DESTINED by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast is fast paced and intriguing. The story opens with Zoey trying to cope with the fact that her mother is dead. She is not sure if it is real or a dream. She soon realizes she is not dreaming. This of course is not the only thing she has to deal with, there is always Neferet and what she might be up to next.

Zoey, Stevie Rae, and the rest of the gang leave the tunnels to head to The House of Night for classes. When they exit the tunnels there is a short yellow school bus with House of Night painted on the side in fresh black paint that is waiting to take them there. This is just the first of Neferts humiliations for their group.

When they get to the HoN they are met by Neferet and a lot of resistance with their appearance. The group is determined that all of them be allowed to attend class, including Rephaim. But before anyone goes to class there are a few things that are to be straightened out. One of the main issues is for them to stay in the tunnels, because it is safer for the red fledglings, and so they are not under constant watch of Neferet. She agrees.

With that settled, the other thing that is bothering the group is the appearance of a new weapon Neferet has in the form of a gorgeous boy named Aurox. Neferet explains that he was a gift from Nyx, which no one believes. The other surprise is the appearance of Thanatos from the high council. She will be teaching a class exclusively to Zoey and her group, Stevie Rae and her red fledglings and Dallas and his group.

These are not the only changes at The HoN. Zoey finally figures out that Neferet is up to something and that something can only cause chaos. But why is the question and what could Neferet be up to now and who has she enlisted to help her? She no longer has Kalona helping her, so who could it be, and what is the purpose of Aurox? Rephaim and Kalona have major father/son issues that they are going to have to try to work out. Erik has been called to mark his first fledgling. His first marking does not go as planned and he thinks he has messed it up completely, but in the end it turns out to be a blessing to the group.

The main part of DESTINED focuses on Zoey's mothers death or murder, on Aurox's appearance, and his role for Neferet and what that means to Zoey.

If you a fan of The House of Night series DESTINED is a must read. If you have not read the other books, you will need to or you will be lost. DESTINED is a good story and well written, as always by the great Cast duo. I recommend reading DESTINED, it is fast paced, and exciting with a lot of twists and turns.