Betrayed
by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast
St. Martin's Griffin
New York
2007
ISBN: 0312360282

Plot Summary:
Zoey Redbird is settling into her new life at the House of Night Academy--loving her friends, testing her powers,and enjoying being the object of two hot guys' desires. But something's afoot: her instincts are atwitter whenever she's around her advisor,the highpriestess Neferet; jocks from her old high school are turning up dead; and then, the worst happens...death strikes the House of Night.
Critical Evaluation:
A compelling addition to the series, the book smoothly picks up where Book One ended. The Cast family's prose flows infectiously, the situations ooze an eroticism and vividness.
Reader's Annotation:
Zoey began to channel her powers in Book One, but now she needs to learn how to ignite and direct them. Can Zoey understand herself and her talents in time to help those she loves?
Author Info:
P.C. Cast was an established romance genre writer before her agent suggested she and her daughter write a series based on a vampire boarding school. Since this suggestion they have published 6 books in the series, and watched it gain in popularity in the states and Europe.
P.C. also writes adult romance and a mythical series for young readers; Kristin is a journalism student.
Genre:
Paranormal Romance/ YA fiction
Booktalking Ideas:
*How does Zoey balance her vampire world and her former world?
*Is the love and attraction between Zoey and Heath because of the imprint or something else?
*What happens to Stevie?
Reader Level/ Interest Age:
Geared for young adult/teen readers, but themes are emotionally mature and books should attract all ages. (As I can attest!)
Challenges:
Some violent and sexual situations might alarm guardians.
Response to challenges: The series' massive popularity amongst teenage girls both here and abroad, demonstrated through costume parties, book signings, readings, and contests, reveal a devoted fan base which should be supported by the library structure. The ALA guidelines and collection policies will be displayed if necessary.
Why Include?:
Betrayed is Book Two in the House of Night series. I love this series, and it's all I can do not to spend all my free time reading them.