Mimi's Bookcase

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.


My Opinion: Warning: spoilers!
Once again I am rather disappointed by this new installment. When I read Marked, I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed it despite its flaws and the more I read, the more I liked the series until the 8th book. If you remember, I was already disappointed by Awakened that appeared to me to be nothing more than a filler written because the authors have a contract that says they have to release 12 books. Frankly, I would have liked it better if they had reduced the number.
Before, not only did I enjoy the unique mythology of the series but I also loved how exciting the books were as there was always something going on. Now, except for the last few chapters, I didn't find Destined gripping at all, I had to force myself to read at least one or two chapters every night.
It is not a bad read per say but I just didn't care much about what was happening to Zoey & cie.

Some points annoyed me though:
- Aphodite. I usually love her straightforwardness but she irritated me in this book especially when she kept saying "retard" despite being told to stop. Aphrodite is more than a simple bit**, she is also capable of sympathy and I didn't like how she was portrayed there.
- Stevie Ray's way of speaking. I know that the authors can't suddenly change that and I usually don't mind (I don't even mind Kramisha's). But when she's in her "High Priestess" mode or when she talks to someone like Thanatos, I simply find it ridiculous and not credible. I'd just like her to speak in a more appropriate way when she addresses people as a High Priestess.
- Aurox. I don't have anything against the character. I just regret that the authors didn't make him more mysterious in order to have us really surprised at the end when we discover who he is. I truly hope that they weren't expecting us to be surprised by it because just by reading the synopsis, I already knew.

Nevertheless, there were a few good things... 2 are the most important for me :
- Lenobia's parts with the human cowboy. I like this character and I am glad she is getting more attention. I can't wait to know how her relationship to Travis will develop.
- Shaunee. Finally the "Twins" have separated and we can finally see who they are as individuals. I really liked the chapters written from Shaunee's point of view. She is so much more interesting as herself than as a "brain-sharer" (thanks Aphrodite). I hope we'll get chapters about Erin in the next installment.

As I said, the novel in itself isn't bad, it's just not up-to-par with the previous books. Of course, I still plan on reading the others as I want to see what will happen to the characters but I probably won't be as excited as I was at first.


To summarize: another filler in my opinion. I was expecting more of P.C & Kristin Cast.

Synopsis:
"Things have turned black at the House of Night. Zoey Redbird’s soul has shattered. With everything she’s ever stood for falling apart, and a broken heart making her want to stay in the Otherworld forever, Zoey’s fading fast. It’s seeming more and more doubtful that she will be able pull herself back together in time to rejoin her friends and set the world to rights. As the only living person who can reach her, Stark must find a way to get to her.  But how?  He will have to die to do so, the Vampire High Council stipulates.  And then Zoey will give up for sure. There are only 7 days left…
Enter  BFF Stevie Rae.  She wants to help Z but she has massive problems of her own.  The rogue Red Fledglings are acting up, and this time not even Stevie Rae can protect them from the consequences.  Her kinda boyfriend, Dallas, is sweet but too nosy for his own good.  The truth is, Stevie Rae’s hiding a secret that might be the key to getting Zoey home but also threatens to explode her whole world.
In the middle of the whole mess is Aphrodite: ex-Fledgling, trust-fund baby, total hag from Hell (and proud of it).  She’s always been blessed (if you could call it that) with visions that can reveal the future, but now it seems Nyx has decided to speak through her with the goddess’s own voice, whether she wants it or not.  Aphrodite’s loyalty can swing a lot of different ways, but right now Zoey’s fate hangs in the balance.
Three girls… playing with fire… if they don’t watch out, everyone will get Burned."
(Taken from House of Night Official Homepage)


My Opinion:
The story is getting more and more interesting especially with the new characters that bring a bunch of changes and new questions.
I especially like the story between Rephaim and Stevie Rae. At the end of the 7th book, I was hoping "Burned" would focus more on them and my wish was granted. As the cover may imply it, the main character of the latest installment is none other than the "Red One". Her world is coming to another turning point as her relationship with Rephaim, the Raven Mocker, deepened and may end in her loosing her friends.
The other story is obviously the efforts put by her friends to help Zoey get back from the Otherworld. With a shattered soul and guilty conscience, Zoey is unable and doesn't want to get back to her body. Only her Warrior, Stark, may be able to help her but for that he'll have to follow an old religion he never heard of before. The characters Stark, Darius and Aphrodite meet in the quest to save Zoey are interesting and I hope we'll learn more about them in the next novel.
Zoey still get on my nerves even if it was better at the end, I'm glad she wasn't much present in it. At least now she shouldn't have any guys problems anymore which is greatly appreciated because her indecisiveness was getting tiresome. And I must admit I love Stark more than any of her other guys.
Aphrodite is as straightforward as ever, I love her but I wish she was a bit more reserved sometimes, her harsh words may bring her some troubles in the future.
The nerd herd isn't very present in this book and I realized I didn't miss them ^^'.

Here comes the biggest reproach I have to address to the authors: the language can get annoying, especially the way Seoras speaks. He's Scottish and so speaks with this accent but was it really necessary to write down the way he's speaking, couldn't you just mention his accent and write in proper english? I'm French and while I have no troubles reading in English, having to decipher his sentences was a pain. The same goes to Kramisha. I understand they can't change the way she's speaking right now and that it shows a part of her personality, it still makes me want to kick her and tell her to go read a book.
Well that's the only thing I really have to reproach.


To summarize: I read negative reviews saying how this book was boring and seemed like a filler.
I agree that it seems like a filler but I don't mind it a bit since I find the story between Stevie Rae and Rephaim really fascinating. Moreover, I didn't find this book "boring", I finished it really quickly but I can understand that those only interested in the main story, that is "saving the world and kick the asses of the bad guys", didn't appreciate this book.
So those that like Stevie Rae and was interested in her story with the Raven Mocker you'll like this new installment ; as for the others, you just have to wait for the next one XD.