Title: The SummoningAuthor: Kelley Armstrong
Last word first: I loved it and I cannot wait to read the sequel. Recommended!
Description: Chloe Saunders was living an ordinary life. Sure, there were things she would change if she could, but overall, life was good. That all changed the day she saw her first ghost, and the ghost could see her right back. Now the ghosts won't leave her alone. To make matters worse, she gets locked away in a home for disturbed teens for "evaluation." But the home isn't what it seems, and neither are the other inmates.
My thoughts: I didn't get into this book right away, but at some point it grabbed hold of me and didn't let go... still hasn't let go. Stupid book. Fair warning to you all, there's a serious cliffie at the end.
Armstrong has done a fabulous job of creating a likeable protagonist in Chloe Saunders. After feeling embarrassed that she hasn't gotten her first period yet this average girl suddenly has MUCH bigger concerns, and her emotional reactions felt spot on. The supernatural events featured in the book are so seamlessly blended in to the mundane reality around us that you'll start wondering if you too can "see dead people." (I have the Sixth Sense on the brain after reading this).
There's also some great supporting characters. I don't think I'm spoiling anything by letting you know there's more than just Chloe who has superpowers beyond the normal "I'm really good at styling my hair" type of thing. I'm not going to tell you who has what, but let me just state for the record that Derek is my favorite.
Is it wrong of me to hope that Simon does not end up being the love interest? I know he and Chloe like each other right now, but Derek is just so much more interesting. I hope in the next book either Simon gets more of a personality or Derek gets the girl. But don't tell me what happens!
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, though in some ways it felt like an extended prologue to the main story. I can't wait to read the sequel.
Looking for more? You can read the first two chapters of The Summoning online at the series website. There is a sequel, The Awakening, out now. I will be reading it as soon as I can get my grubby hands on a copy, because the cliffhanger is KILLING ME!
About Kelley Armstrong: Her earliest written efforst were disastrous. If asked for a story about girls and dolls, hers would invariably feature undead girls and evil dolls, much to her teachers' dismay. (from the book cover)
Click the book cover image to purchase from Amazon.
Second opinions: Melissa's Bookshelf
28 comments:
I'm racing over to add one to my Shelfari shelf too :)
PS Makes me think of Ghost Whisperer. I love Ghost Whisperer.
I've got this book, but now I'm reading Betrayed from the HON Series.
But I wanna read it now!
Sounds great!
I loved(!!!) this book, and The Awakening is even better! Now I have to wait until May 2010 to find out what happens next.
this is another series I've seen around the web and bookstores and I am really tempted, but I have to clear out some review copies first.
I've heard so much about this series and have seen it countless times at bookstores. If The Summoning has such a massive cliff hanger, I'd better buy both that and The Awakening . . . or wait until May 2010 and get the 3rd one too, but then I'm thinking that wouldn't be fair to the author. =/
It really is a kind of love/hate thing when a book grabs hold of you making ordinary life difficult! LOL. The book sounds fun though. The description and your subject line totally made me think of The Sixth Sense too.
I read one of Armstrong Otherworld Women books and while I enjoyed it, it didn't make me want to read the others. But since I heard about this one, I've wanted to read it, it sounds like something I would really like, plus I've started reading more YA lately. Before, I rarely used to read them, now there's so many I want to read! Haha.
This actually sounds quite interesting, and I love (and hate) a good cliffhanger. I actually found myself chuckling at the beginning of your review at the thought of the ghosts not leaving her alone. Sounded like the movie "Ghosttown". I might have to check this one out.
The Summoning was sooo good! I absolutely loved the ending. The Awakening is just as good and now I'm waiting for book 3, The Reckoning :)
Oooo I didn't know she's Canadian! I've seen this book around but never got to look at it. Good to know that it was a good read with a cliffhanger. I'm supposing this would be a series then if it's got a sequel (and probably more?)
Hence another to add to my list to read :P
oh yeah, Happy Canada Day from another Canadian here :)
This book looks great! I've been wanting to read it for forever! I'm glad you enjoyed it, even if it did take you a while to get into.
shutupimreading.blogspot.com
Jessica
I think once I finish the House of Night series (how on earth did I get myself hooked into reading that series!?! Now I have to finish it!) I will look into this one -- it sounds interesting and I usually like stories with ghosts!
You know, it really makes you think about how much we disregard because we don't believe. I remember reading somewhere that teenagers are very perceptive on a sixth sense level.
Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com
I had no idea this author was Canadian either! This isn't my usual cup of tea, but you've made it sound very appealing! I might have to give this series a try.
When I was reading the description the first thing that came to mind was The Sixth Sense too, that is one of my favorite movies ever.
Thanks for posting the link to the first chapters, I'm definitely going to read them because you got me curious about this book and it will probably end up in my TBR list!
I haven't heard of this book before either. Doesn't it sound and feel like the Twilight books?
Great that you enjoyed the book so much! I have not heard of this series. Honestly, the book's description did not capture me at all. But your review did. I like that the author makes the paranormal storyline fit so well in with the reality of everyday life. I liked The Sixth Sense so maybe I will like this one, too.
Oh wow, it sounds so good! I love it already! :D And the possible love triangle thing is getting me really curious!
I love Kelley Armstrong, her woman of the underwold series are the best so I would so like to check this YA series out. Everyone does seem to enjoy them, and this was then another positive review
blodeuedd1 at gmail dot com
The sequel was no less than spectacular. I think Kelley Armstrong made a huge debut as a YA author with this series.
I don't think this one is for me, but if I found a used copy, I might give it a try.
libneas[at]aol[dot]com
This is the first description/review I've read for The Summoning and it sounds really good! I definitely plan on reading this one :)
I absolutely love her adult books, they're soooooo good, and I can't wait to read this one!
I have been looking to read Armstrong's work for a while now. The trouble is figuring out which books are the first books in a series. I have "Broken", but it's the fourth in the werewolf series, apparently.
I think you've sold me on getting started with this series. Now, I just have to find it. :)
Gah! Another review that says this is a good read! I'm so behind on my TBR list. That and I haven't decided if I want to just grab this and read it or read through more of the Women of the Otherworld series before hitting this one. I'm only a few books into that series so far.
Hi,
This doesn't really sound like my cup of tea. There just seems to be too many books on the same type of subkect at the moment.
Carol
buddytho {AT} gmail DOT com
Am I the only one who gets her mixed up with Stephanie Meyers? Goes to show I've never read either, I guess. But I'd like to change that! Please enter me in your Canada Day contest.
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