The Calling (Darkness Rising)

The Gathering is a fun little paranormal novel, set on a tiny island in Canada. The setting, in fact, was one of my favorite parts of the story. It was so richly drawn, I found myself wishing I could visit. We also get a little bit of Native American lore, an interesting topic that I hope is explored more in the sequel. I wish the same attention had been paid to Maya, a very bland character, despite her...unusual abilities. Rafe and Daniel, as the potential love interest and best friend, respectively, fare better in the personality department than Maya. Adults were mostly absent, and the kids ruled the show. Several of them, particularly the girls, were not very developed, and I had a difficult time telling them apart. Some were mean, some were nice, and that was about all I took away.

There are mysteries to be solved, primarily the suspicious nature of Maya's best friend, Selena's, suspicious drowning death. The question of Maya's biological parents and a possible conspiracy involving unethical science experiments kept Maya busy for much of the story.

There wasn't a lot in The Gathering to get worked up about, in either a positive or negative way. I am curious enough to want to read the sequel, but I'm hoping that Maya shows some sparks of personality. A succession of mysteries is all well and good, but I need a few answers along the way to keep me reading.

A forest fire forces Maya Delaney to flee town in a helicopter along with the mayor, and several other teens. But she's sure the fire was set on purpose, and her fear is justified when the teens are kidnapped. But a helicopter crash helps them to flee deep into the woods of Vancouver Island. With their would-be captors hot on their trail, the group must rely on their wits and special abilities to see them home.

The second installment in the Darkness Rising trilogy, The Calling centers on a select group of teenagers and their wild adventure trying to find a way back to civilization, knowing they can't trust anyone. Maya has a secret - that she's a skin-walker, just one of the gifts that have been bred into the teens.

Though the trilogy must be read in order, there is a convenient, brief review of events from the first novel that I found extremely beneficial since it's been a year since the last release. This novel reads like a survival thriller film - an abundance of suspense, adventure, and pulse-pounding excitement. While the first laid the foundation with the characters and was engaging, this sequel was darker with non-stop danger and suspense. This fast-paced, young adult fantasy trilogy is entirely captivating. I'm not sure how all the loose ends will tie up in just one more final installment, but it promises to be a wild ride.

This is the second book in the Darkness Rising Trilogy. The first book is The Gathering which readers are introduced to Maya,her family, and fellow schoolmates and friends who live in the tiny town of Salmon Creek, which is a medical research corporate town. It doesn't take long till Maya's life starts taking a strange turn. She begins to fall for bad boy Rafe and through this relationship discovers she's a skin walker, or were-puma would be a better term for it.
The Calling continues where the first book ended. The group of teens are in the helicopter being evacuated. But things take a strange turn and the teens find them selves fighting for survival and making their way home. More of Maya's past comes to light as well as the project they were part of. Characters begin to show their true colors as well as emerging powers. This installment moved better than the first, which at times felt more like teen drama romance than the intriguing supernatural story it was. Not that there isn't any teen drama in this installment.
I suggest, though it is not necessary, to read The Darkest Power Trilogy first, because this story does loosely connect to that set of stories, and knowing that information, makes this trilogy a bit more interesting as a read.

I've felt myself avoiding more paranormal type books in YA, they tend to not feel so original anymore and common themes are getting old. There are still a lot of good ones though, it's just more hit and miss. This one was a hit! I loved it!
I loved Maya. I found her personality refreshing. She was pretty blunt and outspoken but she wasn't rude or obnoxious in any way. She was thoughtful and kind and had an awesome relationship with her parents. She almost seemed too perfect in the beginning, but later we saw more of her flaws. But those few flaws are what made her more real for me.
All the other characters were great as well, from her friend Daniel who could 'sense' things, to the cute Rafe who Maya might just like as more than a friend, to the other kids in the town (very teeny town) that had their own little roles, they were all terrific. Oh, and I loved that Maya had parents that worried about her and were there. Maya had some great banter with them and I really liked their part in the book.
The setting of the book definitely brought it up another notch for me. Vancouver Island is GORGEOUS and it actually played a large part in the book. Just the forest and wildlife around. While some might not think it's a big deal, the setting really plays a big part for me and this setting was idea, and fit the story perfect.
While I had somewhat of an idea of the paranormal aspect of the book I didn't really know much and found myself guessing through the whole book about what might be going on. It was kind of an awesome mystery. By the end we've got some answers, but plenty more left to be answered in the next books.
This is an awesome start to a series and I highly recommend you to pick it up!

I read this book for the first time right when it came out in 2011 because I'd just finished reading The Darkest Powers trilogy by the same author (check it out!!) and I was in love with all the characters. When I read this one two years ago, set in the same world about teen protagonists struggling with supernatural powers, I wasn't as in love for some reason. Looking back on it, I think I was too attached to the old characters from the previous trilogy and hadn't had enough time to take a breather and move on from Chloe and Derek. So I decided to give The Gathering another shot (guilty confession: it was mostly because I heard that Chloe and Derek would be back in the third book, The Rising, which has just been published). Good thing I did, because the second time I read this book, it just blew me away! I was in shock by how quickly I flew through it. I am so in love with Maya, Rafe, and Daniel, that it just ugh.

I think, on one hand I could relate more personally to Chloe because she was more in tune with what I would have done in similar situations, and also because she was extremely nice and likeable. Maya, on the other hand, is a lot more driven, confident, and aggressive, all good things too! But the author is also able to portray her faults, like Maya never giving anyone a second chance, or jumping to conclusions about someone. I couldn't really relate to her love of nature, mostly because I'm not an out-doorsy person. But this time through I could really connect with her because everything seemed more vivid and drawn out. I could smell the British Columbian forests and just picture those beautiful purple mountains in the distance.

That's another thing that I'm so proud of in this book: it's set in Canada! WOOH! Not Oregon, not Alaska, but British Columbia, more specifically, Vancouver Island. I guess it works, because Canada is typically described as this really rural, wilderness setting, and Maya lives in the smallest town ever in the middle of the forest. But then Kelley takes you into Nanaimo and Vancouver! Hellsya! I even thought it was funny when instead of Daniel having a deep fried Mars bar, he had a deep fried Areo (Canadian Nestlé brand) bar instead (which I'm not sure how that would work because Aero is pretty different from a Mars bar, but it's all good). Represent.

I love Kelley and her romance. She takes you one way, and then whips you around another direction. She sets characters up to not understand one another and constantly clash, and then something clicks, but it's not all fun and games and constant getting along. The romance is real: it has its cute moments, steamy moments, and fighting moments. And then Kelley throws you for another loop, and the character is left questioning everything all over again.

The only thing I didn't like about this book was that Maya was a skin-walker. While I understand it would sound cool to turn into an animal, I've never wanted that ability. I've always thought it would be weird, having to strip down, change into some strange beast, ramble around, and then change back, find your clothes, and hope no one sees you naked. Plus there's the whole bestiality thing that's always at the back of my mind. If someone is attracted to a skin-walker, are they still attracted to them when they turn into an animal? I dunno, it just weirds me out. But that's a really particular preference of mine. No shape-shifting for me.

As the first book in the trilogy, this one does a really amazing job of building the characters and the mysteries surrounding their small town. I loved the romance, I love all the characters, and I can't wait to find out about the other characters' powers.

After a suspicious forest fire in her small hometown of Salmon Creek, Maya Delaney and her friends are being evacuated by helicopter when it goes down and they are on their own in the wilderness. This on its own would not be a big problem for Maya, who is comfortable in the forest; even more so lately, since she found out she is a skin walker and will have the ability to transform into a cougar one day. What is a challenge for her is the conflicting information about the research company that runs her small town and not knowing who is out to harm her for her supernatural abilities and who she can trust.

This was an interesting book in this trilogy, still set in the natural beauty of Vancouver Island. More information is given about the background of the research being done that Maya and her friends were unknowlingly a part of. There are a few tie ins to the Darkest Powers series, but it's not necessary to have read that one first. I really enjoy the character of Maya, who is a good role model for younger readers. She's a strong female lead, who is still kind and has close ties with her parents. There is more action in this novel than the first in The Gathering, as the secrets and lies are being uncovered. The third book promises to be exciting and hopefully will wrap up all the loose ends.

I read this entire series so quickly that I don't even remember when the story in The Calling began and where it ended. Kelley Armstrong's writing is so fluid and stream-lined through out her series that it's so easy to read them in quick succession.

I do think it's slightly a problem if I can't remember what happened in this book. I had to quickly skim through it before I wrote this review so that I'd remember most of the details. As a second book, this one's no Twin Towers. It falls short of the first and the third, but it's still really enjoyable. For me, the characters were flatter. The growth that was in the first book was kind of at a stand-still for me in the second book, but this one was more focussed on the story and the characters trying to figure out their powers, how to use them, and figure out what they're supposed to do. It's kind of a quest situation: get back home after being flown away from a giant forest fire, only to find out that their identities have been erased by the company running their town, and that a mysterious rival company is trying to kidnap them.

Daniel finds out he's a benedanti and that St. Clouds, the medical company running their old town, is trying to resurrect extinct supernatural species. I really liked this concept because these abilities are totally different than anything in any other paranormal/supernatural book I've read so far in the genre. The author takes everything one step further, amps up the suspense, mystery, and the weirdness. Maya is also able to explore her abilities more as a skin-walker. We also hear them mentioning the old cast from The Darkest Powers trilogy. My heart jumped out of my chest when I read that they were going to look for these characters. I miss Chloe and Derek so much!!

Oooh and they're still in Canada! Woot woot!

These characters are also insanely good at getting out of sticky situations. They're really determined and headstrong. They make lots of mistakes, but they're able to fix them and move on, which I like. However, it didn't feel like much happened in this book other than them trying to find their way home and being captured a bunch of times. While it was exciting while I read it, in retrospect I wish there was something that Kelley could have added to make this book more unique from the first and third books in this trilogy. Plus there definitely wasn't enough romance in this one!

Summery:

Maya and her friends where forced to leave town when a forest fire gets dangerously close. As time goes on they realize they aren't safe and end up in an accident where the helicopter they were traveling in crashes. Soon enough secrets are being revealed and now they kids are stranded in the wilderness of Vancouver Island. They are on the run and are being chased by what seems like two different groups of people who are after them. Now they must work together and use their new powers to help them get home.

My Say

I thought this book was great. There was chases, kidnapping, deaths that just kept everything interesting and I needed to know what happens next. I liked that I got to know who was what and what power did they have. The only person that wasn't revealed of what he was. I like that Maya is a leader and even if at some points she could've ran away and saved herself she kept going back to help her friends in time of need. I liked that she was smart and a quick thinking and help saved their buts and help her friends survive in the woods. When her friends where complaining about everything and when they were hurt shed help them no question about it.

When it comes to my rating in order for it to have 5 stars It must have action, suspense, a bit of secrets being revealed and humor, in some cases a decent love story and even thought I hate to say it cliffhanger. There was a bit of everything in here to keep me wanting more and not want to finish till its through.

I've been noticing other reviews on this book that many Kelley Armstrong fans didn't like it so much because it's already been done before. I haven't read her first trilogy I mean I read the first book a while ago like when it first came out, I think it was the start of my interest of supernatural books. Anyways it's been years and a bazillion books later so I don't remember to compare if its already been done. I don't usually find that much of a problem when it comes to stories like this, I find that a lot of YA supernatural books have pretty much the same plot but they just spice it up to make it a bit different from the rest. Its not a problem for me, maybe some of you other readers out there will have the same problem with this.

I was nearly jumping for joy when the library told me they had this audio book for me. I had a copy of this audio book but apparently it was missing the last CD which made it an ultimate cliffhanger and I had to wait a couple of days to finish this book. Thank goddess no cliffhanger like the first book. So I can handle reading a couple different books before I read the next. If there was a cliff hanger I'm pretty sure I would've rushed to the nearest bookstore to get it.

I'll give this book one thing: More things actually happened than the first one.

This book starts off right off the bat with Maya and her friends getting kidnapped after they've boarded a helicopter, straight after the forest fire that took place at the end of the first book. The one they believe was set on purpose. After the helicopter crashes, Maya and company find themselves in the wilds of Vancouver Island trying to find information and a way back home.

(I couldn't remember pretty much all of the characters and what was going on at the beginning by the way, I guess The Gathering didn't leave that much of an impression in my brain.)

I'm really not sure what my thoughts are after finishing this book. Mostly relived that it's over and I can stop reading about them walking through the forest and conveniently overhearing the baddies talking about the kind of stuff they need to know about. Like what they are, who is chasing them, why they are chasing them, etc etc. But still, strangely more enjoyable than the first one. There was more action and more discovering.

But it mostly felt like the author just took the bases from her Darkest Powers series and changed the characters and the setting. Really, there wasn't much difference besides that. Group of supernatural kids gets kidnapped by shady organization, goes on the run, fails at getting help from any adults, gets information about what is going on, confront a lackey who mentions that they are just kids, somehow runs into random danger along the way that could have been EASILY avoided, blah blah blah.

The main difference here was that I could not connect to these characters or be excited or worried at all during their plight. I mean I really, really loved the Darkest Powers series by Armstrong. I thought it was massively epic and I loved everything about it, including the characters! That could be just because necromancers and werewolves were more interesting to me maybe? Not sure! I did feel like I should love Maya though. I mean comeon, she totally digs animals and is literally part cat! The parts where she transformed into a cougar? Awesome. But no matter how much I wanted to like her, I just couldn't. I really can't even explain it, besides the tons of self-righteousness and mary sue ways they all had. (Mostly Daniel. He isn't that great!) And Rafe was such a bad boy clichè, down to his "crooked smile" and leather boots.

Oh and were we REALLY supposed to believe that the misfortune of a character was actually legit? Please. I saw that from a mile away.

This book didn't have much plot development either as I could tell. It seemed like everything they learned, (which gave me total déjà vu) was just leading up to the final book. What is up with trilogies nowadays? Books can't be themselves, a book? They have to only be there to build up to the final one? Why not just combine them all and save us all the time and save some trees the paper. =_=

I give props on the new supernaturals not seen in the series before though. But were they just pulled out of no-where and then shoved into the universe? The world may never know.

What I must say is that I love how the series is connected to the Darkest Powers. LOVE THAT. I didn't feel that the last one of that series was the end. It was kind of an open end and I am really glad to see that we get to hear of the events from a different perspective. And I really hope Chloe and Derek will make an appearance in the next installment! (Along with a really epic ending please so I can say that this trilogy wasn't just all filler.)

But check this book out if you are into Kelley Armstrong's Darkest Powers series or just shape-shifters in general for some new characters and supernaturals and hopefully you'll like it more than I did!

The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong
4 of 5 stars
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Supernatural, Romance, Shapeshifters,
Pages: 359

Summery

Everything in Maya's life was perfectly normal until her 16th birthday came around. Now Cougars seem to cross paths with her more often. Then there was a strange encounter with a seemingly senile old women. And the strange fainting spells and visions she seems to be having. Adding everything up with the help of a new student and love interest, Rafe, she learns things the never new about herself and begins to question everything This also raises questions on why her late best friend, who was a swim captain, had a freak accident and drowned.

My Say

This book was interesting enough that I managed to read this book within 24 hours wondering what was gonna happen and was left with a cliffhanger in the end. Goddess I hate cliffhangers >_< .

As you can see from the summery the book has the same premise as most YA books so you got the idea of how the book is. Girl living a totally normal life until the new hot guy comes into the picture, girl possibly hates the guy then learned the guy is misunderstood and falling for the guy. Then strange things started to happen and find out some life altering information about themselves.

I for the most part thought the book was good, I wish there was more conflict going on to keep me interested. The pace for the book was pretty low which is a problem for me. The story felt like I've read it many other times before. Despite that, I think the book was interesting enough and hope that the next book surprises me. I found the characters very likable and the main character Maya funny at some points where I couldn't keep my laughter to myself with her little comments that she would say. I would've liked to know more about what was going on with the project, or about her heritage, or what happened to Serena. I don't expect any of it to just be answered in the first book but at least give us a bit to go on, solve at least one of the questions that many may ask of this book.

Overall I enjoyed the book even if its a cliche and look forward to the next book hopefully some of the questions I want answers will be done in the next book.

This book really surprised me. I mean, I figured it would pick up right after The Gathering left off, and I figured Maya would really have to start using her Skin Walker powers. But I didn't expect it to be such a thrill ride, or for it to be so fast-paced.

I really enjoyed how quickly this book moved along. There was enough detail to know what was going on, but it wasn't so much that you get lost in unimportant things. The kids are running for their lives, and reading this book kind of felt like you were running right along with them. And the fact that it only takes place over a couple of days really helps, I think. There are no jumps in time, and there aren't any gaps that need explaining. Some questions from The Gathering are answered, but there are more questions raised that I assume will be answered in the next book, so things never really get very dull.

The characters are all really nicely developed throughout the course of the book as well. None of the minor characters are there without a reason, and each one of them helps Maya to come to terms with her powers and herself. I also really enjoy how nobody just makes a decision and everyone agrees with it. Someone always has a counterargument, and they discuss every plan and take a vote. The kids act as equals instead of just blindly following one or two people. You also get to learn more about each person and what makes them do the things they do, and why their families have been asked to live in Salmon Creek. Plus, there are a few new characters introduced, and they do not disappoint either.

I do wish we could have seen more of Rafe, but I guess that would have removed one of the major conflicts. So I guess it worked out alright. He's grown on me though, and I really hope we get to see more of him in the next installment. And Annie too. They're the only characters that have been around since the beginning that I really don't feel like I know very much about.

Overall, I think I enjoyed The Calling more than I enjoyed The Gathering. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who has read The Gathering, and I would recommend the series to anyone who is interested in supernatural YA books, especially ones that are set in this world. Plus, if you like a little bit of mystery and romance, you would probably enjoy these books. 3/5 to this one, but I'm excited to find out how Maya's story ends!

Armstrong continues her candid representation of teens in the second book of her Darkness rising series. I'm reading this along with my preteen daughter, and it gives us opportunities to talk about alcohol, sex, hard choices, and our values. I can't appreciate enough that Armstrong abandons the YA trope: "must represent teens as pure and wholesome children to encourage them to behave better in real life." Instead, she gives them characters they can identify with.

My daughter and I enjoyed the first book, though it had some slower bits. This book is action packed with a plot that unfolds in tantalizing bits. Maya continues to be a strong female lead, and Armstrong deepens the portrayal of all the characters. Even the villains are not painted one dimensionally as good/evil. Everyone has complicated motivations, and Maya has trouble figuring all of them out. There's some coming of age and some self-discovery in this novel that gives my daughter and I even more to discuss.

If you are looking at this book for a youth, you should know that both kids and adults in the book drink beer. Additionally, the teens undress in front of each other, regardless of gender. One of the girls is a lesbian. There is plenty of heavy kissing and making out. A male and female character share a bed, both dressed. I was pleased and happy to discuss all these things with my preteen daughter, but if you've never discussed anything like this with your youth, you might want to read it ahead of time, talk with them ahead of time, or read simultaneously with them to discuss the topics as they come up. Or all three. :)

I'm a huge fan of the Darkest Powers trilogy. It's a main part of the reason why I decided to start on the Darkness Rising trilogy; there's promise for the characters in Darkest Powers to re-emerge in the final book of Darkness Rising.

Admittedly, I was a little nervous I wouldn't like this trilogy as much. Sometimes when I get too involved with a set of characters the author creates, I am biased towards them and am unable to commit to the new characters as well. But there's something familiar and unfamiliarly captivating about The Gathering. Maya is a strong character who's easy to fall in love with. Though she's strong and definitely a leader, she's not perfect.

Each character we meet isn't just an echo of some counterpart in the first trilogy. There isn't an echoing of themes and events either. This is a unique and fascinating read. Armstrong, again, is able to pull us effortlessly into her world that she creates with her words. There's a sense of mystery and intrigue that weaves it's way through, just as it did for the Darkest Powers and just as effectively.

Definitely a book to pick up if you've read the previous trilogy. And if you haven't, go do it! You won't be disappointed. Armstrong takes common fantasy creatures, and throws in some unexpected and not typically explored ones as well. For any fan of fantasy/ adventure type books, this is a great choice. The presence of romance is noticeable but manageable, so it can appeal to both male and female readers.

For this review and others, check out BookMunchies.com.

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: While the novel lacks its own plot arc (Armstrong writes her trilogies as a single story) the characters are strong and memorable, and the Native Canadian mythology the series is based on is awesome.

Opening Sentence: Serena stood on the rock ledge twenty feet above the lake, singing in a voice known to bring tears to the eyes of everyone who heard it.

The Review:

Set in an isolated research community, called Salmon Creek, inside a national park on Vancouver Island, The Gathering has a setting that immediately comes to life. At the beginning of the story, Maya's recovering from the questionable death of a friend and begins to investigate with the help of her dead friend's boyfriend Daniel. As they dig deeper they begin to find less answers and more questions about their tiny, classified town. When Maya, whose affinity for animals has led her to helping the injured in the park, learns that there's more to her birthmark than she could've imagined, the story takes off fast.

I love the fact that this series is based off of Native Canadian (First Nation) mythology. It added more depth to the paranormal side of the story, knotting the shapeshifters in with folk lore. The concepts Armstrong explores had a lot of potential and she does a great job of planting intriguing seeds in this first installment. Unfortunately, she didn't stop there. Bringing in an Italian sect of secret hunters was a plot blunder, in my opinion, because they completely pulled me from the story. What were they doing in Vancouver Island? What did they have to do with native legends? But so far the Benandanti haven't been instrumentally involved and I've been able to let them slide. She uses the myth of Skin-walkers to add atmosphere to the already wild setting of Salmon Creek, building a community and characters that I loved to read about.

I'm a big fan of Rafe, Maya's sexy love-interest, because he isn't a stalker or some broody, over-protective hero. Maya's a strong woman who deals with her own problems -- she doesn't need Rafe to save her. They have a close, but healthy, relationship. And Rafe's younger, metally-disabled sister Annie helped deepen the way readers will perceive him. There were a lot of characters beyond Maya and Rafe that I grew attached to. Her parent's had some great, banter-filled scenes and I loved that Armstrong included them in the story. (Not enough parents in YA, in my honest opinion. They always get left out or stereotyped somehow.) Daniel is her protective best friend and Sam, characterized by her quick temper, is a lot more than meets the eye.

The ending was rough. While I appreciate cliffhangers as much as the next bibliophile, The Gathering doesn't have a complete plot arc. If you've read any of Kelley Armstrong's other series, you'll see this is something of a pattern. Her stories tend to be cut into three books, with one big, long plot between them. She has a great, image-evoking writing style that's fun to read, but it didn't stop me from being frustrated at the end of this novel. Upside, the sequel's out! So you won't have hang off a cliff for long.

FTC Advisory: Harper Teen provided me with a copy of The Gathering. No goody bags, sponsorships, "material connections," or bribes were exchanged for my review.

Sixteen-year-old Maya Delaney lives in the tiny, secluded town of Salmon Creek near Vancouver, Canada. Life is relatively peaceful in the wilderness park where her father is the warden. He is employed by a research company called St. Cloud, which bought up the 1,000 acres of land surrounding the research facility, and built Salmon Creek for the employees and their families. Everyone knows each other; when only 200 people live in a small place, it can't be helped. So the entire town mourned when Maya's friend, Serena, died inexplicably.

How can one explain the captain of the swim team drowning in a lake? Maya was there and she doesn't understand. One minute Serena was laughing and teasing, the next it's like she was yanked under the surface. Maya tried to help, but she isn't the best swimmer in the world. Her good friend, Daniel, arrived and pulled her to shore, but it was too late for Serena.

There are a lot of other unexplainable things in Maya's world, like her birth parents. Maya looks Native American, but beyond that, she knows nothing of her origins. She also has a strange connection with the wild animals and a curious ability to heal them. Surely none of it has anything to do with the paw print-shaped birthmark on her hip.

Things start heating up when the handsome new student Rafe shows an interest in Maya. She pushes him away at first, suspicious of his tactics. But when he reveals a vulnerable side, she can't help but fall for him. However, not everything is as it seems with Rafe. Soon after, a pushy reporter arrives, asking everyone prying questions, and the townsfolk suspect she's spying on the research facility. That's about the time when lots of surprising secrets start surfacing, both old and new, and Maya has to face the shocking truth of who she really is.

Bestselling author Kelley Armstrong delivers a new mesmerizing trilogy with THE GATHERING. The first thing that caught my attention is Maya's strong connection to the wilderness and its animals. Armstrong herself must have a great respect for nature for it to shine so brightly through her writing. A likable character, Maya is easygoing, friendly, and very solid and secure. Her special friendship with Daniel is heartwarming and reassuring, as is her mutually respectful relationship with her parents. Maya isn't perfect, though; she has a difficult time forgiving others, especially herself.

Armstrong cleverly takes her fantasy/thriller in a unique direction by delving into some Native American legends, inviting mystery from the Native cultures. THE GATHERING is an intriguing and captivating journey, sweetened with friendships and romance, and spiced with danger and excitement. Fans will be impatiently awaiting Book Two, THE CALLING, expected in April 2012.

--- Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman

I thought that The Gathering was an all-around good read. I found that it started off a bit on the slower side (after the prologue, which was quite intense) and, if you didn't read the synopsis, you would have no clue where it was heading. The novel begins with a bang and ends with a bang of a cliff hanger. The story is about a girl named Maya, who lives in a very small town of about 200 people. Strange things keep happening around her and to her body that she tries not to think anything of. But, once she starts digging into them, she finds out some very unexpected things. I don't want to give away too much if you don't know anything about this book, so I'll stop there with details about the story.

I loved the characters. They were extremely likeable and easy to connect with. Maya is a very loveable character and I enjoyed being taken through her journey. Maya's best friend, Daniel, is a very endearing guy. Daniel and Maya grew up together and are platonic friends...no love story with them, which I liked. Daniel is a tough guy, who has issues in his home life that we are privy to seeing a peek into. He is very protective of Maya, but only views her as a friend, which is endearing. Rafe, Maya's love interest, is also likeable. But, also a bit frustrating and confusing at times (as is the norm in a lot of YA romance stories). But, as the story goes on, we learn about him and his secrets and the reader grows to love him.

The writing was good. Experienced and captivating. Not so much so that I couldn't put down the book, but enough so that I wanted to keep reading and when I was reading, I was enveloped in the story.

I would definitely recommend this book to any YA fans out there. It was good and I am looking forward to reading the second book in the series, The Calling.

I'm a huge fan of Kelley Armstrong's The Darkest Powers series, but I have to say that I loved The Gathering even more! I especially loved the fact that it was set in Canada (being Canadian and all!), which is something that I don't see very often in the YA books that I read, so that was just the cherry on top of this awesome read!

Maya was a really awesome character, someone who I could see myself being friends with, which was really nice. She was quite a feisty girl, definitely had some spunk, and I really liked that about her. She was brave, most definitely not afraid to speak her mind and stand up for herself, which is an attribute that I really value in a character! I thought that she was so mature and I was really impressed with how she dealt with some hard situations and was able to keep herself composed. Overall, I thought Maya was such a strong and intelligent girl and she pretty much embodied everything that I love in a main character!

I also really liked the character Rafe! I have such a weakness for the bad boy character, even more so when the bad boy is such a sweetheart underneath their persona, and Rafe was just that type of bad boy. At the beginning of the book, he seemed like such a player, quite cocky and full of himself, but as we got to know him better, we really saw a different side of him, a much softer, more vulnerable side of him and I really liked that!

The plot of this book was quite interesting and different! It had a little bit of mystery, a touch of romance, and some supernatural elements to it! I loved the way that Kelley Armstrong blended it all together to create this great and unique story! I really loved that the plot kept me guessing what was going to happen next, that I wasn't able to predict everthing. This book definitely kept me reading and I finished it quite fast! It was such an easy read and Kelley Armstrong's writing is awesome and just flows so well!

I would really recommend checking out The Gathering if you are a fan of Kelley Armstrong's The Darkest Powers series, or if you are just a fan of YA paranormal romance novels in general, as I am! This book had great, easy to connect with characters, an awesome, intriguing plot and lovely writing! I'm really looking forward to reading the sequel to this great book, especially after the huge cliffhanger that we were left with! I think that Kelley Armstrong has yet another great series on her hands!

What else can I say about Kelley Armstrong's books that I haven't already said? So far, I have enjoyed every single one of her YA novels and have been compelled to pick up her adult novels as a result. The Calling has continued what The Gathering started with its absorbing writing and riveting plot. As The Calling literally picks up right where The Gathering left off, it almost feels as though I'm writing a second review of the latter. Since I read them back-to-back, I was treated to a seamless storyline that just kept getting better and better.

We really get to see Maya in her element in The Calling. As she and her friends wander through the wilderness, it is Maya who takes on a strong leadership role. Her talents with all things nature are brought to the forefront and Maya really stands out as a result. While the others struggle with their situation, Maya keeps her head together, showing just how strong and resourceful she is. I could easily have continued following her story had the third book been available right then and there.

The plot became even more intriguing in The Calling, which I didn't think was possible. There are even more revelations about the goings on in Maya's town, as well as its citizens, each more intriguing than the one before. The element of danger is quite tangible and the urgency of escape is understandable. The revelation of certain characters' true personalities and intent was so very shocking and I loved the layers it added to the story. Overall, I was absolutely thrilled by the storyline and can't wait for the culmination of the series, just so I can know what happens to all of the characters I have become so interested in.

I can't express enough how much I have enjoyed the Darkness Rising series so far. I enjoyed The Gathering immensely, but The Calling was even better with its increase in action, plot revelations, and character development. The setting is near flawless and makes for an even more riveting story. If you want a series with strong characters, paranormal elements, and non-stop action, you definitely need to pick this one up. The Calling, as a middle novel, won't let you down in the least.

This review originally appeared on my blog, Starting the Next Chapter, on April 26, 2012.

After sitting in my Nook for almost a year, I finally sat down to read The Gathering. Having enjoyed Kelley Armstrong's Darkest Powers trilogy, I was glad to finally have carved out the time to read this, the first book in the Darkness Rising trilogy. Upon finishing, I was left feeling unsure as to whether I was mad at myself for waiting so long, or glad that I had waited until the second book came out. I simply couldn't stop reading and was reminded exactly why I loved the Darkest Powers series so very much.

I adored Maya from the very start. Her banter with her dad cracked me up more than once and the way she was when with her animal rehabilitation patients was inspiring. She doesn't put up with much nonsense and she's a very self-sufficient character. Daniel is a great friend to her and Rafe has a certain knack for keeping everyone guessing. I thoroughly enjoyed the ways in which the various characters were written and couldn't get enough once I became fully immersed in their story.

While the bulk of the action didn't occur until a few chapters from the end, I found that I didn't mind at all. There was more than enough going on with Maya's discoveries, as well as the development of a relationship between Maya and Rafe. The plot flowed very well and did a great job at holding my interest. The setting, however, really did it for me. I loved reading all about the forest in which Maya lives and spends her time. I have no complaints whatsoever in regard to the way the story was constructed. It was simply too engaging!

Though I waited a year to read The Gathering, the same can't be said of The Calling. When I finished reading The Gathering, I did not want to stop reading. In fact, I connected my Nook to a Wi-fi signal right then and there and started reading The Calling immediately. This book should be enjoyed with the understanding that you are likely going to want to read it all in one setting, so prepare yourself. If you enjoyed Kelley Armstrong's Darkest Powers trilogy, you'll definitely want to read The Gathering straight away.

This review originally appeared on my blog, Starting the Next Chapter, on April 17, 2012.

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: The second installment of the Darkness Rising trilogy moves the plot forward when Maya and her friends escape from the people trying to hunt them down, but not much additional information is added to what we already know about the characters and their situation.

Opening Sentence: I don't know who was more anxious--Daniel or Kenjii--but they weren't making this emergency helicopter evacuation any easier.

The Review:

I have to start off saying I love Kelley Armstrong's novels no matter what, The Calling included. She keeps readers hanging on until the last page hoping for more juicy secrets about the characters and the people trying to take control of them. I felt like The Calling was more of a filler novel between the two larger events taking place in Book 1 and Book 3 since action did take place, the novel did move forward, but not a lot of new information was gained overall. Being a long time reader of Armstrong's novels, I am pretty familiar with the background information already, and wanted to know more about the characters introduced in the first book, especially since they seem to be new types of supernaturals. Not a lot is revealed in this novel, which was kind of depressing, but it makes me that much more excited to read the final installment, The Rising, next April.

The novel starts at the same place The Gathering ended, in a helicopter flying away from a forest fire and the small town of Salmon Creek. Maya and her friends soon realize the people in charge of rescuing them are in fact trying to kidnap them. The teens react by saving themselves, but the helicopter crashes, leaving them stranded and the adults dead. It is up to them to make their way back to safety while also avoiding abduction by two different groups of people, a supposed rescue group including a member of Maya's family and the St. Clouds, a corporate supernatural family in charge of genetically mutating the teens to begin with. Unable to trust anyone, not even really each other, the group of teens try their best to make it to safety without all of them being put into their pursuer's custody.

Though not a lot of new supernatural information is revealed, the characters and their relationships do evolve. Maya and Rafe still find each other irresistible, but we learn where Rafe's true loyalties lie, though Maya does not fault him for it. Daniel and Maya talk more about Serena and her death, and how they are coping over a year after her mysterious drowning. An unexpected revelation about one of the other characters involved made me interested in rereading The Gathering to see if I could see any signs of the character's true nature. Of course, I am not going to tell you who I am talking about; otherwise it would give away the surprise. Maya and her friends learn more about each other and become closer as they run for their lives through Canadian wilderness.

Though we do not find out a lot of new information, Maya learns more about what it means to have the skinwalker gene. I love how Armstrong writes about her characters when they take other forms since it feels so true to the animal she portrays, but it is still obviously the character we know and love. Honestly, it makes me want the ability to change into an animal just to experience being me but in an entirely different body. Overall, I enjoyed the novel, and so will anyone else who has read any of Kelley's books or enjoys a fast paced, supernatural thrill ride about the lives, futures, and freedom of characters written so well, I sometimes forget I am reading a book.

FTC Advisory: Harper Teen provided me with a copy of The Calling. No goody bags, sponsorships, "material connections," or bribes were exchanged for my review.

Borrowed from a friend! ** spoiler alert ** What can I say? I absolutely cannot get enough of Kelley Armstrong's writing. I've read all of her YA books that are out right now and I've loved every single one! Including this one. I'm still debating weather I like this Trilogy or The Darkest Powers Trilogy more. I'll figure it out after I read the last book. The Calling is a companion novel to her first in the trilogy The Gathering. It's about a girl named Maya who has a strong passion for animals and lets just say her passion for animals turns into something much more in this book.

Maya is such a strong character. I can't imagine going through what she goes through. First of all being adopted and then knowing there's something different about her and a few friends she just can't figure out what. She loses some friends and her boyfriend well she thinks she loses him, and she's still not out of the woods even by the end of the book. It's Maya's character that really keeps me going. Even though she's gone through all this she still keeps pushing through to save the ones she loves.

Daniel who is Mayas best friend is also really awesome. He's basically my dream guy friend because no matter what he's always there for Maya keeping her safe and sane for that matter. He won't let her get in harms way no matter what is happening. Part of me kind of wanted them to be together but I decided against it because I didn't want anything to happen to their friendship.

Lastly there's Rafe. Oh my god Rafe! He is my absolute favorite guy character even though I don't always agree with the things he does. I'm sorry for the spoilers guys but when he let go off Mayas hands on that helicopter my heart sank and it wasn't a good feeling, so you can imagine when they got home and Rafe came walking out of the woods I squealed with joy and I even hugged my cat until she scratched me! Just goes to show you how much I love my characters.
Anyways I give The Calling 5 out of 5 stars because I couldn't put the book down no matter how tired I was I had to keep reading! I mean really it's 2 am and instead of sleeping I'm writing this review because I don't want to forget a single detail. I can't wait for more of Kelley's writing because she is absolutely fabulous when it comes to writing!

My biggest complaint about the first book in this series, "The Gathering", was that I found that as readers we were told very little about what the paranormal element actually was- I felt that we had to go out of our way to learn more about it- I personally read everything that I could get my hands on about this series through Tweets, blog posts, etc. (had I just picked this series up without ever having read any of Kelley's books before I would never have guessed that these books involved genetic manipulation on paranormal teens- I would have thought that it involved the Otherworld, Shamanism, or something of that nature). However, I didn't find that with this book whatsoever, I felt that we actually learned things in about the genetic manipulation aspect of this book (albeit not as much as we had in her "Darkest Powers" series, but still, some is better than none IMO)- furthermore, Kelley didn't answer questions with more questions in this book like I felt that she did in "The Gathering".

Additionally, I really enjoyed that there was a greater emphasis on the secondary characters in this book and that they actually impacted the storyline- rather than just being there for the sake of being there (like the annoying mindless best friend or the socially inept quiet boy who hovers in the background that seems so prevalent in the world of YA). In fact, Corey is really starting to grow on me, I feel like he brings a lot of much needed humour to the book. Not to mention I am entirely intrigued by what sort of paranormal beings they all are (I can't believe that it still hasn't been confirmed when there is only one more book left in the series!).

However, at times I did find myself grow frustrated by one seemingly impossible situation after another (I couldn't help but think to myself, "Don't these kids *ever* get a break?)- from a helicopter crash, to near drownings, to being shot at numerous times to the likes of. But then as I thought about it, all of Kelley's books read similarly- having character after character thrown through various, seemingly impossible situations, is her "thing". If it really bothered me (RE: not superficially bothered me), I probably wouldn't have invested the time in reading all of her "Women of the Otherworld" and "Darkest Powers" books.

All in all, I am extremely glad that I continued on with this series- I think that it was better in almost way than its predecessor- I can't wait to see what happens with the gang next in the final book in this series, "The Rising"!

Armstrong did it again with this book. The Calling begins right where The Gathering left off, and the entire novel is constant suspense and adventure. We get to learn so much more about Maya's world, right along side with her. It turns out that Maya's not the only super-human on the island. All of her friends have some sort of power, and while we don't learn what all of their powers are yet, we do learn about Sam and Daniel. They are a new breed of supernatural that Armstrong has never worked with before, and I really like that they are unique. I love paranormal books, but sometimes I do get tired of the same three types of paranormals over and over again. Armstrong is never afraid to work outside the box, and it's one of the reasons she's such a terrific author.

Maya grows a lot as a character in this book. She realizes that she's not the best judge of others' intentions, and she's in the process of learning to work within her boundaries. From the misjudgments she's had, I'd say she'd be better off just ignoring her "gut feeling" all together and asking Daniel what he thinks. She made some pretty big boo boo's. However, that's how characters grow, and I'm sure that she'll improve on her ability to judge others in the next novel. She also becomes a stronger character because she finds out some really drastic things, such as what really killed Serena and why. Along with these revelations, she also has to learn to make difficult decisions. By the end of the novel, Maya has toughened up a lot. I can't wait to see what happens to her in the next book.

Daniel grows quite a bit, too. He becomes more honest with Maya, and it's obvious how much he cares about her. I don't think Maya realizes how he feels about her, and I certainly don't think she's aware of how important he is to her. I hope she loves him, at least, because I really like them together. I mean Rafe is fine and everything, but I just like the dynamic between Maya and Daniel much better. I also like that they've been best friends their entire lives. I hope something good comes from that. We'll see which direction Armstrong decides to take it. I won't be disappointed if Maya chooses Rafe, but I'd rather she choose Daniel.

The plot is super suspenseful. The entire novel consists of them trying to find their way through the forest on Vancouver Island in order to escape not just the St. Clouds, but also another enemy. These poor kids just don't stand a chance. There is a lot of action and adventure going on throughout the entire book, and the pacing is spot on. It's a super fast read. The entire novel took me maybe four to five hours to complete because it was just so intense. It's the perfect follow-up to The Gathering.

In an effort not to spoil The Calling for anyone, I'm going to end my review here. I really loved this novel, and I can't wait until the next book comes out. I'd recommend this book to anyone because Armstrong's work is amazing. There's a lot of action, a little bit of romance, and a ton of promise for the final book in the trilogy. Read The Gathering and The Calling ASAP! You won't be sorry!

Maya and her friends have escaped the raging forest fire threatening their homes, but the helicopter rescue isn't going very well. First, the pilot heads off course and blacks out. Sam jumps on the controls, barely managing to keep them in the air, but a combination of the radical ride and an accidental door opening causes Rafe to fall. Maya manages to get a hold of his hands as Daniel grabs Maya's feet, but now all three are slipping. Rafe performs the selfless act of letting go to save his friends, and he falls away as the others watch in horror.

Sam is able to crash land the helicopter, but not without casualties. Both the pilot and the mayor are dead, but the six remaining teens and Maya's dog, Kenjii, manage to swim to shore. Now they are on the run in the Canadian wilderness and finally learning more about the why. They've discovered that their entire lives have been part of a huge experiment to reactivate extinct genes for supernatural powers. Maya's paw print birthmark on her hip brands her as a skin-walker, the same as Rafe and his sister, Annie. Skin-walkers can transform into mountain lions, and Annie has already done so, but she is slowly losing herself in the wild animal. Maya is only beginning the process, and a part of her dreads that she too will disappear. But for now, Maya and her friends must concentrate on staying out of the scientists' hands and finding their parents, who, unfortunately, believe them to be dead.

As they survive hunger, thirst, injuries and pursuit, they slowly make their way through the wilderness back to their small town. Along the way, they share many heart-to-heart talks and uncover startling secrets, like some of their other supernatural powers and who may be responsible for the death of their friend a year earlier. They barely make it back to their homes only to find the entire town completely deserted. To make matters a bit more complicated, Maya, the skin-walker, completes her first full transformation into a wild mountain lion.

THE CALLING is the middle volume in Kelley Armstrong's Darkness Rising trilogy. Her intriguing idea of scientists reactivating extinct genes for supernatural powers pulls readers into a fantasy thrill ride. The story immediately picks up where THE GATHERING left off and begins answering a few compelling questions that have been plaguing both the characters and fans alike...and introduces even more curious anomalies. Armstrong has woven in some worthwhile messages --- such as the desperate need to avoid judging others based on culture, sexual orientation, and even a person's choices, etc. --- that will hit home to everyone and really make you think.

The nonstop action, fantasy twists, compelling mysteries, sizzling romance, and Armstrong's obvious love and respect of nature help make this a winning series. Fans will be waiting breathlessly for the trilogy's conclusion.

Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman on May 31, 2012

Second in the Darkness Rising urban fantasy series for young adults revolving around the St. Cloud cabal's townful of experiments in Salmon Creek on Vancouver Island.

In The Gathering (Darkness Rising, #1), Armstrong dropped the bomb which tied Salmon Creek with the events and characters in the Darkest Powers series (be sure to read The Summoning (Darkest Powers, #1),The Awakening (Darkest Powers, #2), and then The Reckoning (Darkest Powers, #3) before starting this series--if you're OCD like me about the chronology. It isn't necessary to read it, but you'll experience a bit more fear if you do!

My Take
I just love what Armstrong does with her series for young adults. She's not condescending to her readers, instead she simply writes a good story with tension and drama and a good dose of excitement. This particular story simply tidies up what flared up at the end of The Gathering, although Armstrong still has us wondering at the end of The Calling. This has more the feel of a bridge novel and, I hope, will make the connection in The Rising when it's published, hopefully, in 2013.

It's an amazing journey and one on which the kids learn a great deal about each other, themselves, and the purpose behind the people chasing them. Sharing the information they gathered and that Mina Lee steered them toward gives them something to grab onto as well as a direction.

The Story
We pick up where The Gathering left off...with the kids getting on the helicopter to escape the fire, but they're not safe yet. The bad guys are way ahead of them and when the chopper goes down, the kids escape into the woods. Where they are picked off one by one. Traps. Bait.

The Characters
Maya Delaney has discovered she's a skinwalker like Rafe and his sister Annie. She was adopted by her parents (the Delaneys) and it's her Navajo blood from which this Gift derives. Kenjii is her German shepherd. Daniel has been her friend forever--I suspect he's in love with Maya.

The rest of the kids on the chopper include Nicole, the mayor's daughter and her cousin Samantha Russo, Mayor Tillson, Hayley Morris, and Corey Carling.

The Cabals from the Women of the Otherworld series are playing and experimenting in both Darkest Powers (Nasts) and Darkness Rising (St. Clouds). Dr. Davidoff (from Darkest Powers) came to Salmon Creek annually to conduct health exams. Calvin Antone is one of the "searchers" and he claims to be Maya's real dad. With only Maya's best interests at heart. Yup. Uh-huh...I ain't believin' this either... Moreno. Penny. Dr. Inglis is the head of the lab in Salmon Creek.

The Cover
It's a beautiful cover...all dark background with a soft focus closeup of Maya's face. Her absolutely gorgeous face with its thoughtful look.

I can think of several interpretations of the title. The Calling could be the enemy that set the forest fire in Salmon Creek, the need the kids have to stay together, and/or Maya's attraction to Rafe.

There are a couple of paranormal/urban fantasy writers that I perhaps enjoy as much as Armstrong, but none that I enjoy more. Her two YA trilogies, Darkness Rising (of which The Calling is the second volume) and Darkest Powers are both spinoffs from her Otherworld series, and I suspect both will make more sense if one is first familiar with Otherworld. Although Otherworld is written for adults, it is certainly readable by younger readers, and doesn't have an objectionable amount of either gore, like, for example, Anita Blake, or erotica, like Meridith Gentry (both being fine series from a favorite author, but not works I refer younger readers to). I personally prefer Armstrong's Darkness Rising to her Darkest Powers, but I see that other reviewers rank them differently. I like the Calling and Darkness Rising's characters; I like the mystery; I like the surprising plot twist that The Gathering starts with; I like the fact that dispite the obligatory YA fantasy plot element of discovering previously unknown supernatural powers ("You're a wizard, Harry"), learning to use these powers is only secondary to the story; and I particularly liked Maya's introspection about past mistakes, leading to emotional growth and a bit of coming of age. I didn't much like that the book ended with a cliffhanger, but that was as expected. I recommed this book and look forward to the concluding books of both this trilogy and the Otherworld series. (Although I expect that then I'll be in Armstrong withdrawls. Can we hope that then we can find out what Nadia Stafford has been up to?)

3.5/5
Read more reviews on my blog, <a herf-"[...]"> Will Read for Coffee</a>!!!

This was my first Kelly Armstrong book in a very long time. I have been wanting to read another one of her novels for a long time but for whatever reason I never got around to it. Reading The Gathering was like returning to a lost love. There is a reason that Kelley Armstrong is such a well-known author, the woman can write a story.

Being the animal lover that I am, a story of a girl who is drawn to wild animals (and vice versa) was right up my alley! Maya instantly won me over with her love of animals, her friends, and the only family she has ever known, her adopted parents.

I was also taken by the location and of the book. To me, Vancouver Island sounds like a wonderful place to live (if I wasn’t allergic to EVERYTHING that blooms). A secluded, majestic island, with its own national forest and a town where everyone is taken care of because they are all paid to live there! The best schooling, medical care, beautiful scenery and wildlife in its natural state! Sign me up! I don’t know much about science but I’ll volunteer myself as a guinea pig in the search for a cure to allergies!

So the town rocks, Maya rocks, Daniel is like the cool big bro you’ve always wanted and then there is Rafe. The bad guy with clouded past. He and his sister are new to a place that doesn’t get new people. Rafe is a player and Maya doesn’t give him the time of day. Until she sees another side to him. One that others haven’t. One that makes her think that Rafe might not be the “bad boy” everyone thinks he is. And no, there is no love triangle between Rafe, Daniel, and Maya (Thank Goodness!). Rafe sees something in Maya that he hasn’t found with any of his other flings but is that a good thing or is he using her for something? (Queue dramatic sixpence music.

With the book being place is such a “small town”, every character has their own little back story because you know if you are on an island it will be very hard to keep secretes. This makes for some really interesting secondary characters and makes you feel like they are all in this together, even if they act like they don’t want to be (cough RAFE cough).

So you might be wondering what the big deal is in this book. You will keep wondering that until about halfway through the story. True the Kelley Armstrong form, this book lays a lot of foundation for the series. Foundation is extremely important, but can get a little lagging. This is a wonderful first books that leaves you on you edge of you seat anticipating what will happen next!

Kelley Armstrong is a paranormal storytelling genius, so even though I found this book a bit slow going, I did enjoy the story and I am excited to keep reading the series. Anyone who is a fan of small town conspires and undiscovered super human abilities you will enjoy this book and the ones to follow!

The Calling by Kelley Armstrong is the second in the Darkness Rising series. Armstrong picked up right where we left off and delivered non-stop action. Filled with shape-shifters, witches and other supernatural beings this book has ensured Armstrong a place on my favorite authors list. I plan to begin her other series as well.

I strongly recommend you read The Gathering (my review), the first book in this series before attempting to read The Calling. Armstrong doesn't waste any time with back-story and you will be completely lost without it. The tale begins inside the helicopter with Maya and her friends. Maya and the others are anxious to be reunited with their parents, when they realize the helicopter isn't traveling in the right direction and that the mayor is unconscious. When Daniel confronts the pilot, things quickly go from bad to worse, as the helicopter spins out of control and crashes. The tale that unfolds is action-packed as the kids attempt to escape and find their parents. While most of the plot advancement occurs in the last part of the book, we do see a lot of character growth and get a better understanding of the town and the kids. The ending sets us up for the final book in this trilogy and left me eager to read more.

Maya and Daniel quickly establish themselves as leaders of the group. The kids begin to understand that they are different and that their little town of two hundred is anything but boring. Armstrong gives us conspiracies, secret agencies and a possible psycho-path among the teens. I found myself completely enthralled by the plot. Rafe and Maya's romance develops further and felt genuine. Daniel begins to believe that he has abilities, and admits to having used them. He is like the mother-hen of the group and whether it's because of his ability or not...the rest look to him for all the answers. Despite the circumstances they found themselves in, I was impressed with the way these kids kept it together. The growth in Maya was wonderful. In the first novel her moral compass was strictly black and white, and I found her at times to be very judgmental and unforgiving. In this novel we get a closer look at the other characters and Maya begins to understand them better. This isn't to say that she still didn't annoy me, but by the end of the novel she is able to rationalize better and think things through. In The Gathering, Maya experienced dreams of running in the wild, and felt like she communicated with animals. In The Calling, she shifts and it was neat to see how she handled this. Maya is fearless and protects those around her. She is confronted by a person from her past, and isn't sure how to handle it. I really liked Corey. He is a funny, quirky and flawed character who made things interesting. I am really anxious to see everyone's ability develop and see how they work as a team in the final installment.

The plot Armstrong brings us in The Calling is extremely intense. The kids are involved in one life or death situation after another. Armstrong makes all of it believable and kept me engaged. She has created a situation with multiple threats, and left even me the reader unsure about whom the good guys are. She created characters with depth, and I have come to care for them all. The action packed ending has me excited for book three and wondering how things will work out.

** Minor SPOILERS from first book 'The Gathering', with spoiler-hints about 'Darkest Powers' trilogy and 'Women of the Otherworld'. You have been warned! **

In just a few weeks, Maya Delaney's entire world was turned on its head. The arrival of temptingly dangerous new boy, Rafe Martinez sent Maya's world spiralling. Her small, idyllic town of Salmon Creek was already starting to show a few cracks - after the mysterious drowning death of her best friend, Serena, Maya was already questioning a few things about Salmon Creek, and it's ties to the St. Clouds drug company that own and populate the town with researchers. Then an out-of-town snooping reporter went missing, and was later found dead.

At the same time, Maya had a run-in with an old witch, and drew closer to Rafe and his funny little sister Annie... eventually gaining their trust, and learning the truth about their appearance in town.

Salmon Creek is not a town of scientists and researchers - it is a town in which the children are the experiment.

Rafe revealed to Maya that they are both shifters - wildcat skin-walkers with healing abilities. The entire town is populated with supernatural kids - born and bred with special powers, for reasons unknown. The town's youth are in fact a mixture of shifters, demons, witches and God knows what else.

Now the St. Cloud Company are bringing their experiment to an end. Having just set a forest fire surrounding Salmon Creek, their goal now is to flush out Maya and her friends that managed to escape.

Maya and her friends have just leapt out of the fire and into the frying pan, literally.

`The Calling' is Kelley Armstrong's second book in the `Darkness Rising' paranormal YA series, a spin-off of her original `Darkest Powers' trilogy, which in turn is set in her `Women of the Otherworld' universe.

Kelley Armstrong hits the ground running in her second `Darkness Rising' instalment. We left Maya and her friends in a helicopter, being airlifted from the middle of a forest fire where they were ambushed by mysterious St. Clouds' armoured men - and after Maya came face-to-face with her biological father.

When `Calling' begins we are back in the helicopter; on-board is Maya's best friend, Daniel, her loyal dog Kenji, unconscious Rafe and Maya's old friends and classmates; Sam, Corey, Nicole and Hayley. The mayor of Salmon Creek is also being taken to safety ... but it doesn't take long before it all goes horribly wrong. Maya and Daniel's suspicions about the danger they experienced on the ground are reignited mid-air, when the pilot starts veering off-course and a tussle ensues. Now Maya and Daniel are convinced that the St. Clouds drug company is out for their blood - and they can trust no one from Salmon Creek. Not even their parents?

The first two chapters of `Calling' concern a helicopter crash with devastating consequences and body-count. It's an impressive, heart-thumping opener that is sure to leave fans reeling and second-guessing everything they thought about the trajectory of this series. In true Armstrong fashion, she comes out swinging and throws her young protagonists between a rock and a hard place.

After the explosive, helicopter-crashing first chapter though, things take a turn for the slightly more sedate... After surviving the crash, Maya and her remaining friends find themselves in yet another forest, and they are not alone. St. Cloud employees are hunting them - and as their trek to safety unfolds, they discover another group of players - the Nasts are also hot on their trail.

`The Calling' is set entirely in the forest, and follows Maya & Co. as they make the long, dangerous trek back to Salmon Creek, with bad guys on their tail. Readers learn a lot about the St. Cloud drug company in this book - and we are privy to recent wheelings and dealings in the `Otherworld' universe. Cluey readers who have made the journey from the first `Darkest Powers' trilogy, by way of `Women of the Otherworld' will know that the Nasts are a cabal of male-witches, who hold a lot of sway in the supernatural world. When we discover that they now have a hand in the Edison Group/Salmon Creek experiments, savvy readers will predict that Ms. Armstrong has a few curveballs up her sleeve ... and she might just be setting up for a longer haul in her `Women' universe and young-adult spin off series.

For those readers though, who are coming into `Darkness Rising' completely cold, I do wonder how much of `The Calling' went unknowing overhead. Readers unfamiliar with `Women of the Otherworld' who did read the `Darkest Powers' trilogy will be slightly more clued-in, particularly towards the end... but I still think this is a book where the uninitiated will find themselves lacking. Particularly because this is a book of little character/relationship development; it is almost solely concerned with pushing the larger arcing conspiracy story forward, sometimes at the plot's expense.

In `The Gathering' Rafe and Maya's romance was set-up - beginning with loathing and mild flirtation, and progressing to animal magnetism (literally). But the explosive beginning of `Calling' means that Maya and Rafe's relationship is put on hold. Armstrong tentatively sets up a maybe-kinda-sorta romance between Maya and her best friend, Daniel, but at this point it's still in the walking-on-eggshells, looks of longing stage and not particularly riveting. And even though Maya is surrounded by a supporting cast of friends, none of them get the same interesting character development that Maya does in this book...

In `Calling' Maya feels her skin changing. She is hearing the call of the wild and succumbing to her shifting instincts. She has also just met her biological father (who happens to be apart of the team hunting her down), not to mention she suffers a great loss early on. `The Calling' really is Maya's time in the spotlight - but she does tend to hog.

Trekking through the forest with Maya is Daniel, her loyal bestie who is starting to throw her looks of longing. Her frenemy Hayley is quick with the snipes, and party-boy Corey is limping along with a bad knee. Cousins Sam and Nicole are the wildcards - one of them blows hot and cold, while the other seems to know more about the St. Cloud company than she initially let on. This is quite a big bunch of secondary players (especially when you think that `Darkest Powers' concentrated on the main foursome; Chloe, Tori, Simon and Derek). I feel like Armstrong gave us too many minor players, so that by the end of `Calling' I really didn't feel like I'd gotten to know any of them (save Maya) any better. And, as a result, I wasn't particularly caught up in their plights or side stories. Sure, the kids are quick and good for a laugh, but Armstrong writes them in such broad brush strokes that I feel we missed out on the minor details that are meant to endear them to us.

`The Calling' really didn't feel like a book about the characters, it felt far more focused on the BIG story. It wasn't until about page-250 (of this 288-page book) that I felt my heart begin to race and knew my interest had been piqued. Towards the end of the book, sleights-of-hand are revealed and Armstrong beautifully sets up her `long game'. The ending is exactly what I, and many fans, have been hoping for since `Darkest Powers' ended. I just wish that `The Calling' had started from *that* point - when the action and drama coalesce, and the entwining of two stories hints at great things to come.

Even if I wasn't overly impressed with the majority of `The Calling', Armstrong's stellar ending has ensured I'll be anticipating the third book in this series (and crossing my fingers that it's not the finale!).

Now I have read Armstrong's earlier paranormal series and although I remember liking it a lot I never read past the second book and I couldn't remember why. I remember now, Armstrong is a fantastic writer and creates very unique paranormal romance approaches, but she tends towards the dramatic, and drama like that has just never been my thing. No fault of Armstrong, just a personal preference.

Now with that out of the way (explaining why this book may not be rated as high as it might deserve), I can start saying what Armstrong did to impress me. Although the book follows a very formulatic approach to Paranormal Romance, where man others do it with Vampires, Werewolves, Faeries or Mermaids, she, as she did with her earlier series, when and found something completely unusual and almost never written about. The Gathering deals with the idea of skinwalkers, a Native American belief, and she even puts her own twist on it on top of following the legends that existed already.

On top of that she goes a step even further and placed this supernatural world building inside the world building of a small town that has a pretty unusual creation and reason for being. There are mysteries popping up everywhere, and yet nothing is solved in this opening book, including the one which some might consider to be one of the most important.

The characters are interesting, especially the point of view character, though as of now the main love interest feels flat in comparison to even some minor characters whom I feel are carrying a lot more secrets that I'd love to get into (luckily I have the second book on me). I do think that Armstrong has increased in writing ability, because I feel a lot more drive to read the next book than I had ever in her Necromancer series.

--

If you like the Paranormal Romance formula, but tired of the same-old, same-old, this is a book you just must pick up and read. If you want to read some very original world building, and don't mind dramatic romances than I also highly recommend this book.

Action! Jump right in and be back in the story!
When a book directly throws you into actions, those are the best opening scenes where you barely have time to catch a breath. The ending of The Gathering was horrible and left you hanging quite desperately in the air - and this is exactly where The Calling beings... This was actually one element, I truly enjoyed already in the fist book, the action packed plot, and it goes right on with The Calling. There is a lot of happening and the kids and we have barely time to take a breath. Moreover, already in the first minutes of the books something very bad happens in this is where sensible readers like me shed the first tears...

You love kick-ass heroines? Meet Maya!
Maya is exactly how you would describe a kick - ass heroine! Strong smart and willing to take over the role of a leader even though she wouldn't have picked this role for herself, but left with no other choice, she takes on the responsibility without whining! I'm actually very much in love with this girl and she ons of my favorite characters!

A bunch of unusual kids...
In fact, the whole crew of kids is incredible awesome! It's always amazing how much love for detail goes into the development for secondary characters, and Kelley Armstrong did a fantastic job to lay our each personality with love for detail! I guess, my favorite character besides Maya is definitely Daniel - he's awesome!!! Prince Charming, Prince Loyal and Prince Awesome!

Love Romance, Triangle?
Actually, the romance left me slightly confused at this point in the series. I remember how deeply I fell in love with Rafe last book, but, since he was absent for a large part of the book, I fell in love with Daniel and now I'm confused! But, there is romance and I like it...

Sequel depression?
Sequels and especially the second books in the series are often the hardest books to read ( maybe even to write) but, this book delivered everything you want from a sequel. We get action, we get a lot of revelations and mysteries are uncovered that were set in book one, but it leaves you with enough questions to desperately wish the next book would come out right now!

Bottom Line
The Calling is a phenomenal follow up, with lots of action, mysteries, drama and a kick ass heroine you just have to love!

As mentioned in a previous review, I am a long-time fan of Kelley Armstrong, pre-YA novel days. And one of the things I feel Mrs. Armstrong does best is shifters. It was wonderful to see her returning to a shifter based character.

I think I am also a bit biased because this story takes place in pretty isolated portion of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. I have long since had a strong fascination with this area due to the "sea wolves" that live there. I love nature, and wildlife, and just general outdoorsiness, and this book has it all and more. It also has a strong basis in native culture, which also is a strong draw to me. (This is one of the few things I actually enjoyed in the Twilight series as well.)

Maya, the main character reminds me so much of myself. I was instantly able to connect with her and understood almost every decision she made (and I pretty much had made them in my head before even she did!). I was a very enjoyable read.

One of the best things about this book was the presence of strong parental figures! It's about time! I am so tired of wondering where the heck all the parents are in these YA books! No wonder they get into so much trouble without anyone to guide them. But Maya's parents (adopted) are fantastic role models that support her in her decisions while still allowing her the space to become her own strong and independent person. But you still get those strong parental undertones, like when Maya comes home with a guy and you can immediately tell the father is not super impressed by it at all. It makes sense! This is the way parents would (typically) act in reality. Thank you Mrs. Armstrong for proving parents can indeed still exist in a good YA novel.

Since most people are aware of my extreme hatred for cliffhangers of doom...I was warned in advance that I might not quite be happy with the ending. But I have to admit, it didn't really bother me as much as others have in the past. It seemed mostly wrapped up with a little bit of "what now" at the end. I can live with that.

I don't have much negative to say except for a slight feeling of "meh". I don't quite know how to describe that more in detail, but basically there was just a little of the certain something missing that I would need to rate a book a perfect 5. It was really close, but not quite there. Maybe next time! I'm also not a huge fan of the covers. I don't feel it suits Maya at all. The model on the cover seems much older and "calm" for the Maya I have pictured in my head as I am reading.

I have already devoured book two in the series, The Calling. The review will follow soon!

Kelley Armstrong is a wonderful story-teller. I was captivated through the first third of the book without much of the paranormal aspect of the story coming into play yet. Many situations and such seemed very contemporary. Only at the end were we really reminded The Gathering is not...well, contemporary.

Maya is very strong character! She built strong relationships with the people around her. She's very loyal to her family, friends, and all the furry (or scary) animals she rehabilitates. There's just something about Rafe, I don't even know what it is. Maya actually mentions in the book he isn't drop dead gorgeous, but probably the mystery initially about him drew her too him. Rafe never gives up and has loyalty and determination just like Maya. Rafe can be very sweet and I love how he acts when he's around Maya. Daniel, Maya's best friend, is the quintessential best friend. He's pretty much perfect in that area. He voices his opinions to Maya, but still lets her do things on her own. Maya acts the same way towards Daniel.

The Gathering left me with many questions and such. I've read a couple of reviews who already had read the Darkest Powers Trilogy beforehand and made it a bit less mysterious for them. I was fine with the mystery and still am even though it seemed like way too many questions are left unanswered. Those open-ended questions are making it seem like the next book is going to take forever to release! I seriously am a kind of clueless as to what is happening, which is fantastic!

I've never read a Kelley Armstrong book before, The Gathering is my first. After reading The Gathering, I'm planning on reading her other books!

P.S. Maya's relationship with her father...I cracked up all the time! The uncomfortable situations she put him in by being very blunt about herself with boys and other teenage girl problems, even though it was false, had me laughing. Watching her dad squirm and embarrassed was memorable.

The Gathering is one of those books that hooked me with it's mystery and strung me along by sheer curiosity. It's not a story that's full of action scenes, but a story that's rich in many subtle scenes, and a lot of mystery all of which fed into the over all arc of the story. In the beginning I kept waiting for something big to happen, but quickly realized this was a story that would offer up plenty of little scenes to satisfy my craving for excitement. This story has a different pace than what I normally enjoy, and I liked that about this book. It gave me plenty of things to keep me craving more, but it didn't reveal all the secrets that lie within it's pages. Kelley created a story with a beautifully mesmerizing setting, characters whom all harbor secrets, and created an enticing mix of her own paranormal element with a richly detailed lore.

My favorite aspects of this book are Kelley's descriptive setting, and her Native American lore. The setting itself is beautiful and has an eerie feeling about what's really going on in Salmon Creek. This small village houses families who work for a pharmaceutical company there, and though we see that's something fishy is definitely going on, we still don't know what. I like that Kelley kept this open ended and didn't overly reveal too much in this book. This just adds to fuel of wanting to know what exactly is going on. I seriously loved the role the lush outdoors of the pacific Northwest played in this book. Vancouver Island is one of the most beautiful places I've visited, and I loved visiting it again in this book. It's the perfect place for the outdoor active and the native lore that's tied to the story.

I have always been fascinated by Native American lore, and I loved the role this plays both in the setting and the story. Kelley's unique spin on shape-shifters is one I want to know more about. I like that she created a character who's part Native American, but doesn't know much about her birth parents until towards the end of the book. Maya's quest into finding out more about herself, her heritage and what the birthmark on her hip mean allowed me to learn more about what's going on with Maya and some of the people around her. I like it when I discover certain aspects of the story right along side the main character. It allows me to feel like I'm taking a journey with them.

The characters in this book were fun to read about, but they're not characters I felt like I connected with. I felt more drawn to the book with the lore and the setting vs them. That's not to say I didn't find some of them fascinating, because I did. I like the relationship that Maya and Daniel have. I like what develops between Maya and Rafe, though I'm curious to find out what happens between them in The Calling. There's still secrets I think Rafe is holding out on that deal with Maya. I also liked the role that Maya's adoptive parent's play in her life. It was refreshing to see a main character's parents be apart of their story.

Over all I really enjoyed reading The Gathering. I've not read the original series this book spins off from, so I'm not sure how the two are connected or if one series is better than the other. I can say I didn't once feel lost about what's going on in this book. Don't let not reading Kelley's other YA series stop you from picking this book up. Now that I've read this I want to go back and read the Darkest Powers series. I'm looking forward to uncovering more of this story's mystery when The Calling is out. I think YA fans will enjoy the paranormal elements and the mystery that this book has.

Maya is a teenage resident of Salmon Creek, a town of 200 people on Vancouver Island, existing for the sole purpose of housing and schooling for the St Cloud employees, a medical research company based in this remote location. Up until her sixteenth year, Maya didn't think much about it, but now strange things are occurring. Her bond with animals, especially cougars, is seeming stronger, an old woman calls her a witch, and mysterious newcomer Rafe is about to open her eyes to her true nature and past. It's up to Maya and her friends to figure out what's true and what's simply legend, as well as to start to look at the role the St Cloud Corporation could possibly be playing.

This is a great start to a new series by Kelley Armstrong. I liked the location of beautiful Vancouver Island, where I've spent a lot of time, as well as the incorporation of the Native legends into the storyline. It was a bit slow, but I'm expecting this to be the world building that will be essential to the next two novels and the action to come. Looking forward to starting The Calling right away.

The Gathering is a very character driven story allowing thorough development of the characters and their world. While there is not a lot of action, the story is interesting enough to keep the reader entertained. This is the first book in Darkness Rising series. I have heard this series connects with the Darkness Powers series but believe it was written so you can read either first. You can certainly read this first book by itself and be captivated by the story.

This is the first book I have read by Kelley Armstrong and am in no way disappointed. This author really knows how to build a story, characters and world. This is a continuing story so you need to read this book before picking up another one.

The teenage characters were very believable and I enjoyed reading about them. The dialogue had me laughing in all the right ways. Parts of the story reminded me of my teenage years in fact. But even though this story is intended for a younger audience, adults will enjoy it as well.

Maya was a very entertaining character that I enjoy seeing more of in the next book. She's strong, independent and has a great sense of humor. All things that make up a great lead character. She begins to discover new things about herself in this book and it is shaping her character. Michael is her best friend and feels the need to protect her. He is a strong, good natured and quiet kind of guy. Unlike Daniel, Rafe is a direct, humorous and rule breaking guy. Although Rafe has his flaws, he is a good guy deep down trying to do the right thing. There were just too many good characters in this story to discuss.

As I said before, there is not much action in this story and little conclusion. I assume this is because the story picks right back up in the next one and I hope there are some answers to the mystery surrounding Maya. Although the story has a paranormal element, it reads more like a science fiction mystery.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading The Gathering and look forward to see where the next book, The Calling, takes the characters.

Recommend to fans of Young Adult and Paranormal Fantasy

This book takes off running right where The Gathering left off. After narrowly escaping not only being captured but a wildfire, the kids are finally safe and on a helicopter to meet up with their family members. Only, the helicopter isn't taking them to safety and soon they find themselves on the run.

It's been almost a year since I read The Gathering and I will admit that I forgot about the story of the book and who the characters were. So with not having a recap in the beginning of this one, I was lost for the majority of the story. I remembered bits and pieces about Rafe and Annie being skin walkers but that was about it. So it took a while to get my bearings and even at the end I still didn't remember who everyone was. Clearly, I need to reread the first one again.

However, with reading The Darkest Powers trilogy, this book reads about the same. They are a group of genetically altered super humans. Each has their own unique ability like warlock, necromancer, shape shifter. There are also bad guys chasing them, questions on who can and can't be trusted and they find out that their parents are either not their real parents or are in on the whole thing. So I got the jist of the story. What I'm really looking forward to is this team meeting up with the Darkest Powers team and it looks like that is where they are headed to next!

-Book Sniffers Anonymous

I was so excited to read The Calling, a follow up to The Gathering. I love that The Calling jumps in right where book 1 left off. No time has passed, therefore there's no three page summary of what we missed while we were away (I really dislike those). The reader is immediately thrown back into the action and drama.

Kelley Armstrong does a great job of keeping the story moving. The Calling hits the ground running and doesn't stop. More happened in the first five chapters than happens in most books, almost to the point where it can be a little overwhelming. I also wasn't very happy that one of my favorite characters from The Gathering is absent for most of the book, which I found unnecessary.

I love that a lot of back story and little details were unearthed that pulls the series together even more, but I feel like this was a "filler" book. It does what I'm finding a lot of second books do--they cover what happened in the past so things make more sense in the present, twist up a few more storylines for dramatic flair, and then ultimately leave with more questions than when you started.

While I will definitely be grabbing the last book in this series to see how it all plays out, this book really didn't live up to the expectations I had after reading The Gathering. Armstrong is a great writer, as is evident in all her novels. She creates these amazing characters in these detailed, lush setting that can sweep you away. I'm hoping the final book in the trilogy makes up for this one.

The Darkest Powers trilogy is one of my favorite paranormal YA series, everything about it is just supper-duper fantastic!! After the first few pages of The Gathering, it was clear that it was no Darkest Powers--by the end I was an embittered fan. After a few weeks it hit me, this was not a continuation of my beloved Darkest Powers, this is a "new world" being introduced. Once the bitterness faded it struck me how striking Armstrong's The Gathering really is.

Maya is one of the best female leads in YA I have read in a very long while. She's bright , sensible, and has one heck of a sense of humor that had me chuckling constantly. It's still evident that she's an adolescent, and she takes responsibility for her flaws and short comings. What was wonderful is that she was not a damsel in distress, Maya could take care of herself--she also knew when she would need to call in the cavalry. The two boys in Maya's life, Daniel and Rafe, both understood and respected her. Even appreciating that she could stand on her own two feet. Daniel is the childhood best friend that has been there since day one and Rafe is the hot new bad boy in town. Both have surprising inner depths and I was just lapping up any details on the two. There are only vague hints at this point of a love triangle, which doesn't worry me as Armstrong has never written a bad love triangle that I've read.

The bulk of the story takes place in a tiny town--population 200 or so--in the middle of a forest with no paved roads leading to it. The place is kept running by a drug research facility. To tempt the scientists into living out in the middle of no where the children are given the best education and health care. Which out shines any thing you'd find in a privileged big city. The story really grows as you get to know the people and the feel of real rural town life. Everyone has a story, no matter if they're the good or bad types.

Armstrong has unmistakably made a new twist on Skinwalkers, weaving Native American myth in to a tale that will win readers over to this new trilogy. Old fans will love the hints to the universe of her other series. Armstrong uses this slower pace to really develop her characters and make her readers more involved. There's a mysterious drowning, shifting, hints at strange new magical beings, genetic mutation crisis's, mysterious fathers, and the required bite-you-nails cliffhanger. Nothing is off limit in this new series, so hold on paranormal fans!!

Sexual Content: There's some heavy make out scenes, sexual humor, some talk about how far Maya's "gone", and a date-rape drug slipped in.

Rating - 4/5 Great! Really enjoyed it.

This was my first book by Kelley Armstrong, though I have heard a lot of great things about her other books I have just never found the time to read them. Since I won this book from Harper Collins I decided to give her a try.

I can't say that this was the best book I have ever read but I can't say that it was horrible either, so I am sort of in the middle about it. I found the storyline to be interesting but at times found the book to be a little dull. It came out with a strong beginning, then dragged in the middle then the ending picked up a bit and got more interesting then it left you with the dreaded cliffhanger ending. Now I absolutely hate cliffhanger endings but I don't mind them so much if things are sort of wrapped up but this book left you right in the middle of everything, so many questions unanswered. I just hate that, I really do, I know its a series but geez, just don't stop the book abruptly like that..errr.

Maya is a teenage girl who was adopted and she has no real clues to her heritage. She knows she has to be native because she can tell that when she looks in the mirror, but what tribe? She has no clue, but she does have a unusual paw print birthmark. She thinks its cool and wants to get a tattoo enhancing its uniqueness. She has no clue that that birthmark means she is not just a ordinary teenager, that there is a reason she as a way with big cats. Other than some of these strange things she is pretty much your average teenager. She is haunted by the death of her best friend, Serena, who drowned, but is a champion swimmer.

Her other best friend, Daniel, has a way of knowing if people are bad or good and can seem to put people at ease with his soothing voice. None of this really seems strange to Maya a girl who hangs out with animals. Daniel is my favorite character, because he is the good looking guy who doesn't seem to know he is and I always like that in a guy. He is just a sweet, fun loving guy who is also haunted by the death of Serena, who was his girl friend. He doesn't want to date and sometimes I wonder if he doesn't have a secret crush on his best friend, Maya.

Rafe, is the new bad boy in town and Maya doesn't really want anything to do with him. She has seen the way he gets girls to like him, then tosses them to the side. He is a player in her eyes, but there is just something about him that she is drawn too. When is bad boy act doesn't work with her, he switches gears and tries just being honest, and that works. Maya is hooked instantly to the sexy, honest, sweet Rafe. Sometimes she knows its to good to be true, but she can't help herself, she is falling for him. After his secret is revealed, and Maya learns things about herself, it seems like it could be the breaking point for their relationship. He is not my favorite main character and I think it has a lot to do with how he dealt with his secret and Maya. I am with her on things I just don't think he did things the right way.

Overall, I thought the book was decent and I know its the first in a series so I will give the next book a chance mainly because I am really curious as to what happens since there are so many unanswered questions. What really happened to Serena? Who are Maya's birth parents? Who was Mina Lee?, etc there are a lot of questions that need answers. I think if you like Kelley Armstrong then you might like it also if you like paranormal YA books you might want to give it a try also.

The Gathering is the first Kelley Armstrong book that I've ever read. Shocker, right? Well I need to change that now because this book is fantastic. It starts off with a bang and even though it's not filled with constant action, everything about it is engaging. Maya is my kind of girl too, which made me never want to put the book down. She's strong and capable of handling tough situations - trust me, plenty arise. She has a good relationship with her parents and even cracks sex jokes around her dad. It's very hard to dislike Maya because she leaves it all on the table. With her, what you see is what you get and I appreciate that honesty.

Maya's best friend Daniel is a very lust-worthy package too. Not only is he tall, muscly, and gorgeous, but he's sweet. He and Maya have a very playful banter throughout the book and one of the strongest friendships I've ever read.

The new guy Rafe, on the other hand, is much more mysterious. It's hard to get a read on him, which is exactly the point. Sometimes I really, really liked him, but other times I wanted to punch him in the face. He's got that sexy bad boy thing going for him, but it also works against. Bad boys can only be sexy for so long before they become a lost cause, right?

The mystery in The Gathering builds up nicely, allowing the reader glimpses into what may be going on, but never saying it outright. Unfortunately, I had the big parts figured out right from the beginning. Kelley Armstrong's pacing and slow reveals kept me glued to the page though. I could not put the book down because I had to be certain what was going to happen. And I had plenty of surprises too. I loved the way certain things unfolded and how certain things were revealed, so if my extreme vagueness is bothering, sorry, but I'm not giving anything away. You'll have to pick up the book to find out what happens.

The Gathering is a fast-paced, entertaining, and wildly descriptive start to what is sure to be an addicting trilogy. I'm more than a little eager for the next installment, since Armstrong left us with some answers, but even more questions. Be warned though, the ending is very cliffhanger-ish. Not, `oh my, what is going to happen next' cliffhanger, but more, `how in the world could it just end like that! I need more! Please tell me what happens!' cliffhanger-ish. Obviously, I'll be reading the next one.

***NOTE MY REVIEWS OFTEN CONTAIN SPOILERS***
Maya is a soon to be sixteen year old girl who lives in a very small island town in Canada. She's adopted, found at a hospital abandoned when she was only a babe, her only clue to her heritage are her native features and a paw-print birth mark. After watching her best friend violently drown the year before, she afraid to get close to anyone other than her best friend Daniel. She especially doesn't want to get close to Rafe, the first new boy to enter the tiny school in a long time. However when Rafe begins pursuing her in earnest she finds herself unable to resist his bad boy allure and find herself drawn into a world she previously never knew or would have believed existed. When strange things begin to happen in the tiny town, Maya, with the help of Daniel and Rafe, must search for answers about who she is, what really caused her best friend Selena, the captain of the swim team, to drown the previous year and the mysterious research project related to her birth.

This is a book that really draws you in from page one when you witness the Selena's death through Maya eyes. The setting is so vividly described a reader can easily picture themselves in the tiny village of Salmon Creek with it's expansive forests, massive rock formations and beautiful lakes.

The characters are well rounded and intriguing. Each character is a bit of a mystery in and of themselves you can relate to each in way. You keep reading wanting to learn more about them, what makes them tick and why they behave the way they do. It's clear that there's something more to each of these children than what they appear, the question is what, the answer is even they don't really know everything.

It's not so much the pace of this novel that keeps you reading, I wouldn't describe it as fast paced by any means. It's more that it slowly draws you in as Armstrong weaves this world and characters around you. You don't even realize how hooked you are until the book is almost finished and barely any time has passed since picking it up. It the mystery of the characters more than anything else that draws a reader into this novel. Don't get me wrong there are a few fast paced action scenes that have you on the edge of your seat wondering and worrying about the character's fates. However these scenes are few and far between.

My main issue with this book is in my personal opinion it doesn't have a full story arc, it's more like an impressive beginning to another story. It doesn't follow the goal established, obstacles toward goal, goal accomplished pattern that most novels include. While I wouldn't say skip it, I might recommend waiting until the next book in the Darkness Rising series is released before purchasing it. To me the ending was so abrupt I started wondering if my e-book copy was truncated or something. When I finished this novel I really didn't think I'd reached the end, I was messaging all over the place asking for confirmation that I did indeed have the full title and didn't need to go back and re-download it from the site I purchased it at. When I learned that this was indeed the end of the novel I was pretty disappointed because I'd become so engrossed in these characters, the novel was such a great beginning and then the novel was just over. Don't get me wrong I'd definitely recommend this book, but personally I feel this is one of those series that you wait to read until the entire trilogy or series is released before reading.

I loved this book. I loved the characters, the story, the understated fantasy and the setting. Oh, did I love the setting. This book takes place in B.C., Canada on Vancouver Island, a beautiful area. What I found especially cool, though, was how much of it took place in the city of Nanaimo. This was a city I hadn't even heard of until a year and a half ago, just a few months before I went there. Kelley Armstrong captures the lovely city perfectly.

Maya, the heroine, is a wonderful character. Unlike so many YA girls, she doesn't go rushing into romance, there is no love at first sight, and when the love interest, Rafe, seems to be acting in a creepy or suspicious fashion she doesn't automatically discount the possibility that he is genuinely creepy. Thankfully, Rafe is not at all creepy once you get to know him. Kelley Armstrong once again shows her ability to write very realistic male characters who are not overshadowed by her heroines. Rafe is very believable. He has made some stupid mistakes in the past, but he learns from them. I love how he takes such good care of his sister.

Another thing I really liked about this book is that Maya's best friend, Daniel, is not a love interest in the slightest. He is likable and interesting, but there is no hint of a love triangle. I liked that for once the best friend will not end up with his heart broken by the heroine.

The only thing that irritated me about this book is that nothing is really resolved at the end. It is the first in a planned series but it felt more like the beginning of a longer novel. The ending was truly evil, so I can't wait for The Calling to come out. I am also kind of hoping that the Maya and Rafe meet up with Chloe and Derek from the Darkest Powers books at some point. :)

I would recommend this novel to lovers of strong, realistic characters and smart urban fantasy.

Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me, happy birthday dear me, happy birthday to me!

What a great present to have a new book by one of my favorite authors released on my birthday (April 12). Kelley is a wonderful author who can really weave a story so when she announced the release date for this book, it was a fun coincidence that it fell on my birthday. Now if it just came with chocolate cake and Jonny Depp, it'd be a truly awesome birthday. :P

The Darkest Powers part of the trilogy is finished for now. The Darkness Rising part of the trilogy - which starts with The Gathering (release date April 5th in Canada) is the second part. This part will also consist of three books, like that Darkest Powers did. There will be a third part to the trilogy after all three of the Darkness Rising story has had it's three books.

I really, really enjoyed this book. The story flowed right along at a brisk pace but never felt rushed, it grabs your attention from the first chapter and doesn't let go until the very last page, which ends in a cliff hanger (I'm already counting down the days until book two). There are twists and turns, some mystery, some romance, conflict, humor, all worked into an enjoyable story. Maya is smart, funny, realistic, and quite relatable. She's not a smart aleck (though she can be pretty darn funny) but neither is she perfect. There isn't a word or punctuation mark that I'd change.

The supernatural element is mild at first but Armstrong builds it up as the story goes along. Readers of her Women of the Otherworld series may recognize the name of the pharmaceutical facility, but you don't need to have read any of those books nor the books in her Darkest Powers YA series. The story is a stand alone in that regard though set in the same world as those. There are some similarities between Maya and Mercy Thompson in Patricia Briggs's "Mercy Thompson" series that readers of both series will spot right away.

Kelley's teenage daughter is her advisor for the YA books and you can tell. It's not just an adult writing what she thinks or hopes will interest teens and young adults nor does she talk down to them. There are several mysteries in the book that all mesh together and I think sustaining the three book story arc will not be a problem at all.

This paperback ARC was received from the publisher for review.

This novel to me just set up book two. I feel like Ms. Armstrong allowed us to dip our toes in the story with this one. I finished this novel with more questions than what I had while I was the middle of the plot. There are so many things I am curious about and I can't go into detail because that would just spoil the book for you guys, but I can tell you the mystery surrounding the town and her biological parents has me hooked. Sure there are parts of this novel that seem just like every other paranormal on the shelf, but this book has more mystery than just the paranormal elements. And that is very refreshing.

I loved Maya's ability to get close with animals. It made me curious about her. Also I am still puzzled about the best friend who drowned. She actually start out with the friends death scene, but never get our answers about what really happened to her. Maybe we'll get that in book two...

Oh and Rafe. More of him please! He was one hot love interest. He was the token new guy who all the girls wanted but only had eyes for out main character, Maya. That seems to be the formula in YA now-a-days. And Daniel, Maya's closest friend...I'm left to wonder if he is hiding some secrets of his own. I kinda liked him and rooted for him and Maya to become something more.

If this series is anything like the Darkest Powers plot line, I know each book is just going to keep getting better. Can't wait for book two! I need these questions answered!

Pick this one up if you are into paranormals with animal-like bad boy love interests.

Having never read any of Kelley Armstrong's other books, I wasn't sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the author can come up with some fun and captivating characters!

I loved how Maya interacted with her adoptive family. The dialogue between Maya and her Father were hilarious at times. What teen wouldn't like a Father that they could joke around with and at times, be able to leave their Father speechless. While she wasn't as witty with her Mother, I still enjoyed how this family interacted.

Of course, there always has to be some sort of romance. I fell in love with Daniel. I was hoping that Maya and Daniel would become a couple. As I read more into the story though, I really enjoyed the friendship better than if they were a couple. Then we get to meet Rafe. *swoon* The "bad boy rebel" in school who is a player with the girls. Of course he has good looks to back it up and secrets to keep him mysterious. I liked the slow build up between Rafe and Maya. It didn't feel rushed or forced. I liked the tender and loving relationship Rafe had with his sister Annie as well. I wish we could have seen Annie interact more with Maya though.

The only problem I had with this book is the ending. I know it is part of a trilogy, but nothing was answered really. I didn't like the spot the book finished in either. It needed more, but I guess that is Ms. Armstrong's way of teasing us for the next book. Hopefully some things can be resolved early in the second book to help give us closure for the first book.

Will I continue with the trilogy? YES! If anything, I need to learn more about Skin Walkers and the characters of the small town in Vancouver Island.

I'm sick of paranormal books. I haven't read one in months and that used to be all I read. The one paranormal author that I never ever get tired of is Kelley Armstrong. Really, I don't think there is better YA paranormal out there. She is in a class all of her own and her books never disappoint.

The Calling picks up right where The Gathering left off. The action doesn't let up for a millisecond after that. The Calling is a wild thrill ride. You will be on the edge of your seat the entire time. Armstrong just has a knack for writing unputdownable books.

The characters are all basically running for their lives throughout the entire book. This left no time for angst-y romance. I loved that. Maya really proves how strong she is in this one. She is written fantastically. She's a brave leader and if I were stuck in the woods I would definitely want her by my side. The connection/friendship between her and Daniel is even more prevalent in this book. As for the other characters, there is a nice mystery surrounding them but other than that they don't play a big role.

That's really the most I can say without giving things away. The bottom line is: If you haven't read any Kelley Armstrong YA books change that. Fast. If you've only read a couple, read them all. They're all extraordinary, fast paced, well written books. Read them.

The Calling: Darkness Rising Book 2
Kelley Armstrong
Published by Atom

Maya and friends are on a helicopter being evacuated from a forest fire. They realise they are being kidnapped just before the helicopter crashes. The group are forced to trek through the woods to safety, using their various abilities to help them survive. But someone is after them....

Pursued by a mysterious people and a man claiming to be Maya's birth father, the group of friends are hunted and picked off one by one. Maya is a skin-walker, able to change into a cougar, an ability that has been bred into her by the manipulation of genes. The others in the group have supernatural abilities too, that are the result of genetic manipulation.

This was fast paced, exciting, with a lot of action. I had to go back and read the first in the trilogy, The Gathering, after reading this. These books should be read in order to allow a slow build-up of action and answers, but enough background is given to jump straight in. It took me a third of the book before I twigged to who was chasing them and the other Kelley Armstrong series they are from. Once I figured it out, a lot of things made sense. I'm looking forward to the next book in the Darkness Rising trilogy. This is a fun series I'd recommend for teenagers and adults.

This is the second installment in the Darkness Rising series by Kelley Armstrong. The book was pretty good, but not what I thought it would be. It was adventurous, but there were some elements to the book I felt were missing.

This book pretty much started off where The Gathering left off, with the escape from the forest fire. In the beginning the book started off a little slow and boring to me. Things were happening but it wasn't really anything exciting. They were pretty much searching and on the run through more than half the book. I kept waiting for things to pick up, and when it did it got exciting.

The characters were still there. I was missing out on one my favorite character through the majority of the book, which I was kind of upset about. lol But you find out a lot more details about the characters, what they are and what's going on with the experiments.

This book was kind of a disappointment, but there were parts of the book I really liked! But I can't say because it would be a spoiler. I am still very excited to read the next book to see where the series takes up. I feel this is one of those books that lead and get you prepared for the next book.

For those who have read The Gathering, I do recommend you read this book. Overall the book was okay and I felt it could of been better

Don't know what everyone else was reading but this was and excellent read, unlike the first trilogy none of the kids have a clue to thier being anything abnormal about themselves they just have everyday teenage problems. In the first series Derek and Simon know what they are and pretty much what's going on because of thier Dad, not here in this series all except Sam and Rafe and thier not really talking about it. And bring in the exctinct supernaturals that's brillant, risky but brillant she's shifting away from the norm, and she's taking a bunch of kids out of thier comfort zone again. Maya and the gang on a helicopter ahead to Vancouver so they think. The mayor's been knocked out Rafe has sailed out and the copter crashes. You meet long lost fathers you never knew, you learn about a brother a twin exactly and if your read the the Summoning you get a hint of who may have been raised with Maya's twin brother. Yes Mrs. Armstrong has being planting clues like J.K. Rowling did through out her books, that's nerve racking but exciting also. U discover one of your friends is actually and enemey and a psycho killer and the one the was an enemy is actually not so bad. You hear about the old Buffalo gang and of course you learn almost what everyone is are could be. Can't wait for the next installment. It only got four stars because of the fact I have to what so long for the next one.

I had been putting off reading this book for a while and I'm not sure why. This is exactly the kind of YA series that I enjoy and I've always liked what I've read of Kelley Armstrong's before this. Maya is a great YA heroine. She's strong and feisty and totally points out her own issues. There is a lot of mystery surrounding Maya's biological parents and her heritage. Of course there is more than even she bargained for when it comes to her familial past and some of that is brought to light by the new hot new boy in town.

There is a love triangle of sorts that plays out throughout the book. Although things tend to lean more in one direction than the other, I wouldn't be surprised if something came from the other side in the next book. This book ended in such a huge way that I can't wait to see how that plays out in the next book. I love when the ending changes the game and this one was certainly a game changer. There is so much mystery and intrigue in this first book aside from the paranormal aspect. I look forward to delving further into the mystery surrounding Maya, her friends and the small town of Salmon Creek.

I have been waiting forever for this book to be released! I LOVE the Darkest Powers trilogy. It's in my top 5 favorite series. When I found out Mrs. Armstrong would be writing another series, I was so excited!! I really enjoyed reading The Gathering. I think I liked it even more than the books in the first series. (If that's even possible!)

I loved the characters. All of them! Maya is strong willed and caring. Everyone loves her. Her BFF, Daniel, really cares for her, and I have to wonder if it's more than that on his end. Rafe, the bad boy in school, is mysterious and, well... hot! I love the parents in this series also. They are pretty awesome, and there were quite a few laugh out loud moments between them and Maya.

As this is a spin-off of the Darkest Powers trilogy, there are parts in The Gathering that we will know from the first series. I wish I had re-read the Darkest Powers trilogy before I read this, so that I could remember some people, as the names seem familiar, but I can't quite put my finger on them. This could definitely be read as a standalone book as well. There is a lot of mystery, supernatural, and quite a bit of romance in this book. It's a great start for the new trilogy, and I can't wait to read the next two books!

The Calling picks up right where the first book left off. Maya and her friends are on the run through the wilderness trying to get back home and find safety. I really want Maya to end up with Daniel. I am frustrated that she hasn't given him a chance to be more than friends. I think they would be a great couple and I'm praying that it doesn't work out with Rafe. I'm not sure why but I just don't care for him the way I do Daniel. I feel like Maya and Daniel know each other better, they care about each other, and Daniel is such a great guy! (So far.) I know Maya and Rafe have things in common but that's about it for me. *Sigh*

I enjoyed the first book in this trilogy better than this one but I'm hoping that the final book will just blow me away. I'm really excited to see how the trilogy ends! There were hints of Chloe from the Darkest Powers trilogy in this book so I'm guessing Maya and Chloe will be meeting in the third installment?? That would be very exciting! I like the Darkest Powers trilogy even more than this one. I really like how the two trilogies interlock with each other, it makes it even more interesting in my opinion.

In The Gathering, Ms. Armstrong introduces a new set of supernaturals in a secluded and privately-owned town. The story opens a little slow, with the residents of the town being introduced and Maya going to school. The action does not begin to pick up until later on in the book - much slower paced than I had come to expect from her.

Overall, I loved the story. It's very well written - enough description and character building to please me, and a very interesting plot. The new types of supernaturals made me very happy, too.

I was disappointed that the entire book passed by without Maya ever once changing shape. I can't recall any other book of Ms. Armstrong's where the main character is introduced as having a power, but that power isn't fully utilized within the first book. Comparing Maya to Chloe in the Darkest Powers series leaves Maya as the clear loser. Chloe's powers develop at a frightening level, by the end of the book she's raising and speaking with the dead, even if her control over it isn't quite as nice. Whereas Maya only has improved senses; her supernatural powers don't start kicking in until the middle of the second book.

Still a great read that kept me hooked from the start to the end.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series and was really eager to start the second one. While this book had its great and exciting moments, there was quite a bit about it that I found kind of boring. There was a lot of talking and learning about the characters backgrounds which was partly nice and again partly boring. The trekking through the woods back to their home town was boring and sometimes pointless. I felt like there was a lot of running around doing not a whole lot instead of building the story. There could have been a lot cut out of this book, but then this wouldn't have been a trilogy.

After reading some of the other reviews for this book, I am really glad I don't remember much about Kelley Armstrong's Darkest Powers series. It sounds like they are very similar in the way they are structured. However, I do remember a lot of running around in one of the books which is exactly how this one was. I really hope that The Rising is a satisfying end to this trilogy. I enjoy the characters, the setting and the plot, but this book was really lackluster compared to book one.

I wanted to read this book, and I picked it up a few times and put it back down. I was afraid I wouldn't like it as much as the Darkest Powers books. Once I got past that fear I loved this book. Maya was pretty awesome! She is adopted, but happy and loved, she likes where she lives and has an afinity for animals. She takes care of injured animals and releases them back into the wild. Her best friend Daniel always has her back and is someone I would love to hang out with. I also really liked Rafe, even if he wasn't always doing what I thought he should be.

Watching Maya and Daniel investigate the reporter who shows up in there tiny town was fun, yet a little spooky. And watching Maya and Rafe get to know eachother was both heart warming and frustrating. The end part of this book had me on the edge of my seat and flipping the pages until I hit the last one and just about cried becuase I wanted to keep reading.

The story, setting, and characters sucked me in and kept me turning the pages. I learned something while reading this book, I should never doubt Kelley Armstrong! I give this one 5 stars!

For most of this book, I thought this was going to be a real ho hum, standard YA paranormal. Plucky young heroine finds out she's a shape shifter. Been there, done that. I loved the forest setting and how the author so ably tied in Native beliefs, but those seemed to be the only things to recommend this tale. It was just okay, and I found myself wanting to skip ahead.

At around two thirds of the way into this book, the action begins to pick up and the story begins to come together. Here's where it hooked me. This turned out to be a pretty nice supernatural mystery. Of course I still don't know exactly what's going on, because this is the first book in a series, and heaven forbid we tell a complete story without using a cliff hanger ending. Sheesh.

By the end of the book, the author had taken great strides in developing her characters. I now care about Maya and Daniel and the mysterious Rafael. I really want to know what happens next, which was the point of this entire book. It's simply an introduction to what I think is going to be a much better book two. This one is slow to take off, and although the writing is fine, the dialogue is well done, and the setting is unique, the story itself takes a while to offer up anything new and interesting. Stick with it if you can handle the whole cliffhanger thing. If not, don't even get started.

When I first found out that what I thought was the end of the lovely Simon, Derek, and Chloe, I nearly cried. The Darkest Powers books were definitely in my top 5 series. But then the sun shined through, Armstrong was just finished with their story for now and wanted to move on to other characters in the same world. I made sure to get this book as soon as I could.

Maya is a pretty good main character for now. I like her story and it's going to be fun not only seeing whats going to happen but also investigating her past. I'm also really enjoying the side characters. I'm trying to imagine what abilities they might have and what part they are going to play in whatever happens next. I am thinking about love interest stuff somewhat and I hope this isn't another instance where two guys are going to compete for her love. I always find that ridiculous. And for some reason I feel that it is a strong possibility.

Something that I really liked was that the story is moving much more slowly than it did in past books. It was still very interesting and I wasn't bored, but not a lot of things were revealed or discovered. We're only able to come to a couple of conclusions based off of what we know from the past books. Like, when some..bad..people were mentioned, we knew certain things were going on.

I really like what Armstrong was doing. She went with her gut by not continuing with Chloe instead of doing so just to please the readers. It makes me respect her. I also think that people who didn't like the character or setting from the first 3 books but were fascinated by the story will get a second chance.

Overall I think this is going to be the start of a great continuation. I wish other authors would think about doing something like this. Readers love to see some familiar faces. I'd recommend this book to anyone who liked the previous 3 or any newcomers to the books.

I LOVED the original series with Derek and Chloe, so was excited to start the next trilogy.

This book was a disappointment. It starts off slow, with too much emphasis (IMO) on Maya's dating profile and the "sexy new guy" Rafe. The story plot was barely beginning to get established when these two start snogging - a 1st kiss between the two quickly escalating to "third-date" type of hungry, passionate kissing culminating with her realizing she had at some point during the activity crawled on top of him. Then after this occurs, they still don't really know each other but sneak off to snog as often as they can around school and town. *sigh*

I GET this whole scene was to establish these two have a "mysterious, inexplicable animal attraction" but it really reminded me of a teen version of every crappy Harlequin Romance novel I ever read, and even worse, seemed like the author was trying to pander to her audience.

The plot starts to pick up mid-way through the book but never reached a pace like the original trilogy. I'm hoping the next two books have more to them.

What a wonderfully easy to read novel. I was coming off a bad reading slump from City of Ashes and Kelley Armstrong made it all go away Honestly there wasn't anything overly surprising, or mind blowing about this book but it was very much an enjoyable read and very quick paced.

I absolutely loved Maya as a character, she was well developed, knew what she wanted and strong minded. I also loved her relationship with Daniel and I adored how much she loved animals. I am also interested to see how the relationship with her and Rafe plays out in future books.

I was actually very surprised that she is a "skin-walker", I had only quickly read the synopsis of the book and kind of went into it blindly. I hadn't read The Darkest Powers series so I had no idea about any of this. Suddenly when it turns out Maya is destined to turn into a cougar, I was astonished!

This was a very light read, very captivating and I really enjoy Kelley Armstrong's writing style. It was left off at a perfect part because you are almost for certain to pick up the second, just to see what happens!

Very pleased.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series and was really eager to start the second one. While this book had its great and exciting moments, there was quite a bit about it that I found kind of boring. There was a lot of talking and learning about the characters backgrounds which was partly nice and again partly boring. The trekking through the woods back to their home town was boring and sometimes pointless. I felt like there was a lot of running around doing not a whole lot instead of building the story. There could have been a lot cut out of this book, but then this wouldn't have been a trilogy.

After reading some of the other reviews for this book, I am really glad I don't remember much about Kelley Armstrong's Darkest Powers series. It sounds like they are very similar in the way they are structured. However, I do remember a lot of running around in one of the books which is exactly how this one was. I really hope that The Rising is a satisfying end to this trilogy. I enjoy the characters, the setting and the plot, but this book was really lackluster compared to book one.

I wanted to read this book, and I picked it up a few times and put it back down. I was afraid I wouldn't like it as much as the Darkest Powers books. Once I got past that fear I loved this book. Maya was pretty awesome! She is adopted, but happy and loved, she likes where she lives and has an afinity for animals. She takes care of injured animals and releases them back into the wild. Her best friend Daniel always has her back and is someone I would love to hang out with. I also really liked Rafe, even if he wasn't always doing what I thought he should be.

Watching Maya and Daniel investigate the reporter who shows up in there tiny town was fun, yet a little spooky. And watching Maya and Rafe get to know eachother was both heart warming and frustrating. The end part of this book had me on the edge of my seat and flipping the pages until I hit the last one and just about cried becuase I wanted to keep reading.

The story, setting, and characters sucked me in and kept me turning the pages. I learned something while reading this book, I should never doubt Kelley Armstrong! I give this one 5 stars!

For most of this book, I thought this was going to be a real ho hum, standard YA paranormal. Plucky young heroine finds out she's a shape shifter. Been there, done that. I loved the forest setting and how the author so ably tied in Native beliefs, but those seemed to be the only things to recommend this tale. It was just okay, and I found myself wanting to skip ahead.

At around two thirds of the way into this book, the action begins to pick up and the story begins to come together. Here's where it hooked me. This turned out to be a pretty nice supernatural mystery. Of course I still don't know exactly what's going on, because this is the first book in a series, and heaven forbid we tell a complete story without using a cliff hanger ending. Sheesh.

By the end of the book, the author had taken great strides in developing her characters. I now care about Maya and Daniel and the mysterious Rafael. I really want to know what happens next, which was the point of this entire book. It's simply an introduction to what I think is going to be a much better book two. This one is slow to take off, and although the writing is fine, the dialogue is well done, and the setting is unique, the story itself takes a while to offer up anything new and interesting. Stick with it if you can handle the whole cliffhanger thing. If not, don't even get started.

When I first found out that what I thought was the end of the lovely Simon, Derek, and Chloe, I nearly cried. The Darkest Powers books were definitely in my top 5 series. But then the sun shined through, Armstrong was just finished with their story for now and wanted to move on to other characters in the same world. I made sure to get this book as soon as I could.

Maya is a pretty good main character for now. I like her story and it's going to be fun not only seeing whats going to happen but also investigating her past. I'm also really enjoying the side characters. I'm trying to imagine what abilities they might have and what part they are going to play in whatever happens next. I am thinking about love interest stuff somewhat and I hope this isn't another instance where two guys are going to compete for her love. I always find that ridiculous. And for some reason I feel that it is a strong possibility.

Something that I really liked was that the story is moving much more slowly than it did in past books. It was still very interesting and I wasn't bored, but not a lot of things were revealed or discovered. We're only able to come to a couple of conclusions based off of what we know from the past books. Like, when some..bad..people were mentioned, we knew certain things were going on.

I really like what Armstrong was doing. She went with her gut by not continuing with Chloe instead of doing so just to please the readers. It makes me respect her. I also think that people who didn't like the character or setting from the first 3 books but were fascinated by the story will get a second chance.

Overall I think this is going to be the start of a great continuation. I wish other authors would think about doing something like this. Readers love to see some familiar faces. I'd recommend this book to anyone who liked the previous 3 or any newcomers to the books.

I LOVED the original series with Derek and Chloe, so was excited to start the next trilogy.

This book was a disappointment. It starts off slow, with too much emphasis (IMO) on Maya's dating profile and the "sexy new guy" Rafe. The story plot was barely beginning to get established when these two start snogging - a 1st kiss between the two quickly escalating to "third-date" type of hungry, passionate kissing culminating with her realizing she had at some point during the activity crawled on top of him. Then after this occurs, they still don't really know each other but sneak off to snog as often as they can around school and town. *sigh*

I GET this whole scene was to establish these two have a "mysterious, inexplicable animal attraction" but it really reminded me of a teen version of every crappy Harlequin Romance novel I ever read, and even worse, seemed like the author was trying to pander to her audience.

The plot starts to pick up mid-way through the book but never reached a pace like the original trilogy. I'm hoping the next two books have more to them.

What a wonderfully easy to read novel. I was coming off a bad reading slump from City of Ashes and Kelley Armstrong made it all go away Honestly there wasn't anything overly surprising, or mind blowing about this book but it was very much an enjoyable read and very quick paced.

I absolutely loved Maya as a character, she was well developed, knew what she wanted and strong minded. I also loved her relationship with Daniel and I adored how much she loved animals. I am also interested to see how the relationship with her and Rafe plays out in future books.

I was actually very surprised that she is a "skin-walker", I had only quickly read the synopsis of the book and kind of went into it blindly. I hadn't read The Darkest Powers series so I had no idea about any of this. Suddenly when it turns out Maya is destined to turn into a cougar, I was astonished!

This was a very light read, very captivating and I really enjoy Kelley Armstrong's writing style. It was left off at a perfect part because you are almost for certain to pick up the second, just to see what happens!

Very pleased.

This was book was an interesting story idea. You don't get too many YA books about someone struggling to come to terms with the possibility of becoming a shifter.
And ahhh! Such a cliffhanger ending! I want book two (The Calling) right now! There are way too many unanswered questions I have, and I want to see what direction the author takes this series in. Lots of potential here!

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC copy of The Calling by Kelley Armstrong and all I can say is the book is absolutely fantastic.

I am a big fan of Kelley Armstrong and I love to read anything that she has written. The Calling is the second book in her new series which is great. The calling is a perfect sequel to The Gathering.

In The Calling we get to see a closer look into the lives and abilities of all of the characters. This sequel was more about self discovery and being able to come to turns with who you are and what you really want. I will not go into the story to much as I do not want to spoil the April release for anyone but this book is one of the best books that I have read in 2012.

If I understood that end correctly, we are going to be seeing Chloe and Derek again in the last book in the series which I can not wait for. The calling has a original storyline with a great blog and likeable characters. There are equals parts of romance and action/adventure. If you pick up a copy of The Calling in April you will not be disappointed.

I was urged by friends to start reading Armstrong but I didn't really fall in love with her last trilogy until the second and third installment. By the third and final installment, I was left wanting more and disappointed to find out that she wouldn't continue following the same characters who still had so much to share with her fans.

Luckily, this new trilogy is interrelated though it places the reader in the position of knowing much more--this time--than the (new) "sheltered" characters themselves who see little of the darkness that colors so much of the Darkest Powers trilogy. This gives the reader the sense of waiting, panting really, for things to go wrong and when they do...craving for the characters to catch up but deliciously enjoying having the upper-hand for once though it looks like the upper-hand has more twists and turns than even the most faithful reader of the Darkest Powers trilogy can imagine.

Again, there is somewhat of a love triangle. Again, there are kids slowly coming into their powers (and their hormones). Again, there are things that are always more than what they seem. The tone is a little less insidious and dark--even less claustrophobic as this book takes place (hint) mostly outdoors!--but the writing gets better and better. You'll fall in love with these new characters quickly and the story will leave you longing for more from the next installment.

This is the second part of Kelley's teen series. 'The Darkest Powers' and 'The Darkness Rising' actually go hand in hand together. Even going as far as having the two series interact. And, fun fact, this is based off of her 'Otherworld' series that she did first.
I honestly didn't care too much for this Trilogy. I found the characters to actually be kind of bland and not very interesting. I found that there wasn't much character development, and it focused more on Maya's romance then how their world got completely turned upside down. It seemed predictable, and when I got to the end of the last book I was just meh about it. I thought that I could have been done much better and found that I really had no desire to go back and re-read this particular trilogy again.

The Calling starts off right where The gathering left off, Maya and Daniel just escaped from a forest fire and are on a helicopter flying out of town with five friends and the mayor. But they are not out of danger when their helicopter crashes and the teens realize someone is chasing after them! They must survive the forest and not get caught before they can find someone they can trust.

Even though it starts off with a lot of action, the story starts to lull as they continuously walk through the forest. You don't get a real feel for the characters when something happens to them. There feels like a huge disconnect the entire story. It was an easy read so I was able to get through it without getting to bored, but the story line didn't really peak my interest.

This book does answer a lot of questions from the first book. But, at the end the characters still have a lot of questions left unanswered continuing on to the next book.

At the end, the book starts to tie in to the authors other series Darkest Powers, so if you haven't read that series it might be good to catch the references. It looks like the two series might collide into one book in the next one.

I had read Armstrong's the Darkest Powers trilogy and really liked it. She has a great way of telling a story and sucking you. Even though you think y...moreI had read Armstrong's the Darkest Powers trilogy and really liked it. She has a great way of telling a story and sucking you. Even though you think you know where the story is headed, the author throws in a twist that leaves you reeling at the end.

I loved the characters in this book and the way that Maya spoke with her parents. The relationship was so open and carefree that is was pretty comical to read as Maya razzed her father. I was pretty shocked when her parents took her to get her tattoo but as you progress through the story you start to see how close of a relationship they have.

The only thing that really confused me was one character names Sam. She seemed a little bipolar and I cannot wait to see what her story is. I hope the author touches a little bit about what makes her tick.

The storyline sore of reminds me of the Darkest Powers trilogy which isn't a bad thing since it is the second half of the Darkest Powers story. I really cannot wait until these set of characters meet up with Chloe and her friends.

Ms. Armstrong has done it again. She wrote a great book with lots of action and mystery in it. So when I got this book in the mail, I did a happy dance and squealed like a teenage girl. When I read the first page, it did nothing but pull me in and not let go.

What I like most about this plot was that different yet similar it was to the Darkest Powers. Different because this group have different powers and similar because they all go through the same thing. I won't tell you what their powers are because then I spoiled it for you, but I love it. I was glad that as the reader we get to see a group go through the different changes in their power. They snooped, got in trouble, and lots of love interests occured.

I like that while the other group was watched, this one wasn't. They were put in families and learn about their powers completely out of the loop. They had no doctors seeing them constantly. I like that this group was experimented differently then the first. I am hoping that further down the series, we get to see all the groups together!

The Gathering is a great spin-off from the Darkest Powers series. It had a great plot, great characters and awesome powers! If you love The Darkest Powers, you will definitely love The Gathering.

Loved this book! There was lots of action, suspense, with extra doses of suspense! I think at one point I even held my breath and didn't even realize it until my lungs were like, "Hey, I need oxygen over here!" lol

I love all the diverse characters with their unique powers. Yes, there are quite a few of them, but it doesn't feel overwhelming. I especially like Daniel, Maya too...she's a strong leading character. And, well, what can I say about Rafe? He seriously surprised me! Like, my-jaw-hit-the-freakin'-floor surprised me! Suspenseful I tell ya, suspenseful!

Oh, and the Eddison Group? Yeah, they suck! This book reminded me a lot of The Darkest Powers series. You know, them running away from the evil scientists, then discovering what they really are and what they are part of. Although, I suppose, that's kinda the point, since both series are connected. Speaking of which, I can't wait for the conclusion of Darkness Rising! I hear Chloe and her friends will be making an appearance real soon! So exciting!

Its been awhile since I read the Darkest Powers Trilogy so it took some time for me to catch up with the story and characters. But once I got all the previous details straight I couldnt put it down. I love reading a book where the Author writes different mediums but all in the same genre. Armstrong's world of supernatural is the same whether shes writing for young adults or an older crowd. And I absolutely loved the mention of characters from her Women of the Otherworld series.

From what we learned last time with Chole Sanders and her friends, we now get to see what happened with the first Project Genesis with Maya and her friends. Maya is a young girl who tragically looses her best friend and is determined to find out exactly what happened. A new boy in town takes interest in her and once she finds out why the secret will change her life forever.

This was such a smart and thrilling book. Although written for teens its not written in the usual preachy way that some teen books take on. I am in my mid 20s and can truly identify with the characters. I truly can not way for the second one!!!

I loved this book. I literally devoured it from start to finish in just a couple of sittings (well one sitting broken up only by having to work and get just a little sleep). Its set in the same world as most of Kelley Armstrong's books and having read both the women of the Otherworld series and Darkest Powers series, entering May's world, a little medical research town in a larger world where names like St Cloud and Dr Davidoff (among others) have some significance from previous novels, was like visiting one of those favourite vacation spots that you like to go to once in a while, forget about the where you normally live and catch up on what been happening since youlast visited and discover some new places there to explore.

In The Gathering, the first novel of the Darkness Rising series, we meet Maya, a regular teenager living in a small town, adopted but happy with her lot and not overly curious about where she came from. From the beginning I connected with Maya. She is strong and comfortable in who she is and her place in the world. She is still getting over the drowning of her best friend but this hasn't stopped her from continuing to tackle the world arond her and get on with life.

Now any veteran of Armstrong's books will have a fair idea of at least part of what Maya's birthmark means but Armstrong, who is using this book also a a set up for a new trilogy (series?) creates a story that leaves even the veterans with more questions than answers. While part fo the mystery might be solved in this book, that also gives the reader more questions than answers and the ending leavves the reader gasping for more.

I most definitely recommend this book to both the avid Kelley Armstrong fan and those who are newer to her books as while there are titbits there for the veterans, they are not necessary to know to still enjoy the story being told and as always its an awesome story.

I have no hesitation giving this book 5 stars.

The Calling picks up where The Gathering left off. From my review of The Gathering, it's already apparent that I'm not a fan of this series. I admit that I enjoyed this book more than the previous one, but it was still just mediocre. There's not much to say because nothing really happens. They're on the run, they get captured, they escape, rinse and repeat.

Everything I said about Maya still stands. She's still smart, athletic, sensible and a really great role model for younger girls. I just don't feel any chemistry between Maya and Rafe or even Maya and Daniel. There's no spark or charm to this series. The book is just dull. I'm hoping the last installment will have more adventure in it since it'll also involve the characters from The Darkest Powers.

I just want to finish this series and be done with it. It's not exactly the reaction people want in the books they read, but it's what I'm stuck with.

Let me just say right off the bat that not much happens with the actually plot of this story, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it. There's action from the very beginning until the very end. I was interested the entire way through the book and I didn't even realize until the end that we really didn't get any answers. Maya and Daniel talk about their supernatural abilities, but that's pretty much it. The group of survivors speculate about Corey, Hayley, Nichole and Serena, but you don't really get any answers. Having said all that, I still really enjoyed this book and I think that we'll be getting a lot of information in the next book (or at least I hope). I'll definitely read The Rising when it comes out in April, but I think I'm going to have to re-read both the Darkest Powers and Darkness Rising series from the beginning since it looks like they're going to combine for the end.

I really enjoyed this first book to the sequel series of Darkest Powers trilogy (and I really liked that first series!) Yep, in this one there are more kids being experimented on when they don't even know about it. That is, until strange things start happening do they realize that their "safe" little town holds more secrets then they can imagine.

The major thing I liked about this book was the mystery feel to it...I love a good mystery! The story itself was very action-y and interesting, and it was a lot like its preceding series! Which is not a bad thing, in my opinion.

I think Maya's heritage/her ability is very cool! This book only really introduced us to Maya, her world, and her friends, but I'm very excited to learn more about all this and what the Eddison Group (plus others) have been up to lately.

MY REVIEW
I absolutely love ,bestselling fantasy author, Kelley Armstrong. The Darkest Powers trilogy was great. I'm glad that she stayed in the same world for this new trilogy. The only (well not only,you know what I mean) difference are new characters and it it set on a island in Canada. I wish more could have happened. I wasn't bored with the things that did happen but their are alot of questions and not alot of answers

I just couldn't stop reading,literally. Once I started at 9pm I didn't stop til 1am. I would of read more if my mom didn't tell me to turn off my light! The writing was different than The Darkest Powers trilogy. DP had alot of action, The Gathering had action but the story was more about...Maya finding herself. The Gathering was in a a part of her journey to find her true calling (No pun intended). For these reasons the story wasn't as compelling as The Summoning,although I didn't like it at first. I think this might be a way of Armstrong's writing. The way she writes The Darkest Powers and Darkness rising. You have to read the books in a row to get the full effect.

I absolutely loved Maya. I like her in a way more than Chloe from The Darkest Powers trilogy. They are complete opposites. She was strong,smart and feisty. Chloe was shy,small and sweet. I like that. Armstrong wanted to make the the two series different. Maya's sense of humor is hilarious! I love the conversations she has with her parents and her friends.

""I like Daniel. He takes care of you."
"Oh my God. Did you just really say that? He takes care of me?"
"I didn't mean it like that..."
"Takes care of me? Did I go to sleep and wake up in the nineteenth century? Ack! I can't go to school like this. Where is my corset? My bonnet?"
"You know, if you offer him a new truck for a dowry, he might go for it."
She's not perfect and she knows it.I love that about her! She is strong willed. I also liked the male characters of the story. Daniel is Maya's best friend. He is calming for Maya, he is a male in her life (other than her father!) that comes with romance. He is very protective over Maya. He never liked Rafe from the beginning. If I was Maya that would of told me to back off. Rafe, is Maya's love interest. He is mysterious almost like a shadow,he fascinated me in the beginning. Rafe's mysterious veil is soon dropped and we learn more about him. We learn from him that Maya and the other kids on the island for there for a reason.

I can't wait to read the next book,The Calling! I want to see if all the questions we are left with are answered. From the title I know a little bit about whats going to happen but no much. A must-read for fans of The Darkest Powers! Happy reading!

Existing fans of Kelley Armstrong and new fans alike will be quickly drawn into this fast moving story. For me, my favorite part was the subtle references to characters from both the Darkest Powers series and the Woman of the Otherworld series. I thought it was a very nice way of tying her worlds, all of which I have enjoyed, together.

Maya's character was complex and her relationships, whether with her parents, her friends, her animals, or her love interest, were all very well explored. The story line was original. I don't know why exactly this book didn't earn a fifth star from me, but although it was a well written adventure, with a fast plot and characters I wanted to root for; I didn't absolutely love love love it, but I really really enjoyed it!(

Maya lives in small community on an island where everyone who lives there works for the same medical research company. Everyone in this town is like that old show Cheers; everyone knows your name. A new person in town is big news. Rafe is a new guy who seems to play girls with his mysterious factor. He courts them, never gets too close and then drops them before they get to close. When he zeroes in on Maya she is a little concerned but as she gets to know him, she starts to see through is facade. He seems to want to get to know Maya but he's especially interested in Maya's birthmark that is shaped like a paw print. In the midst of seeing a new side of the new guy, the mountain lion sightings are increasing. Foreshadowing anyone?

At the risk of spoiling this for you, I think it's fairly obvious this is a "shifter" book. But there is so much more to it. Maya's story isn't just a young adult paranormal romance story. There is mystery and friendship too. Maya's friend and swim team captain, Serena, died in a lake which seems impossibly tragic. She struggles to understand what really happened that day. And so does Serena's boyfriend and Maya's best friend (since Serena is gone), Daniel. Daniel is a great friend during the loss of Serena and I was secretly hoping they would start a relationship but would that be rude to your dead friend? I don't know. It isn't alluded to that they would start anything together since Maya is spending time with Rafe but I just think Daniel is a great guy. He stays really level headed even though he comes from kind of a messed up home life. And he is very protective of Maya which I love.

There is so much mystery in this book that I don't even know where to start. How did Serena die? What's the deal with the mountain lions? What is happening to Maya and how can she heal animals so fast? Who the hell is the bad guy? Is the research company hiding something? I haven't quite gotten the answers to all of those questions. A reporter who comes to town stirs up these questions and this pushes Maya to search for answers too. Answers that she gets frustratingly few of. There were times where I felt like a chicken with my head cut off running around in circles trying to piece together multiple mysteries.

Overall, this book wasn't bad but I guess I wish that more of my questions were answered by the end. And the romance fell a little flat but there is room for it to grow. I suppose it's nice having a book where characters don't start saying "I love you" when they hardly know each other though. I think the series has potential but this first book was just okay. I would definitely read more but I'm hoping it gets better. This book comes out April 12th, 2011.

I found myself checking how many pages were left as I was reading "The Gathering," not because I was bored and wanted it to end (I wasn't...I was enjoying the book!), but because I couldn't imagine how Armstrong was going to wrap up everything in the number of pages she had left. The short answer was: She didn't.
I know some people are really hacked off about having so many questions left unanswered. I wasn't surprised, considering the first book in her previous YA series, (Darkest Powers) ended with the Mother of All Cliffhangers. Even though I'm usually Ok with mysteries being left unsolved if I know the answers are coming eventually, I found myself thinking the lack of closure here was a little much.
The Gathering is about sixteen year old Maya Delaney, a girl with supernatural powers she knows nothing about. We follow her as she learns what she is capable of and of course there's a bit of romance and danger thrown in. Sure, it's been done before, but I found Maya an interesting and realistically flawed character who I enjoyed getting to know. Her best guy friend, Daniel, was a sweetheart and although the resident "bad boy" Rafe wasn't my favorite, he did grow on me. The pacing didn't seem slow to me, and it wasn't until the book ended that I realized just how many mysteries were left unsolved;
1. The book opened with Maya witnessing the drowning of her best friend, Serena, under strange circumstances. Maya spends a lot of time thinking about what happened, concludes it wasn't an accident, and finally decides to investigate...but nothing is resolved beyond Maya forming some suspicions about what really happened.
2. An outsider comes to Maya's tiny Vancouver Island community ostensibly to write a newspaper story about local teens. Everyone suspects she is really after info on the all-powerful St. Cloud drug research group that owns and operates the town. When the faux reporter is found dead (in an effectively gruesome scene), it's never cleared up if she was murdered or not.
3. What was the deal with Sam and is she connected to the two deaths? Why is she so prone to violence? Does she have a superpower too??
4. Speaking of which...does Daniel? It's hinted at, but left unexplained.
5. What happened to Rafe's sister Annie? (Her, Rafe, and Maya's powers are pretty much the only thing we get the full story on in this book.)
6. We know Maya was adopted. (I appreciated the great relationship she had with her parents, since I am adopting a daughter myself. It was nice to see an adopted person who had a healthy relationship with her family.) We learn that her biological mother is key to Maya's powers and her being placed for adoption was a result of the evil scheming of a genetic engineering project created to reactivate magical races. *This info came from other reviews. It's not made entirely clear in the book* So what happened to her birth mom?
7. And what about her twin brother she never knew existed until now? Where is he? Is he someone we've already met in this book?
8. It's obvious the St. Cloud corporation isn't the benevolent entity Maya and the other townspeople at first believe it to be. So what is really going on with the St. Cloud group? How are they connected to the genetic modification project that created Maya and other teens like her?
See, that's a LOT of stuff left unexplained for one novel. I felt like half the book was missing. Also, I wasn't thrilled with the lackadaisical attitude toward underage drinking and the random cursing, although it wasn't pervasive by any means. I'll read the sequel, The Changing, when it's released in April 2012, but I almost wish I would've waited until closer to then to read The Gathering so I wouldn't have all these unresolved plot points left unanswered for several more months.

I just finished the book, and I feel like I am missing something. There didn't seem to be any climax or that the book was going anywhere. There are things that are barely touched on, almost not enough to want to read the next book. This book almost felt like an prologue for the next book, nothing big happens, nothing is solved just bit and pieces of information and storylines.

The book is about a girl named Maya, who best friend dies at the beginning of the book. You would think that adding that to the beginning of the book that it would have some reference as the book goes on. But it doesn't, yeah the main character reminisces about the death of her best friend but it gives no substance to the book. There is hint to the mystery of how she dies but it is followed through thoroughly. Also, the book is about Maya is feeling like something different is happening to her, like she is getting animal instincts, but again this is barely touched on.

One thing I do like about the book is the characters. I really like the Maya character, she is a fresh new character that hasn't been used over and over in other books. I like her personality. I also, like her best friend Daniel, who also has something going on with him but again barely touched on.

This book is a sister book to the series the Darkest Powers and there are a couple references to characters who are in that series so you might want to read that series before this series. It isn't anything major but some character overlap.

I really hope this series fills out more and give more in the next book because I feel like I was given nothing in this book. This feels like it could be the potential for a good series, it just didn't start out that well. The book did have my attention the entire time, it was an easy read but I always kept waiting for a climax or something to happen and it never did.

My history with Kelley Armstrong is a long and solid one.
I've read all her books in the Underworld series and Elena and Clay are one of my (few) most beloved couples in UF.
I inhaled all the books where they are protagonists, they're definitely my favorite in the series.

When Armstrong started writing YA lit (The Darkest Powers series) I picked up The Summoning (Darkest Powers, Book 1). I wasn't very impressed, so much so that I dropped the series.
This new series, Darkness Rising, is somewhat better than DP, but still hasn't left me very impressed so far.

The story is set in a tiny community somewhere on Vancouver Island, Canada. Salmon Creek is a small village whose residents work for a pharmaceutical company who does classified medical research. There's something definitely fishy going on in the community: from Serena's - Maya's best friend - death, to the appearance of an ever- increasing number of unknown cougars, to a series of weird events punctuating Maya's life.

There were some nice - and original - aspects to this story that I particularly appreciated.
The setting, for starters, is really nice. Descriptions of the community, the wilderness and the wildlife are really well done, atmospheric. There's always an animalistic taste to Armstrong's books when she deals with shapeshifters that I find extremely enticing.
Because after all, shapeshifters they are, in this book. Skin-walkers, to be precise, a race of supernaturals that I had yet to encounter in fantasy.

The mythology, tied to native Americans, is definitely a point which I found very interesting and that I would have wanted to - and that I hope will be - explored more in the next installments. What I didn't like was when said mythology got contaminated with a not-so-native regional Italian secret sect of hunters, the Benandanti, which had, in my opinion, very little to do with native Americans. There might be ignorance on my part on this subject but the sect is, incidentally, originally from the area where I live and I am pretty sure we have nothing in common with native American shapeshifters. Anyway.

The other problem I had was that some scenes between Maya and Rafe, especially the ones when they are in the woods, felt very much similar to some Elena and Clay's scenes, and if they're similar now... well, I don't want to be spoilery but I think they will end up being more and more similar to the other, fortunate series.

So basically, while I enjoyed the book (cliffhanger aside) I had the distinct feeling that this - or part of this - was just a YA version of a story that's already been successfully told.
I wish Kelley Armstrong had just stuck to adult urban fantasy because, to me, it definitely feels like she's trying to milk the YA cash cow by exploiting some trite paranormal YA tropes.

This is the first book in the Darkness Rising series, which is a sister series to the Darkest Powers trilogy. Although the Darkest Powers trilogy has concluded, it is my understanding that some of the characters from that trilogy will be featured in a new trilogy along with some characters from the Darkness Rising trilogy.

Maya Delaney is a 16 year-old teenage girl who lives in a very small town with an approximate population of 200 residents on Vancouver Island in Canada. St. Cloud Corporation owns the land that the town is built on, and they established a top-notch medical research facility. Everyone who lives in Salmon Creek is employed in some fashion by St. Cloud. Maya's father, Rick Delaney, is a park warden and wildlife rehabilitator, and Maya often helps her father care for the injured wildlife that he brings home. Cougar sightings are nothing out of the ordinary, and the Delaney family is often visited by Marv, a resident tom with a ragged ear that seems to have taken a liking to Maya.

Maya's past is a little bit of a mystery because she was abandoned at a hospital in Portland after she was born, so little is known about her biological parents. Her physical attributes suggest that she is at least part Native American.

Maya's best friend is Daniel Bianchi, whose father is an abusive alcoholic. He frequently stays over at Maya's house when his father is on a bender. I suspect that Daniel is in love with Maya but, if that is the case, there is no romance between them in this book! Daniel was actually dating Maya's friend, Serena, who drowned the previous summer in the lake. The circumstances surrounding the incident are very strange, although the casualty was ruled an accidental drowning. Maya was with her when it happened, and she swears that it was like something pulled Serena down into the water from below. When Maya jumped into the water to try to save Serena, she felt something moving around her legs.

Rafael ("Rafe") Martinez is the resident bad-boy, and he seems to have a thing for Maya. She soon discovers that Rafe's bad boy image is just that, and she starts developing feelings toward him. She has dreams of running at top speed through the forest, often alongside Rafe. One day while the two of them are out in the forest, they come across a cougar that has a mysterious patch of darker fur on its flank that is in the shape of paw-print. Maya is intrigued, since she has a birthmark on her hip that is also in the shape of a paw-print. Rafe also has the same birthmark! Surely, these cannot all be coincidences!

Maya's paw-print birthmark has faded as she has grown older, and she wants to have it tattooed so that it is more visible. Her mother takes her to a tattoo artist, Deena, who specializes in traditional tattooing. Deena's aunt catches one look at Maya's paw-print birthmark and tells her that the reason why her parents didn't want her is because she is a witch: Yee naaldlooshii. It means "skin-walker."

Armstrong is a new-to-me author. I have read nothing but praise for her Women of the Otherworld series, which is on my TBR list. However, I was completely unfamiliar with her Young Adult books. The Gathering was a bit of a slow-starter for me, but it picked up in the latter half of the book. What I enjoyed the most about the book is the strong parental bond between Maya and her parents. Maya is extremely level-headed and responsible, and she looks up to her parents and wants to please them. How refreshing! Maya's parents allow her to have some independence, and they do a fantastic job of straddling that fine-line of being authoritative but not overbearing. Armstrong also tackles the subject of alcoholism, and how the child of an alcoholic is affected. I thought she handled this sensitive topic beautifully from Daniel's perspective, and I love how Maya's family is so supportive of Daniel and their concern for his safety and well-being.

A word of warning that no clear answers are given at the end of the book, which ends on a cliff-hanger. The second in the series, The Calling, was just released this month so I am glad that I don't have to wait long to find out what happens next! I suspect that Armstrong was laying much of the groundwork for the series in this book, and I have high hopes that the next one will have more action. I am intrigued enough in the series to want to read not just the Darkness Rising series, but also the Darkest Powers series.

MY RATING: 3 stars!! It was good, and I enjoyed it!

I really, really enjoyed Ms. Armstrong's The Darkest Powers Series. I had really expected to thoroughly LOVE this series too, but the first book was a little disappointing.

The Storyline....

I had expected the storyline to go somewhere else I guess. Never did I expect shape shifters living in the middle of nowhere! I think that if I would not have read the first series, I guess that I would have enjoyed it more. The first series had more of the paranormal elements that I enjoy. The more that I read, the more I got into the story, but it actually took me awhile and I felt that the book started off slowly.

The Characters....

The character of Maya was a strong lead. She does have a mind of her own and NOONE will tell her what to do. As for her love interest, I was torn. I do not care too much for Rafe. He seems nice enough, but there is something about him that rubs me the wrong way. Daniel *swoonworthy*, He is the one that I believe Maya should be with. He is very protective and watches her back. I really believe that Daniel is in love with Maya, but she just cannot see it yet.

In Conclusion...

I have a feeling that this series may get better with the next book, The Calling, Due out in April 2012. My suggestion is to read it. It was not awful, I guess I just loved the first series so much that my expectations were set really high for this one. Let me know what you think!!!

I like Maya: funny, not too girly or too athletic/perfect; native, but not obsessed with it;

Dr. Davidoff--had to look back to Darkest Powers reviews/descriptions, but recognized name and confirmed character name of 'top Dr' in Edison Group/Darkest Powers

Kind of don't like that it's the same sort of basic plot as the Darkest Powers trilogy: the younger characters think they're normal, but are actually genetically mutated science experiments being studied constantly, and all the doctors/scientists in town are psychotically devoted to St. Cloud Co./experiment--to the point of murder.

Parents who volunteered their kids for this--wtf?! Who are these people?

Daniel's mom--what did she find that was bad enough the company let her go? That she left even though it's impossible to get away from town/out of contract--seems odd they would let her go. Why not just kill her? It sounded like it was sort of difficult for Serena's parents to move away even when their 'subject' died/was murdered/was dropped from study--whatever--yet Daniel's mom just has to find some dirt? What's to stop her from doing something once she got away? Seems kind of lax for the company that murders about anyone who even suspects something weird is going on.

Foreshadowing--pretty good; not too fast, though Maya's power kinda jumped up out of nowhere (first 100 pages). So she's always been good with animals and a natural healer--OK, that's believable--but then suddenly her healing power becomes super-accelerated (the marten is when she first noticed) and then the visions (marten also, then immediately after that the young cougar that attacks her and Daniel) start hitting her out of the blue--though the old lady/Navajo folklorist at tat shop called her a witch just hours before, so I guess that might have been the trigger, at least for the plot progression. If considered as a reality it doesn't make sense though. Daniel's powers were definitely hinted at adequately, even within first 100 pages of book--he gets 'feelings' about people that are always right? Sounds like a bit of (believable) psychic power, or at least stronger than usual intuition, to me. Also his Dad gets drunk and tells him he's a freak/abomination/etc. (ever hear of alcohol being like truth serum? It really is, it just often brings out the worst version of the truth, or the deepest feelings people push down because they are guilty or ashamed of it, or because they rationally know it isn't the 'correct' feeling to have).

At least Maya and Daniel are smart enough not to tell anyone about their suspicions concerning the death of the "reporter."

It kind of sucks about the whole changing into a panther makes you progressively dumber until you just become a regular wild cat who never becomes human again. And I understand why Rafe wants to get information to stop it from happening to himself or getting worse for his sister, but does he really have to put all that on Maya? I think it's a bad basis for a romantic relationship and he handled it like crap--how is Kelley Armstrong going to get us to like Rafe/Maya again?
Also, Rafe knew that at least there was genetic testing going on, but why didn't Maya put more of it together? Like, "Gee, here is a case of definite genetic testing/modification, of which I am a subject, and there is a highly-secured, secretive 'medical testing/development' facility around which the town is built. Maybe they could be related?' It's not really that big of a leap.

Although this series sounds like it is going to be an awful lot like Darkest Powers, it is about a group of kids who are older, so there is a bit more freedom for interpersonal development and for a viable movement of defiance (rather than just running and having to rely on totally untrustworthy adults). And I'll probably continue to read the successive books, though I won't be adding them to my permanent collection.

Maya lives in a special community - it's based around a research hospital. And only certain families are invited to live there.

Maya's family lives in a park where her dad is the ranger. She's always had a special connection with the mountain lions, but recently they've been seen around a lot more. Suddenly, Maya is having flashes of the world from a mountain lion's point of view. But she has no idea why. And she still wonders what really happened a little while back when her best friend, who was a strong swimmer, suddenly drowned. Things are definitely not what they seem to be in this little town.

Add in her best friend, Daniel, and the new hot boy, Rafe, and you've got a great trio of characters. This book will keep you wondering as to what will happen next.

THE GATHERING was a nice change in that I really enjoyed it! I think I was in a reading rut and just couldn't seem to read a book that I really enjoyed until this one. That being said, I do have to say that for the most part, this book is pretty predictable. I knew Maya's secret pretty much from the beginning, as well as Rafe's. But I'm not sure just how Rafe's secret is tied to Maya's. Hmmm. And I"m not sure how their little community plays into it just yet, but I'm sure it does somehow. And Daniel...sometimes I felt like he had feelings for Maya, and other times he just seemed like a big brother.

There were so many unanswered questions - but in a good way! In a way that makes it so you can't wait to get your hands on the sequel. I can't wait to read the next book, THE CALLING. Hopefully, it will answer a bunch of questions that I have!

Reviewed by: Andrea

So I spent the first good half of this book confused. I couldn't remember what had happened in the first book, and this book took a while to explain it all well enough so that I remembered it. And then the whole different side of the scientists thing--I got lost trying to keep everything straight.

This book was all action and not really any character development. In fact, it was simply about their escape. It felt like it should have just been the middle of one book, instead of a whole book long. I think I would have enjoyed the book more if this had been the case. I need some character story, not just action in my books.

Looking back at my last review, I did get some of my questions answered, but I'm still left wondering about Daniel and his feeling for Maya. And I don't really get the appeal of Rafe. I don't really remember him from the first book, but there was nothing really in this one that made me think that he was a good choice for Maya and I'm not really sure why she always forgives him so easily.

Oh, and I just got that these books are related to the Darkest Powers series (The Summoning, The Awakening, and The Reckoning!) and that the characters in both might possibly join together eventually. That alone will probably have me picking up the next book in the Darkness Rising series, otherwise I'm not sure that I would have.

This book was just okay. An opening frenetic helicopter escape scene suggests an action packed book to follow, but not so. The book hits a sour note right off the bat when a 16 year old girl starts to fly the helicopter remarking that some friend just happened to give her lessons (pleeeaaasse! we're not that gullible and stupid!). Then the book grinds to a halt while the kids spend most of the rest of book wandering around the woods talking and joking. Finally, the book ends on an up note of action. The first book, the gathering, had some romantic tension, but none of that here. Rafe disappears early on and Maya and Daniel are about as platonic as it gets. So, little action, no romance = blah book. On the plus side, the dialogue is well done and crisp and you do get into Maya; she's a good character. Unfortunately, there is not enough plot movement. What little there is mostly comes from the characters telling us stuff -- violates rule #1: show it, don't just say it. Will I read the Rising when it comes out? Hmmm. Can't decide. Maybe. It would be for Maya. She does rock.

First off, I have to admit that I love all of Kelley Armstrong's work, her adult series and her young adult series. That having been said, it pains me to admit I didn't enjoy this book very much. There was a certain charm to the Darkest Power Series. Chloe and her friends were far more genuine. Maya and her friends seemed contrived. All of them seemed a little one dimensional and as much as I wanted to care about them, I couldn't. Rafe is no Derek. He was pushy and tried entirely too hard to be charming, but I respected the way Maya handled herself with him. She was clear in her feelings towards him and made sure he knew it.

The setting seemed picturesque and the idea of a privately owned medical research town was definitely interesting and unique, but it still didn't sell me on the characters. Speaking of characters, there were so many, it was almost confusing. In the first few chapters, we were introduced to a lot of teenagers AND adults.

I don't want to say this book was all bad because Kelley Armstrong is a master at creating a foreboding atmosphere. I was definitely interested in learning what Maya was, and I'm so glad this series doesn't revolve around a typical vampire/werewolf paranormal romance. Also, Maya is a fantastic role model. She's smart, independent, athletic, and thinks for herself. She doesn't let men define her and she doesn't let her feelings for them overwhelm her, which I find admirable.

There isn't much action in this book, but that seems to be formulaic for a trilogy. The first book has the intrigue, the second book has the answers, and the third has the action. I have high expectations for the next two books, but I know they can't compare to the Darkest Powers.

3.5 stars. I received an ARC of THE GATHERING for review. There are good and bad to this book for sure. Kelley Armstrong is a solid writer who does a good job with the action. However, it was slow to start, taking me at least 100 pages to get into the story, but then things take off with a shot in multiple directions. There were some characters that were well developed but some that weren't, as well as what seem to be multiple storylines within the same overall plot (I'm guessing it will be the same plot?). Both contributed to some level of confusion throughout. I'm still not exactly sure what the heck is going on in Salmon Creek - not that there is mystery unsolved - more that there was so much going on, that I can't figure out which direction to focus attention. But that's not to say I'm not intrigued by where the series will go. I just wish there had been more focus on quality over quantity when it comes to characters and plotlines. Will it all come together and make sense in book 3? Probably, but I personally like some similance of a picture of where we might go within the first 358 pages of a series. Be warned, this book ends stark in the middle of the action so if cliffhangers aren't your thing, you may want to wait until the series is complete before taking it on.

Why do I feel so unsatisfied? I know, it's because Ms. Armstrong does not finish her YA books. This book rocked- great characters, burgeoning plot excitement, possible love triangle.... Then it ends, no resolution- nada. Where have I seen this before? Oh, yeah. The Darkest Powers series. But when I discovered Darkest Powers all three were out, so it was a little less annoying when it ended halfway through the story.
Oh, well. Worth the read, but I'd suggest waiting until the next book releases, next year so you don't hurt your foot kicking it against the wall when this book ends.

Founded by a scientist, Maya's small town is comprised almost exclusively by families associated with the scientific research facility. A year after her best friend mysteriously dies, more strange occurrences begin happening in Maya's small village. Mountain lions are getting closer to town and getting braver with humans. Maya's unique gift for healing rogue forest animals takes a strange turn. The new boy in town harbors big secrets. And a nosey reporter has been sniffing around asking weird questions about the high school students by name.

Maya is a smart, brave, and compassionate teen with plenty of spunk. While some of the secrets are a bit predictable, Armstrong is adept at pulling readers into the story. This is one that I couldn't put down. This is the first in a new series, with a major cliffhanger and many loose ends that still needs to be explained. But the little town on Vancouver Island and its residents are completely fascinating and mysterious. And I was completely won over by its charm. Full of suspense, danger, and excitement, The Gathering had me on the edge of my seat. This YA fantasy is gripping and smart. And I'll be waiting impatiently for the next in the series.

The mountain lions are acting up, Maya’s best friend is hiding something, a stranger is snooping around town, and a Maya is haunted by a memory of a friend’s drowning that might just have been murder. Oh and there’s a cute bad boy in school who suddenly develops a sudden and inexplicable attraction to Maya that she doesn’t believe and doesn’t trust.

I actually read this series first, before realizing that it connected indirectly (and eventually directly) to The Darkest Powers. Still, it is a comfortable standalone, and it helps that even if you don’t have the backstory from The Darkest Powers and don’t recognize some of the references, you’ll still know that something isn’t quite right in this peaceful little town. And of course, even the most oblivious reader will zero in on the fact that Maya has a birthmark in the shape of a cat’s pawprint. Because, you know, that’s never significant.

I have to say that the second book in Kelley Armstrong's Darkness Rising series was better than the first in the series. The whole mystery that was established in the beginning of the book starts to unfold and the Maya's friends learn what they truly are, and the meaning of living in the St. Claudes territory. This book is full of supernatural, romance, and adventure. Anyone who is a fan of skin-walker/shape-shifting books will be delighted and full of bliss after reading Kelly Armstrong's Darkness Rising series

Wow, talk about excitment! I was almost running with the group the whole time I was reading this in a wonderful follow up to The Gathering. I had mixed feelings about the first one in this series and didn't quite get all of the characters or where the plot was going, but just like a great stew this one came together in one big pot! That story was all about the set up and The Calling delivered everything. So Maya and her group of friends have been kidnapped in a diversion that ended the first book in a fire. They are taken on a helicopter ride in order to evacuate them from the town. Of course, the teens sense something is not quite right and when the mayor is suddenly taken out (with a tranquilizer), they really feel out of sorts. Then the helicopter crashes and they escape with their lives, well, almost all of them.

This a major road of discovery for all of the group. Maya now knows she is a skin walker and her instincts really kick in almost to the point where is becomes a know it all and a bit annoying. She is determined that the group survive and begins to suspect that some of the teens are a bit on the dark side. I am not giving away too much detail here, but I will say that this is an amazing ride full of nail biting adventure and will have you staying up until you finish the whole thing. I really hate the dreaded waiting for book three right now since this one was so amazing with all the little twists and turns in the plot.

The Gathering was a really interesting book. It didn't have as many twist and turns as Armstrong's previous young adult books, but I was still interested to see what the St. Cloud Corporation is up to and how it will continue to develop in the next two books. I really loved Maya. She was a gutsy and fearless teenager that was full of spirit and strength. Daniel was confusing, because at times, he felt like a brother and other times, he seemed like he wanted more from Maya. Rafe was a sweet guy, but I still feel that he is keeping something hidden from Maya. The plot was rather engaging, even though it was rather predictable and slow at times. I am really interested to see what really happened to Serena. The ending was rather sudden, and I can't wait for the next book. Armstrong created a book with just a hint of mystery, remarkable characters, and an ending that will leave you wanting more. If you enjoyed the Darkest Power Series, The Gathering is a must read.

Admittedly, I didn't think I'd like this series very much. This series sounded very much like one of those paranormal YA romance books that has crappy writing but everyone loves because two characters kiss and there's this love triangle that really doesn't even exist.

But the author surprised me. The writing is actually pretty decent compared to some other stuff I've read recently, the characters are likeable, the romance is minimal and hardly even matters in the story, there's no love triangle, and I read two thirds of the book on the way back from a road trip because I couldn't put it down! It's not post-apocalyptic, though the author could have made it that way if she wanted to, and it's a nice break from the post-apocalyptic books I've been reading. Books of that genre are all pretty predictable at this point, and I enjoyed having no idea where this book was going.

Oh, and it's set in Canada! That's also a nice change of scenery, considering most of the books I've been reading are set in America.

The sequels to this book only get better. The mixture of smooth dialogue and heart-pumping chases make this series impossible to stop reading, even for a second. You'll stay up until three in the morning if you have to--I did--in order to finish the book. I highly recommend this series for anyone who's tired of the "Twilight" hype.

A good new extension. There were things to like about Darkest Powers, but Darkness Rising has its own distinct voice. That's Maya's voice, for sure. The plot did develop slower than the characters relationships. The teenagers falling for each other immediately is not far fetched- they aren't running for their lives early on, and hooking up with a new guy is believable, especially since the exposition is focused on animal instincts- dominance, imprinting, big cat pride structures, etc.

I really like that Maya's character knows a whole lot about animals through her upbringing and natural interest, so that the development of plot doesn't seem like an add-on- or that the character slowly puts together the clues. If critics complain that this is a slow-mover, I would argue that it moves at its own speed. Slow, quick, slow, quick quick- much like a cat.

I hope you enjoy this new series. I can't wait for the next one!

After reading one of her other series, I was excited to read this book. I was very disappointed with the progression of the book; it didn't seem like anything was resolved in this book and I really didn't learn anything about the characters by reading it. So the main character is a Shifter... I gathered that within the first 10 chapters. And surprisingly the ending didn't leave me wanting more. If I don't read the next book in the series I will not find myself wondering what happened later.

SUMMARY: Maya has been raised in Salmon Creek, a small medical-research town with an abundance of wildlife. She attributes her unique connection with animals to her Native ancestry, but there are certain things Maya can't explain--like her paw print-shaped birthmark. After Maya's best friend mysteriously drowns, other strange things start happening in town. Reporters show up to investigate just exactly what kind of research is being done at the facility; a new boy named Raffe and his odd sister Annie move in... Maya needs to get to the bottom of what's really going on in Salmon Creek.

MY THOUGHTS: The best thing about Kelley Armstrong's books is that despite all being set in the same world and being about the same types of paranormal creatures, they still manage to capture and hold my attention. The Gathering is no exception. From the very first chapter, Kelley Armstrong builds excitement and suspense. The Gathering was almost impossible to put down! The main character, Maya, is likable and strong-willed; the love interest, Raffe, has a bad-boy exterior but is ultimately vulnerable and sweet; and the story was just an intense roller-coaster ride.

Fans of the Darkest Powers series (or Kelley's Otherworld series) will recognize some name-drops and concepts mentioned in The Gathering. Fortunately, this does not affect the mystery aspect of the book in any way. The mystery itself is initially simple, but over the course of the novel it becomes more and more complex. The Gathering does quite a bit of set-up for the future novels.

The only thing I really have to complain about is the ending. It's a major cliffhanger! Barely any of the major questions are answered, which was frustrating. I literally shouted, "What? Nooo!" upon turning the final page. Still, I must admit that Kelley Armstrong did an excellent job of making me really want to read the next book. Is it 2012 yet?

If you haven't read any of Kelley Armstrong's books, The Gathering is an excellent place to start. It's engaging, fun, and just overall awesome. I'd recommend it to fans of paranormal YA. Though the paranormal aspect isn't played up too terribly much in this installment (it focuses more on mystery-solving), you can be sure it'll take center stage in the sequel.

Very well written. My only possible point of complaint is each book is such a short part of the whole story. I know this is a part of the genre but must have gotten used to older age genre's. The story is well put together and I love the characters. I love character driven stories and this is fantastic. You really care about Maya and her friends and what happens to them. I'm looking forward to the next installment.

Out of all the Kelly Armstrong books this series is one of the ones that first got me hooked on her. I loved opening the package and smelling the new book smell and it was in perfect condition and arrived quickly. A perfect gift for book lovers.

As a big fan of The Darkest Powers Series, I was eager to see if Kelley Armstrong could pull off another great book series within that same world. After reading The Gathering, I know there was no need for concern. The characters were fresh, and the world building was amazing.

I really enjoyed reading Maya's character. Some of my favorite scenes in the book are between she and her dad, they are so much fun. I loved the relationship between Maya and Daniel. There friendship is amazing. Last but not least, (any book I like must have romance in it) any and all interaction with Maya and Rafe. I loved this not so bad boy from the get go.

I will say that my only big complaint with The Gathering is that I have to wait so long for the next book in the Darkness Rising series to come out.

Rating is based on the overall series. Initially I was going to give it two stars, but changed my mind. This series would have been a lot better if it was only two books. In fact,you can completely skip book two and for the most part not miss anything. The author is a talented writer. Even when nothing was happening for pages and pages I didn't find myself bored. It's an easy read but I can't say I would recommend this book.

This book showed me that it doesn't matter what you look like, everyone has a right to be saved. As you read the book you see Maya, a 16 year old girl, get through life after loosing her best friend and revealing some secrets about herself that she may have wondered about before but never really looked into it until someone came around and nudged her to the truth. If you've never read any other Kelley Armstrong's ya books BEFORE reading this series I recommend that you read the Darkest Powers Series (The Summoning,The Awakening, and The Reckoning)

Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy:
[...]

THE GATHERING begins with the most unlikely of settings for a paranormal YA, a classic "company town" set in a remote area of Canada. Like the famed company campuses of Silicon Valley, the families of Salmon Creek receive world-class perks. Despite the small town feel, the few residents can look forward to top notch schools and fabulous medical care for their children. When ominous events begin to cast a shadow over this idyllic Mayberry, Armstrong makes it difficult to identify the true threat to Maya and her friends, and just who in their sleepy little town they can trust.

The most unique aspect of this book was the teenagers' reactions to the mystery unfolding around them. Neither preternaturally paranoid nor willfully obtuse, the teens of Salmon Creek follow their natural curiosity where it leads. And as this process takes them closer and closer to danger, the story folds in a phenomenal amount of character development. Even the bullies and the bad guys in THE GATHERING are human and well-drawn, a critical detail that makes Armstrong's writing so satisfying (and makes it that much harder to spot the true threat). The villains of the story range from high school pettiness to sorcerous crime families, and I can honestly say that I only have inklings of who will be implicated in later books.

As for the main characters, while at times Maya seems just too witty and sassy to be true, these characteristics made her all the more entertaining to read (and made it all the more striking when she acknowledges personal shortcomings). The men in Maya's life were particularly interesting as well, as Armstrong makes both Daniel and Rafe very attractive in different ways. Whether the well-liked best friend or the flirtatious bad boy, both guys reveal hidden depths before the books end. I have my own theory about which way this love triangle will tip, but Armstrong doesn't leave too many hints laying around.

As much as I adored THE GATHERING in it's own right, I can't express how excited I was to catch hints of the Darkest Powers series as well, I can only hope Armstrong will bring characters from both series together in the long run. THE GATHERING is also a great gateway for someone who has yet to try Kelley Armstrong's books. So many parts of the story are grounded and realistic, it makes it all the more striking when that "Thing That Goes Bump in the Night" steps out of the shadows. As I've already pre-ordered a copy of this book to pass on to a friend, this book has one of the most heartfelt five bat ratings I've offered yet.

Sexual Content: Mention of sexual relationships and a steamy make-out scene.

While I enjoyed the overall premise and delivery of this book (which I audio listened to rather than physically read), I found it very predictable. I called out most of the "aha" moments long before they happened. I'm not sure if this is because the story was written in that fashion or if it's because I've been reading a lot of paranormal books and many seem to follow the same basic story line.

Apart from predictability, I don't have much to say about this read. It was entertaining, but I'm not going to rush out and grab book two in the series. My gut stays this is a book I'm likely to forget I've even read. No lasting power for me.

If you enjoy a fast read with pleasant characters and young adult angst, then you'll likely enjoy The Gathering.

Everyday I'm learning more and more of my reading preferences. Maya is exactly the kind of protagonist I love. She is sharp, quick witted, smart, loyal and physically active. In fact, the characters in The Gathering and their interaction is above all my love of the series.

Here's a part that had me cracking up.

"We have Kenjii (pet). We have my cell phone. Since we aren't yet officially dating, I'm sure you'll agree that's all the protection we need."

Kelley Armstrong is genius. Reading her work is never a hard task. Above was said by Maya to her parents.

I'm a big fan of K. Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series and so the brief (very brief) reference to the Nasts and Cortezes had me all giggly inside. Yes, it takes little to excite me =) In fact, I am racking my brain trying to recall all the details in the series to see where this book may be taking place.

Question: Does Daniel remind you of anyone? LOL.

Honestly, I'm dying to give this one a 5 on Goodreads but I'm dancing on a 4 rating (4.5) because The Gathering seems to end abruptly. As I sit here I'm trying to think of the main conflict. While I can think to name a few I'm still not seeing a major arc or peak and the cascading resolution. There is an arc alright but the book itself doesn't seem to have an ending more of a To Be Continued......

Despite my rating dilemma- I highly recommend The Gathering to all readers. It is different enough being set in a tiny Medical company town in Canada but more then enough ompf to keep you reading. Definitely YA Enthusiast and all fans of K.Armstrong's Adult series.

I like this book. I totally love the whole shape shifting thing, and the connection with animals. I love Rafe and her interest in him. I just love him! Maya and him are super funny. I love the whole mystery and the isolated little town that is an hour away from the mall. Who could live like that?!? LOL This book was good and I want more! Bring on the shape shifting. I wanna know the answers to my questions! This book was good and is totally recommended.

The characters have a real people feel to them. Flaws, strengths & realistic teen situations. The story shows us another way the group of doctor's & scientist's play with genetics. Next Book 'The Calling'.

I am a huge Kelley Armstrong fan, more so of her adult series than her young adult one. I enjoyed the Darkest Powers trilogy but felt it lacking in originality. It encompassed the traditional supernatural - werewolf, witch, ghost, etc. I was expecting much of the same with this book and I was happily surprised! This book blows her previous series out of the water! I loved the main character and the new voice Armstrong brought to this world. We didn't get many answers in terms of the plot but I'm eagerly awaiting learning more in her next book! I recommend this for all Kelley Armstrong fans - and if you haven't read her books, you are missing out!

Let me start by saying how much I love the Summoning series, about Chloe and the others. Really amazing. So, I thought this one would be like that. And it kinda was, in an offbeat way I guess. So here we follow Maya who lives on a secluded island off of Canada. There's a medical research facility that basically runs the island and Dr. Davidoff (from the original series) pays infrequent visits. But who cares, cause Maya's got mysterious deaths to solve, tattoos to get and hot boys to mack on. Steady Daniel is her best-y but hottie Rafe GETS her. Except there's a crazy old lady tells her she may be a skin-walker, which is like a shape shifter. Rut Roh! Let me jump in here and point out that these characters are in a prime Scooby-Doo scenario and nobody's taking advantage of it! I mean suspicous deaths, creepy labs and nutty old ladies? Jinkies.
But all of it doesn't really matter anyway. Maya's too concerned about ALL her mysteries to take any one too seriously and I think that's my main problem with this book. Because I really did like it overall. It was well written and had a nice pace, but there was never any resolve and it was kinda boring. Like a look into someone's everyday life. Interesting to a point. I was left frusterated, because the first series had so much going on. Action and romance and thrills. This book had some romance and suspence but that was it. And I still think an unmasking of old man Withers wouldn't have hurt.

Yes!!! I'm being called all right, called to the last book in this amazing series. I can't wait to see how Maya and gang take on the Cabals and get their lives back. I actually finished this book in one day, so I hope to do the same with the final one to see how things work out for this fun group of teens!!!!! Thanks again Kelley for your awesomeness in telling stories!!!!!

These books were absolutely gorgeous!! I read them two years ago but never had a chance to write a review. These books involve around a very unique story and the narrator is absolutely funny and amazing. The love story is also adorable. I recommend them to anyone looking for some fun, science fiction and young adult reading. You won't regret it, I assure you ;)

These books were absolutely gorgeous!! I read them two years ago but never had a chance to write a review. These books involve around a very unique story and the narrator is absolutely funny and amazing. The love story is also adorable. I recommend them to anyone looking for some fun, science fiction and young adult reading. You won't regret it, I assure you ;)

I like this book. I totally love the whole shape shifting thing, and the connection with animals. I love Rafe and her interest in him. I just love him! Maya and him are super funny. I love the whole mystery and the isolated little town that is an hour away from the mall. Who could live like that?!? LOL This book was good and I want more! Bring on the shape shifting. I wanna know the answers to my questions! This book was good and is totally recommended.

The characters have a real people feel to them. Flaws, strengths & realistic teen situations. The story shows us another way the group of doctor's & scientist's play with genetics. Next Book 'The Calling'.

I am a huge Kelley Armstrong fan, more so of her adult series than her young adult one. I enjoyed the Darkest Powers trilogy but felt it lacking in originality. It encompassed the traditional supernatural - werewolf, witch, ghost, etc. I was expecting much of the same with this book and I was happily surprised! This book blows her previous series out of the water! I loved the main character and the new voice Armstrong brought to this world. We didn't get many answers in terms of the plot but I'm eagerly awaiting learning more in her next book! I recommend this for all Kelley Armstrong fans - and if you haven't read her books, you are missing out!

Let me start by saying how much I love the Summoning series, about Chloe and the others. Really amazing. So, I thought this one would be like that. And it kinda was, in an offbeat way I guess. So here we follow Maya who lives on a secluded island off of Canada. There's a medical research facility that basically runs the island and Dr. Davidoff (from the original series) pays infrequent visits. But who cares, cause Maya's got mysterious deaths to solve, tattoos to get and hot boys to mack on. Steady Daniel is her best-y but hottie Rafe GETS her. Except there's a crazy old lady tells her she may be a skin-walker, which is like a shape shifter. Rut Roh! Let me jump in here and point out that these characters are in a prime Scooby-Doo scenario and nobody's taking advantage of it! I mean suspicous deaths, creepy labs and nutty old ladies? Jinkies.
But all of it doesn't really matter anyway. Maya's too concerned about ALL her mysteries to take any one too seriously and I think that's my main problem with this book. Because I really did like it overall. It was well written and had a nice pace, but there was never any resolve and it was kinda boring. Like a look into someone's everyday life. Interesting to a point. I was left frusterated, because the first series had so much going on. Action and romance and thrills. This book had some romance and suspence but that was it. And I still think an unmasking of old man Withers wouldn't have hurt.

Yes!!! I'm being called all right, called to the last book in this amazing series. I can't wait to see how Maya and gang take on the Cabals and get their lives back. I actually finished this book in one day, so I hope to do the same with the final one to see how things work out for this fun group of teens!!!!! Thanks again Kelley for your awesomeness in telling stories!!!!!

These books were absolutely gorgeous!! I read them two years ago but never had a chance to write a review. These books involve around a very unique story and the narrator is absolutely funny and amazing. The love story is also adorable. I recommend them to anyone looking for some fun, science fiction and young adult reading. You won't regret it, I assure you ;)

These books were absolutely gorgeous!! I read them two years ago but never had a chance to write a review. These books involve around a very unique story and the narrator is absolutely funny and amazing. The love story is also adorable. I recommend them to anyone looking for some fun, science fiction and young adult reading. You won't regret it, I assure you ;)

This was my first book by Kelley Armstrong and it will not be my last. I thought this book was very well written and the characters were very likeable. The dialogues were great and not whiny when it came to the teens. I liked how there was mystery around the small town and hints of several characters being skin-walkers. I can't wait to read the sequel when it's released. I would definitely recommend to others to read.

Compared to her other books, this one really drags. I realize it is the first in a series, so they are spending time setting up the characters, etc, but as the world she is writing for should already be familiar for most of the readers, things could have moved much faster.

The main character is likeable but I kept thinking I was reading about the teen years of Briggs's Mercy Thompson instead of an original story by another great author. I wouldn't recommend it. The book is short, and I could summarize most of the events in two or three minutes.

I do recommend Armstrongs other books, I loved them. This one just doesn't measure up.

I loved this book. Yes, its not like Armstrong's other works, but who says that a writer's books all have to be alike? And if you compare it to her other series, then yes, this one would be a little slow. If you can take it on its own, though, and not expect this to be just like the Darkest Powers series I think you'll love it. The characters are all great, not too wimpy, confident and clever. The story itself is leading up to something great. She even did good research on the animals in her book so that when she describes various big cats that she is completely accurate. Please read. Just don't expect zombies in the first book.

How do I put it gently? It is time for Kelley Armstrong to stop writing the same story. This cow, unfortunately, is almost dry.

I know, it sounds mean, but even though I mostly enjoyed the process of reading The Calling OK, this book is pretty much the same thing as The Summoning, The Awakening, The Reckoning, The Gathering, plus a couple of short stories relating to this whole Darkest Powers series. ALL of these stories have exactly the same plot. I do not even need to read The Rising to know what will happen in it. Let's be honest, how fun can it be, to go through the same motions again and again?

Yes, I was complimentary in my review of The Gathering. Even though the plot of it was transparent, the setting was fresh, the new supernatural powers were interesting, the back stories were engaging. But in The Calling, here we are again - there is nothing but running around and hiding, just like in all Darkest Powers books (especially the middle one - The Awakening). Is there anyone who has read the first trilogy who does not know where the story is going in Darkness Rising trilogy? One person? No?

There is nothing but action in this book. It feels "meatless," because of the lack of background info (we already kn0w every kid who is on the run) and lack of depth. Just run, hide in the bushes, someone gets caught, rescue, run, hide in the bushes... Rinse and repeat. There are so many fortunate and unfortunate events and coincidences in The Calling that they often undermine the believability of the whole narrative. The one event that stands out in my mind is when our teens after the helicopter crash and days of wondering in the woods finally reach a public place (a restaurant), they are denied the use of a phone, because, can you believe it, they were reported dead on the news and the owner thinks these teens are just pranking her! This is just a turn of events I have a hard time swallowing.

The characters and relationships are still good in this novel though, but I wish they were a part of a completely different story, unrelated to the Otherworld and Edison Group.

Will I read the follow-up to The Calling? I am pretty sure I will. But if there is another trilogy, with another Project in addition to Project Genesis (Darkest Powers trilogy) and Project Phoenix (Darkness Rising trilogy)? No way! Six books of the same thing is more than enough.

This book was a nice change in that I enjoyed it! I think I was in a reading rut and just couldn't seem to read a book that I really enjoyed until this one.

That being said, I do have to say that for the most part, this book is pretty predictable. I knew Maya's secret pretty much from the beginning. As well as Rafe's. But I'm not sure just how Rafe's secret is tied to Maya's. Hmm. And I"m not sure how their little community plays into it just yet, but I'm sure it does somehow. And Daniel...sometimes I felt like he had feelings for Maya, and other times he just seemed like a big brother.

There were so many unanswered questions. But in a good way! In a way that makes it so you can't wait to get yours hand on the sequel. And I can't wait to read the next book, The Calling. Hopefully it will answer a bunch of questions that I have!

In Kelley Armstrong's The Gathering (Darkness Rising, Book 1), Maya Delaney lives in a small medical research town on Vancouver Island. A year after her best friend's death, Maya and her friend Daniel still don't have answers about how Serena died. When other people start to show up dead in the woods and Maya begins to have strange moments of connection with animals, she decides to start looking for answers. All the while, things are heating up between Maya and bad boy Rafe who may have secrets of his own. Maya and her friends soon start to discover that things may not be as safe on the island as they once thought.

After really enjoying Kelley Armstrong's first YA trilogy (The Summoning (Darkest Powers, Book 1)), I was excited to delve into this new series. Similar to her prior books, Armstrong's easy writing style and engaging setting kept me reading. Likable characters such as Daniel, Rafe, Annie, and Maya's parents drew me into the story as did the gripping prologue that set up the mystery. Armstrong's descriptions and use of Canadian slang created a firm sense of place, and her respectful representation of Native people and the weaving of myth and culture into the plot also made the setting feel real.

Even with these strong points, this novel fell short for me because of its limited plot development and obvious similarities to her previous trilogy. While parts of the mythology were new, prior readers of her Darkest Powers series will know immediately what's happening to Maya and who the villains will be. Even such, readers learn very little in this book about the possible powers or identities of the different teens except for Maya and Rafe. The plot itself did not move forward much at all, and the book finished with a cliffhanger that didn't even feel like one. Though I can't stand cliffhangers, the one that's provided didn't even make me eager to read the next installment. The book overall feels like an extended prologue leading up to action we haven't seen yet. As the narrator, Maya was likable for her assertive personality and quick wit but it seemed hard to believe that she was so well-liked by most everyone despite being somewhat abrasive. I was also disappointed that the romance looks destined to fall into the requisite pattern of a love triangle.

I'm left feeling cautious about this new series and where it will go. In future books, I hope Armstrong provides a more substantial plot, some unexpected twists about the villains, and a greater sense of self-containment to each novel.

The Gathering is the first book in a new trilogy by Kelley Armstrong, it is a companion series to the The Summoning (Darkest Powers, Book 1). I very much enjoyed the first trilogy, and was willing to give The Gathering a shot. Unfortunately it didn't deliver. The character relationships are pretty much the same as in the Darkest Powers series (and like 80% of paranormal YA books too). Special teen finds out she's special on her birthday, there's a pseudo triangle, and same as the original series there's another girl chasing one of the boys in the triangle and hates our special teen heroine. The only difference is the setting and the abilities of our special teen. That said, I found Maya very likeable, as well as Daniel and Rafe, the boys closest to Maya.

The pacing of this books is also not very good, pretty much nothing happens for the first 15 chapters. The ending does leave you with more questions than answers, so I suppose it's a good hook for the next book. I did enjoy speculating who the St. Cloud corporation was, and finding a couple of 'easter eggs' that reminded me of the first series.

Will I read the next book in the series? Right now I'm not sure I want to read the next book in the series I felt I had to force myself to finish this book. Perhaps I will wait until the series is completed because truly this book doesn't reveal much, so as a standalone it really didn't do it for me.

Cover Commentary: Gorgeous, I think Maya is gorgeous and I love the sparkly earring!

well written as all Armstrong's books, but it appears this trilogy is going to be one long book divided into three sections; the "to be continued" non-ending sucks; you buy the first book and then you're told "oh btw, this book doesn't have an ending ... you need to buy the next two books to get the ending"

It was shipping on time and it's really a great book but since it's paperback, it can be damaged easily. I have OCD with my books and this one had a bent and slightly ripped cover. I bought it new so I was dissapointed about that. Other than that it's a great book.

***May contain spoilers***

I must preface by saying that I love Kelley Armstrong, she is one of my most favourite authors of all time. There isn't anything of hers that I have read before that I haven't enjoyed, from her "Darkest Powers" trilogy to her "Women of the Otherworld" series. But while I did enjoy this book I don't know if I enjoyed it quite as much as her others books, especially her "Darkest Powers" trilogy.

I think that Derek and Simon (from the "Darkest Powers" trilogy) made more of an impact on me than this book's Daniel and Rafe did, however Maya totally made a bigger impact upon me than Chloe did (I found Chloe to be really dependent upon the boys in the first two books of the trilogy and somewhat of a quiet character). But Maya? Yeah, the girl had balls. She wasn't afraid to tell it like it was and she had so many great one liners throughout the book, there were so many times I found myself bursting out laughing at what came out of her mouth, for instance this little conversation:

Maya: "Have you met the tattoo artist? Is he hot?"
Mom: "He's a she."
Maya: "Is she hot? Cause I'm still young, you know. My sexual identity isn't fully formed." (pg. 37)

I think that what really frustrated me about this book was that because it is the first book in the trilogy I assumed that we would learn lots about Project Phoenix, like we did about Project Genesis in the first book of the "Darkest Powers" trilogy, "The Summoning", but we really don't. Whatsoever. I only have some sort of knowledge about what Project Phoenix entails (Spoiler alert: The resurrection of extinct magical races) from my own personal researching (reading lots of blog posts, tweets and whatnot) and I don't feel like it is my duty to do outside research to comprehend a book, the writer should provide us with everything we need to know to understand their story.

Also, I found the plot-line to be quite slow in some parts (I am used to the fast-paced-on-the-run-adventure of the "Darkest Power" trilogy I suppose) and I found that there was the whole teenagers-fall-for-one-another-as-soon-as-they-meet-one-another thing going on which was a bit of a bummer (I really liked how relationships didn't form in the "Darkest Powers" until the very last book, the characters really got to know one another before they formed any sort of relationship).

But like I said, Maya is a really great character and the epitome of snark and she really does make this story. While I do seem to have many complaints of this story I do think that it is a good story, not as great as the "Darkest Power" series, but better than many YA books that are currently out there.

The character of Maya is appealing. The dialog crisp and realistic. I kept waiting for some resolution to at least one of the many mysteries: Maya's catlike nature, her real parentage, Serena's death, the purpose of the reporter, the reason for the fire, the mysterious experiments.... But most of the conflict centers around who likes whom, who is jealous, etc. This all churns along for hours (I listened to the book on CD) without making much headway, and then a TON of action breaks out just at the end. But not ONE of the plot threads is concluded, forcing a reader to wait for the next installment. You know, I feel cheated. I'll pass on book 2.

I was so disappointed when this book finished. I wanted to find out what happened and see how the romance developed between the two main characters. I'm eagerly awaiting the sequel.Another great book for Armstrong.

I went into this book expecting some redemption for Kelley Armstrong. The first book in this series was OK. I was hoping for this book to be spectacular. What I got wasn't exactly what I wanted. This book had very little character development and too much action. I couldn't relate to any of the characters except Maya, whom I greatly dislike. Maya to me, was a bit too snarky and rude. I enjoyed Daniel's character a lot though. Rafe, Nicole amd Sam were just bad but Haley and Corey, if they had more character development, would be my favourites. All in all, this book wasn't good. If Chloe, Derek, Simon and Tori weren' returning in the last book, I wouldn't be buying it.

Great Author, Great Book I've been following Kelley Armstrong's books for a while now and i cant get enough love the thrill and never knowing whats going to happen keeps you on edge the whole book i give Author 10 stars**********

It was a well written book, I care about the characters it was engaging.... but nothing really happened there was a little bit of strange stuff going on but it was all just high-school drama with a little bit of fantasy stuff thrown in. In darkest powers by the end of the 1st book you had zombies, werewolves, evil experiments, danger, and all sorts of other stuff, here you have some experiments that don't seem all that bad, a hit of a few boogie men but the random thug that was thrown in for no apparent reason was far more worrisome.

Worth reading but if you haven't read the darkest powers series it's a much much better read.

Love Kelley Armstrong, and even a bad day reading armstrong is still a decent day, but this book never really got traction with the romantic leads or the plot. Maya is very appealing, as is daniel, but I found myself rooting for the dog most of all. Hope the next 1 is better, maybe even the next trilogy.

When I finished the first book I just had to have the next one. I finished off both in just a day each. They are amazing and I can't wait to read the next one. I truly recommend this book right after you read the gathering.

After narrowly escaping a suspicious forest fire that threatened to destroy their island home, Maya, Daniel, and their friends find themselves in even more danger as their rescue helicopter crashes and they're left to survive and outwit their pursuers in a remote wilderness. As their potential captors get closer, Maya must struggle to decide whom to trust and what to believe about herself and her friends.

I went into reading The Calling (Darkness Rising) with some anxiety because I didn't enjoy the first book in this series, The Gathering (Darkness Rising). Sadly, my unease was warranted. Unlike Armstrong's first young adult series (Darkest Powers), I just can't get into this trilogy or feel attached to any of the characters, even now after reading the second book. Most notably, this book (and this trilogy in general) feels like a rehashing of the author's previous books. With the repetition of the same plot points (run, be captured, escape, then repeat) and the same world of the St. Clouds and the Cabals, I'm just not intrigued anymore. The idea of genetically-modified supernaturals and a conspiracy-laced research firm was exciting in her first few books, but it now feels overused and uninspired. Because so much of the book is action-focused, little character development occurs, and when it does, it seems superficial. The story doesn't take any real risks with the plot, the characters, or any of the potential (and likely) bad outcomes that would result in a situation like this. When villains appear, they are too easily foiled or appear from nowhere for the purpose of simply creating another action scene. Finally, as the book closes, it ends on a cliffhanger with little resolution.

On the plus side, if you like Armstrong's formula and her world, then this book will be a good fit. Like her other books, this installment is a quick, easy read and very action-based. I also appreciate that the superpowers that these teens possess vary from what's seen in her previous books. These things, however, weren't enough to make this book an enjoyable read for me. I'm sure I'll read the final installment (THE RISING) to see how things end, but I'm already feeling apprehensive about it because I fear it will also be too similar to her other stories. Even with this gloomy outlook, I hope I'm proved wrong and that Armstrong brings unexpected plot twists and well-rounded character development to the final book.

Note: This review refers to an advance review copy.

I loved these books! The characters are amazing. And Maya is so strong! Some advice for the poeple that want to read this series is to read the first series. The darkest powers. I read all of the reviews and i wonder if anyone has read the first ones. I really can't wait to see if Kelley combines the two stoies. I love them.

Great Author, Great Book I've been following Kelley Armstrong's books for a while now and i cant get enough love the thrill and never knowing whats going to happen keeps you on edge the whole book i give Author 10 stars**********

This book is awesome I love it I have read the series four times already and it never gets old. I highly recommend this book, especially to people with fantasy cravings. I mentioned it to small my friends and my cousins. I plan to read Kelley Armstrong's other books she is an amazing author. :) :) :) :) ;) ;) ;) ;) 0.0

It was a well written book, I care about the characters it was engaging.... but nothing really happened there was a little bit of strange stuff going on but it was all just high-school drama with a little bit of fantasy stuff thrown in. In darkest powers by the end of the 1st book you had zombies, werewolves, evil experiments, danger, and all sorts of other stuff, here you have some experiments that don't seem all that bad, a hit of a few boogie men but the random thug that was thrown in for no apparent reason was far more worrisome.

Worth reading but if you haven't read the darkest powers series it's a much much better read.

Love Kelley Armstrong, and even a bad day reading armstrong is still a decent day, but this book never really got traction with the romantic leads or the plot. Maya is very appealing, as is daniel, but I found myself rooting for the dog most of all. Hope the next 1 is better, maybe even the next trilogy.

When I finished the first book I just had to have the next one. I finished off both in just a day each. They are amazing and I can't wait to read the next one. I truly recommend this book right after you read the gathering.

After narrowly escaping a suspicious forest fire that threatened to destroy their island home, Maya, Daniel, and their friends find themselves in even more danger as their rescue helicopter crashes and they're left to survive and outwit their pursuers in a remote wilderness. As their potential captors get closer, Maya must struggle to decide whom to trust and what to believe about herself and her friends.

I went into reading The Calling (Darkness Rising) with some anxiety because I didn't enjoy the first book in this series, The Gathering (Darkness Rising). Sadly, my unease was warranted. Unlike Armstrong's first young adult series (Darkest Powers), I just can't get into this trilogy or feel attached to any of the characters, even now after reading the second book. Most notably, this book (and this trilogy in general) feels like a rehashing of the author's previous books. With the repetition of the same plot points (run, be captured, escape, then repeat) and the same world of the St. Clouds and the Cabals, I'm just not intrigued anymore. The idea of genetically-modified supernaturals and a conspiracy-laced research firm was exciting in her first few books, but it now feels overused and uninspired. Because so much of the book is action-focused, little character development occurs, and when it does, it seems superficial. The story doesn't take any real risks with the plot, the characters, or any of the potential (and likely) bad outcomes that would result in a situation like this. When villains appear, they are too easily foiled or appear from nowhere for the purpose of simply creating another action scene. Finally, as the book closes, it ends on a cliffhanger with little resolution.

On the plus side, if you like Armstrong's formula and her world, then this book will be a good fit. Like her other books, this installment is a quick, easy read and very action-based. I also appreciate that the superpowers that these teens possess vary from what's seen in her previous books. These things, however, weren't enough to make this book an enjoyable read for me. I'm sure I'll read the final installment (THE RISING) to see how things end, but I'm already feeling apprehensive about it because I fear it will also be too similar to her other stories. Even with this gloomy outlook, I hope I'm proved wrong and that Armstrong brings unexpected plot twists and well-rounded character development to the final book.

Note: This review refers to an advance review copy.

I loved these books! The characters are amazing. And Maya is so strong! Some advice for the poeple that want to read this series is to read the first series. The darkest powers. I read all of the reviews and i wonder if anyone has read the first ones. I really can't wait to see if Kelley combines the two stoies. I love them.

Great book. Not like the Darkest Powers but still great. If you know me, I am not a big fan of protagonists, but Maya to me was OK. I especially loved Daniel and his protectivness. Rafe was alright but he wasn't great. Sam still has that cloud of mystery surroundung her. Overall the book was great. But too many questions were left unanswered. Armstrong did a good job but I look forward to the Calling to have my questions answered. Would I recommend this book? Not right away. But if The Darkest Powers comes up, I'll probably meantion it.

This book was really interesting and unique! Its very different from any other book ive read and it establishes a great story line throughout the entire series. Armstrong creates amazing characters that grow on the reader and keeps the reader turning pages in suspense! I would definitely read this if you like paranormal books or romance!

I was waiting for this book! I pre-ordered it as soon as I could. I did enjoy every word, I was just hoping for more. This book could have been twice as thick, I so wanted to hear from the other "Lyle House" characters. Oh well, it was a very good book and a must read if you were hooked on the last series. Time to wait again!

I've been anxiously awaiting the release of several adult urban fantasy novels, including Spell Bound, so I thought I would give Kelley Armstrong's latest YA novel a try in order to tide myself over. I was pleasantly surprised to say the least! I never thought I would get sucked into a YA novel to such an extent, but this was at least as good as most of her Otherworld books. Recommended!

This book is awesome I love it I have read the series four times already and it never gets old. I highly recommend this book, especially to people with fantasy cravings. I mentioned it to small my friends and my cousins. I plan to read Kelley Armstrong's other books she is an amazing author. :) :) :) :) ;) ;) ;) ;) 0.0

Sounds good, doesn't it? And it's by Kelley Armstrong, so it must be really good, right? Sadly, no. I received an ARC of this book and was very excited to read it. I had to force myself to finish the book I was already reading before diving into The Gathering. As it turns out, I could have waited. This book was so disappointing. I am a huge fan of Kelley Armstrong's work, so I was expecting a heck of a story. Such was not the case.

I try to find something good to say about every book I read, even when I am not bowled over by it. I am having significant trouble finding anything I liked about this book. I guess I did like Maya's supernatural ability, which is not one Armstrong has used before, that I can remember.

What didn't I like? For starters, the book was very slow moving. I was on page 100 still waiting for something to happen. I felt like there was too much build-up, too much detail, and not enough action. I was growing bored...very, very bored. By the time the action did pick up, I was so irritated with this book that it didn't much matter.

I did not like Maya. Not liking the protagonist in a book like this generally spells disaster for liking the book as a whole. I found Maya to be boring, uppity, snarky (not in a good way), and very bland compared to other Armstrong characters. Maya's friend Daniel was OK, but the description of the novel plays it off like he has a supernatural ability, which I did not pick up on at all in the book. The characters didn't stand out for me. They weren't special or endearing, or relate-able.

The plot was very thin. That is a huge part of why the novel moved so slowly. The novel lacked substance and was made up for in tons of detail.

Overall, I did not enjoy this book. I appreciate the ARC and the lovely people who sent it to me, but I just didn't like this book. Would I recommend it? No. I can name a slew of other Kelley Armstrong works I would recommend over and over again, but this isn't one of them.

I was shocked and disappointed to find this pointless book hidden behind my middle schooler's bed. She had taken it out from our public middle school -- so happy my tax dollars went for it's payment. Please tell me who has the authority to deem a book with implied sexual reference, underage drinking, pot references and kids making out on top of each other on a roof acceptable for kids ages 12-16? What is the intrinsic value in this book?

As if opening up to the two racy chapters wasn't bad enough, I then had to read the entire book so I could, in an educated way, go and complain about it to my principal. Oh, the suffering! A slow, drawn out story, unfinished plot lines, and this woman makes how much money from this drivel?

I had to undo the damage you put into my child's head when she read that poor Rafe was only a drug dealer because he needed the money. And after telling the main character that he drank, smoked pot, stole and dealt drugs, she STILL wanted him? Please. No wonder there are so many women in this country who have abusive boyfriends or who accept losers for husbands. This author ought to be ashamed of herself. I hope you rest easy at night, Ms. Armstrong, with the money you make off of this trash and the insidious ideas you feel are acceptable to put into the heads of 12-year-old girls.

I've been a huge Kelly Armstrong fan since I stumbled upon The Summoning at my local library years ago. Having been a devoted reader of that trilogy, I was super pumped when I discovered that Ms. Armstrong had another series. I bought The Gathering to read on my kindle and finished it within a few days at most. If I could give this story more stars, I would.

What I liked about The Gathering:

As an animal lover, I simply adored Maya's abilities. I wish on a daily basis that I could communicate with animals so as to help them more. Maya herself is a strong protagonist that is totally loveable and more importantly, believable. She has her strengths and her faults; she's proud and independent, yet tends to hold grudges. And Rafe. I simply adored how multifaceted he was. In fact, ALL of the characters, including the minor seem to be three-dimensional, a true test of a good writer. Armstrong seems to understand exactly how much positive and negative she needs to add to her characters to make them as real as possible without tipping the balance and making them totally fake, a feat that many authors in the YA genre don't seem capable of. The scenery is beautifully well-done; who doesn't love a lush, mysterious forest where two people fall in love and another gets brutally attacked and killed almost simultaneously?! Pair that with an equally perplexing tattoo shop where a lady rants and raves cryptically and I am SO in.
The town itself is enigmatic. Just what is the reason behind it?

All of the good being said, the pace was perpetually ramped up, which is a good and bad thing for my taste. I had no time to digest new developments before more popped up, giving me the feeling of my head spinning a complete 360. That's more personal taste than writing style, and you may enjoy your stories to race at a break-neck pace. I'd have liked more questions to be answered before the end. I suppose they'll be answered in the sequel, but about 20,000 questions are hinted at and only a handful were cleared up.

I give this first in the series a four. It's a great read and I recommend it to anyone who loves YA paranormal fiction.

I really liked Armstrong's first foray into the YA genre with her Darkest Powers series so when I saw that she had a new one, I knew it was something I really wanted to try and was keeping my fingers crossed that I would like it every bit as much as I did the first series.

This was a fun entertaining read and while it was sometimes formulated and predictable it was still entertaining enough that I wanted to keep turning the pages. There is something to be said about characters and a storyline that are interesting and engaging enough that even if you think you know what is going to happen next, you still want to read on and discover if you are right.

I loved the new take on tribal lore, witches, and shifters and am excited to start book two to see where it will take Maya and her friends next.

I loved this book. I literally devoured it from start to finish in just a couple of sittings (well one sitting broken up only by having to work and get just a little sleep). Its set in the same world as most of Kelley Armstrong's books and having read both the women of the Otherworld series and Darkest Powers series, entering May's world, a little medical research town in a larger world where names like St Cloud and Dr Davidoff (among others) have some significance from previous novels, was like visiting one of those favourite vacation spots that you like to go to once in a while, forget about the where you normally live and catch up on what been happening since youlast visited and discover some new places there to explore.

In The Gathering, the first novel of the Darkness Rising series, we meet Maya, a regular teenager living in a small town, adopted but happy with her lot and not overly curious about where she came from. From the beginning I connected with Maya. She is strong and comfortable in who she is and her place in the world. She is still getting over the drowning of her best friend but this hasn't stopped her from continuing to tackle the world arond her and get on with life.

Now any veteran of Armstrong's books will have a fair idea of at least part of what Maya's birthmark means but Armstrong, who is using this book also a a set up for a new trilogy (series?) creates a story that leaves even the veterans with more questions than answers. While part fo the mystery might be solved in this book, that also gives the reader more questions than answers and the ending leavves the reader gasping for more.

I most definitely recommend this book to both the avid Kelley Armstrong fan and those who are newer to her books as while there are titbits there for the veterans, they are not necessary to know to still enjoy the story being told and as always its an awesome story.

I have no hesitation giving this book 5 stars.