The Summoning (Kelley Armstrong)

I finally received this book after having reserved it, from the library, roughly two weeks ago. The reason for it taking so long to get to me, was simply the fact that the demand for it was so large, that it was being passed between library after library and person after person, and therefore took a while to get to me.

The story starts off with an average teenager (Chloe) who, as a child, saw quite a few imaginary friends. However, her imaginary friends were not there to keep her company, they terrorised her. It is only when she sees people that no-one else can see does she begin to question if it was just her lonely childish mind thinking up some (rather sick and twisted) "friends" for her. She began to wonder if she was in fact mental, this thought was then strengthened further, when she was admitted to Lyle House, a house for "disturbed" teenagers. However after discovering that others in the house had "special abilities" she begins to question the purpose for her being there.

I will not give anything more away than that; as I really do think that this book is quite a thrilling read. It has a myriad of different characters with a myriad of different personalities. In the home there is Tori (an obnoxious teenager who at one point kidnaps Chloe); Derek (who has "problems" with his strength and seems, just a tad, irritating, unfriendly and unsmiling); Simon (who actually makes Chloe feel at home in the house, and is one of the central protagonists); Rae (Chloe's best friend throughout her stay) and a few domineering controlling nurses that keep a disturbingly close eye on the residents.

This book acts as an emotional journey, that shows the reader that although people may see you as a bit odd, you may be an outcast; but there will always be something that you have in common with others.

Ending on a cliff-hanger, this book entices the reader into reading further, and I myself cannot wait to receive the next one in this trilogy.

Although this book is very good throughout, I must admit (due to the fact that the website does in fact have the word "Critic" in it) that there is a certain spark of something missing. Also, despite the fact that I had to read it in a grand total of three-four days because it was wanted back by the library to give to yet another reader, it is missing something that sets it apart from the rest of the teenage books. Although, it does have an interesting, unique storyline, it still lacks some sort of technical flourish that would make it an incredible read.

Rating:3.5/5