The Summoning - Kelley Armstrong

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…

I first picked this book up because I kept seeing one of my friends reading it, where ever I went, so I asked her what it was about and she told me that it was about paranormal things. I was hooked, immediately. Besides, I think that the cover is great. I especially love the amulet. 

At first, this book started out...well, extremely creepy. I mean, zombie janitors that try and kill students? Who would have ever thought of that? Then, when Chloe is put into the Lyle house by her aunt, Dr. Lauren Fellows things start to slow down a bit. You get a feel for the routine of the Lyle house for "problem children" and you're introduced to amazing new characters who are quite unique. 

Simon Bae: He is also fifteen-years-old. His father, a scientist named Christopher "Kit" Bae, weventually adopting Simon's foster brother, Derek, with whom he shares a close bond with. Simon is the opposite of 

Derek, and is diabetic. Something unique that isn't touched on in much YA, which I find interesting.

Derek Souza: is a sixteen-year-old, who is described as extremely tall, having black hair, green eyes, and having acne problems. He often frightens Chloe because he is so quiet, he is diagnosed as antisocial at Lyle House, but there's also something extremely intriguing about him. 

Rachelle "Rae" Rogers: is another fifteen-year-old who develops a close friendship with Chloe, being the first she confides in since coming to the mysterious Lyle house.

Elizabeth "Liz" Delaney: is a sixteen-year-old, Chloe's roommate, and is best friends with Tori. She is extremely talkative.

Victoria "Tori" Enright: is a sixteen-year-old who is best friends with Liz, she doesn't get along with many people at the Lyle house and is diagnosed with Bipolar disorder.

Chloe and her new found room mates seem to have a touch of bad luck throughout her stay at the Lyle house, and they end up in a lot of trouble at times. Well, more times than they're not in trouble. Throughout their little adventures, they uncover the secrets that they didn't even know they had, and, worst of all, the secrets of the Lyle house.

 Over all, I would give this book a 4/5 because, while the plot is good, I don't feel like things were spaced out right. I found it easy to put this book down, however, there is an awesome plot twist at the end that makes you want to know more. 

Check out my review of the next installment in Kelley Armstrong's Darkest Powers series The Awakening on 1/21/12.