Find my reviews on Blogger ~ Reviews by Bookish Sarah 
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 2.5 stars 
 *DON'T READ IF YOU DON'T WANT SPOILERS OF BOOKS 1-8* 
 Okay, sigh. 
 I don't even know where to start with this book. Completely messy review up ahead! 
 I really hate the term "guilty pleasure" - because to me, that just describes something that you really do like (for whatever reason, the specifics really don't matter) but are ashamed to admit it because there are too many people out there that hate it. Everyone says that they know they shouldn't like this series. Why ever not? OPINIONS VARY! You do not have to hate something just because the masses do. For example: All of the hate on Twilight. I see that same hate on this series. I personally found the Twilight series to be better than House of Night. *shrug* I mean, just because so many people are hating on it, does not mean you need to be ashamed of enjoying the series. Come on now. ;) If you enjoy it, say so! Stop calling it a guilty pleasure. That's insulting to the author and yourself. 
 /rant 
 Now, that being said... I liked this series immensely in the beginning. Say, from books 1-5. When Stark came into the picture, I started disliking it a little bit more with each book. I think I have the unpopular opinion here, but I wish Stark would take a flying leap! I am a total and complete Erik fan. 
 That brings me to my next complaint. I really and truly hate how they have dumbed Erik down. I mean, he used to be a sweet guy - not without flaw - but I loved his character and I really thought that Zoey should end up with him. Now he's this conceited asshole, and a damn blabber mouth. He was a complete idiot when Marked the new girl with a red crescent. I mean, the old Erik would have had a nice, calm reaction and handled his business properly. Now he's a freaking jerk, and a moron. :/ I am so so so mad about that! 
 The pace of this book was terrible. 3/4 of it was Stark having nightmares, Zoey sexing him up, and then everyone arguing with each other over Neferet, Rephaim, Kalona, and everything else under the damn sun. I mean, nothing happened until the last quarter of the book. The end was this books' redemption. It was very intense. I always enjoy the parts that involve Zoey's grandmother. She is one of my favorite characters. 
 Okay, now - Aurox/Heath. I like this idea, I do. Something about the way it's playing out is bothering me though. It just doesn't sit well with me. I hate that Aurox has killed so many and now Zoey is going to be all stupid and try to save him from everyone else. It'll be like Kalona all over again. Sigh. 
 Something I liked a lot was the switching of POV. I noticed this is something that many House of Night fans dislike, but I adore having the view of other characters in the picture. Zoey gets really damn annoying with her 'Ah, hell!' every five minutes. So, I love the POV switching. :) It helps us to get to know the other characters even better. A+ 
 The red fledgling/vamp issue has peaked my curiosity, but I think it's about time for Nyx to show up and shed some light on this issue. WHY? We have waited long enough to know. 
 Everything going on with Neferet and the white bull, yeah, that's getting old as well. Stop dragging it on. 
 Kalona/Rephaim/Stevie Rae - I like the story line going on here, but it's making me hate Stevie Rae. She is being controlling and unsympathetic. Rephaim is newly human and he doesn't understand many things; you can't just make the guy ignore his father. Especially if he wants to be redeemed. Uh, Stevie Rae, if I remember correctly - YOU killed many people whilst you were a nasty red fledgling. Stop being a hypocrite. 
 My overall opinion is that this book was too centered on the Aurox situation. It should have been more about stopping Neferet. They barely hatched a plan against her. This installment was all about Stark and Zoey fighting and then having sex to make up. It was about Rephaim and Stevie Rae arguing over Kalona, and then Aurox/Zoey/Neferet. Fix this series! Get Zoey the heck away from Stark - even if it's with Heath. God, I hate that relationship with a passion. More Erik please. More Lenobia, less Shaunee/Erin. More Rephaim, less Stark. More Zoey kicking Neferet's rear, less Stevie Rae. And for the love of all that is holy - calm down on all of the cursing! Holy hell - I think that they tried to fit every single curse word in the entire world in this book! I do not mind cursing AT ALL - but these books are for teens! Not to mention the fact that the cursing is done purely for shock value, AND dumbs the books down. 
 I hope book 10 isn't such a mess up. I was really disappointed.