Review of The Summoning by Kelly Armstrong

Summary:

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…

Review:

I first came across this book when a girl in my French class was reading it. Next I saw my brother's (female) friend reading it while she was staying with us for a couple of days. The cover of it really caught my eye; I had never heard of the book until then. So I went out and bought it, and certainly don't regret it! You may hear this alot but I'll say it anyways because in this case, it's very true...I was sucked into it within the first page. I couldn't put it down. I found this book very refreshing because I hadn't read any books on "ghosts" before, and it was really interesting.

The main character, Chloe, is witty, funny, and has a certain charm that made her seem very realistic at times. The plot line was creative, even though the school of paranormal students wasn't, and it was filled with humor, romance, fantasy, mystery and even some horror. I have already read the sequel, and will just say that it was very good as well, although not as good as the first in my opinion.

If you like teen supernatural romances, I highly recommend The Summoning!

Overall, I would give it a 4 out of 5 stars!