25 Jun Book Review: The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong

I dove into The Awakening immediately after finishing The Summoning, eager to continue Chloe Saunders’ journey. Kelley Armstrong’s second book in the Darkest Powers trilogy came out in 2009 and picks up right where the first left off. No time jump, no recap dump — just straight back into the danger, mystery, and supernatural drama. If the first book was about discovering powers, this one is about surviving them. And it absolutely ramps up the stakes.

What’s it about?

The Awakening begins with Chloe Saunders captured — again. After discovering in The Summoning that she’s a necromancer and that Lyle House was part of the sinister Edison Group, Chloe is now back in their custody. But this time, she’s armed with knowledge, and suspicion. The Edison Group had been genetically modifying supernatural teens, trying to make them “better” — and as a result, Chloe’s powers are dangerously amplified.

She’s stuck in a lab-like facility with Tori, the temperamental witch she escaped with. Chloe is trying to piece together what happened to her Aunt Lauren (who may or may not be dead), all while playing along with her captors and pretending to be cooperative. She’s also haunted — literally — by ghosts that won’t leave her alone, including one particularly terrifying specter that’s a constant threat. And as her necromancer powers grow, so does her fear that she can’t control them.

Once Chloe and Tori manage to escape, they meet back up with Derek and Simon, the werewolf and sorcerer brothers they fled with in book one. This reunion is messy, emotional, and a little hilarious — Derek and Tori have the kind of chemistry that’s more about bickering than bonding, while Simon brings the warmth and charm.

The group’s goal now is to find a safe house — ideally the one run by Andrew, a friend of Derek and Simon’s father. To do that, they have to stay off-grid, avoid the Edison Group’s surveillance, and figure out who they can actually trust. They hide out in abandoned houses, travel by bus, and slowly unravel more about their own powers.

The emotional heart of the book lies with Chloe and Derek. While Simon is the expected romantic lead (sweet, safe, solid), Derek is the wildcard. Gruff, socially awkward, protective to a fault — and going through the painful process of becoming a full werewolf. One of the most intense sections of the book involves Chloe helping Derek through a partial shift in the woods, and it’s this gritty vulnerability that deepens their connection. It’s not sexy — it’s raw and real. And it’s kind of great.

Meanwhile, Chloe is also figuring out what kind of necromancer she is. She can raise the dead (intentionally and not), communicate with ghosts, and she’s beginning to suspect that her power is stronger than anyone has told her. She also learns more about the Edison Group’s backstory — particularly how her mother might have been involved before her death.

The climax of the book takes place in another lab-like compound, where secrets are exposed, ghosts rise (again), and allegiances shift. Chloe makes a harrowing choice to protect her friends, even as she becomes more of a threat to herself. The book ends with the group in a temporary safe haven, but the danger is far from over.

What This Chick Thinks

A Solid Second Book That Actually Moves the Plot

You know how second books in trilogies can sometimes sag in the middle? Not here. The Awakening takes everything from The Summoning and deepens it — the characters, the powers, the stakes. It’s a survival story at its core, but it’s also about choosing who to trust when your whole life has been a lie. There’s tension in every chapter, and it builds with real momentum.

Character Chemistry that Feels Earned

The relationship dynamics are what kept me flipping pages. Derek and Chloe’s slow-burn friendship is my favorite part of this book. It’s not all fireworks and insta-love — it’s awkward, messy, and honest. And Tori! I wasn’t expecting to like her, but she’s one of the most complicated, emotionally raw characters in the whole group. Watching her soft edges show up through all the spikiness is so rewarding.

Supernatural Without the Fluff

Kelley Armstrong’s worldbuilding is tight. You get just enough of the paranormal mechanics to make it feel real, but she doesn’t waste time info-dumping. The powers feel grounded in the characters — like, Chloe’s necromancy is part of her emotional arc. She’s not just afraid of ghosts; she’s afraid of becoming one. It’s thoughtful in a way I wasn’t expecting from what could’ve been a straight genre thriller.

Could’ve Used a Little More Ghost Horror

This is just me being picky, but the necromancy horror stuff? I wanted more. The ghosts that do show up are creepy, but I wouldn’t have minded a few more scares. Chloe is supposed to be dangerously powerful, and sometimes the book is more concerned with the action plot than really letting her power feel unhinged. That said, there’s still plenty of eerie atmosphere — especially in the lab scenes and abandoned hideouts.

Final Thoughts

The Awakening is a stronger, sharper book than The Summoning, and it’s one of those rare middle entries in a trilogy that doesn’t just bridge the gap — it deepens the whole story. If you like character-driven supernatural thrillers with real emotional beats and a slow-burn romance that feels earned, this one’s a winner. I couldn’t wait to start the final book the second I finished this.

Rating: 8.5/10

Try it if you like:

• Unearthly by Cynthia Hand – A half-angel girl must choose between destiny and love in this grounded, emotional paranormal YA.
• The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater – A group of teens search for a mythical king while navigating magic, danger, and deep friendship.
• Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater – A melancholy, snow-drenched love story between a girl and a boy who turns into a wolf in the cold.