Review: The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong

Title: The Summoning

Series: Darkest Powers

Book #: 1st

Author: Kelley Armstrong

Pages: 400

Publisher: HarperCollins

Tags: Supernatural, Magic

Recommended to: Supernatural Young Adult Lovers

Rating: .6

"I see dead people..."

Chloe Saunders sees dead people. Yes, like in the films. The problem is, in real life saying you see ghosts gets you a one-way ticket to the psych ward. And at 15, all Chloe wants to do is fit in at school and maybe get a boy to notice her. But when a particularly violent ghost haunts her, she gets noticed for all the wrong reasons. Her seemingly crazed behaviour earns her a trip to Lyle House, a centre for 'disturbed teens'. At first Chloe is determined to keep her head down. But then her room mate disappears after confessing she has a poltergeist, and some of the other patients also seem to be manifesting paranormal behaviour. Could that be a coincidence? Or is Lyle House not quite what it seems...? Chloe realizes that if she doesn't uncover the truth, she could be destined for a lifetime in a psychiatric hospital. Or could her fate be even worse...? Can she trust her fellow students, and does she dare reveal her dark secret?

Taschima's POV:

Interesting.

Chloe isn't your average rich girl, but at the same time she is. She has everything she could even hope for, but doesn't even think about it twice. But instead of only putting her future in the hands of her father, she wants more out of life. She dreams of becoming a Director/Writer, that is, until the day she becomes a woman. PMS hits and her life takes a spin from ordinary to extra-ordinary. Now she is in a loony bin with kids who seem fine enough, but who have dark secrets, and she can swear that she sees ghosts. How will she convince the grown ups she is fine? And harder than that, how can she convince herself?

I have read SO many supernatural books. Like, that is basically my thing. But I have not read one that the character actually let's the outside world know about her wackiness. Thus she is thrown into a loony bin, which would be the normal choice to take, I mean someone who can see ghosts? Talk to the dead? Get out of here!

I mean the first rule of the supernatural world is, do not let, by any chance, anyone know about your powers. But apparently Chloe didn't get that memo.

The book didn't get my attention from the minute I turned the first page, but it rather started working towards it. The story keeps growing, intensity along with it. Secrets, friends, enemies, it's all in this pages.

The characters were normal. No one really caught my interest. Except for Derek. And Chloe after a little while. Derek is the smart one, the dark and broody guy most girls fall for, but he has a non friendly thing going on with him. So when you get close enough to glimpse the real kid inside the mask, you can't help but love him. Chloe also is a swell character. I started liking her more when she didn't take crap from Derek. That made my day.

There is also this character that reminds me of Aphrodite from The House of Night series, that's called Victoria, or Tori. She is as bitchy as Aphrodite in book one, but also has her problems, and this time real ones for all we know.

The story doesn't fall short. It gives it's special thing. Crazy scientist and everything. King of like Maximum Ride, without all the hazzle and confusion.

One thing was that the cover is all about the necklace, but it doesn't play a big role, if any.

Also if you want romance, like hard core one I love you and Id die for you, this ain't your book. It kind of confused me, I didn't know which of the brother's Chloe would choose, although I have a high suspicion for our dark character.

All I know is that I'm going to read the next one. This book showed much promise, and I am sure it won't disappoint in the near future.