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House of Night Novellas #3
La malédiction de Néferet [ La maison de la nuit - Nouvelle ]
Chicago, 1892 : Emily Wheiler, 16 ans, est belle et respire la joie de vivre. Jusqu'à ce que sa mère meure.
Finis, les fêtes et les rires ; Emily devient la nouvelle maîtresse de maison et doit tenir son rang. Emprisonnée dans sa propre demeure, la jeune fille ne rêve plus que d'une chose : s'enfuir, quitte à vendre son âme au diable.
Mais pactiser avec un vampire a des conséquences. Quand elle reçoit ses nouveaux pouvoirs et son nouveau nom, Neferet, la jeune fille découvre qu'un sombre désir de vengeance grandit en elle...
Finis, les fêtes et les rires ; Emily devient la nouvelle maîtresse de maison et doit tenir son rang. Emprisonnée dans sa propre demeure, la jeune fille ne rêve plus que d'une chose : s'enfuir, quitte à vendre son âme au diable.
Mais pactiser avec un vampire a des conséquences. Quand elle reçoit ses nouveaux pouvoirs et son nouveau nom, Neferet, la jeune fille découvre qu'un sombre désir de vengeance grandit en elle...
189 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2013
231 people are currently reading
18262 people want to read
About the author
P.C. Cast
163 books28.3k followersPC 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 New York Times and #1 USA Today Best-Selling author and a member of the Oklahoma Writers Hall of Fame. Her novels have been awarded the prestigious: Oklahoma Book Award, YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers, Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, the Prism, Holt Medallion, Daphne du Maurier, Booksellers’ Best, and the Laurel Wreath. PC is an experienced teacher and talented speaker. Ms. Cast lives in Oregon near her fabulous daughter, her adorable pack of dogs, her crazy Maine Coon, and a bunch of horses. House of Night Other World, book 4, FOUND, releases July 7th, 2020. More info to come soon about the HoN TV series!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 773 reviews
January 31, 2023
3.5 Stars
Want to read
March 5, 2013I 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.
July 22, 2013
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.
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.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 13, 2013
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 . 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.
In conclusion, please Casts, deconstruct your narrative. You're halfway there already, all you have to do is make it explicit. 3 stars
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 . 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.
In conclusion, please Casts, deconstruct your narrative. You're halfway there already, all you have to do is make it explicit. 3 stars
March 10, 2019
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 warrior and her protector.
This novella was hard to read, but it does give useful insights into Neferet's complex character.
She is understood and somehow she is forgiven.
Triggers:
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 warrior and her protector.
This novella was hard to read, but it does give useful insights into Neferet's complex character.
She is understood and somehow she is forgiven.
Triggers:
Want to read
March 16, 2012Finally! 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!!!)
(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!!!)
June 1, 2015
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.
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.
February 18, 2013
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 ultimate betrayal. This is one that need to be read if you are a fan on the house of Night series, it was awesome learning about Neferet even though she is pure evil…
October 29, 2019
House of Night Novellas:
Dragon's Oath: ★★★★☆
Lenobia's Vow: ★★★★★
Neferet's Curse: ★★★★★
Kalona's Fall: ★★★☆☆
Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Review can be found here at Booked J.
Like with Lenobia's Vow I knew I was going to love Neferet's Curse. A lot. I think, at this point, it's safe to assume that I read the prequel novels exclusively for their stories. (Of course, I'm exceptionally late in getting to them. For some reason they've just been sitting on my shelves for literal years. Better late than never?) I don't need to really explain it, but! While Lenobia is my favourite *good* adult vampyre, Neferet is my favourite evil one.
Throughout the course of House of Night she serves a spine-tingling, delectable form of villainess that I am quite fond of. Based upon what we knew of her backstory and development, including her life before being marked, I always felt strangely sympathetic towards her. Which is rare for me when it comes to villains. There's something alluring and seductive to her; it is in this and her supposed 'kindness' that cloaks darkness and that darkness has always intrigued me in terms of the whys and the hows.
Firstly, I want to explicitly remind you that Neferet's Curse borders between tragic and fully triggering in its exploration of grief, anger, resentment, abuse and rape. Although it is short in its pages, the story packs a serious punch that will leave you feeling nauseated and heartbroken. As a human teenager, Neferet, then Emily, suffers a great deal in very little time. It is in these series of events that Emily is fashioned into Neferet, and irrevocably is broken. Your heart will ache for her in a way that isn't wholly common re: villains.
The exploration of topics is handled with honesty and sensitivity, mingling itself into the backstory and the series' mythology beautifully. I loved the Chicago setting. (Obviously. I'm a Chicago girl.) I thought that the atmosphere of it was bleak and mysterious in the way that was necessary to tell Neferet's story. Further, it felt very reminiscent of V.C. Andrews and that, in and of itself, horrifies me.
It works for the context of this story. But, every little interaction between Neferet and her dad left my skin feeling prickly with anxiety and fear and hatred. There are so many moments where I wanted to reach through the pages and kick her father myself. What a garbage excuse of a human.
Neferet's Curse unmasks our central House of Night villain. It makes her undeniably human. It's not an easy read in the sense that your emotions are really taken hold of. Instead of the usual fear and intrigue of Neferet, this novella takes readers on a different journey but still leads us to the eventual same path of terror. Seeing how she became the way she is, and that is all one could ever want from an origin story. I was unable to put this novella down and felt my heart shatter on many occasions.
In short, this was definitely a wild and emotional ride. Completely essential when it comes to the House of Night series and I'm so annoyed that I hadn't read it sooner.
Dragon's Oath: ★★★★☆
Lenobia's Vow: ★★★★★
Neferet's Curse: ★★★★★
Kalona's Fall: ★★★☆☆
Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Review can be found here at Booked J.
Like with Lenobia's Vow I knew I was going to love Neferet's Curse. A lot. I think, at this point, it's safe to assume that I read the prequel novels exclusively for their stories. (Of course, I'm exceptionally late in getting to them. For some reason they've just been sitting on my shelves for literal years. Better late than never?) I don't need to really explain it, but! While Lenobia is my favourite *good* adult vampyre, Neferet is my favourite evil one.
Throughout the course of House of Night she serves a spine-tingling, delectable form of villainess that I am quite fond of. Based upon what we knew of her backstory and development, including her life before being marked, I always felt strangely sympathetic towards her. Which is rare for me when it comes to villains. There's something alluring and seductive to her; it is in this and her supposed 'kindness' that cloaks darkness and that darkness has always intrigued me in terms of the whys and the hows.
Firstly, I want to explicitly remind you that Neferet's Curse borders between tragic and fully triggering in its exploration of grief, anger, resentment, abuse and rape. Although it is short in its pages, the story packs a serious punch that will leave you feeling nauseated and heartbroken. As a human teenager, Neferet, then Emily, suffers a great deal in very little time. It is in these series of events that Emily is fashioned into Neferet, and irrevocably is broken. Your heart will ache for her in a way that isn't wholly common re: villains.
The exploration of topics is handled with honesty and sensitivity, mingling itself into the backstory and the series' mythology beautifully. I loved the Chicago setting. (Obviously. I'm a Chicago girl.) I thought that the atmosphere of it was bleak and mysterious in the way that was necessary to tell Neferet's story. Further, it felt very reminiscent of V.C. Andrews and that, in and of itself, horrifies me.
It works for the context of this story. But, every little interaction between Neferet and her dad left my skin feeling prickly with anxiety and fear and hatred. There are so many moments where I wanted to reach through the pages and kick her father myself. What a garbage excuse of a human.
Neferet's Curse unmasks our central House of Night villain. It makes her undeniably human. It's not an easy read in the sense that your emotions are really taken hold of. Instead of the usual fear and intrigue of Neferet, this novella takes readers on a different journey but still leads us to the eventual same path of terror. Seeing how she became the way she is, and that is all one could ever want from an origin story. I was unable to put this novella down and felt my heart shatter on many occasions.
In short, this was definitely a wild and emotional ride. Completely essential when it comes to the House of Night series and I'm so annoyed that I hadn't read it sooner.
March 7, 2013
I am literally jumping for joy right now!! im soo excited to read this,when this comes out like OMG! i was always curious of her story, and where she came from and why has she become so evil. uhh... i dont know what else to say...but i cant wait for this novella!!! OH! i also loved the previous novellas aswell.
UPDATE!! March 3rd,2013
I have finished the book! Im so happy :D Anyways, it was a very dark and mysterious book, i loved it, loved it alot. However, it was very sad how her father abuses her(physically) in the end before she gets marked. Im not going to spoil anything for anyone. It was very short book so it took me no less then 3 days to read it. So, if your looking for a short book and anything new from House of Night, and also some dark drama and romance, check this book out!
UPDATE!! March 3rd,2013
I have finished the book! Im so happy :D Anyways, it was a very dark and mysterious book, i loved it, loved it alot. However, it was very sad how her father abuses her(physically) in the end before she gets marked. Im not going to spoil anything for anyone. It was very short book so it took me no less then 3 days to read it. So, if your looking for a short book and anything new from House of Night, and also some dark drama and romance, check this book out!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2018
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” stuff (that anybody who's familiar with the main series would have seen coming from a mile away...), and it just completely took me out of the story.
The ending was practically a complete 180 from how the story began... And not in a good way.
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” stuff (that anybody who's familiar with the main series would have seen coming from a mile away...), and it just completely took me out of the story.
The ending was practically a complete 180 from how the story began... And not in a good way.
July 26, 2014
I feel really bad for Neferet now.
September 9, 2013
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.
"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.
June 12, 2013
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 but it was 1892 and more than likely most 16 year olds would have limited freedom. I just didn't feel like he was developed as evil enough, maybe they were trying to hold back his inappropriate intentions to Emily as it is a teen book? This should have been so much better. Bad things happened to Dragon and Lenobia as well but they chose a different path I just don't buy this girl turned into Neferet. The end when she is marked and Arthur rejects her is just way too rushed and ridiculous as well.
January 16, 2018
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 had the mourning period, which they ended early, and then almost immediately they had the convention where everything kicked off.
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 had the mourning period, which they ended early, and then almost immediately they had the convention where everything kicked off.
July 26, 2014
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 into the vampyres of the late nineteenth century.
keep-in-mind
March 11, 2017Seriously?
December 18, 2023
4,5/5⭐
Este es un libro que forma parte de la saga "La Casa de la Noche" pero como un especial aparte. Son una recopilación de relatos de los cuatro personajes secundarios más importantes de la saga y en este caso tenemos la historia de Neferet, la Sacerdotisa más importante de la escuela y también la maldad personificada. En este relato veremos la razón de su oscuridad, el por qué de lo que vio en ese espejo cuando Zoey la venció y toda la rabia y el odio que la convirtieron en una persona cruel y despiadada.
La trama me ha parecido muy necesaria, sobre todo para desvelar todas las preguntas y dudas que deja el personaje de Neferet sobre su transfondo y la razón que la convirtió en una persona llena de odio hacia todo ser viviente. Obviamente lo que le sucede es imperdonable y muy cruel, pero no la justifica. A fin de cuentas el hacer daño por el hecho de que a ti te hayan herido y no quieras volver a ser vulnerable ante nadie solo demuestra que la Oscuridad la corrompió al punto de olvidar su propia humanidad.
Los personajes me han parecido muy interesantes, con muchas capas, tanto oscuras como agradables. Aquí vemos todas las caras de una moneda y como a veces lo que creemos que está bien no lo está realmente. El camino de Neferet cuando todavía era Emily te enseña el dolor que tuvo que experimentar y que la convirtió en una persona corrompida en todos los aspectos, para cuando llegaron a salvarla ya era demasiado tarde para curar el daño de su corazón. Y eso, sinceramente, me ha resultado muy triste. Pero como dije arriba, no es justificable lo que ella hace en la saga por mucho dolor que haya vivido en su pasado.
La pluma de las autoras ha mejorado mucho más y creo sinceramente que ha tomado mucha más intensidad en este relato. Aunque sigo pensando que le falta pulir algunos detalles, el que todo fuese contado de una manera tan profunda y hasta oscura hace que por unos segundos hasta llegues a empatizar con la propia Neferet, a pesar de que todo lo que hace en la saga es imperdonable.
En resumen, "La maldición de Neferet" es un relato que me ha parecido el más necesario de todos hasta ahora. Obviamente los demás están muy bien para conocer las historias que te contaron brevemente en la propia saga, pero este me ha parecido más importante por la evolución que en la saga empezaría a cobrar sentido en Neferet. La trama me ha parecido muy cruel, muy oscura y de las más difíciles de leer hasta ahora. Cuando te lees la saga sabes a lo que te atienes cuando empiezas este relato, ya que te explican lo que Neferet vivió pero sin entrar en detalles. La forma en que este relato está contado, a través de un diario en la que Emily (Neferet), dejaba salir su secreto más oscuro y trágico hace que empatices muchísimo con ella y entiendas la razón de su oscuridad. Sin embargo, no es justificable lo que hace con lo que llegó a vivir de ninguna de las formas. Los personajes me han encantado porque de todos creo que es el que más personajes oscuros contiene. Aquí se refleja muy bien los pensamientos más retorcidos y macabros de una persona, al igual que la oscuridad que habita en los corazones cuando alguien experimenta un dolor tan grande que llega a corromperte con fuerza. Y esa es la experiencia que vive Emily, quien se corrompe hasta el punto de acabar dominada con la Oscuridad que había empezado a crecer dentro de ella hasta habitar en su interior por completo. Algo que te hace entender por qué ella es tan retorcida desde que se descubre su verdadera cara. La pluma de las autoras me encanta y en este relato ha mejorado mucho a nivel emocional. Creo que capta a la perfección la parte más oscura de vivir la situación que el personaje de Neferet sufre en su pasado, al igual que experimentas la empatía hacia su persona aunque en la saga la hayas odiado tanto.
Este es un libro que forma parte de la saga "La Casa de la Noche" pero como un especial aparte. Son una recopilación de relatos de los cuatro personajes secundarios más importantes de la saga y en este caso tenemos la historia de Neferet, la Sacerdotisa más importante de la escuela y también la maldad personificada. En este relato veremos la razón de su oscuridad, el por qué de lo que vio en ese espejo cuando Zoey la venció y toda la rabia y el odio que la convirtieron en una persona cruel y despiadada.
La trama me ha parecido muy necesaria, sobre todo para desvelar todas las preguntas y dudas que deja el personaje de Neferet sobre su transfondo y la razón que la convirtió en una persona llena de odio hacia todo ser viviente. Obviamente lo que le sucede es imperdonable y muy cruel, pero no la justifica. A fin de cuentas el hacer daño por el hecho de que a ti te hayan herido y no quieras volver a ser vulnerable ante nadie solo demuestra que la Oscuridad la corrompió al punto de olvidar su propia humanidad.
Los personajes me han parecido muy interesantes, con muchas capas, tanto oscuras como agradables. Aquí vemos todas las caras de una moneda y como a veces lo que creemos que está bien no lo está realmente. El camino de Neferet cuando todavía era Emily te enseña el dolor que tuvo que experimentar y que la convirtió en una persona corrompida en todos los aspectos, para cuando llegaron a salvarla ya era demasiado tarde para curar el daño de su corazón. Y eso, sinceramente, me ha resultado muy triste. Pero como dije arriba, no es justificable lo que ella hace en la saga por mucho dolor que haya vivido en su pasado.
La pluma de las autoras ha mejorado mucho más y creo sinceramente que ha tomado mucha más intensidad en este relato. Aunque sigo pensando que le falta pulir algunos detalles, el que todo fuese contado de una manera tan profunda y hasta oscura hace que por unos segundos hasta llegues a empatizar con la propia Neferet, a pesar de que todo lo que hace en la saga es imperdonable.
En resumen, "La maldición de Neferet" es un relato que me ha parecido el más necesario de todos hasta ahora. Obviamente los demás están muy bien para conocer las historias que te contaron brevemente en la propia saga, pero este me ha parecido más importante por la evolución que en la saga empezaría a cobrar sentido en Neferet. La trama me ha parecido muy cruel, muy oscura y de las más difíciles de leer hasta ahora. Cuando te lees la saga sabes a lo que te atienes cuando empiezas este relato, ya que te explican lo que Neferet vivió pero sin entrar en detalles. La forma en que este relato está contado, a través de un diario en la que Emily (Neferet), dejaba salir su secreto más oscuro y trágico hace que empatices muchísimo con ella y entiendas la razón de su oscuridad. Sin embargo, no es justificable lo que hace con lo que llegó a vivir de ninguna de las formas. Los personajes me han encantado porque de todos creo que es el que más personajes oscuros contiene. Aquí se refleja muy bien los pensamientos más retorcidos y macabros de una persona, al igual que la oscuridad que habita en los corazones cuando alguien experimenta un dolor tan grande que llega a corromperte con fuerza. Y esa es la experiencia que vive Emily, quien se corrompe hasta el punto de acabar dominada con la Oscuridad que había empezado a crecer dentro de ella hasta habitar en su interior por completo. Algo que te hace entender por qué ella es tan retorcida desde que se descubre su verdadera cara. La pluma de las autoras me encanta y en este relato ha mejorado mucho a nivel emocional. Creo que capta a la perfección la parte más oscura de vivir la situación que el personaje de Neferet sufre en su pasado, al igual que experimentas la empatía hacia su persona aunque en la saga la hayas odiado tanto.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2021
Very very good novella about the main villain of the House of night series - Neferet.
But this time, we get to know her before she became a vampyre, when she was just a 16 year old girl, Emily.
I really felt sorry for her and I guess I can finally understand her. She was abused not only physically, but also mentally and it was at the time she was the most fragile.
Looking forward to the last novella!
But this time, we get to know her before she became a vampyre, when she was just a 16 year old girl, Emily.
I really felt sorry for her and I guess I can finally understand her. She was abused not only physically, but also mentally and it was at the time she was the most fragile.
Looking forward to the last novella!
February 26, 2017
*Actually 3.5 round up because it's House of Night
(review to come soon)
(review to come soon)
March 25, 2020
Ik haat neferet nog steeds 😅🙈 ondanks dit een goede toevoeging is
January 3, 2023
Are the authors trying to make us sympathetic to Neferet?
Cause it's not working for me. Nope. I still love to hate Neferet. And Emily is not changing that.
Cause it's not working for me. Nope. I still love to hate Neferet. And Emily is not changing that.
December 14, 2022
Schon ab Seite 1 wartet man auf das Grauen, das dafür gesorgt hat, dass Neferet zu der wurde, die sie später in der HoN-Reihe ist. Die Stimmung war bedrückend und voller Ängste. Es war keine glückliche Geschichte, sie half aber dabei Neferets spätere Entscheidungen und ihren Charakter besser zu verstehen. Das Autorenwort am Ende finde ich sehr sinnvoll. Eine Triggerwarnung am Anfang wäre auch gut gewesen, aber wahrscheinlich nimmt niemand das Buch zur Hand, der nicht schon in der HoN-Reihe in groben Zügen von Neferets Vergangenheit erfahren hat.
August 4, 2016
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
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.
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
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.
February 22, 2013
[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 favorite character in the House of Night. So, going into this book I wasn't expecting to like it much. But your heart goes out to Emily. Because of her mother dying, Emily is put in an impossible position by her father. He is demanding, cruel and quite creepy. The violence she endures at the hands of her father, changes her forever. It's no wonder that she turned out like she did.
Neferet's Curse was an excellent read, a fast read/listen. I loved the insight we were given on the character. I felt sad for Emily/Neferet and in the end I believe her revenge is justified. It explains a lot of things about Neferet. Really the only thing this book is lacking is more story, I would have like to know more about Neferet's time at the Chicago House of Night. Regardless of that, this is a must read for fans of the series.
I'm sure this goes for other readers of the series... but Neferet is not my favorite character in the House of Night. So, going into this book I wasn't expecting to like it much. But your heart goes out to Emily. Because of her mother dying, Emily is put in an impossible position by her father. He is demanding, cruel and quite creepy. The violence she endures at the hands of her father, changes her forever. It's no wonder that she turned out like she did.
Neferet's Curse was an excellent read, a fast read/listen. I loved the insight we were given on the character. I felt sad for Emily/Neferet and in the end I believe her revenge is justified. It explains a lot of things about Neferet. Really the only thing this book is lacking is more story, I would have like to know more about Neferet's time at the Chicago House of Night. Regardless of that, this is a must read for fans of the series.
January 13, 2022
trigger warning: rape
it's easy to sympathise with what has happened to emily. once her mother passed away while giving birth to her stillborn baby brother, all the burden of being "the lady of the house" fell onto emily's young shoulders. furthermore, she's feeling the heavy and disgusting stare of her father's more and more frequently. desperate to keep herself safe, she tries her best not to anger her father.
as the main villain of the series, neferet's evil and have her own agenda while causing death and destruction everywhere by resurrecting kalona. however, her background story created more layers into her character than ever. other than viewing her as just another villain, this novella provided neferet's past that is honestly really heartbreaking to read.
books in the series:
1. dragon’s oath: ✰✰✰
2. lenobia’s vow: ✰✰½
3. neferet’s curse: ✰✰✰
4. kalona’s fall: ✰✰✰
it's easy to sympathise with what has happened to emily. once her mother passed away while giving birth to her stillborn baby brother, all the burden of being "the lady of the house" fell onto emily's young shoulders. furthermore, she's feeling the heavy and disgusting stare of her father's more and more frequently. desperate to keep herself safe, she tries her best not to anger her father.
as the main villain of the series, neferet's evil and have her own agenda while causing death and destruction everywhere by resurrecting kalona. however, her background story created more layers into her character than ever. other than viewing her as just another villain, this novella provided neferet's past that is honestly really heartbreaking to read.
books in the series:
1. dragon’s oath: ✰✰✰
2. lenobia’s vow: ✰✰½
3. neferet’s curse: ✰✰✰
4. kalona’s fall: ✰✰✰
March 27, 2016
''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 flashbacks and that was quite great and this was even greater. I loved how the story was told. I even got some tears in my eyes when . I know it wasn't amazing. It was sometimes a bit boring and long, but like the other House of Night books, I can't help but love it to death. Oops.
And ugh, I just want the final House of Night book. And Kalona's fall, of course.
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 flashbacks and that was quite great and this was even greater. I loved how the story was told. I even got some tears in my eyes when . I know it wasn't amazing. It was sometimes a bit boring and long, but like the other House of Night books, I can't help but love it to death. Oops.
And ugh, I just want the final House of Night book. And Kalona's fall, of course.
Want to read
February 10, 2012Can't wait!!
August 26, 2012
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.
January 13, 2014
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 after the death of her mother in childbirth. The journal opens with Emily witnessing her mother’s horrific death, after which she suddenly inherits all the duties of Lady of the House. Emily fears she is mad when in addition to expecting her to run the household, she believes her domineering father has become sexually attracted to her. The stifling control this patriarchal figure has over Emily, in addition to the constant threat of sexual violence evoked in the narrative, is intended to mitigate some of Neferet’s evil behaviour in the House of Night series. Unfortunately, however, it mostly follows a cliché of depicting strong women as being power-hungry and trying to overcompensate for their daddy issues.
The setting of the story is interesting and tries hard to sound authentic. There are sections, however, that are rather awkward and overdone, such as repeated mentions of “women’s hysteria.” There is also some anachronistic language used and social conventions that are depicted rather unusually. A major strength is how vampyres are casually dropped into conversation a fair way into the otherwise realist historical fiction. This captures the reader’s interest, as well as providing an opportunity to discuss Emily’s attraction to the vampyre matriarchal system.
As Emily learns to be mistress of a home and avoid her father’s predatory advances, she finds solace in her mother’s garden. She becomes more commanding and self-confident – the characteristics that draw readers to Neferet’s character at the beginning of the House of Night series. However, Emily also learns how to be conniving and manipulative, particularly when she realises the most expedient way to escape her father’s “prison” is to secure the affections of her friend, Arthur Simpton, such that he will marry her. We also get hints of the supernatural power Emily has when her laughter exerts a thrall over Arthur, compelling him to assist her. She also develops an affinity with the night, which will hold her in good stead as the leader of a vampyre school.
Spoiler alert and trigger warning
How Emily becomes Neferet is covered at the end of the story, however, what is most disturbing about this novella is the use of rape as a narrative device to explain the female character’s evil motives. After Emily succeeds in getting Arthur to propose publicly, her father brutally rapes her and Arthur abandons her for having been “clearly violated.” It is at this point she is “marked” by the Goddess Nyx and is taken to the House of Night to begin her new life as a vampyre. Her reaction to this is quoted thus:
I am not mad.
The horrible events that befell me and that are recorded in these pages did not happen because of hysteria or paranoia.
The horrible events that befell me happened because, as a young human girl, I had no control over my own life. Envious women condemned me. A weak man rejected me. A monster abused me. All because I lacked the power to affect my own fate.
…last night I killed him. He used and abused me. When he did that he had full control over me. I had to kill him to regain that control (137).
Neferet then recounts how she was advised not to pursue justice against her rapist but to just let the past die with her previous life, else risk becoming evil. This is the reason she decides to kill her father and then claim it was self-defence. As such, the novella devolves into a classic “rape revenge” narrative.
The problems with these scenes are numerous, but most importantly include the insinuation that young human girls are inherently weak and powerless, with no control over their own destiny; that people who have experienced rape can never regain a sense of control without murdering their attackers; that seeking justice for a sexual assault is the same as acting in a revengeful manner; and that this will ultimately lead the individual to become evil (the exact phrase on page 139 being: “An insatiable need for retribution and vengeance becomes a poison that will taint your life and destroy your soul”). The fact that Neferet’s sanity is at best questionable during this section only serves to make the story more disempowering for the victims of sexual assault as it suggests this is an expected outcome. Worse still, Neferet defends her killing her father by lying that he tried to rape her again, thereby feeding into myths about the untrustworthiness of women who report sexual assault.
While there is a postscript by P. C. Cast advising that anyone in such a situation seek professional counselling to heal, by this stage the damage has already been done. Though the intention of the novella was no doubt to focus on how Neferet incorrectly chooses to allow this negative event to dictate her future actions, rather than seeking help and healing, what actually ends up on paper is far more complicated and problematic. It also falls into the common trap of relying on sexual violence to provide trauma in a female character’s backstory. This is all too often seen in films and books that have female heroes or villains, as if writers think “we need to put something horrific in this character’s history to explain their motivations… I know, let’s throw a rape in there!” without considering the alternatives they would create for their male protagonists (such as the death of their family). Continually treating rape as if it is an insurmountable trauma, not to mention using it as a cheap plot device, is both potentially disempowering and insensitive.
Spoiler ends
I cannot in good conscience recommend this book in its entirety, however, for fans of the House of Night series the first two sections are worth reading. After that point I advise skipping to the postscript, as this has some useful advice.
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 after the death of her mother in childbirth. The journal opens with Emily witnessing her mother’s horrific death, after which she suddenly inherits all the duties of Lady of the House. Emily fears she is mad when in addition to expecting her to run the household, she believes her domineering father has become sexually attracted to her. The stifling control this patriarchal figure has over Emily, in addition to the constant threat of sexual violence evoked in the narrative, is intended to mitigate some of Neferet’s evil behaviour in the House of Night series. Unfortunately, however, it mostly follows a cliché of depicting strong women as being power-hungry and trying to overcompensate for their daddy issues.
The setting of the story is interesting and tries hard to sound authentic. There are sections, however, that are rather awkward and overdone, such as repeated mentions of “women’s hysteria.” There is also some anachronistic language used and social conventions that are depicted rather unusually. A major strength is how vampyres are casually dropped into conversation a fair way into the otherwise realist historical fiction. This captures the reader’s interest, as well as providing an opportunity to discuss Emily’s attraction to the vampyre matriarchal system.
As Emily learns to be mistress of a home and avoid her father’s predatory advances, she finds solace in her mother’s garden. She becomes more commanding and self-confident – the characteristics that draw readers to Neferet’s character at the beginning of the House of Night series. However, Emily also learns how to be conniving and manipulative, particularly when she realises the most expedient way to escape her father’s “prison” is to secure the affections of her friend, Arthur Simpton, such that he will marry her. We also get hints of the supernatural power Emily has when her laughter exerts a thrall over Arthur, compelling him to assist her. She also develops an affinity with the night, which will hold her in good stead as the leader of a vampyre school.
Spoiler alert and trigger warning
How Emily becomes Neferet is covered at the end of the story, however, what is most disturbing about this novella is the use of rape as a narrative device to explain the female character’s evil motives. After Emily succeeds in getting Arthur to propose publicly, her father brutally rapes her and Arthur abandons her for having been “clearly violated.” It is at this point she is “marked” by the Goddess Nyx and is taken to the House of Night to begin her new life as a vampyre. Her reaction to this is quoted thus:
I am not mad.
The horrible events that befell me and that are recorded in these pages did not happen because of hysteria or paranoia.
The horrible events that befell me happened because, as a young human girl, I had no control over my own life. Envious women condemned me. A weak man rejected me. A monster abused me. All because I lacked the power to affect my own fate.
…last night I killed him. He used and abused me. When he did that he had full control over me. I had to kill him to regain that control (137).
Neferet then recounts how she was advised not to pursue justice against her rapist but to just let the past die with her previous life, else risk becoming evil. This is the reason she decides to kill her father and then claim it was self-defence. As such, the novella devolves into a classic “rape revenge” narrative.
The problems with these scenes are numerous, but most importantly include the insinuation that young human girls are inherently weak and powerless, with no control over their own destiny; that people who have experienced rape can never regain a sense of control without murdering their attackers; that seeking justice for a sexual assault is the same as acting in a revengeful manner; and that this will ultimately lead the individual to become evil (the exact phrase on page 139 being: “An insatiable need for retribution and vengeance becomes a poison that will taint your life and destroy your soul”). The fact that Neferet’s sanity is at best questionable during this section only serves to make the story more disempowering for the victims of sexual assault as it suggests this is an expected outcome. Worse still, Neferet defends her killing her father by lying that he tried to rape her again, thereby feeding into myths about the untrustworthiness of women who report sexual assault.
While there is a postscript by P. C. Cast advising that anyone in such a situation seek professional counselling to heal, by this stage the damage has already been done. Though the intention of the novella was no doubt to focus on how Neferet incorrectly chooses to allow this negative event to dictate her future actions, rather than seeking help and healing, what actually ends up on paper is far more complicated and problematic. It also falls into the common trap of relying on sexual violence to provide trauma in a female character’s backstory. This is all too often seen in films and books that have female heroes or villains, as if writers think “we need to put something horrific in this character’s history to explain their motivations… I know, let’s throw a rape in there!” without considering the alternatives they would create for their male protagonists (such as the death of their family). Continually treating rape as if it is an insurmountable trauma, not to mention using it as a cheap plot device, is both potentially disempowering and insensitive.
Spoiler ends
I cannot in good conscience recommend this book in its entirety, however, for fans of the House of Night series the first two sections are worth reading. After that point I advise skipping to the postscript, as this has some useful advice.
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