Marked Transformation Quotes

What triggers the Change that transforms some human teenagers into fledgling vampyres? According to what Zoey remembers from AP Bio, it has to do with certain junk DNA strands that get activated during puberty for some teens, but not others. Apparently scientists are still trying to get a handle on the specifics, though.

Apparently the answer to the question "Who are you?" is kind of complicated for Nyx. She transforms into different shapes as she lists the various identities she's worn, and Zoey is, understandably, a little confused and overwhelmed. Like, how often do you run into ancient shape-shifting goddesses?

Nefret comforts Zoey by reminding her that every vampyre at the House of Night has been where Zoey is right now (a.k.a. confused, scared, shocked). Having your life transformed by a Change you didn't ask for and probably weren't expecting isn't easy. Heck, the normal kind of change is never easy… so changing into a vamp must be super hard to adapt to.

Here, Stevie Rae explains to Zoey why the vampyres are all about health food and fitness for the fledglings. Going through the Change must put a lot of stress on the body, so the vamps want the fledglings to have their best shot at surviving it. Makes sense to us, even if the survival of the fittest rhetoric can be a little disturbing.

During the Full Moon Ritual, Nefret concludes the ceremony by instructing the participants to spend some time out in the moonlight. They should reflect on how extraordinary they are, or—in the case of the fledglings—how extraordinary they're becoming. It seems like this would be helpful for Zoey and her friends to keep in mind, since transformations can be difficult. It seems like knowing you're transforming into something extraordinary would help.

On the list of legit reasons to break up with your boyfriend, we think becoming a vampyre, chosen by the Goddess Nyx herself, ranks pretty highly. Not only is Zoey nocturnal now, which would make planning dates tough, but she also has to live at the House of Night and study vampyre customs and skills. What would she and Heath have in common at this point anyway? Oh, plus there's the matter of her new crush on Erik Night… that certainly changes things, too.

Zoey is pretty upset that no one thought to mention bloodlust to her before she had to experience it. And that experience? Kind of horrifying. It was bad enough that things were awkward between her, Heath, and Kayla—add Zoey craving Heath's blood to the mix, and you've got yourself a recipe for disaster.

Nefret has an interesting perspective on the transformation from human to vampyre: The more time one spends as a vampyre, the less one cares about human relationships. On the one hand, we can kind of see it: When you become immortal, do you really want to get attached to people who'll die? But on the other hand, hearing this creeps out Zoey, because she doesn't want to stop caring about certain people, like her grandma.

Zoey has to tell Erik that she isn't trying to avoid him, she's just got transforming-into-a-vampyre issues on her mind. Like ya do. It makes sense, though, that undergoing the biggest transformation of your life might result in some relationship tumult. Clearly Zoey should set her relationship status on Facebook to "it's complicated."

By the end of the book, Zoey has undergone yet another transformation: Her body begins to physically manifest the tattoos that usually only adult vampyres get. This gives her yet another change to adjust to when she looks in the mirror. Plus there are the social consequences of this change, since everyone will probably treat her differently. We're guessing there are more exciting changes ahead for Zoey.