FEB. 2010 BOM "Marked" Discussion Week 2

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by theresa_mysterious on February 20, 2010 at 9:56pm

Sorry Jen I am still trying to catch up ...it has been a crazy week with my mom and all and well since I just started I might not be able to catch up on this one but definately look forward to finishing it. So far I think it is an awesome book and I look forward to the next book...then I will be able to stay on track ...hopefully..lol
BB,
theresa_mysterious

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Surdam on February 23, 2010 at 10:10pm

Hey Theresa,

NP, feel free to catch up or move on to the next when we've gotten an appropriate #of votes to make a decision. Looks like that one's fired up! LOL

Hugs and BB,
Jen :)

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Surdam on February 23, 2010 at 10:18pm

Well, it looks like I'm going to be the first, and possibly ONLY one to answer this one, but hey, I'll go for it, cuz I want to get to the end of the book! As you can see, I've already answered the third question--I can't wait to keep reading, and I'm dying to finish this book! (I'm 35, BTW, and have said repeatedly, I couldn't believe I was going to be reading a teen novel, but it doesn't really feel like a teen novel. Perhaps that's because it was a mother-daughter team writing? IDK--but I'm wanting to keep reading, and I'm not fond of teen novels--was when I was a kid, but I'm over that! LOL)

I still really like the vamp legend/lore as it's evolved. I love how they've included the witchy-feeling ceremonies, the famous vamps, and her colored-in Mark, plus the things that go along with it so far. I think it's been very interesting to see what goes on with it. Even if we don't continue with this novel, I'll be reading the entire series at some point.

New themes, I've seen famous vamps (continuation/new theme, perhaps?), I've seen the witchy-type ceremonies, the involvement of blood more, the evolution of her Mark. Not all new, necessarily, but evolving themes, and some new. There's the Dark Daughters, who are also like the "in" crowd, and now she's a part of the "in" crowd, and we got to see how she became a part of them, but also what she's going to do with that power. There's a lot of teen angst, but also a very real knowledge of her own evolution as not only a vamp but a teen. We met a ghost...

My question to you is: What character do you most identify with? (Personally, I'd have to say I identify most with the main character, for a number of different reasons, but definitely I see a lot of myself in her.)

Permalink Reply by Reny Halywell on February 25, 2010 at 5:39am

Even though it was the third or fourth time I've read the book, I couldn't put it down until the end. As I'd antecipated in the other discussion (sorry about that...) the book shows circle castings that are similar to the wiccan way. In the first circle ceremony that Zoey attends, Neferet tells the students to admire the full moon as the manifestation of Nyx. This is also somewhat alike what we witches do: Full moons represent the Mother Goddess to us. In some part I wondered whether the author researched about wiccan traditions or if she were a witch herself!
The vamp lore goes on very well. I could notice some influence of Bram Stroker's "Dracula" on the whole inprint matter (the Count did something of the sort with Mina Harker, just near the end of the book), but the author was very creative about it and didn't just repeat what we read in every other vampire book.
Just as Jen did, I identified myself with Zoey, though it was just a part of me that I saw in her.
I've also recently moved to another city and had to get to another school, so I understand that part of being new in a different place and having to adjust your life to a new routine.
I'd like to post a question to the ones who didn't read any other books in the series, just Marked: What do you think the ghost-seeing episode means?

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Surdam on February 25, 2010 at 11:31am

Hey Reny,

I have been wondering if they are Witches as well--if not, the research was really, really good, huh? :)
To answer your question, I am not sure yet about the ghost stuff, but I have a feeling we're going to find out, and not until later! LOL I think that some of it, at least, has to do with Zoey being very different--cuz I'm not sure that others see what she's seeing. I think it ties back into her being Marked by Nyx, but I haven't quite decided how or what it's about. I wonder if it may have something to do with the recently dead-undead and how they die?

Permalink Reply by Traisfire on February 25, 2010 at 8:19am

Better Late then Never I guess....
Well, I just got to p 206 last night and I have read the books before I thought that I would just be skimming to come up with talking points instead of rereading but I couldn't help it, I had to read it again. I didn't realize that the calling of the quarters described in these pages would stir something inside of me just as it did the last time I read.... Seriously, goose bumps! I do bump easily though, A really good rendition of a song, A happy ending and stuff like that.... Normally just music though, but these words just call out to me.

I like that the lore is unusual almost makes me want to be one of these vamp, but w/o the whole blood sucking thang... Goddess Initiatory School is one high school I might have thrived in instead of falling into obscurity.

To answer Jen's Question: While I feel for each one of the characters (Even Aphrodite, I know, I know, 'ugh hag-bitch') I don't really feel connection to one.

For Reny's Question: I have read the series and don't want to spoil it for the others that haven't.

My Question would be: Well, Poopie LOL I can't think of a single question w/o leading into something that is happening later... Maybe I'll come up with something later...

O and Happy Reading .

BB
~~Traisfire~~

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Surdam on February 25, 2010 at 11:35am

I have to say I LOVE Zoey's use of curse words--her use of words like boobies and poopie and stuff like that. You gotta love a chick who's that cool! :)

I have to say that I get goosebumpy over really good music, too! That's really interesting! :) I had a hard time only reading to where I had to stop. This was that good for me. I was really on the "somebody answer these darn questions so I can write my answers and then start reading again!" kick!! But I don't get goosebumpy with reading... But I will read a book in one setting if it's that good. I would probably have done that here if I hadn't made myself stop so I could do these talking points! :)

Hugs and BB,
jen :)

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Surdam on February 25, 2010 at 11:41am

BTW, I will not be able to be online tomorrow (heading out of town for the day!), and as things have been slow to pick up on the discussion, I'll start the last discussion Saturday, just a day late!
Hugs and BB,
jen :)