Her ‘Darkest Powers’ novels are some of the best of her work, although she has written other books including ‘Omens,’ ‘Exit Strategy,’ and, ‘Bitten.’
Blurb: All Chloe Saunders wants is a life like any normal teenager - the chance to get through school, make friends, and maybe meet a boy. But when she starts seeing ghosts, she knows that life will never be normal again.
Soon ghosts are everywhere, demanding her attention. When Chloe finally breaks down, she's admitted to a group home for disturbed kids. At first Lyle House seems okay, but as she gets to know the other patients - charming Simon and his ominous, unsmiling brother Derek; obnoxious Tori; and Rae, who has a 'thing' for fire - Chloe begins to realise that something strange and sinister binds them all together, and it isn't your usual 'problem kid' behaviour.
And they're about to discover that Lyle House is not your usual group home, either . . .
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The summoning is a very well written book and it is the first book in the ‘Darkest Powers’ series. This series is also followed closely in relation to the ‘Darkness Rising’ series. Following the same generic narrative and containing – I’m told – characters from the ‘Darkest Powers’ series.
The characters in the Summoning are well characterised, each being given their own personal identity. Their own weaknesses and flaws as well as their own individual strengths and personal beauties.
As readers, we relate closely to the characters we read and journey with in books and Armstrong has done a fantastic job of providing her characters with the ability to be related to.
Through all three books in the ‘Darkest Powers’ series, the characters are consistent and the plot and story remain strong and well structured.
The only bad point to this series that I can find, is the fact that it ends after only three books (I do still miss Derek).
This book is a Young Adult (YA) novel as it contains things that younger readers may find disturbing. (16+)
- Jade Lloyd.