Pages 390
Challenges - 100+ books.
Published by Sphere in 2008.
This is the story of Chloe Saunders who up until now has been your run of the mill normal teenager. She is struggling with the whole teenage scenario, trying to cope with school, how to make friends and how to get a boyfriend.
Then due to a change in her body, Chloe starts to see ghosts. Not the odd one, but ghosts everywhere and they won't leave Chloe alone. Chloe goes into serious meltdown and finds herself admitted to Lyle House, a home for disturbed children. Whilst there, she encounters other teenagers who also have special abilities. There is Simon, who can perform simple magic spells, Derek, who is exceptionally strong and Rae, who has a thing for fire. Chloe and the other teenagers begin to realise that their stay at Lyle House is not coincidental and they may be danger.
I really enjoyed this book. The story was gripping from the first chapter. It had the air of Heroes about it. All these children have special abilities that have been latent for most of their lives and suddenly these powers are coming to the surface. Definitely a Young Adults version of Heroes, but fabulous with it.
The characters are minimally described, which I don't normally like as I like to be able to picture my characters using the descriptions provided, yet it didn't bother me in this book. The plot driven story had me racing towards the finish line to find out what will happen.
You cannot help but love Chloe, who is under the impression that she is suffering from schizophrenia due to the sudden changes in her abilities. She is not happy that she can now see ghosts and acts in the same way any normal human being would and freaks. Through the book, you watch Chloe grow and become comfortable with her abilities. She learns how to use them to help others.
There is an immaturity about some of the characters in the story, but then I have to remember it is a YA book so that is as it should be. I sometimes forget that these books were not actually written for the 30 something harassed mother of two audience!
There are twists and turns at the end which I really didn't see coming and a real cliffhanger at the ending. Teddyree over at The Eclectic Reader told me to have the second book ready to read when I finished this one and I really wish I had listened to her. I shall now have to put it on order in the library, so that I can find out what happens next. Note to self - listen to other people's advice in future!
It is also a quick and easy thrilling read, where I found myself whizzing through the 390 pages in two evenings. If you love YA and paranormal fantasies, then this is truly a book for you.
Here are some other reviews of The Summoning, if you don't believe me.
Thanks for stopping by.
Wonderful review Viv, so glad you enjoyed it. Oh no you don't have The Awakening ready and waiting, LOL I told you! Loved your note to self
ReplyDeleteI like Heroes. I would probably enjoy this.
ReplyDeleteI feel like I have been noticing lately that there tend to be less description if characters in books and I wonder if it's some new trend in writing or something. I'm often left wondering what a person looks like or only having the vaguest picture in my head. I usually like a description too.
this does sound good. I do tend to enjoy anything paranormal related.
ReplyDeletehttp://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
From the title I don’t think I would have ever picked this book up but after reading your review it sounds very interesting. I’ll have to see if I can get a copy from my local library.
ReplyDeleteGreat review, I am very curious about her YA books since I love her Otherworld books.
ReplyDeleteWow, it sounds good since it's got you pumped up about the second book. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteI heard of The Summoning but didn't know that there's a book two. You wrote a great review.
ReplyDeleteI love Kelley Armstrong so this is going to be another one for me :)
ReplyDeleteI'd love to do a Host read along, my sister is coming in tonight so am hoping she'll have the book with her. If not I'll pop over to the library tomorrow and order it.
Great review. I've seen other reviews for this book too and thought I'd like to read it but I still have her Otherworld series on my shelf so I guess I should read those first.
ReplyDeleteOk, I'm hooked - I'll be adding this (and the second book) to my goodreads list :)
ReplyDeleteViv, this is another one that I'd like to read! I'm adding it to my wishlist. :D
ReplyDeleteOooh, I really need to buy this one for my daughter! You know, so I can borrow it. And yet not feel the guilt over having bought myself another book. ;)
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