Review: The Summoning

Kelley Armstrong

Paperback,
416 pages
Harper Collins Publishers

April 01, 2009

"Wow. The guy can make me feel stupid even when he's telling me I don't have to let him make me feel stupid."

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…(Goodreads.com)

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Ok well let me start by saying WOW!!! I want to kick my self, I have had this book on my shelf for months. I bought it a while ago not knowing anything about it and so it sat there... waiting. Finally I decided to read it and I was blown away. I read it in one night.

The Summoning has everything you want in a book, humor, suspense, mystery and it might even scare you a little.

Chloe was a great character. She is an average teen with average problems. She feels out of place and like she doesn't fit in anywhere. After seeing a ghost at school everyone things she is crazy and is shipped off to a home for troubled teens. As the story progresses Chloe starts to learn to stand up for her self more and say whats on her mind. She really is a strong girl, even if she doesn't know it yet. I really enjoyed the humor Armstrong gave Chloe, she second guesses her self and always has something to say... even though a lot of the time she only thinks it. She is faced with many problems and things that no one should have to deal with and yet she keeps it together.

When Chloe meets up with brothers Simon and Derek she is shown a whole different world then she ever expected.

I still haven't decided which brother I like more. Simon is very sweet and charming. He is always the gentlemen and wants to make Chloe happy whenever he can. He really is one of those genuinely good guys. Derek on the other hand is secluded and rude. He always has to have things his way and doesn't care who he has to step on to get it. You would think it would be a no brainier but Derek grows on you. He really cares about Chloe and tries to protect her even though he might not always do it the right way. I can't wait to find out who she ends up with.

Overall The Summoning gets 5+ Big Hoots! Full of twists and turns, The Summoning will leave you breathless. There are so many unexpected things in this book. I have to say it is one of my favorite books. I can't wait to get my hands on the rest of the trilogy. If you like fast pace, edge of your seat, Omg did that just happen type books I grantee you will love this book.