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Neferet's Curse

(House of Night Novellas #3)

P.C. Cast (Goodreads Author) (co-author),

Kristin Cast (Goodreads Author) (co-author)

4.03 · Rating details · 9,658 ratings · 617 reviews

The White City, 1893: In turn-of-the-century Chicago, with the World's Fair bringing bustle and excitement to her home city, sixteen-year-old Emily Wheiler should be reveling in her youthful beauty and the excitement around her. But her whole life changed when her mother died, leaving her to be the Lady of Wheiler House. Her father, a powerful bank president, is at the cen ...more

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Hardcover, 147 pages

Published February 19th 2013 by St. Martin's Griffin (first published February 1st 2013)

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Mar 19, 2012 Jodie marked it as to-read

Shelves: 2013, house-of-night, next-to-read

I really can't wait for this one, loved dragons oath and lenobia's vow but Neferet's story will be really interesting to read, and might explain why she is so evil.

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Mar 10, 2019 Sophia Triad rated it really liked it

Shelves: vampires, 5historical-lovestories-oldtimes, superpowers-specialpowers

Neferet was the villain in most of the House of Night books. She was ruthless and thirsty for absolute power. But she wasn't always like this.
Long time ago, she was just a girl who was looking for love and protection after her mother's death.
Long time ago, she was called Emily and she was scared of her father. She was hoping that a protector would take her away from the suffocating home and her sick father.

But alas...
Only when she was strong enough, she managed to win. She, herself was her wa ...more

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Mar 21, 2013 Liz rated it liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. One of my pet peeves with series is when an author writes something new that contradicts something written in an earlier book. It perpetually annoyed me with Sookie, until CH was able to get a fact checker, then it improved somewhat. With 2 authors writing together, you would think they would have a better chance at avoiding this mistake. At least put in a disclaimer.

Ok, I picked up Neferet's Curse because I'm already invested in this series, and thought hey, this might actually be more interes One of my pet peeves with series is when an author writes something new that contradicts something written in an earlier book. It perpetually annoyed me with Sookie, until CH was able to get a fact checker, then it improved somewhat. With 2 authors writing together, you would think they would have a better chance at avoiding this mistake. At least put in a disclaimer.

Ok, I picked up Neferet's Curse because I'm already invested in this series, and thought hey, this might actually be more interesting. The problem I have is that this story is COMPLETELY different than what is described in Marked. Handily, I had just decided to reread the entire series before I start Hidden, because I can't remember a lot of what's happened, and wanted to avoid being a little confused like I was with Destined. So, having just read it, here's the passage from page 211 of Marked:

"My mother died when I was ten years old. My father did not remarry. Instead, he began to use me as his wife. From the time I was ten until Nyx saved me by Marking me when I was fifteen, he abused me." Neferet paused and let the shock of what she was saying settle into me before she continued. "So you see, when I say that I understand what it is to have your home become an unbearable place I am not just spouting platitudes."

So here are the contradictions:

1. Neferet was 10 when her mother died. Emily in the book is 15.

2. Neferet is immediately and continually abused from age 10 until 15. Emily is only raped once, her last night as a human. Part of that is because she wisely blocked her bedroom door with a dresser so her father couldn't come in.

3. Neferet was Marked at age 15, Emily is 16.

I get why P.C. Cast wrote the novella this way....as the character of Neferet has developed in this series, I can see how Emily in this book turned into Neferet in the other books. I see the agenda, the seeds of coldness, rationalization of her actions, the conniving act, manipulation, and above all the self reliance and isolation, and putting herself above others. (Let's not forget the obvious reference to the white bull, and her fascination with it). So knowing the developed Neferet, I can see the emergence from the girl Emily into the power-hungry High Priestess.

HOWEVER, the initial bitter declaration in the first book seems to me to be a more complete story....I can only imagine what effect that kind of abuse could have on a child, especially in the 19th century, when there weren't any sort of child protective services. Abuse, long or short, is devastating, but to me, the 6 month period told in NC seems incomplete when compared to the original mention of the story. Of course it would be more difficult to write, given the subject matter, but I just feel this novella could have been done so much better. It feels contrived, even though I believe Cast's heartfelt words in her postscript. I guess what I feel disappointed about is the same thing I'm disappointed about with the entire series now: when they began the books, they didn't have the full deal, and it was supposed to be much shorter. As I've stated in other reviews of this series, I believe that once the authors got on the money train, I feel they've been milking it for all it's worth, and that includes these novellas (which are actually more expensive on sale than I paid for the first few books). It's a shame really, when the series was awesome at first. But now, I just want it to be over so I know how it all ends. Thankfully I only have to wait for 2 more books. ...more

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Mar 12, 2013 Miss Susan rated it liked it

Man you know what's super frustrating? When a book just misses doing something that would be genuinely interesting and provide much needed critical commentary on earlier books of the series.

See here's the thing. This book is meant to be Neferet's backstory, the cause of her evil and a sympathy for the devil argument all in one. One of the major characterization lines it develops is her desire to control her life in the face of awful unrelenting victimization (view spoiler) Man you know what's super frustrating? When a book just misses doing something that would be genuinely interesting and provide much needed critical commentary on earlier books of the series.

See here's the thing. This book is meant to be Neferet's backstory, the cause of her evil and a sympathy for the devil argument all in one. One of the major characterization lines it develops is her desire to control her life in the face of awful unrelenting victimization (view spoiler). And about two thirds in I thought I could guess what ending the Casts would go for and was impressed because I felt like it was a really clever way to further the discussion of free will as it relates to Nyx.

(view spoiler)[Her father's controlling tendencies have been getting worse and he keeps looking at her in a way she knows means something awful so she convinces Arthur Simpton to marry her -- rich, high social standing, safe -- so she can escape. And I was honestly really proud of her, like she did it, she was determined and manipulative and she found a way to rescue herself despite the very few options available to her. And it occurred to me right then that the book was going to end with her becoming a vampyre.

You know what sucks about vampyrism in the House of Night verse? You have no control over it. Nyx selects you, your body starts transforming, and a representative of your local house will come and tell you that if you don't join them your body will reject the change and die. Not that coming will necessarily save you. You could still die in three years anyways! Best study hard and stay devoted to the Goddess! ｡◕‿◕｡

Can you imagine how horrible that would be for Neferet? She finally freed herself from one cage and she's been forced into another. It would explain so much about her, I would hate any so called goddess that did that to me. I'd have a lot more respect for the Casts if I thought they recognized the contradiction in Nyx espousing free will but not giving her children a choice about following her.

It would have been so easy to play it that way! But no, instead she is brutally raped by her father, the change comes, and her fiancee can't handle it and rejects her. Any culpability Nyx holds isn't commented on by the narrative. Neferet concludes that all the horrible things that happened to her was because she was a weak human girl and now that she's a vampyre she'll never allow herself to be harmed again. We're meant to maintain the view that her turning against Nyx is a symptom of her natural inclination towards evil (yeah I caught the foreshadowing with the bull statue, subtle). The whole thing turns into a frustrating missed opportunity to inject nuance and criticism into the story.

(Also the house tells her they will protect her from her father but she can not go after him. Wow, awesome guys, refuse the rape victim the right to exact justice! At least Twilight let Rosalie murder her rapists without judging her for it. If the story was aware of the shit it was pulling it would be so much better! How do you write in all the ingredients to make your villain a living critique of every iffy aspect of your heroes' worldview and fail to use it.) (hide spoiler)]

In conclusion, please Casts, deconstruct your narrative. You're halfway there already, all you have to do is make it explicit. 3 stars ...more

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Feb 05, 2013 Jenea Whittington rated it really liked it

Wow, you ever wonder why Neferet became they way she is? This definitely tells you why. Her story was beyond emotional and heart wrenching. Life growing up for her was hard and she pushed through some horrific things. One’s that most people don’t ever recover from, but it is what made her the callous, malicious leader she is. There were some times I found myself wincing at the events that took place, but now I completely understand her. Betrayal by someone who is supposed to protect you is the u ...more

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Mar 25, 2013 Jody Mena rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction

A very heart-rending and telling look into the villain's past. This book has made Neferet my favorite character in the House of Night series. Before now, she has been rather a painfully 2-dimensional and cliche specimen of villainy, though there have been hints now and then of some traumatic horror in her past. Now after reading this, I find myself almost admiring Neferet. She was courageous and cunning, and has the will, wit and self-control to survive in spite of being bound by so many convent A very heart-rending and telling look into the villain's past. This book has made Neferet my favorite character in the House of Night series. Before now, she has been rather a painfully 2-dimensional and cliche specimen of villainy, though there have been hints now and then of some traumatic horror in her past. Now after reading this, I find myself almost admiring Neferet. She was courageous and cunning, and has the will, wit and self-control to survive in spite of being bound by so many conventions and dangers; she merely let her fear twist those admirable qualities into something corrupt. In the end, all she wanted was to be free; even after everything she's done throughout the series, that still remains her overaching goal. She is still that terrified, trapped girl searching desperately for the power and autonomy to be truly free, which is the very thing that she is constantly denied by everyone (including Nyx, which is a running theme in this series that makes me intensely uncomfortable, and increasingly makes me wish that Cast had chosen to make up a fictional name for the Goddess, and use fictional rituals, instead of tying it into Wicca and dragging the whole ideology down in doing so). I cannot fault Neferet's desire for freedom, and I admire her tenacity, her cunning, her sense of justice and the fiery strength of her will. What makes Neferet such a tragic creature in the end is that her desperation to be freed from one master thrusts her into the chains of another. She's so desperate to be free that she sells her self again and again back into slavery.

There were a few things I disliked about this story - a few things about the series in general that make me intensely uncomfortable, particularly the judgmental, preachy good-vs-evil sermonizing. Something I particularly disliked, though, was the attitude of Neferet's mentor denying a rape victim her right to justice. Forgiveness is important, but there is a kind of necessary catharsis in a woman standing up and speaking for herself against her attacker, in order to raise herself from the position of a victim, to a position of strength. I do not condone murder - but I do not think Neferet was wrong to exact her justice. And I believe that if the House of Night had stood by her instead of trivializing her pain, then Neferet might have found solidarity and trust with her fellow vampyres, rather than a reinforcement of her convictions that she must never trust anyone else. The message that a raped woman should simply 'turn the other cheek' as it were, sickens me. Vengence isn't good for the soul - but justice IS, and there is a profound difference between the two that is completely ignored here. It was an unfortunate way to end the book, but it did make Neferet an even more sympathetic character.

I can only hope that in the end Neferet will find a way to redeem herself, but in her own way without submitting to anyone - that she will finally find her freedom. But from the trends of these books, I highly doubt this series will end with anything so enlightened or evolved. I just know I'm going to be writing fanfiction to 'correct' the authors' mistakes one day... lol... otherwise, though, this was easily one of the best books in the series. ...more

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Mar 16, 2012 Johnny marked it as to-read

Finally! The one back story that I've actually cared about since this whole series began. Hope that they actually manage to make it decent but.....we'll see.

(Side note: "She's always been beautiful"?! What is up with the focus on beauty in these books. In the synopsis for Lenobia's Vow it said that Lenobia was curse with extreme beauty!!! Come on people!!!)

(Second side note: DAMN that cover is freaking gorgeous!!!)

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Nov 11, 2012 Nicole rated it it was amazing

Shelves: beautiful-covers, own, young-adult, favourite-paranormal-reads, all-time-favourite-books

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Sep 19, 2011 Alec John rated it really liked it

I feel really bad for Neferet now.

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Jun 11, 2013 Lisa rated it did not like it

Shelves: teen

Dragon's Oath and Lenobia's Vow are actually pretty good. I think everyone was looking forward to Neferet's back story, however it is terrible. Even though it was so short it was too long, if that makes sense. Details were too long but the development of the characters was way too short. I didn't have enough time to feel much for Emily at all and I didn't really feel that her father was developed as an evil character very well at all. Yes he was a drunk, yes he made her come home and do stuff bu ...more

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Oct 04, 2011 hayden rated it it was ok

Neferet's Curse was a great addition to the miniseries of House of Night novellas. Not only did it provide excellent background on the character we've all come to love-hate, Neferet, or as she's known in this book, Emily Wheiler, but it also illustrated wonderful character development. It illuminated the change between the lonely, scared girl in the beginning of the book to the strong, and slightly mad, woman in the end. While it did lag a bit in some parts, Neferet's Curse was a great look back ...more

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Oct 28, 2011 Patricia marked it as keep-in-mind

Seriously?

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Jan 14, 2018 Emily Ross rated it liked it

Shelves: 2018-reading-challenge, reviewed

I definitely found this much more engaging than the other House of Nights novellas, but it just misses something. It certainly explains Neferet and why she turned out the way she did, but it just lacks a bit of emotional connectivity which makes it hard to connect with Neferet.

Edit: Having just read Marked, Neferet says that her mother died when she was 10 and she was Marked at 15. This novella did not read as though 5 years had passed. It felt like it occurred over the course of 6 months. They ...more

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Feb 26, 2017 Tânia rated it really liked it

*Actually 3.5 round up because it's House of Night
(review to come soon)

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Sep 09, 2013 Christina rated it really liked it

First let me put this disclaimer before I get bombarded with angry replies about my knowledge of the series or whatever... I've been reading this series from the beginning and yes I acknowledge that the authors made some very huge leaps from the original description of Neferet's upbrining from an earlier book to this one. Yes there is a 5 year miscalculation about the death of her mother as well as the details of her abuse. Here's the thing...that passage was written well over 6 years ago if not First let me put this disclaimer before I get bombarded with angry replies about my knowledge of the series or whatever... I've been reading this series from the beginning and yes I acknowledge that the authors made some very huge leaps from the original description of Neferet's upbrining from an earlier book to this one. Yes there is a 5 year miscalculation about the death of her mother as well as the details of her abuse. Here's the thing...that passage was written well over 6 years ago if not longer based on when the authors actually wrote the original manuscript. Authors many times have to re-edit their books to fix certain details they messed up on because at the time they didn't seem relevant to where a story line was going or because they are just plain imperfect and make mistakes. Neferet was not initially intended to take on her own steam sorta speak and become a character people really WANTED and even ASKED for more development from beyond what we get just from Zoey's narratives. This series was NEVER just a trilogy where it is much simpler to plan out an entire timeline and never stray from the course. With that said the Cast women have had to improvise and develop different angles for characters that were most likely never meant to be more then two dimensional. I don't find it necessary to crucify the authors for taking some creative liberties with their characters. Ultimately Neferet's story stays true at the core with just some timeline details rewritten to accomadate who Neferet has developed to be as a character NOW versus 6 years ago....That said this is my review:

"I really felt a connection to Emily that I never thought I could to be honest. I had every expectation going into this book, of hating whatever sorry excuse there could be for her turning into the woman we all know know and loathe to be as Neferet.

I was mistaken and quickly smacked with a dose of "Shut up Tina you're being a witch"

Emily Wheiler like most young girls at nearly 16 years old, was only concerned with the newest fashions and catching the eye of the cute new guy on the block while giggling with her girlfriends. That all abruptly changes at the tragic death of a parent.

Thrust into adulthood with the demanding social requirements of 1800's society & left with little room for proper mourning or nurture from the surviving parent, Emily finds herself in a whirlwind of confusing emotions and an escalating sense of dread. Inappropriate situations and lewd advances quickly loosing their subtlty lead to searching for a way out for her own safety. So begins a deep loathing for a society where women are viewed as weak and left to be controlled by their husbands and fathers.

After a night where the control Emily desperately tries to hold on to over her life is stripped from her, it is the the House of Night that truly comes to her aid when the one person she thought would be her protector also fails her. It is then the seed of revenge and deep anger that had already been planted into her heart takes full bloom and drives her towards the first step that inevitably leads her down a path we already know turns dark and sinister.

If there is anything to be learned from Emily Wheiler it's that we all do have free will and even though the world is cruel and unjust and causes our hearts to darken and even harden, deep down there is a little boy or girl inside each of us that was most likely hurt or betrayed. While we all deserve justice for the abuse we may have endured at the hands of someone who ultimately will pay for their sins, it is up to each and every one of us to consciously CHOOSE to not allow those things be the deciding factors in who we will be as a person. NEVER I repeat NEVER be afraid of asking for help. ...more

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Nov 10, 2014 Andrea rated it liked it

Shelves: 2016-read, cannonball-8

A Prisoner of Her Own Family
Neferet’s Curse
Rating: 3.5/5

Summary: When Emily Wheiler’s mother dies in childbirth, her world is changed. She spends months grieving and only escapes its clutches due to her Father’s orders. Emily must take over as the Lady of Wheiler House, which is not something she really wants to do. Reluctantly, she does and her life is consumed with duties as she is isolated from her friends. Emily’s Father begins to be more controlling and will only allow her out when he is ac A Prisoner of Her Own Family
Neferet’s Curse
Rating: 3.5/5

Summary: When Emily Wheiler’s mother dies in childbirth, her world is changed. She spends months grieving and only escapes its clutches due to her Father’s orders. Emily must take over as the Lady of Wheiler House, which is not something she really wants to do. Reluctantly, she does and her life is consumed with duties as she is isolated from her friends. Emily’s Father begins to be more controlling and will only allow her out when he is accompanying her. Her house has become a prison and Emily is desperate to escape from it and her Father’s burning gaze. Hope comes in the form of suitor Arthur Simpton, but will he be quick enough?

This was a good read, but I think my bias clouded it. I’ve read the whole House of Night series and Neferet is definitely an evil bitch. But now I understand why. Her life didn’t seem that bad and maybe that’s because I know someone who has been through worse. Emily felt so whiny, but I did admire her for engineering the Arthur’s desires to match her own. She was attempting to save herself the only way a girl could in that time period.

This was a pretty quick read and I would’ve finished it last night, but I was too exhausted. That’s what I get for reading in bed. So the plot is kind of slow, but the undercurrents of danger make it tense. The tone is permeated by Emily’s fear of her Father and he’s definitely a scary man. I enjoyed the cute little romance between Emily & Arthur, but ultimately he disappointed me. Ugh (view spoiler)

I loved the description of night and darkness in this book. It reminds me of A Court of Mist & Fury/Rhysand so yay! I love when night is represented as something of beauty rather than something to fear. Though it can be scary, it is also beautiful and magical. I wish I could a vampyre and go to the House of Night, sigh.
...more

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Feb 16, 2013 Anna rated it really liked it

Shelves: young-adult, reviews

[audio review] This latest HON novella tells the story of Emily Wheiler, the girl who will one day be Neferet. Everything changes for Emily when her mother dies. Trying to take on her mother's duties isn't the easiest and neither is dealing with her cruel father. She eventually is Marked and is accepted at the House of Night in Chicago. The revenge she sets out to enact will ultimately put her on a dangerous path.

I'm sure this goes for other readers of the series... but Neferet is not my favorit ...more

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Dec 26, 2013 Yasmin ✨ rated it liked it

Shelves: ebook, guilty-pleasure, better-than-id-expected

''And I am not Emily. I am Neferet.''

This was nice! At first, it didn't really feel like it was Neferet I was reading about, but as the story progressed, Emily started to change in Neferet in a very subtle way (which I loved).

Neferet has always annoyed me in House of Night. Especially in the last couple of books, she's been quite hysterical and the way she behaves just annoyed the hell out of me. Her past is very interesting though, and in Revealed (it was Revealed, right?) we already got some ...more

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Sep 19, 2011 Amber marked it as to-read

Gorgeous Cover!

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Aug 26, 2012 Bethany rated it really liked it

I enjoyed these books up to about book 9 i think then i found them to be a bit long winded but the start of them was a good read.

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Feb 10, 2012 Heather marked it as to-read

Can't wait!!

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Jan 12, 2014 Dark Matter rated it it was ok

Shelves: fantasy, romance

This review was written by Evie Kendal for Dark Matter Zine. This and more reviews, interviews etc are on Dark Matter Zine, an online magazine. http://www.darkmatterzine.com.

Neferet’s Curse by PC & Kristen Castt is a novella intended to provide a backstory for the High Priestess, Neferet, who was the House of Night series protagonist Zoey Redbird’s first vampyre mentor. It is written as a series of journal entries from 1893 by the 16-year-old still-human, Emily Wheiler, beginning shortly af ...more

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Jun 14, 2018 Sarah rated it liked it

Shelves: for-p, read-the-others, silverware

Cool backstory. Still an evil, emotionally manipulative, murderous bitch.

There is such a huge difference between Emily wanting to kill the man who'd raped her and betrayed her trust... and literally all of the shit that Neferet did throughout the entire HON main series.

Up until the second to last chapter, it was easy for me to forget that this sweet girl would end up being the walking dumpster fire of a villain that is Neferet.
But then, Cast just started dropping all of this “foreshadowing” s ...more

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Sep 26, 2018 Shiloh rated it really liked it

This book, although difficult for me to read due to triggers, gives an incredible look into Neferet before she became a vampyre. It tells her story of how she chooses to be the way she is because she will no longer let anyone control her. I relate heavily to this, and although Neferet and I have taken our end experiences in opposite directions, it is the need to deal with the pain of betrayal and hurt that is highly relatable. Another very well written novella. Seeing different sides of all thes ...more

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Apr 17, 2017 Dracena rated it liked it

As much as I hate the original series, I really like background storys. So this was ok. Pretty good if you compare to the HoN series. Pretty good turn on the "main villain". You don't know wether to hate her because of... Spoilers. Or feel sorry for her, because obvious reasons.

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Sep 04, 2017 Lindsay rated it liked it · review of another edition

Not the best novella... mostly because I just didn't like the content of this book... I see why Neferet is not a very pleasant person though....

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Jul 03, 2017 Angie Hammad rated it it was amazing

"Love.. Always Love.."

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Aug 06, 2013 Becky (Blogs of a Bookaholic) rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Fans of the House of Night series only.

Shelves: paranormal-romance, ya, rooting-for-the-villain

This review was originally published on Blogs of a Bookaholic.

An uncomfortable tale of abuse and misplaced revenge.
I must admit of all the novellas, this was the one I was most looking forward to. Neferet has been the antagonist throughout the entire House of Night series, and apart from her need for power there seemed to be little explanation about her motivations for going to the ‘dark side’, especially as she seemed to have plenty of power before she became a consort to darkness.

Told through retrospective diary entries, Neferet discloses the terror of her teenage years. After witnessing the death of her mother in childbirth, Neferet is wrought with grief and loneliness. Stuck in the house with her gruff, alcoholic father she is now expected to grow up and become the lady of the house. But as the weeks go on she becomes increasingly uncomfortable with her father inappropriate comments, looks and demands including requests that she wear her mother’s clothes and stop seeing her friends. As time goes on, Neferet’s father continues to alienate, bully and eventually, abuse her.

From the first chapter it’s pretty clear where the story is going to go, that Neferet’s unhinged, abusive father will continue to confuse his daughter with his wife and that the abuse will eventually escalate. Because of this the pacing feels incredibly slow, especially as you know end result will be unpleasant. As a story about abuse it’s a disturbing, horrific and uncomfortable read and I can easily say I didn’t enjoy one moment of. It’s not a story you can call entertaining or interesting, and I was pulling horrified faces for the duration of the novella. However, it does provide a somewhat satisfying and logical explanation of how Neferet’s behaviour and outlook has developed. The strange vibe and undertones of aggression in her household would be enough to warp anyone’s mind. For a while I was concerned that the author was going to go with an abuse = you turn evil angle which would have sent me on an epic rant about dangerous messages in books. However, as the story progresses it becomes clear that Neferet’s eventual alliance with evil comes not just from her situation and how she handles it, but also from her anger at the lack of help from onlookers, the betrayal of those she once put faith in, and her personality and growing obsession with control, power, manipulation and domination over those around her. Neferet’s fate is eventually sealed by a continuation of bad choices and also a lack of compassion and empathy towards others. I also appreciated the foreshadowing when Neferet took comfort in visiting the bull fountain statue that others found hideous. However, I was displeased with a certain element of the ending that I can’t mention due to spoilers.

Although I never connected with Neferet on an emotional or personal level and I didn’t find her likable, the theme surrounding her desperation to be free from the controlling gaze of others and society was interesting. I was also pleased with the realistic development of the secondary characters Camille and Arthur who bowed to the pressures of society picking the easy way out.

While this novella was better than I thought it would be, it lacked a certain depth and complexity because of the writing. I feel like the story lost some of it’s power in the muddle of awkward sentence structures, unbelievable dialogue and the bland, detached narrative style that consisted mainly of telling. While the basics of Neferet’s character development were there, I feel like the authors could have taken it even further in order to make the intended message about handling the after effects of abuse clearer. It may seem strange after everything I’ve said above, but at times I felt the story teetered too close to the line between positive and negative portrayals of abuse – as if it could be interpreted both ways which unsettled me somewhat. If the writing had more clarity, this wouldn’t be an issue. Therefore I would be hesitant to recommend it.

You can check out my full, unabridged review and others like it Blogs of a Bookaholic. :) ...more

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Dec 11, 2011 Andrea rated it it was amazing

I have been a fan of the House of Night series for while now. After ten books, I felt as though the magic that had once drawn me into this series is fading. It was just the same formula over and over and over again. It gets tiresome after a while.

However, I previously read the past two HoN novellas and I KNEW I had to read Neferet's Curse, not only because it's a part of the HoN, but also because it's about Neferet as a young girl and how she became who she is. Back stories are just one of the a I have been a fan of the House of Night series for while now. After ten books, I felt as though the magic that had once drawn me into this series is fading. It was just the same formula over and over and over again. It gets tiresome after a while.

However, I previously read the past two HoN novellas and I KNEW I had to read Neferet's Curse, not only because it's a part of the HoN, but also because it's about Neferet as a young girl and how she became who she is. Back stories are just one of the amazing things about story telling. Even in the real world, knowing someone's history can give one vast insight into their character and can ultimately help one to better understand how to go about helping said person. For example, Harry Potter could not have defeated Lord Voldemort if he had not taken the time with Dumbledore to go back into the pensieve and and watch the memories of Lord Voldemort's past. Professor Dumbledore knew that the key to destroying Voldemort was to learn him, get inside of his history.

Why am I bringing up Harry Potter? Well, I think that P. C. Cast is going to incorporate Neferet's journal into the next HoN novel. Zoey, or someone, will probably find the journal after asking Nyx for guidance on how to stop Neferet once and for all, and BAM. They have the key to getting through to Neferet. Though, they may not destroy. Ultimately, I believe that if Zoey think she can redeem Neferet, then Zoey won't kill her. I mean, of course, she'll be punished for her actions, but still. I think, in the end, she'll be redeemed somehow.

So. Neferet's Curse follows the journal entries of a sixteen year old girl named Emily Wheiler. Her mother and infant brother die during the birthing, leaving a grief stricken Emily, who witnessed everything, and her father, a stoic, intimidating sort of man. Now, Emily is to be the new Lady of Wheiler House. She takes her responsibility to heart, at first, until she becomes aware of her father's "burning look". It is then she plans to escape her father by marrying a young Arthur Simpton. Her plan would have succeeded, if Nyx had not claimed her as her own first. Emily decides then to be reborn as Neferet, a woman that does not bow to any man.

I found it remarkably sad, this story. Emily had to grow up too fast, she lost her mother too young, and she went through something I wouldn't even begin to fathom. My heart goes out to her. Even though I don't condone her actions since becoming a vampyre, I can understand whole heartily the why of it all. Scars as hers leave impressions upon the soul that last for long periods in which, if not given the right amount of care, will become infected with things such as vengeance and self-hatred. Things like these are what lead to Neferet's darkness. I find that now more than ever I want to finish the House of Night series. This novella has reminded me of why I loved this series to begin with.

I can't wait for Revealed, which now that I think about it, is a great title in that it coincides with my suspicions that Neferet's characters is "revealed". Also, the last book, Redeemed, too, coincides with my thoughts that she will be "redeemed". Hmm. Interesting. ...more

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Nov 27, 2012 DeAnna rated it did not like it · review of another edition

I started reading the House of Night series in December of 2009, very shortly after reading Twilight. I hadn't done a lot of reading in years and wasn't sure what I'd like, so after loving Twilight, I decided to try out another vampire series. I've really enjoyed the series as a whole, and was very interested in the concept of novellas. Actually, I believe the House of Night novellas were my first intro to novellas within series.

As anyone who has read my previous reviews should know, I am a suck I started reading the House of Night series in December of 2009, very shortly after reading Twilight. I hadn't done a lot of reading in years and wasn't sure what I'd like, so after loving Twilight, I decided to try out another vampire series. I've really enjoyed the series as a whole, and was very interested in the concept of novellas. Actually, I believe the House of Night novellas were my first intro to novellas within series.

As anyone who has read my previous reviews should know, I am a sucker for back story. I love having more information on books that I enjoy. However, I am not a fan of historical fiction. It's just not my thing. Unfortunately, that seems to be what the House of Night novellas seem to tend towards. I actually enjoyed Dragon's Oath, but I found myself struggling to get through Lenobia's Vow.

I was very excited for Neferet's Curse. Neferet is the villain that you love to hate. (Though, honestly, after 10 books, I'm kind of sick of her. I feel like she should have been defeated 5 books ago!) I was curious to find out how Neferet could have become so evil. However, I was very disappointed with this story.

At the beginning, Neferet, or as she was known before being Marked, Emily Wheiler, is a 15-year-old girl who has just watched her mother die after giving birth to Emily's stillborn baby brother, and her father is already looking at her strangely and making her very uncomfortable. I initially felt really bad for Emily. Her father is a drunk, and he "burns her with his eyes". Emily's father expects her to take her mother's place and become the Lady of Wheiler House. At first she is hesitant, but eventually, she grows into the role.

As I said, I initally felt really sorry for Emily. However, as the story progressed, I just found her to be manipulative and cold. Yes, her father is horrible, but until very near the end of the novella, he doesn't seem as bad as she makes him out to be, and yet, there is already something very unsettling about the way Emily's mind works. Once she's Marked, I just feel like her fate is sealed. She was an unpleasant person to begin with, and she became more and more unpleasant as the story progressed. Honestly, I was surprised it took her so long to become truly evil!

Aside from the fact that Neferet/Emily was so unlikable, I found that most of the story was just boring. It was written as diary entries, but I felt like almost nothing happened for the first half of the book. There were a couple of scenes that had me raising an eyebrow, but overall, it was just a very slow-moving story, and I was bored.

This review is also posted on my blog ...more

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About P.C. Cast

P.C. Cast

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PC was born in the Midwest, and grew up being shuttled back-and-forth between Illinois and Oklahoma, which is where she fell in love with Quarter Horses and mythology (at about the same time). After high school, she joined the United States Air Force and began public speaking and writing. After her tour in the USAF, she taught high school for 15 years before retiring to write full time. PC is a #1 ...more