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ladyhippolyta's review against another edition
3.0
Chloe Saunders was just a regular girl, negotiating her way through high school, and dreaming of a career as a film director. Chloe’s active mind sees everything through the lens of a potential film- until she begins seeing dead people wandering the halls of her school. Chloe is labelled as schizophrenic, and lands in Lyle House, a group home for troubled teens. It soon becomes apparent that ‘troubled teen’ is a byword for ‘supernaturally empowered’ when Chloe’s new housemates begin displaying strange abilities.
The Summoning is set in the world of Armstrong’s popular Otherworld series. Unlike Armstrong’s previous works, The Summoning is a Young Adult novel, holding back on the sexual situations and violence. Despite being a novel aimed at teens, Armstrong pulls no punches in the gruesome imagery, and on display is the same dark underbelly found in her other novels. In one striking example, Chloe is tied up and trapped in the bowels of Lyle House, forced to face her abilities, and resulting in her accidentally performing necromancy. The long dead corpses dragging themselves out of their graves and reaching for Chloe in the dark is a haunting image that isn’t soon forgotten.
Armstrong treats the extraordinary abilities of the children as a serious issue. The abilities on display are not pretty or ‘cute’, are often traumatic for the children, and always have consequences. The supernatural powers are a metaphor for mental illness, a theme that resonates throughout the novel. These elements are dealt with sympathetically and realistically, especially as Chloe questions her own sanity in the face of being given the label of schizophrenia.
The story is told from Chloe’s point of view, and the first person perspective gives the story immediacy. Chloe’s voice is clear, an interesting amalgam of innocence and wisdom. Chloe talks about films as though she is a peer of Steven Spielberg, and it is easy to forget how young she is as she analyses the world around her, framing potential shots in her mind. This, however, is Chloe’s method of comforting herself in the scary situations she finds herself in; she is still an awkward young girl, battling with a speech impediment and what she thinks is a mental illness.
The Summoning is an easy read that, while suitable for young adults, isn’t treated as a children’s novel. Armstrong has written a novel about teenagers, rather than specifically for teenagers, which means The Summoning is enjoyably dark and intriguing.
The Summoning is set in the world of Armstrong’s popular Otherworld series. Unlike Armstrong’s previous works, The Summoning is a Young Adult novel, holding back on the sexual situations and violence. Despite being a novel aimed at teens, Armstrong pulls no punches in the gruesome imagery, and on display is the same dark underbelly found in her other novels. In one striking example, Chloe is tied up and trapped in the bowels of Lyle House, forced to face her abilities, and resulting in her accidentally performing necromancy. The long dead corpses dragging themselves out of their graves and reaching for Chloe in the dark is a haunting image that isn’t soon forgotten.
Armstrong treats the extraordinary abilities of the children as a serious issue. The abilities on display are not pretty or ‘cute’, are often traumatic for the children, and always have consequences. The supernatural powers are a metaphor for mental illness, a theme that resonates throughout the novel. These elements are dealt with sympathetically and realistically, especially as Chloe questions her own sanity in the face of being given the label of schizophrenia.
The story is told from Chloe’s point of view, and the first person perspective gives the story immediacy. Chloe’s voice is clear, an interesting amalgam of innocence and wisdom. Chloe talks about films as though she is a peer of Steven Spielberg, and it is easy to forget how young she is as she analyses the world around her, framing potential shots in her mind. This, however, is Chloe’s method of comforting herself in the scary situations she finds herself in; she is still an awkward young girl, battling with a speech impediment and what she thinks is a mental illness.
The Summoning is an easy read that, while suitable for young adults, isn’t treated as a children’s novel. Armstrong has written a novel about teenagers, rather than specifically for teenagers, which means The Summoning is enjoyably dark and intriguing.
jgurniak's review against another edition
4.0
I quite liked the plot and the characters (even Tori!). I found the author managed to keep it realistic even with the entire book being about the supernatural. It's a fun start to the trilogy and I'm looking forward to reading the rest.
cobycoyle's review against another edition
5.0
I thought this was great. I think the werewolf transformation was more realistic compared to other books (not that I’d know though lol) and the twist at the end with her aunt was unexpected. The mystery around Liz’s fate, a realistic view of what would happen if teens with supernatural powers were actually discovered…realistic physical depictions of teens. I thought this was well written and really liked that Chloe isn’t a master at her powers, has problems like her stutter to overcome, etc.
eesh25's review against another edition
4.0
So... Where do I start...? Oh, yes.
This book follows Chloe Saunders whose big goal in life is to be normal. Not the rich girl, the short girl or the new girl. Just a girl. That becomes difficult though after being chased down the school hallway by a ghost only she can see lands her in Lyle House, a "special home" for troubled teens.
On top of that, something seems to be amiss with the house and it's residents and Chloe has to find out what that is before it's too late and...
I liked this book. In the beginning, I wasn't sure if I would because I didn't like the writing, but it got better. It still wasn't the best, but it didn't hinder my reading experience. There were a few scenes that, had they been better written, would have been so much more creepy and awesome, but overall, it was okay.
The story I found really interesting. And the way it was handled. There was just something about it that was refreshing. I think it was a combination of the fast pace, the narrative and what the author put emphasis on.
The narrative I liked because it was influenced by Chloe's love for movies and her desire to make movies herself one day. That gave it a personalised touch. And Chloe was a smart girl. She did make some silly mistakes but rarely was there a time when you wanted to yell at her.
Also, even though Chloe was actually seeing ghosts, the book still managed to provide some insight into how someone who is mentally unwell might feel and how he/she may be treated differently even though it's not their fault. That was probably my favourite aspect of the book.
Another great thing was that the romance was low. There is literally a scene in the book when Chloe yells at someone that she has more important things to worry about that getting a boyfriend. Did I mention I love Chloe? Because I do.
Last but the not least, the ending. It was slightly rushed and abrupt in my opinion. Could've been smoothed out a little.
Overall though, I really enjoyed this book. It was very engrossing and I flew through it. I'll be reading the next book soon and I highly recommend checking this one out.
kathydavie's review against another edition
4.0
The first in the Young Adult, paranormal series, Darkest Powers, Summoning has a familiarity to it: troubled teens in a halfway house with secrets. Only these aren't your average troubled teens.
Well-written with characters you can embrace. I'm chomping at the bit to read Awakening. Kelley Armstrong does NOT disappoint!
Well-written with characters you can embrace. I'm chomping at the bit to read Awakening. Kelley Armstrong does NOT disappoint!
arogers159's review against another edition
5.0
I really loved this book, its creepy and I couldn't put it down. I literally stayed up all night finishing it and quickly picking up the next book. That's how addicting it is. This entire series impressed me.
m_zsuzsi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
cosymilko's review against another edition
3.0
This is what you read when you have pain induced insomnia and can't bring yourself to read something you're thoroughly enjoying.
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Initially I picked it up because I was too tired for A Game of Thrones and thought this would be a bit mindless. It is. To a point.
Some of the plot points seem to jump in with no real collection and the characters are pretty standard for a teen book. However, the unique plot overall is something to keep reading for. It's something I felt compelled I had to finish even though several of the characters would have been better off fleshed out more.
I'll be reading the next two although I'm not expecting greatness.
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Initially I picked it up because I was too tired for A Game of Thrones and thought this would be a bit mindless. It is. To a point.
Some of the plot points seem to jump in with no real collection and the characters are pretty standard for a teen book. However, the unique plot overall is something to keep reading for. It's something I felt compelled I had to finish even though several of the characters would have been better off fleshed out more.
I'll be reading the next two although I'm not expecting greatness.
theluminarylibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75