eBooks

The Summoning PDF Novel Review by Kelley Armstrong

The Summoning is the first book in the Darkest Powers series by Kelley Armstrong, a bestselling author of urban fantasy and paranormal romance. The book was published in 2008 and has been translated into several languages. The story follows Chloe Saunders, a teenage girl who sees ghosts and is sent to a group home for troubled teens, where she discovers that she and her housemates have supernatural powers. The book is marketed as a young adult novel, but it also appeals to adult readers who enjoy dark and suspenseful stories.

The book has received mixed reviews from readers and critics, who have different opinions on the plot, the characters, and the writing style. Some reviewers praise the book for its fast-paced plot and strong female protagonist, while others criticize the book for its bland writing and anticlimactic ending. Here are some of the highlights of the reviews:

Kat Kennedy from Goodreads gave the book one star and said that the story had potential but failed to deliver. She hated the main character and the love interests, and found the story to be boring and predictable. She wrote: “I can’t believe I wasted my time on this book. It was so dull and clichéd. The main character was annoying and stupid, and the love interests were either abusive or boring. The plot was nothing new or exciting, and the ending was a huge letdown. I don’t recommend this book to anyone.”
Kirkus Reviews gave the book a positive review and said that it was a dark tale of Faerie with a nail-biter ending. The reviewer praised the author’s measured pace, the complex characters, and the scary journey to adulthood. They wrote: “Armstrong creates a convincing world where the supernatural coexists with the mundane, and where teens struggle with issues of identity, trust, and loyalty. The main character, Chloe, is a sympathetic and realistic heroine, who faces her fears and challenges with courage and wit. The book is a gripping and thrilling read, with a cliffhanger ending that will leave readers eager for the next installment.”
A blogger from Literature Blog gave the book a negative review and said that they hated the book and had to read it for a project. The reviewer found the book to be bland and anticlimactic, and disliked the main character and one of the love interests, who they called a rapist in training. They wrote: “This book was awful. I had to read it for school, and I regret every minute of it. The book was so boring and unoriginal, and the ending was so lame and disappointing. The main character was a whiny and naive girl, who had no personality or agency. The love interest, Derek, was a creepy and violent guy, who tried to force himself on Chloe several times. He was a rapist in training, and I hated him. This book was a waste of time and paper, and I don’t recommend it to anyone.”
Open Book Society gave the book a positive review and said that it was a fun and fast-paced coming of age novel. The reviewer liked the main character and how she dealt with her powers, and said that the book was great for all ages. They wrote: “This book was a great read. I enjoyed the story and the characters, especially Chloe. She was a smart and brave girl, who had a unique and interesting power. She saw ghosts, and she learned how to communicate with them and help them. She also had to deal with the dangers and mysteries of the group home, where she met other kids with different powers. The book was full of action and suspense, and it had a twisty and surprising ending. I think this book is suitable for anyone who likes paranormal and fantasy stories, and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.”

As you can see, the book has received very different reactions from different readers. Some love it, some hate it, and some are somewhere in between. What do you think of the book? Have you read it, or are you planning to read it? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!