Destined by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

Title: Destined (House of Night Series #9)

Author: P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Acquired: Received free for an honest review
Age Group: Young Adult

Grade: 75% or C

Buy It: Amazon

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…

My Thoughts::
I have really mixed feelings about this series. One minute I'll be bored out of my mind noticing how all of this could have happened 3 books ago and the next I'll be boggling my mind for clues to whats going to happen next or at the edge of my seat because something huge just went down.

This time I will admit that Destined brought back some of my old appreciation of this series. There was less focus on crap drama (though there was still too freaking much), and more focus on the actual storyline. For once I feel like things are getting RESOLVED for once instead of just growing, changing, or even being ignored. We're figuring things out finally and the story is moving along nicely. I can't imagine having to read more than one or two more books.

The characters for the most part, don't do anything for me. The way they talk is nothing like anyone I know, or read of, talks like. The Casts seem to be living in some kind of alternate universe, because even on iCarly they can talk like normal human beings. This adds nothing to their character and just annoys me. It makes them much harder to relate to. This is probably why my favorite characters are Damien, Kalona (yeah...crazy, right?), Grandma Redbird, and the warriors. Plus most of the adult non evil characters. They talk and I can...wait for it...understand them!

Most of what I predicted about the books cam true so far, but that ending was just crazy awesome! When I squint I can actually see deeper meaning to these books and it makes me happy. The series isn't bad...unless you don't want to read 9 books that only should have been 4. I usually wish for more books in a series, but only when substantial things are consistently occurring. I'm tired of this plot being drawn out for all that it's worth. But after reading this book I have hope again.

Overall Destined proved that this series hasn't become a waste of time and I can't wait to read what happens next.