Book Review (60).

Lenobia's Vow (House of Night Novellas #2)

by P.C. Cast, Kristin Cast

Publication: 31st January 2012

Publisher: St Martin's Griffin

Pages: 160

Genre: Paranormal

Age Appropriate: Young Adult

The second in the enthralling new mini-series of novellas from the #1 bestselling authors of the House of Night, Lenobia's Vow tells the gripping story behind the House of Night's enigmatic riding instructor – and one of Zoey’s closest allies against evil

The House of Night is an international publishing sensation; with almost 12 million books in print, and an incredible 120 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, the series has taken the world by storm. Now, the excitement continues as the Cast mother-daughter duo shares the back stories of a few of the House of Night's most important – and mysterious – characters. 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.

My Thoughts.

I'm a big fan of the House Of Night series and I love the novellas as it gives us a closer look into the past and present lives of the chosen characters.

This story is about Lenobia the horse whisperer, an ally of Zoey and her favourite professor.

Lenobia is the illegitimate daughter of a Baron, she lives in his house with her mother as the help, after her half-sister Cecilia dies Lenobia's mother coerces her into taking her place on a ship bound to America to marry a wealthy man.

On board is an evil Bishop who lived not far from the Baron's house and who has had his eye on her and is very creepy, Lenobia feigns seasickness for quite a while so she doesn't have to come out of her room and run into him, she starts taking early morning walks before everybody arises when she happens to come across the hold which is carrying two horses which are being transported to a buyer in America.

It's there she meets Martin who is looking after the horses on the voyage, he also happens to be the son of the man who purchased the horses and they eventually fall in love her problem though is staying away from the Bishop once he realises she's on board.

We also see Lenobia being marked with the moon crescent and her using her talent for talking to horses for the first time.

This also explains about her relationship with Martin which has only ever been hinted at in the House Of Night books and it's quite tragic and you end up feeling very sorry for Lenobia and I just hope her new relationship she started in the last HON book lasts.

I managed to finish this book in a few hours and I'm eager to read the next novella which is Neferet's and I want to find out what made her into the evil person she is.

I give this 4/5.