zoey and Stevie Ray getting ready to return to the House of Night with their entourage. If you know anything about this series, you know that this cannot be a good thing for anybody. Nyx has stepped in and forced Neferet to let this group of misfits return to the school. Neferet is up to her usual no good. To amp up her usual trouble making, Neferet decides to throw a few humans in the mix. It is about time for her to get caught with her hand in the cookie jar. She continues to get away with too much. This book focuses on exactly that.

As the story progresses, we learn a lot more about Rephaim and his relationship with his father, Kalona. This may be one of the biggest surprises to come out of the House of Night Series. Stevie has a really hard time accepting the fact that Rephaim still loves his father even though he really doesn't want anything to do with him. 

There is not a lot of action in this book. There is a lot of turmoil between the group leading up to a ritual that takes place at Grandma Redbird's farm. One of the things I love about these books is that there are laugh-out-loud moments scattered among cry-my-eyes out moments. Ms. Cast uses an unusual approach with the point of view. If we are seeing Zoey's point of view, that part will be written in first person. When she shifts the point of view to someone else, she writes it in third person. I personally love this technique. I love the fact that we are able to see the story from so many points of view.

Anywhoo...I loved this book as I have every other in this series. Go forth and enjoy.