I'd been meaning to read this book for a while. It has all the things that I'd love in a book - boarding schools, vampires, cats. What's not to love? 
 If I wasn't the type of person who HATES to give up on a book, I think I may have thrown in the towel after the first chapter. The dialogue really irked me. But after giving Marked a chance, I got drawn into the story and I stopped noticing the things that bugged me from the first pages. 
 Zoey Redbird is a character that I grew to admire. She has a lot thrown at her - being a Vampyre with a special mark gifted to her directly from the goddess, Nyx; facing the reality that not all fledglings make it to adulthood; secret societies with evil cheerleader-esque leaders and the most handsome boy in school trying to get her attention. I liked how she didn't let it all get on top of her. She managed to hold her own and stand up not just for herself but for her friends too. 
 That's not to say that she does everything well. I don't think it's a recommended idea to imprint on your ex-boyfriend and have him follow you around like a lost and overly affectionate puppy. 
 The supporting cast of characters are a bit of a motley crew but I found them rather entertaining. The Twins amused me greatly - I love the idea of physical opposites with completely different upbringings but having a similar soul. And Stevie Ray is somewhat adorable with her southern drawl and obsession with country music. 
 I do have a copy of Betrayed (House of Night #2) after I managed to pick it up for $2 at a second-hand book sale but I'm not sure this is a series that I'm going to stick with. 
 I am glad that I finished the book and I was quite enjoying myself by the end but it took me a little too long to get there.