Reviewer: Amy Lignor
Title: The Summoning - 1st in the Darkest Powers serise
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Publisher: Harper Teen (Harper Collins)
ISBN-13: 978-0-06-145054-9
Release Date: April 2009 (paperback)
Genre/Sub-genre: YA Paranormal
Publisher’s Age/Grade Recommendation: 12 and up
OUAR’s Age/Grade Recommendation: 12 and up
Year/Setting: New York State
Overall Rating: 4.5
Sexual Content Rating: None/Subtle
Language (Profanity/Slang) Content Rating: None/Mild
Violent Content Rating: Moderate
Kelley's Website: www.kelleyarmstrong.com
Dear Readers:
Well…here I am again. It’s like the higher powers want me to deal with the fact that I’m the only girl on earth who thinks Twilight was so-so. 
Therefore, I have been given series after series of vamps, werewolves, angels, etc. Cynthia Leitich Smith had me at hello, with her series. And, now…drum roll…Ms. Armstrong has got me once again.
The Summoning is about Chloe Saunders. She sees dead people. Yes, I know, The Sixth Sense was a great movie but where is the originality? I’ll tell you where. The originality is in this book. We see Chloe early on dealing with a scary basement - bodies hanging from the ceiling, etc, when she is just a child. Of course, at that age, it’s just a dream…right? Then, unfortunately for all young women, puberty hits. With puberty comes all sorts of reckless feelings and painful changes, but with Chloe those changes have her placed into a "mental rehab center" for a group of strange young men and women.
The happy rehab center to cure these teenagers of their angst turns out to be Lyle House, a place that was set up years before for people to experiment on children who have supernatural powers. We meet Simon, a handsome young man who has more than enough mojo to be called a wizard. We also meet up with his brother, Derek. A large young man, he can smell almost everything and there is an unmistakable growl in his deep voice that reminds me of my dog when he’s trying to protect me. (Too much of a hint?) We also have Tori, who I just love. She’s a mixture of Miss America and Stephen King’s Carrie.
The plot of this story is one that you HAVE to read. It’s convoluted, it’s fun, it’s adventurous and filled with just the right amount of gore. I was lucky, because I was sent books one and two of this series in the same box. I was unlucky because there will be a book three and I don’t have that one yet. But, what can I say; I’m looking forward to reading it more than you can ever know.
Ms. Armstrong has created "must read" for teens and adults. You’ll love the story and the cast of characters. Now, THESE are books that warrant midnight release parties all across the globe.
Until Next Time, Amy
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