Series Review: The Darkest Powers by Kelley Armstrong

SERIESous’ Top Book Series: Favourite Canadian Authors
Series: Darkest Powers Trilogy
Author: Kelley Armstrong
# of Books: 3 (The Summoning, The Awakening, The Reckoning)

There are also some short novellas that take place between these books. Details here
There is a “spin-off” series called The Darkness Rising

Complete?: Yes
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Action, Magic, Suspense
Heat Rating: cold

Thoughts:

I picked up this book for two reasons: 1 is that Kelley Armstrong actually lives a few towns over from me so I was intrigued that a huge author was based just around the corner from me and 2 is that the plot really grabbed my attention.

NOTE: It has been a really long time since I read these books and the reason I am doing so now is because the spin-off series, The Darkness Rising, has just released the last book of the trilogy. I don’t like writing about the spin-off series when I don’t have a review of the original, SO consider yourself warned that this review will be really brief and most likely vague.

I definitely plan on rereading these books because I really enjoyed them! I also think that the writing style and story are both something that I will enjoy even when I am older. Although the series is targeted for young adults, there is nothing about the writing that is juvenile that would turn me off of rereading these when I am older. I have since read a few more of Armstrong’s adult novels and I find that the writing is very similar in all her books–it’s just the plots that are changed to her audience. Fun Fact: Most of Kelley Armstrong’s books take place within the same paranormal universe (even her adult ones!)–so while you don’t have to read all the books to get what is going on, if you do read them, you will see little connections here and there!

Now, for the books themselves. The Summoning starts off a little slow but really builds. At the end of book 1 we have found ourselves at the top of a hill and from that point on, the book is just rolling non-stop action, mystery and suspense. There is never a dull moment in The Awakening or The Reckoning and I finished both books within two days each. The only bummer part was waiting a year for the next book to be published.

As for the characters, I really liked all of them. Chloe was great. I admired her and she just seemed so real to me in her reactions to the circumstances thrown at her. As the books progress you get to watch her grow into a strong, more confident girl. One thing I think sets this series apart from The Darkness Rising series is that the teens who take center focus (ie. Chloe’s friends) don’t know each other right from the start. There is some tension between them and I liked watching the dynamics shift between them as they learn to trust each other and become friends. (FYI: In the Darkness Rising Trilogy, all the characters have been a part of the same friend circle for years).

Conclusion:

I know my review above doesn’t tell too much about the series, but it really is worth a read! It’s hard to talk about the series without giving everything away! If you are looking for a fresh paranormal read that doesn’t focus on vampires, PICK THESE BOOKS UP!

Rating: 5/5

Similar Reads: The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong (Darkness Rising Trilogy, #1 — spin-off series)

Synopsis for The Summoning (from Goodreads):
My name is Chloe Saunders and my life will never be the same again.

All I wanted was to make friends, meet boys, and keep on being ordinary. I don’t even know what that means anymore. It all started on the day that I saw my first ghost – and the ghost saw me.

Now there are ghosts everywhere and they won’t leave me alone. To top it all off, I somehow got myself locked up in Lyle House, a “special home” for troubled teens. Yet the home isn’t what it seems. Don’t tell anyone, but I think there might be more to my housemates than meets the eye. The question is, whose side are they on? it’s up to me to figure out the dangerous secrets behind Lyle House…before its skeletons come back to haunt me.