Helpful Score: 6
This book will leave you desperate for the sequel! I am glad that I had both before I started reading this one. I highly recommend having both before you start reading them. There are some laugh out loud moments. I couldn't stand Tori!
Helpful Score: 4
This is what young adult fiction should be like! (can you tell I hated Twilight) I found this book super engaging, read it all in one sitting. It's age appropriate without talking down, and has plenty of action. I picked it up because I'm a fan of Kelley Armstrong's adult novels, and this one definitely holds its own against them.
Helpful Score: 3
Wow! Talk about a cliffhanger of an ending!! Since this is a trilogy, I am almost hesitant to read the next book in fear of it ending in a similar fashion! I certainly couldn't wait six months with an ending like this one's! The frustrating ending aside, I must say this a really good YA fantasy book. One that I think is surprisingly age appropriate without seeming like a watered down version of the rest of the Women of the Otherworld series. I must admit, that having read her adult series first let me into quite a few clues than if I had started out with just reading this book. Still, this was a lot more fun than I expected - and much more exiting!!
Helpful Score: 2
I am definitely glad I picked this book up. First, I didn't realize it was YA when I got it from the library, and Second, I didn't realize it would be set in the same universe as Ms. Armstrong's "Women of the Otherworld" series - a great paranormal series, btw.
I loved that Chloe was so normal (awakened supernatural powers aside). She isn't totally boy-crazy like some YA protagonists, nor is she super prudish & preachy (DO NOT pick up the "House of Night" vampire YA series, the main character is HORRIBLE). She just has normal desires to do well, has a very interesting profession in mind already, and handles the crazy changes in her life the way I think a strong main character should.
The summaries others have written are all very accurate. I loved how the story starts with a very creepy scene, but quickly turns normal, then exciting, as the plot gets going. Ms. Armstrong always writes women very well - strong, confident, definitely normal women with extraordinary abilities.
I look forward to #2 which is out already, and will probably be chomping at the bit for the 3rd. If you like this series, but haven't read her "Women of the Otherword" (start with Bitten), I recommend you try those, too. More mature (NOT YA) but a good solid world with very interesting magic.
I loved that Chloe was so normal (awakened supernatural powers aside). She isn't totally boy-crazy like some YA protagonists, nor is she super prudish & preachy (DO NOT pick up the "House of Night" vampire YA series, the main character is HORRIBLE). She just has normal desires to do well, has a very interesting profession in mind already, and handles the crazy changes in her life the way I think a strong main character should.
The summaries others have written are all very accurate. I loved how the story starts with a very creepy scene, but quickly turns normal, then exciting, as the plot gets going. Ms. Armstrong always writes women very well - strong, confident, definitely normal women with extraordinary abilities.
I look forward to #2 which is out already, and will probably be chomping at the bit for the 3rd. If you like this series, but haven't read her "Women of the Otherword" (start with Bitten), I recommend you try those, too. More mature (NOT YA) but a good solid world with very interesting magic.
Helpful Score: 2
This is a great book for those who love fantasy and the paranormal in a modern-day setting. It's done very well and incorporated in a way that doesn't seem so drastically unreasonable.There is no immediate romance. Which I prefer. She builds the story first and then the romance will happen on the way.
Helpful Score: 2
I have not read Kelley Armstrong before, and the story "The Summoning", makes me want to check out all her other books! The storyline is great it keeps you guessing! I am a rabid fan of the vampire genre, so this book was out of my "comfort zone", but I am glad I read it and can't wait to read the next installment of this series! Thumbs up!!!
Helpful Score: 2
this is the first book in the Darkest Powers Series. It is about a young lady (Chloe) that thinks she is normal but finds out how wrong she was. She is sent to a home for troubled teens and that is where her self discovery into what she is and can do starts. We also meet some other "troubled" teens in the same situation as Chloe. This is a great read and has great twists in it.
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed this story! Because it is written for young adults it goes a little slower than her adult novels, but it is just as good! The second book can't come soon enough for me! I think this book is well worth the read.
Helpful Score: 1
The Summoning was one of the best books I've read. A total page-turner and suspenseful book, Kelley Armstrong did a magnificent job on this masterpiece. I'm just dying to read The Awakening!
Helpful Score: 1
The book is very good. I have read Kelley Armstrong's adult seriers. I think it is better, but i think I know the characters better. I felt the book started very slowly, but the second half was quite good. I just bought the sequal Awakening and expect it will be evan better. It is suppose to be a trilogy, with 3rd book the Reckoning coming out in May 2010.
Helpful Score: 1
Chloe Saunders is an ordinary teenage girl. She wants to meet boys, hang out with her friends, and become a movie director. Chloe realizes she's not so ordinary when she sees a horrifying ghost in the halls of her art school. She has a breakdown and is sent to the "Lyle House", a group home for teenagers with mental illnesses.
The Lyle House is full of interesting characters, and Chloe wonders if any of them are really on her side. The nurses tell her with the medications her hallucinations will go away, but why is she still being contacted by ghosts? What do they want from her, and can she help them? Chloe and the other kids realize that their symptoms don't match up with the illnesses the doctors have pigeonholed them into, thus making them question what they really are and what really goes on at the Lyle House.
I recently just started Kelley Armstrong's Otherworld Series, and knew I had to have this book when it came out. I couldn't wait to see what she could do in the Young Adult Paranormal Arena! She definitely didn't let me down. I love the characters, especially Derek. He's so dark, strong, and scary, but deep down he cares. He just has a hard time showing it. Simon and Rae are still kind of mysterious, and I don't feel like they were developed enough. I'm sure we will get to know them better in future books. There of course is the mean girl at the home, Victoria. Thanks to the evil Victoria there is one scene in a crawl spacein a basement that is super intense! I think the book took an interesting twist at the end, and leaves us with a cliff hanger! EvilEvil Authors!
I think this is a great beginning to a YA series, and can't wait to read the rest.
The Lyle House is full of interesting characters, and Chloe wonders if any of them are really on her side. The nurses tell her with the medications her hallucinations will go away, but why is she still being contacted by ghosts? What do they want from her, and can she help them? Chloe and the other kids realize that their symptoms don't match up with the illnesses the doctors have pigeonholed them into, thus making them question what they really are and what really goes on at the Lyle House.
I recently just started Kelley Armstrong's Otherworld Series, and knew I had to have this book when it came out. I couldn't wait to see what she could do in the Young Adult Paranormal Arena! She definitely didn't let me down. I love the characters, especially Derek. He's so dark, strong, and scary, but deep down he cares. He just has a hard time showing it. Simon and Rae are still kind of mysterious, and I don't feel like they were developed enough. I'm sure we will get to know them better in future books. There of course is the mean girl at the home, Victoria. Thanks to the evil Victoria there is one scene in a crawl spacein a basement that is super intense! I think the book took an interesting twist at the end, and leaves us with a cliff hanger! EvilEvil Authors!
I think this is a great beginning to a YA series, and can't wait to read the rest.
Helpful Score: 1
four stars! This book was well-written and VERY CLEAN, as books for young adults should be. The title, Darkest Powers, is misleading. This book is not about dark powers or dark evil. It's about kids with supernatural abilities. A bit of advice, though, this is the first in a series and ends abruptly, like a to-be-continued.... make sure to have book two on hand!
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this book. I picked it up because it was written by a favorite author then groaned when I discovered it was a young adult book. So it sat on my shelf a while before I decided to give it a try. I'm glad to say, it was just as good as her other series. So good in fact I zipped right through it, was disappointed to see the last page and can't wait for the next one.
Helpful Score: 1
As a huge fan of Kelley Armstrong's adult Women of the Otherworld series, I was very eager to see what she would write for a young adult audience. Once again Armstrong delivers! Those familiar with her adult novels will happily recognize paranormal world-building elements from that series making an appearance here, but rest assured The Summoning is the first book in a separate new series for young adult readers.
And a great series its starting out to be! Exciting, atmospheric, and creepy, this book is hard to stop reading! This is a world where the things that trouble teens aren't just social issues or drugs, and where the changes that come with adolescence can be...startling. This was a fun read from beginning to end, which I can see drawing new fans and old. The only bad thing is the wait for the next book!
And a great series its starting out to be! Exciting, atmospheric, and creepy, this book is hard to stop reading! This is a world where the things that trouble teens aren't just social issues or drugs, and where the changes that come with adolescence can be...startling. This was a fun read from beginning to end, which I can see drawing new fans and old. The only bad thing is the wait for the next book!
I have read the first four book in Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series and thought the first three were great and the fourth was just okay. When I saw Armstrong was going to write a young adult series I was excited to see what she would write. This book is okay, but it is nothing special.
Chloe just wants to go to her awesome art school and not be the new kid for once. All that changes when she starts seeing ghosts and ends up committed to the Lyle House, a group home for troubled teens. Chloe is diagnosed with schizophrenia and promised quick release as soon as she is "better". Well Chloe is starting to find out that all the kids in the Lyle House are "special" in different ways that may not be so much medical as magical. She is also finding out that Lyle House is more than it appears to be.
This is an okay book, but it didn't blow me away. It takes a long time to get the story going. I felt like 2/3rd's of the book was spent setting up the story. Then things pick up and start to get mysterious and interesting. But that first part was a pretty boring read. Chloe is an okay character but spends most of her time trying to runaway from her problems, trying to blend in, or hiding. I really didn't find her all engaging as a character and the same can be said of the rest of the characters in this book. This book was also creepier than I thought it would be, almost more of a horror than a paranormal read at times.
The idea of supernatural powers as mental illness is interesting but has been done before. Amelia Atwater-Rhodes did an interesting take on this in her book Persistence of Memory. At the end of the book the plot starts to expand some and things get much more interesting. Right at the end of the book we also see Chloe trying to act with some sort of conviction. So, I am hoping the next book will find Chloe a more likable character.
The writing is nothing special, but it is easy to read and somewhat engaging. Not a ton of action in this book either. Armstrong is creating an interesting world but we only get a partial idea for it in this book. The book ends on a total cliffhanger with absolutely nothing resolved, which always irks me. So, I would recommend having the second book on hand or else you will be totally unfulfilled after the first book.
I already have the second book on hand so I will read it. I am not all that impressed with this series so far though. The characters were weak and the pacing was slow. Things did pick up at the end of the book, so I am hoping that the second book will prove to be more interesting.
Overall it was an okay book but there are better series out there to read. Melissa de La Cruz's Blue Bloods series is very good, Maggie Stiefvater's books are great, and Lesley Livingston's books are also interesting reads if you are looking for good supernatural teen series. I also enjoyed Aprilynne Pike's Wings and Michelle Rowan's Demon Princess series.
Chloe just wants to go to her awesome art school and not be the new kid for once. All that changes when she starts seeing ghosts and ends up committed to the Lyle House, a group home for troubled teens. Chloe is diagnosed with schizophrenia and promised quick release as soon as she is "better". Well Chloe is starting to find out that all the kids in the Lyle House are "special" in different ways that may not be so much medical as magical. She is also finding out that Lyle House is more than it appears to be.
This is an okay book, but it didn't blow me away. It takes a long time to get the story going. I felt like 2/3rd's of the book was spent setting up the story. Then things pick up and start to get mysterious and interesting. But that first part was a pretty boring read. Chloe is an okay character but spends most of her time trying to runaway from her problems, trying to blend in, or hiding. I really didn't find her all engaging as a character and the same can be said of the rest of the characters in this book. This book was also creepier than I thought it would be, almost more of a horror than a paranormal read at times.
The idea of supernatural powers as mental illness is interesting but has been done before. Amelia Atwater-Rhodes did an interesting take on this in her book Persistence of Memory. At the end of the book the plot starts to expand some and things get much more interesting. Right at the end of the book we also see Chloe trying to act with some sort of conviction. So, I am hoping the next book will find Chloe a more likable character.
The writing is nothing special, but it is easy to read and somewhat engaging. Not a ton of action in this book either. Armstrong is creating an interesting world but we only get a partial idea for it in this book. The book ends on a total cliffhanger with absolutely nothing resolved, which always irks me. So, I would recommend having the second book on hand or else you will be totally unfulfilled after the first book.
I already have the second book on hand so I will read it. I am not all that impressed with this series so far though. The characters were weak and the pacing was slow. Things did pick up at the end of the book, so I am hoping that the second book will prove to be more interesting.
Overall it was an okay book but there are better series out there to read. Melissa de La Cruz's Blue Bloods series is very good, Maggie Stiefvater's books are great, and Lesley Livingston's books are also interesting reads if you are looking for good supernatural teen series. I also enjoyed Aprilynne Pike's Wings and Michelle Rowan's Demon Princess series.
Didn't like this book at all... skipped pages.
Plot wasn't interesting, unless maybe I was 35 years tounger and a teenager again.
Plot wasn't interesting, unless maybe I was 35 years tounger and a teenager again.
four stars! This book was well-written and VERY CLEAN, as books for young adults should be. The title, Darkest Powers, is misleading. This book is not about dark powers or dark evil. It's about kids with supernatural abilities. A bit of advice, though, this is the first in a series and ends abruptly, like a to-be-continued.... make sure to have book two on hand!
Great start to a new series. Although it seemed more like a young adult book, but maybe the next one will be a bit more meaty. Still really enjoyed it & cant wait for the next one.
I absoutely LOVED this book--first time in awhile I have read a book in a day. I love the fact that Chloe can talk to ghosts---and she makes new friends in the home for children with problems who have special powers of their own. Not too much of a plot in this one, mainly introducing all the characters, so i'm hoping that the next one will involve more into the main plot in the series.
I liked all the characters in this book.They have their own issues they try to deal with while discovering and controlling their gifts. I can't wait to read the next book to see where and how the characters end up
As a huge fan of Kelley Armstrong's adult Women of the Otherworld series, I was very eager to see what she would write for a young adult audience. Once again Armstrong delivers! Those familiar with her adult novels will happily recognize paranormal world-building elements from that series making an appearance here, but rest assured The Summoning is the first book in a separate new series for young adult readers.
And a great series its starting out to be! Exciting, atmospheric, and creepy, this book is hard to stop reading! This is a world where the things that trouble teens aren't just social issues or drugs, and where the changes that come with adolescence can be...startling. This was a fun read from beginning to end. The only bad thing is the wait for the next book!
And a great series its starting out to be! Exciting, atmospheric, and creepy, this book is hard to stop reading! This is a world where the things that trouble teens aren't just social issues or drugs, and where the changes that come with adolescence can be...startling. This was a fun read from beginning to end. The only bad thing is the wait for the next book!
Wendy H. (donkeycheese) -
Do you see things that aren't there? Maybe your mind is playing tricks on you. Maybe you're seeing a ghost.
Chloe Saunders is your average teenager. She likes talking to her friends, wears cool designer clothes, and talks to cute boys. Then one day at school, Chloe see a custodian with half of his face burned off. She runs off screaming, but he follows. The teachers thought Chloe needs some help, some counseling, but Chloe is still shaking from her first episode of seeing a ghost. Regardless, Chloe is sent to a group home that specializes in trouble teens, Lyle House.
Lyle House isn't so bad. Its run by a few female nurses who make sure the kids eat nutritious meals, exercise, and get their homework done. In between their day of schooling, there is usually an hour or so put aside for their individual counsel sessions. Chloe is told she may be schizophrenic and she just wants to get better so she can go home. But either the medication isn't working or she really is seeing ghosts because she keeps seeing them everywhere.
After Chloes roommate is transferred from the facility, strange behavior from the remaining teens flourishes. Chloe believes there may be more to her housemates besides a mental illness. How else could Rachelle burn people with her hands or Simon levitate items with just his mind? But digging into the dangerous secrets that surround Lyle House may reveal more skeletons than Chloe can handle.
I've read all of Kelley Armstrongs adult series to date, and was intrigued when I found out about her new Young Adult DARKEST POWERS series. She has done another wonderful job of world-building and character development. Just the right mix of drama, mystery, and a touch of the paranormal turns THE SUMMONING into a superb, engaging read. The ending though is a cliffhanger, so be prepared! I will be looking to read more about Chloes adventures in THE AWAKENING.
Chloe Saunders is your average teenager. She likes talking to her friends, wears cool designer clothes, and talks to cute boys. Then one day at school, Chloe see a custodian with half of his face burned off. She runs off screaming, but he follows. The teachers thought Chloe needs some help, some counseling, but Chloe is still shaking from her first episode of seeing a ghost. Regardless, Chloe is sent to a group home that specializes in trouble teens, Lyle House.
Lyle House isn't so bad. Its run by a few female nurses who make sure the kids eat nutritious meals, exercise, and get their homework done. In between their day of schooling, there is usually an hour or so put aside for their individual counsel sessions. Chloe is told she may be schizophrenic and she just wants to get better so she can go home. But either the medication isn't working or she really is seeing ghosts because she keeps seeing them everywhere.
After Chloes roommate is transferred from the facility, strange behavior from the remaining teens flourishes. Chloe believes there may be more to her housemates besides a mental illness. How else could Rachelle burn people with her hands or Simon levitate items with just his mind? But digging into the dangerous secrets that surround Lyle House may reveal more skeletons than Chloe can handle.
I've read all of Kelley Armstrongs adult series to date, and was intrigued when I found out about her new Young Adult DARKEST POWERS series. She has done another wonderful job of world-building and character development. Just the right mix of drama, mystery, and a touch of the paranormal turns THE SUMMONING into a superb, engaging read. The ending though is a cliffhanger, so be prepared! I will be looking to read more about Chloes adventures in THE AWAKENING.
16 pages into this I give up. Boooooring. Snzzzzzzz. I can't understand these reviews. I could barely make it through the first few pages. I only kept reading because I was hoping for a better plot to swallow. The book jacket summery reads better than this splinter in my hand.
Irene L H. (NonExistence) -
Mostly books that begin new series, are not that good because there is a lot of build up weaved into the storyline. However, the author was able to keep the plot moving, while sewing seeds for future setups. Not once did I feel the urge to skip a paragraph or page, which is quite rare.
Great for teens (I would have fallen in love with this as a teenager) and excellent for adults [women].
The characters were all beautifully written, the premise was exciting and intriguing and it left me eagerly anticipating the next book. I know that I am extremely late on the bandwagon for this one.
Great for teens (I would have fallen in love with this as a teenager) and excellent for adults [women].
The characters were all beautifully written, the premise was exciting and intriguing and it left me eagerly anticipating the next book. I know that I am extremely late on the bandwagon for this one.
four stars! This book was well-written and VERY CLEAN, as books for young adults should be. The title, Darkest Powers, is misleading. This book is not about dark powers or dark evil. It's about kids with supernatural abilities. A bit of advice, though, this is the first in a series and ends abruptly, like a to-be-continued.... make sure to have book two on hand!
Great start to a new series, YA or otherwise. I'd been looking at this everytime I went to the bookstore, finally found it at Halfprice books and decided to give it a try, although I did take a month or so before I picked it up, but once I did I finished it in about a day. I found all teenage characters to be "teenagers" ~ each going through the process of growing up, where at times they seem so grown up and sure of themselves and in the next breath unsure of themselves. Chloe is a great character and I am looking forward to seeing her grow. Derek is the other character that I find myself drawn to and I can't wait to see where this story takes him. Also, I didn't see the twist at the end of the book coming, which is a testament to the author and will continue to read this series, but will also be looking into her other series as well.
My name is Chloe Saunders and my life will never be the same again. All I wanted was to make friends, meet boys, and keep on being ordinary. I don't even know what that means anymore. It all started on the day that I saw my first ghost - and the ghost saw me.
Now there are ghosts everywhere and they won't leave me alone. To top it all off, I somehow got myself locked up in Lyle House, a "special home" for troubled teens. Yet the home isn't what it seems. Don't tell anyone, but I think there might be more to my housemates than meets the eye. The question is, whose side are they on? It's up to me to figure out the dangerous secrets behind Lyle House ... before its skeletons come back to haunt me.
This was a great YA and I can't wait to read the rest of the series. It moved at a very fast pace and will keep you reading long after you should have gone to bed.
At this time TeenHarper.com is offering it as a free read on their site so try it and you may find yourself doing what I did, purchasing a copy so I would have it to reread when the rest of the series came out.
Now there are ghosts everywhere and they won't leave me alone. To top it all off, I somehow got myself locked up in Lyle House, a "special home" for troubled teens. Yet the home isn't what it seems. Don't tell anyone, but I think there might be more to my housemates than meets the eye. The question is, whose side are they on? It's up to me to figure out the dangerous secrets behind Lyle House ... before its skeletons come back to haunt me.
This was a great YA and I can't wait to read the rest of the series. It moved at a very fast pace and will keep you reading long after you should have gone to bed.
At this time TeenHarper.com is offering it as a free read on their site so try it and you may find yourself doing what I did, purchasing a copy so I would have it to reread when the rest of the series came out.
I am definitely glad I picked this book up. First, I didn't realize it was YA when I got it from the library, and Second, I didn't realize it would be set in the same universe as Ms. Armstrong's "Women of the Otherworld" series - a great paranormal series, btw.
I loved that Chloe was so normal (awakened supernatural powers aside). She isn't totally boy-crazy like some YA protagonists, nor is she super prudish & preachy (DO NOT pick up the "House of Night" vampire YA series, the main character is HORRIBLE). She just has normal desires to do well, has a very interesting profession in mind already, and handles the crazy changes in her life the way I think a strong main character should.
The summaries others have written are all very accurate. I loved how the story starts with a very creepy scene, but quickly turns normal, then exciting, as the plot gets going. Ms. Armstrong always writes women very well - strong, confident, definitely normal women with extraordinary abilities.
I look forward to #2 which is out already, and will probably be chomping at the bit for the 3rd. If you like this series, but haven't read her "Women of the Otherword" (start with Bitten), I recommend you try those, too. More mature (NOT YA) but a good solid world with very interesting magic.
I loved that Chloe was so normal (awakened supernatural powers aside). She isn't totally boy-crazy like some YA protagonists, nor is she super prudish & preachy (DO NOT pick up the "House of Night" vampire YA series, the main character is HORRIBLE). She just has normal desires to do well, has a very interesting profession in mind already, and handles the crazy changes in her life the way I think a strong main character should.
The summaries others have written are all very accurate. I loved how the story starts with a very creepy scene, but quickly turns normal, then exciting, as the plot gets going. Ms. Armstrong always writes women very well - strong, confident, definitely normal women with extraordinary abilities.
I look forward to #2 which is out already, and will probably be chomping at the bit for the 3rd. If you like this series, but haven't read her "Women of the Otherword" (start with Bitten), I recommend you try those, too. More mature (NOT YA) but a good solid world with very interesting magic.
four stars! This book was well-written and VERY CLEAN, as books for young adults should be. The title, Darkest Powers, is misleading. This book is not about dark powers or dark evil. It's about kids with supernatural abilities. A bit of advice, though, this is the first in a series and ends abruptly, like a to-be-continued.... make sure to have book two on hand!
Melissa B. (dragoneyes) -
Chloe is just an ordinary teenager... or so she thought. All of the sudden Chloe can see ghosts. This happens in school and it makes her freak out. Which in turn, lands her in a home for "disturbed" teens called Lyle House. There she is told that she cannot really see ghosts but has hallucinations caused by schizophrenia. All Chloe wants to do is get better so she can get out. There she meets some other kids that are there for different reasons. All have been diagnosed with one problem or the other. As they start to get to know each other they start finding that Lyle House isn't really what it seems to be and maybe they are not really getting the help that they need.
This was a fun and easy read. The book kept me entertained all the way to the end. It had a quick pace with enjoyable characters. I think the only problem I had with the book was the confrontations between Chloe and Derek. At the beginning it was believable but after awhile it seemed too drawn out. Chloe was supposed to be this all around nice girl yet she was always so rough on Derek. At the beginning he seemed like a jerk but after a while, when he was trying to be nice, Chloe was still hard on him which kind of seemed out of character for her. With that said, it was still an enjoyable book. Warning: the book leaves on a cliff-hanger. So if you get halfway through this book and you are liking it, you might want to run out and get the 2nd one so you have it handy.
This was a fun and easy read. The book kept me entertained all the way to the end. It had a quick pace with enjoyable characters. I think the only problem I had with the book was the confrontations between Chloe and Derek. At the beginning it was believable but after awhile it seemed too drawn out. Chloe was supposed to be this all around nice girl yet she was always so rough on Derek. At the beginning he seemed like a jerk but after a while, when he was trying to be nice, Chloe was still hard on him which kind of seemed out of character for her. With that said, it was still an enjoyable book. Warning: the book leaves on a cliff-hanger. So if you get halfway through this book and you are liking it, you might want to run out and get the 2nd one so you have it handy.
This was surprisingly good though I'm not sure why I'm surprised as I love Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Other World series. 15 year old Chloe sees ghosts and is committed to a group home for troubled teens after a disturbing encounter at school. The reason the other inhabitants - Derek, Simon, Rae, Liz and Tori - are incarcerated is a mystery. Chloe becomes friends with them all but especially the brothers, Derek and Simon. Their secrets come out, she shares hers and they are fast friends immediately planning an escape from the home. It seems that Simon and Derek's father disappeared right after they were sent to the home and they are determined to find him. With their combined powers, they are convinced they can find him.
Of course, there are other things going on like the ghosts of Lyle House talking to Chloe and implying that terrible things have happened to other residents of the home. So in addition to finding the boys' father, the mystery of Lyle House also must be discovered.
I really liked these teens except Tori as she is a total bitch to one and all. They have real issues and are fighting to maintain their sanity as well as discover their gifts. I can't wait to read The Awakening to see where the adventures lead these curious teens.
Of course, there are other things going on like the ghosts of Lyle House talking to Chloe and implying that terrible things have happened to other residents of the home. So in addition to finding the boys' father, the mystery of Lyle House also must be discovered.
I really liked these teens except Tori as she is a total bitch to one and all. They have real issues and are fighting to maintain their sanity as well as discover their gifts. I can't wait to read The Awakening to see where the adventures lead these curious teens.
The Summoning is a thrilling guessing game on who Chloe can trust and what powers the others might possess⦠There's the strong potential for love triangle between Chloe & Simon & Derek; and Rae has yet to reveal what her power is (though I think it's some form of pyromania since she's obsessed with fire). But the twist at the end of The Summoning really throws you for a loop!!
(For the full review, visit: www.tumblr.com/blog/yabookthoughts)
(For the full review, visit: www.tumblr.com/blog/yabookthoughts)
Stephanie S. (skywriter319) -
On the day that fifteen-year-old Chloe Saunders finally gets her period, she sees the ghost, her first since her childhood. It freaks her out so much that she is sent to the hospital and then referred to Lyle House, a private home for mentally ill adolescents--otherwise known as a place to lock the crazy kids up in.
At Lyle House, Chloe takes medication for her diagnosis--schizophrenia--and attends to a strict schedule of chores and schoolwork. But she continues to encounter strange occurrences, such as the ghost who's attempting to contact her. It just might be that there's more to herself than she knows... and more to Lyle House and her housemates than others are letting onto. Chloe and her newfound friends may be in much more danger than they expect.
After hearing so much hype about Armstrong's upcoming sequel, The Awakening, I'm very glad I picked The Summoning up. It felt to me almost like Harry Potter with a female protagonist and fewer subplots. The strength of this series lies in its idea: these teenagers with supernatural powers are funneled into this peculiar house for possibly sinister purposes! The characters' interactions with one another are spiritful, the dialogue vibrant; the characters themselves, though, do not stand out to me in the heavily populated world of YA paranormal fiction.
The exception may be Chloe, who is wonderful, constantly changing and growing and doubting herself--all the things that a normal teenage girl should do, all without being petty or annoyingly shallow. I also found Derek interesting, and would like to see much more of him in the future. Perhaps there will be a romance between him and Chloe...?
But that's a minor complaint, for the story more than makes up for the less-than-outstanding characters. The Summoning ends on a suspenseful, slightly disappointing note as readers wait for the sequel impatiently to find out what happens to Chloe and her friends.
At Lyle House, Chloe takes medication for her diagnosis--schizophrenia--and attends to a strict schedule of chores and schoolwork. But she continues to encounter strange occurrences, such as the ghost who's attempting to contact her. It just might be that there's more to herself than she knows... and more to Lyle House and her housemates than others are letting onto. Chloe and her newfound friends may be in much more danger than they expect.
After hearing so much hype about Armstrong's upcoming sequel, The Awakening, I'm very glad I picked The Summoning up. It felt to me almost like Harry Potter with a female protagonist and fewer subplots. The strength of this series lies in its idea: these teenagers with supernatural powers are funneled into this peculiar house for possibly sinister purposes! The characters' interactions with one another are spiritful, the dialogue vibrant; the characters themselves, though, do not stand out to me in the heavily populated world of YA paranormal fiction.
The exception may be Chloe, who is wonderful, constantly changing and growing and doubting herself--all the things that a normal teenage girl should do, all without being petty or annoyingly shallow. I also found Derek interesting, and would like to see much more of him in the future. Perhaps there will be a romance between him and Chloe...?
But that's a minor complaint, for the story more than makes up for the less-than-outstanding characters. The Summoning ends on a suspenseful, slightly disappointing note as readers wait for the sequel impatiently to find out what happens to Chloe and her friends.
Reviewed by Margaret Waterman for TeensReadToo.com
"A banner week for me. Getting short-listed for the director spot. Nate asking me about the dance. My first period. And now my first criminal act. After I fixed myself up, I dug into my backpack for my brush and emerged instead with the tube of hair color. I lifted it. My reflection in the mirror grinned back."
Chloe Saunders is a very special girl. Not just because she has an in-depth and intense obsession with movies, filming, and directing. Not just because of her unusual home life. She is special, because on top of all this, Chloe Saunders can see ghosts.
On the day of her first period, she goes to the bathroom and skips class. She dyes her hair, feeling particularly rebellious. Upon exiting, Chloe sees a strange man wearing an old custodian's uniform, who follows her around school. She thinks she is in trouble for skipping class...
When he starts to talk to her, she ignores him. He gets angry, and deliberately shows her his face... and she sees it is burned so badly she can barely distinguish his features. When he disappears into thin air, she starts making a scene and freaking out, and school officials round her up. When she accidentally punches a teacher, they sedate her and take her to the hospital.
From there she is sent to Lyle House, which is a place for troubled teenagers. There she meets a wide variety of people - a pyromaniac, a girl with a poltergeist, an unusually moody girl, a boy with extremely bad people-skills, and a boy who, strangely, she finds nothing unusual about. As her new friends' stories unfold, Chloe begins to question the
motivation behind Lyle House.
With everything from ghosts and magic to romance, humor, and growing up, THE SUMMONING will have you laughing, wondering, and in disbelief. This book has many plot twists that will keep the reader guessing throughout the course of the novel. Kelley Armstrong uses great characterization and dialogue, which makes THE SUMMONING an overall good read.
"A banner week for me. Getting short-listed for the director spot. Nate asking me about the dance. My first period. And now my first criminal act. After I fixed myself up, I dug into my backpack for my brush and emerged instead with the tube of hair color. I lifted it. My reflection in the mirror grinned back."
Chloe Saunders is a very special girl. Not just because she has an in-depth and intense obsession with movies, filming, and directing. Not just because of her unusual home life. She is special, because on top of all this, Chloe Saunders can see ghosts.
On the day of her first period, she goes to the bathroom and skips class. She dyes her hair, feeling particularly rebellious. Upon exiting, Chloe sees a strange man wearing an old custodian's uniform, who follows her around school. She thinks she is in trouble for skipping class...
When he starts to talk to her, she ignores him. He gets angry, and deliberately shows her his face... and she sees it is burned so badly she can barely distinguish his features. When he disappears into thin air, she starts making a scene and freaking out, and school officials round her up. When she accidentally punches a teacher, they sedate her and take her to the hospital.
From there she is sent to Lyle House, which is a place for troubled teenagers. There she meets a wide variety of people - a pyromaniac, a girl with a poltergeist, an unusually moody girl, a boy with extremely bad people-skills, and a boy who, strangely, she finds nothing unusual about. As her new friends' stories unfold, Chloe begins to question the
motivation behind Lyle House.
With everything from ghosts and magic to romance, humor, and growing up, THE SUMMONING will have you laughing, wondering, and in disbelief. This book has many plot twists that will keep the reader guessing throughout the course of the novel. Kelley Armstrong uses great characterization and dialogue, which makes THE SUMMONING an overall good read.
Was ok, have put The Awakening on hold
