Book Review: The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong

The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong

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…

The past few books that I've read have had paranormal themes, and this book was no exception. Despite that, however, this story felt very refreshing and unique. Chloe has moved in with her aunt Lauren, and after being "attacked" by a ghost (and struggling with a teacher), she is sent to the Lyle home. I find places that seem perfect are usually anything but (i.e evil teachers, killer neighbors, Stepford Wives, etc.). So, of course this "home" was filled with secrets (and...the description on the back of the book gave it away). As a psychology student I found this place really interesting (and suspicious). A place that is really quick to diagnose and prescribe medication? Chloe was there a day before they labeled her with mild schizophrenia and gave her drugs to stop the hallucinations.

At first I thought the story was going to be predictable, but I never could have guessed how the book would end. In fact, I ended up finishing the book in the early hours of the morning because I had to know what was going to happen. I'm looking forward to Book 2: The Awakening (I almost gave in and bought it last week, despite the fact that I am trying not to buy anything until I finish my huge TBR pile). I'm hoping to get a little bit more information on Chloe's parents, and also to see the characters again (hopefully exacting revenge on a few, less savory, characters).

The Summoning
By Kelley Armstrong
390 Pages
Published by HarperCollins
Rating: A