P.C. Cast--Destined (House of Night series)

Young Adult/paranormal romance

Breathing hard, Aurox stood there over the bodies of his vanquished enemies. He turned to Neferet.

"Very good," she said in her emotionless voice. "Let us leave this place before the authorities descend."

Aurox followed her. He walked heavily, his hooves gouging furrows in the dirty alley.

Weak. He felt weak. And more. There was something else.

"What is it?" She snapped at him when he hesitated before entering the car again.

"I do not know. I feel--"

She laughed. "You don't feel at all. You're obviously overthinking this."

"Yes, Priestess." Aurox got in the car and let the world speed past him.

I do not think. I do not feel. I am a weapon.

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 Council 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 . . .

{4 stars}
It had been so long since I read the last book in this series, I was a little lost when I started it and put it down several times before finally getting in to it. I needed a little brain cleansing from the series I have been following that cause me withdrawal when the book ends. So this YA series is just the ticket for a simple easy story line (as long as you've read the series). Zoey, once again can't catch a break from Neferet, it seems this story line as been set on repeat. We just keep changing the side villians and the setting. But all in all I like the series, I like Zoey's nerd herd, and I want them all to find their HEA. There are a few new suprises in this one that might lead to some interesting story lines. Without giving too much away, it looks like things are looking good for the nerd herd, new beginnings for the future. But evil never truly gives up right? If you want something to pass the time and cleanse your brain with an easy read, the House of Night series is it. Can't wait to see what happens next.