Series: Darkest Powers
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Published: July 1st 2008
Book 1
When I heard about this novel, it was recommended to me by a friend. I am truthful to say that when I read the first three chapters i thought it was going to be the usual fantasy book. "A girl/boy finds out there is another world and they fight for a lost cause but miraculously win a war". As I got more and more immersed into the world of The Summoning I immediately knew that it was unique. The story begins with a young teenager named Chloe Saunders stressing about high school. She is one day followed by a ghost who got her landed in a mental home called "Lyle House". During her journey at Lyle House she learns more about the place and the people in it. She knew there was something different about the people around her. They were in other words "special" but not in the mental way.
The novel is an addicting and action-packed read which keeps people in constant suspense. Once I picked it up, it was difficult to put it down as I was always thinking about what was going to happen next. It is full of twists and cliff-hangars which left me eager for the next book.
I enjoyed how Armstrong took her time to describe the characters and their distinctive abilities. There was also some added humour in the novel which toned it down and left it not too "over the top". The book also consisted of multi-cultural characters which indicates that Armstrong had a moral in this book; everyone, no matter who they are or where they come from, can work together if they choose to. She describes the characters perfectly including every feeling of love, hate, anxiousness and more.
Despite the many good features about this novel, there was also one main dull feature. The fact that most parts of the novel had the dragging on effect that left me sometimes bored of the book. It was also however, made up for when the interesting parts came up as they left me on the edge of my seat and eager to want more.
All-in-all the book was a success and left me keen on reading the next one. If you are someone who loves books that have several twists, then this is the book for you.
Rated: 4/5
