19 Jun Book Review: The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong

I picked up The Summoning during a nostalgic binge of early 2010s YA paranormal romances. I read it over a weekend, curled up on my couch with a cup of tea, eager to revisit the era of brooding boys and forbidden love. Kelley Armstrong’s novel was a bestseller when it came out in 2008, riding the post-Twilight wave with its own gothic flavor and a story that hinges on supernatural powers, secret organizations, and teens discovering their true identities. It promised dark secrets, romance with stakes, and that juicy slow-burn tension I was in the mood for—and honestly, it delivered on all fronts.

What’s it about?

The Summoning introduces us to Chloe Saunders, a fifteen-year-old girl who has always aspired to lead a normal life. She dreams of becoming a film director and navigating the typical teenage experiences. However, her world takes a dramatic turn when she starts seeing ghosts. A terrifying encounter at school leads to a public breakdown, resulting in her being diagnosed with schizophrenia and sent to Lyle House, a group home for troubled teens.

At Lyle House, Chloe meets other residents: the charming Simon, his brooding foster brother Derek, the fiery Tori, and the pyromaniac Rae. As she adjusts to her new environment, Chloe begins to suspect that Lyle House isn’t what it seems. Her visions intensify, and she starts to uncover unsettling secrets about the facility and its inhabitants.

Chloe discovers that she is a necromancer, someone who can see and communicate with the dead. This revelation is both shocking and liberating, as it explains her experiences but also places her in danger. She learns that the other teens at Lyle House possess supernatural abilities as well, and that the facility is part of a larger conspiracy involving the Edison Group, an organization conducting experiments on supernaturals.

As Chloe and her friends delve deeper into the mysteries surrounding Lyle House, they uncover the truth about their powers and the organization’s intentions. The group decides to escape, leading to a series of tense and suspenseful events. The novel ends with a cliffhanger, setting the stage for the next installment in the series.

What This Chick Thinks

The Summoning is a compelling entry in the YA paranormal genre. Chloe’s journey from a confused teenager to someone embracing her unique abilities is both relatable and engaging. The dynamics between the characters, especially the tension between Chloe, Derek, and Simon, add depth to the narrative.

The setting of Lyle House provides a claustrophobic and eerie backdrop that enhances the story’s suspense. Armstrong does a commendable job of building a world where the supernatural feels both thrilling and dangerous.

However, the pacing can be slow at times, especially in the first half of the book. Some readers might find the initial buildup a bit drawn out, but the payoff in the latter chapters makes it worthwhile. The cliffhanger ending is both frustrating and effective, compelling readers to continue with the series.

Final Thoughts

The Summoning delivers classic paranormal YA vibes with a heavy dose of suspense, secrets, and slowly unraveling identities. It’s not fast-paced, but it’s drenched in atmosphere, and the payoff at the end lands. If you’re into the idea of discovering hidden powers mixed with secret organizations and gothic settings, this one’s for you. It’s definitely the kind of series you keep going with because you need to know what happens next.

Rating: 8/10

Try it if you like:

• Fallen by Lauren Kate – Explores themes of reincarnation and forbidden love between a human girl and a fallen angel.
• Evernight by Claudia Gray – A gothic romance set in a mysterious boarding school, where secrets abound and love defies the odds.
• Unearthly by Cynthia Hand – Follows a part-angel girl grappling with her destiny and a love triangle, blending supernatural elements with emotional depth.