Review: The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong

(summary from goodreads)


After years of frequent moves following her mother’s death, Chloe Saunders’s life is finally settling down. She is attending art school, pursuing her dreams of becoming a director, making friends, meeting boys. Her biggest concern is that she’s not developing as fast as her friends are. But when puberty does hit, it brings more than hormone surges. Chloe starts seeing ghosts–everywhere, demanding her attention. After she suffers a breakdown, her devoted aunt Lauren gets her into a highly recommended group home. 

At first, Lyle House seems a pretty okay place, except for Chloe’s small problem of fearing she might be facing a lifetime of mental illness. But as she gradually gets to know the other kids at the home–charming Simon and his ominous, unsmiling brother Derek, obnoxious Tori, and Rae, who has a “thing” for fire–Chloe begins to realize that there is something that binds them all together, and it isn’t your usual “problem kid” behaviour. And together they discover that Lyle House is not your usual group home either…


Review: Some authors of adult books who cross over into YA don't have much success. Kelley Armstrong, however, has made a wonderful YA book that has great appeal to many ages spanning YA.


I read this book a long time ago so I may be a bit fuzzy on the details. I do remember, though, that The Summoning had a very well-written, gripping plot. The mystery of Chloe's powers had me flying through the book.


I really like books that have multiple paranormal aspects to it. For instance, in this book you had sorcerers, werewolves, and necromancers. Reading about necromancy was also a plus for the book because you don't really see a lot of YA paranormal books that have to do with it. Well, at the time this book was published you didn't. 


I enjoyed all the characters and loved to watch them interact with one another. Unfortunately I haven't read the last two in the series, but I really want to. 


So if you like paranormal with some action thrown in I would definitely recommend this book.