Novella Review: Dragon's Oath by P.C Cast

AUTHOR: P.C Cast
PUBLISHER: Griffin

SERIES/STANDALONE: Series (Novella)
PAGES: 145

SOURCE: Bought

Outline:

In early 19th century England, long before he’s a professor at the Tulsa House of Night, Bryan Lankford is a troublesome yet talented human teen who thinks he can get away with anything… until his father, a wealthy nobleman, has finally had enough, and banishes him to America. When Bryan is Marked on the docks and given the choice between the London House of Night and the dragon-prowed ship to America, he chooses the Dragon – and a brand new fate.

Becoming a Fledgling may be exciting, but it opens a door to a dangerous world...In 1830’s St. Louis, the Gateway to the West, Dragon Lankford becomes a Sword Master, and soon realizes there are both frightening challenges and beautiful perks. Like Anastasia, the captivating young Professor of Spells and Rituals at the Tower Grove House of Night, who really should have nothing to do with a fledgling…

But when a dark power threatens, Dragon is caught in its focus. Though his uncanny fighting skills make him a powerful fledgling, is he strong enough to ward off evil, while protecting Anastasia as well? Will his choices save her—or destroy them all? 

Quick Thought (or not)

Yes, I read another HoN novella. These are actually fun to read because we get a more in depth look at some of our side, adult characters, and how they came to be associated with the house of night. Dragon's story starts off in present day, and then it goes into how he made an oath to his love.

Pacing

It was like most novellas and kind of trotted along. Which is actually fine with me. his one went from Dragon being at home, to thrown on the HoN ship, to the new world, to becoming a swords master and falling for Anastasia.

Characters

I can never remember much about the professors in the HoN series so to be able to go back and read about the past and learn about them was nice. Dragon is a warrior on the outside, but inside he's this gentle boy. During his youth he was arrogant, and cocky, and to be honest I would have loved nothing more then to put him in his place. I think Anastasia did a very good job at that. 

I thought this novella was going to be just about Dragon Lankford, but it was more his and Anastasia's story

Ending 

The ending was a bit sad, but it shaped Dragon into the person he is now.

Novella Review: Lenobia's Vow by P.C Cast

AUTHOR: P.C Cast
PUBLISHER: St. Martins Griffin

SERIES/STANDALONE: Series
PAGES: 174

SOURCE: Bought

Outline:

The second of the House of Night Novellas brings us Lenobia, the strong, beautiful horseback riding instructor, who guides Zoey through some of her darkest hours, and has a dark secret buried in her own past...

In a small southern town at the turn of the century, young Lenobia is developing into a beautiful young woman with ideas of her own. But when she is Marked as a fledgling vampyre, her world turns upside down, and she is drawn to the musical streets of New Orleans. There, she learns of the city’s dark underbelly, ruled by powerful black magic. As Lenobia experiences her first love – and loss – and discovers a passion for horses to sustain her, she must come face-to-face with Darkness itself. And she may not escape without scars.

Quick Thought (or not)

I haven't read a House of Night book in a long while. I don't know if it's because I was just "burned" out on them, or if I thought they just started getting ridiculous. There are 12 books so it's bound to get tiresome after awhile. After reading Lenobia's Vow though I can see why I started the series. It's hard not to fall in love with some of the characters, and with the world that was created around the Vampyres and the House of Night. 

Pacing

This is a novella so with that in mind it was really good. We got to start off with Lenobia where she was born and raised and see who she was before being Zoey's horse instructor. We get to see her leave home to embark on a journey to the New World. Through the journey though things happen, and it takes it slow that way we can watch,learn, and grow with her.

Characters

Since this was a novella featuring Lenobia there aren't many other characters to talk about, but I will name a few.

Being as it is Lenobia's Vow we will start with her. As stated above I haven't read the HoN books in awhile, and I really only got around to reading up to the 7th book. I don't remember too much about Lenobia, but from reading her story she's a very strong, caring woman who would do anything for those she cares about (especially the horses) 

Martin was a worker on the ship who cared for the horses, and of course meets Lenobia and from there I'm sure you can guess what happens. I really enjoyed Martin. He didn't treat Lenobia any different when secrets were shared. He told her stories of the new world where woman could be free to marry and love whoever they wanted. 

Sister Marie Madeliene was the Nun who was with the girls taking them to the new world to meet their husbands. When things went awry on the ship it was Sister Marie who stood beside Lenobia, and kept her safe from those who wished to harm her.

Ending 

This isn't one of those type Novellas where you have to read other books before it to understand. It might help you understand what happens at the end though. :) It really is just a story about a bastard daughter  (the books words not mine) making a new life for herself. I will say what happened at then end sucks, and I wish it could have been different, but it defines who a person is. 

Book Series I Collect

These are just pictures of my book series that I have come to collect and love. :) (FYI: I have a WHOLE lot more than this, but most of them are not fully finished collections.)

This is my beloved Vampire Academy Series If you haven't read these you should. I totally have my sister in law hooked now. LOL she sent me a text today "I really don't like how the 3rd book ended. I'm depressed now." and then "Omg, I don't think I can move on. It's so sad." Yes, I have converted another. I'm telling you I love these books. 

These are the Strange Angel books by Lili St.Crow. I've read the first one, and really enjoyed it because it had just about every creature you could think of. Sadly, I haven't finished the other books. I actually found out about this book from the back of my Vampire Academy book.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

(Color) is for series by Laurie Faria Stolarz. I believe there are a few more books in this series.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

I call these books the "From Hell Series" They are actually anthologies from different authorsall of which are YA authors. There's also one calle vacations from hell which I have just not on here yet.

The Dream Catcher Series by Lisa McMann.Gone is the third book which I have and need to add to this picture.

These are the House of Night books by P.C and Kristin Cast. Supposedly there's going to be 12 books I think.

These are the Evernight books plus Balthazaar by Claudia Gray. Balthazaar is a companion novel. I've read only the first two which I never reviewed on here becaus these were actually some of the first books I read before I started blogging. :) So I'm thinking of going back and re-reading them completely. because I've forgotten what has happened

These are actually all the Mary Higgins Clark books I have. Before I began reading YA I read mystery books, and hers were the ones I enjoyed the most. Daddy's Little girl was my favorite.

These are the twilight books. I don't think any YA collection is complete with out them. These are the reason I started reading YA. So as much as people hate on them I owe a lot to them.  I've probably read these like twice.  Just for the record I'm totally a Jacob Fan. No cold, sparkly vampire for me in this book. I like me some cuddly wolfs.

These were from what I remember great books I loved the different stories in each of them and how in the end they all linked together somehow. I'm pretty sure I'll re-read these and then put up some reviews. Written by L.J Smith,

These are The Immortals Series by Alyson noel. 

The Blue Bloods Series by Melissa De La Cruz. (sorry I kind of got a few others books in the picture my bad) This is a series about the Elite Group of Vampires (Blue Bloods), The Evil Ones (silve blood), and sometimes the Conduits (red bloods or humans)(It's mainly just Oliver) Then she has like a spin off I believe called Bloody Valentine. Also Keys to the Repository which is like a guidebook to the blue bloods . This is not a finished series yet so I don't have all the books.

These are the charmed books from the hit Tv show (no longer running) I have all the seasons of Charmed. Love the show. So my friend bought me these for Christmas last year. I still need to read them.  

It's Harry Potter. I'm missing the 3rd book, that is just sad. I also need to get the hard back of the 2nd one.

It's the Midnighters Series. I'm missing the 2nd as you can see. I  have a habit of buying books out of order. So until it is complete I usually don't read them. This series does sound interesting though.

This series is called "The Daughters of the Moon" It actually has 13 books to it. I've read only the first one, but I have almost all now. These books are about 4 girls who come to find out they belong to a special group. Each book is a story of one of the girls. The girls are Vanessa who's invisible, Catty who's a time-traveler, Serena who's a mind-reader, and Jimena who sees the future. Then a fifth one comes in to it in a later book named Tiana who has the ability to move things with her mind.

Vampires anyone? This is The Chronicles of Vladmir Tod. I have the first 3 books so far, and I 've only read the first two, but they're good. It's from a teen boys POV so it's different.

These are The Dark Guardian book. There's apparently a 4th one now.

This is the Hex Hall Series by Rachel Hawkins. All the books are hilarious. I've actually only written a review for this first book.

The Matched Trilogy by Ally Condie. I've read the first one and so far not impressed.

The Paranormalcy Series by Kiersten White. Super cute books. Evie and Lend are adorable characters.

The Nightshade books. by Andrea Cremer (Rise and Rift the first two are actually prequels) I have only read Nightshade and Wolfsbane. I loved Nightshade but it kind of dwindled on wolfsbane so hopefully it will regain some in the third book. I read somewhere that she was going to make a few more books for it.

These are the Wolves of Mercy Falls Books by Maggie S. ( I never can spell her last name) I;ve read the first, but I adored Same and Grace as characters so I need to read the others. Also she has a few other series that are out as well.

These are the Trylle Trilogy books by Amanda Hocking. Which I haven't read, but heard they are really good.

These are the House of Night books by P.C and Kristin Cast. Supposedly there's going to be 12 books I think.

These are the House of Night books by P.C and Kristin Cast. Supposedly there's going to be 12 books I think.

These are the House of Night books by P.C and Kristin Cast. Supposedly there's going to be 12 books I think.

So what series do you have? read? like? or you have one you think I might be interested in reading. then tell me, leave me a comment. I will def comment back.