Marked: Deluxe Edition (House of Night Novels, 1) – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Marked: Deluxe Edition (House of Night Novels, 1)

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2026

72%

WISE Score

4.6

Amazon

High school is a literal nightmare when you’re sprouting fangs and a glowing forehead tat, but at least the Goddess Nyx has your back.

Marked: Deluxe Edition (House of Night Novels, 1)

book

2026

72%

WISE Score

4.6

Amazon

High school is a literal nightmare when you’re sprouting fangs and a glowing forehead tat, but at least the Goddess Nyx has your back.

4.6

Jump to

Also rated on

4.6

View →

Where to Read

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Libby

Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased, but as an Amazon Associate, Screenwise earns an affiliate fee if you buy a book or game by clicking one of our links. We don't get any credit if you just Google it instead :)

Screenwise Verdict

This is peak 2000s YA energy repackaged for 2026. It’s got all the hallmarks of that era: the 'chosen one' trope, a complicated love square, and plenty of high school snark. While it’s not exactly high literature, it handles themes of identity and standing up to corrupt authority better than most of its peers from the vampire craze.

Just be prepared for some dialogue that feels a bit 'how do you do, fellow kids' and a heavy focus on social status. It’s the kind of book that’ll keep a teen reading under the covers, even if the 'bloodlust as romance' angle is a bit eye-roll-inducing for adults. If your kid likes Wednesday or Vampire Academy, this is a safe bet.

Age Fit

Perfect for the 13-to-16 crowd who wants the drama of a soap opera mixed with some Wiccan-inspired vampire lore. It's firmly Young Adult—middle schoolers might find the social drama relatable, but the 'bloodlust' gets a bit steamy.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

While it centers on friendship and finding a new 'tribe,' the book leans heavily into high school cattiness, social hierarchies, and 'mean girl' behavior. It’s more about survival and status than pure kindness.

Imaginative

The lore is a distinct spin on vampire tropes, incorporating a biological 'Change' and a matriarchal religious system centered on the goddess Nyx. It's more creative than your average Twilight clone.

Safe

It's a book, so no digital risks, but content-wise it features underage drinking, partying, and 'bloodlust' that serves as a thinly veiled metaphor for sexual awakening. Safe for teens, but not for younger kids looking for a spooky story.

Enriching

Explores the weight of destiny and the courage required to challenge corrupt authority figures. It offers some decent points on female empowerment and identity formation.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

The mythology is a cool departure from standard tropes, treating vampirism as a biological transformation rather than just a monster bite.
Zoey is a proactive protagonist who has to navigate a complex matriarchal society, not just pine over boys.
It hits that 'boarding school' itch perfectly for readers who want something moodier than Harry Potter but less intense than true horror.

⚠

What to Watch For

The 'mean girl' dynamics are laid on thick, and the social hierarchy within the school can feel pretty toxic.
Expect references to underage drinking and some heavy-breathing romance that leans into the 'bloodlust' metaphor.
The Wiccan-lite rituals and occult themes might be a bit much for families who prefer more traditional fantasy.

Conversation Starters

"If you were 'Marked' and had to leave your life behind tomorrow, what's the one thing you'd miss most?"
"Why do you think the 'Dark Daughters' feel the need to act so superior? Is it power or just insecurity?"
"Does Zoey's bond with her human ex-boyfriend seem like a real connection, or is it just the supernatural stuff making it complicated?"
"If you had a physical mark that everyone could see, would you want it to represent your greatest talent or your biggest secret?"

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic