Book 2), The Awakening (Darkest Powers

The Awakening is the second book in the Darkest Power series and it follows directly in the aftermath of book one.

This review will contain spoilers from book one, so turn back now if you are not interested.

Chloe and Rachelle are captured after fleeing the Lyle House by the Edison Group – a group that seems to be responsible for what they are. After learning some unsettling facts about herself, Chloe and Tori break out and regroup with Derek and Simon to escape the Edison Group and find Andrew – their father’s friend.

Meanwhile, the Edison Group is hot on their heels and are refusing to give up.

This was another interesting reading. I am just completely addicted to Armstrong’s writing. I think she weaves and tells a story well and there is just something about the way she crafts her story and characters that makes it impossible for me to put down. I flew through the book and now sitting here awaiting book three to arrive in my mailbox.

The characters are slowly starting to grow and develop more. I like the long way Tori came from book one, but I also like the fact that she isn’t perfect and is still very Tori.

I adore the relationship between Derek and Chloe and how of all the characters they seem to click and understand each other the most. That being said, it does disappoint me a little that there is this weird triangle going on between Chloe, Derek, and Simon – one that I do not seem to understand. Chloe and Simon don’t have a connection at all and are barely together in the book. The relationship between Chloe and Derek is well fleshed out, so I am worried going into the last book to see where exactly this is going.

The ending of the book was intense and kept me on the edge of the seat but it did end a little abruptly and left me wanting to know what happens next.

Overall, this was another great read. Everyone’s powers are still developing so it’s kind of interesting to see how these kids are not perfect and don’t have much control and are still working on figuring themselves out as they try to survive.

Book 1 focused more on world-building while as this one was all about the action; the kids are still on the run from the Edison Group, Souza had his first encounter with werewolves and it did NOT go well, and living on the streets comes with its own set of challenges as well. I’ve enjoyed watching Chloe and Derek’s relationship progress throughout this trilogy, they get lots of alone time in this installment, and their dialogue is definitely one of the highlights of this story. Unfortunately this novel was somewhat bogged down by Tori’s annoying POV, and the characters’ run-in with the wolves gave me some pause because it took place near Syracuse, NY which is close to the North American Pack’s home base, and none of the WOTO weres would have dealt with a youngin the way Derek was treated in THE AWAKENING. Mutts? Anyway, another quick and satisfying listen from Armstrong.

Cassandra Morris’ narration was appropriate for these audiobooks, her voice fit that of the fifteen year old MC’s, and she incorporated Chloe’s speech impediment into the dialogue admirably. However, as the story progressed and the heroine evolved, the child-like tone would have benefited from a slight adjustment. I had zero issues with listening to these installments one after the other because the performance was homogeneous, and the character voices didn’t deviate. The pacing did Armstrong’s writing style proud, and the built-in creep factor that comes with seeing ghosts was always present. I wouldn’t hesitate to purchase another Young Adult title that featured Morris as the narrator.

In this next installment the kids from Lyle House are on the run, discovering that the Edison Group is a crazy brotherhood of scientists bent on genetically experimenting on people, gifting and altering supernatural abilities, and then exterminating those subjects who don’t perform as expected. Simon the wizard and Derek the werewolf get separated from Chloe and her witchy companion while Liz their telekinetic ghost does her best to help them all in one way or another.
This book delves more deeply into the relationships that are being formed between the group. Simon is clearly interested in Chloe, and their friendship blossoms, though Chloe isn’t completely sure how he feels about it. Derek’s imminent first change into that of a werewolf is hanging over all of their heads, making his angry outbursts and his behavior towards Chloe a bit befuddling. The inner conflicts between all of the characters are engrossing as we realize that being on the run and banding together is only going work if they can all unburden themselves of their own personal baggage and trust one another before the bickering and skeletons in the closets begin to tear the group apart.
There is some real depth to this book. Some compelling internal development amidst the greater external problems of keeping under the radar and escaping the Edison Group permanently.

Kelley Armstrong has a firm grasp on the possibilities of secret experiments on enhancing supernaturals. This Edison Group however has definitely underestimated their subjects. This story is about four kids who are leading a merry chase of trained professionals who think they are smarter than the instinct to survive. These kids could teach the people on that program "Survivor" a thing or two. Though this is only the first book of this series you know at the end that it is a cliffhanger. It allows for a short respite of our merry band, but only just.

I think Chloe is the primary key to getting the information needed to take the next steps. She can talk to the dead as well as raise them from their slumber. However, it is the ghosts that can either help or hinder them getting any further to bringing down the Edison Group and any other organization such as them while rescuing anyone left alive still being held. The "Reckoning" is up next

In the sequel to The Summoning, Chloe Saunders finds herself betrayed, and back in the hands of the Edison Group. There she discovers the truth: she's part of an experiment, her genes modified in an attempt to suppress her supernatural powers. But when she manages to get away--with the help of an unlikely ally--and join Simon and Derek again, she finds that the Edison Group is relentless and ruthless, and keeping away from them will be harder than they originally thought. In the meantime, Chloe learns that controlling her powers is a lot harder than she imagined, and there's too much she doesn't know...

The Awakening is even more riveting and full of nonstop action than its prequel. Armstrong offers an unflinching and oftentimes grim look at what life on the streets is like for teens, with the added appeal of a perfectly sinister and powerful enemy and the suspense of unknown supernatural powers. Armstrong's teen characters are smart and resourceful, and each obstacle thrown their way requires them to use every bit of caution, wits, and intelligence they possess. Armstrong focuses a little more on the technical aspects of the teens' powers and abilities as Derek and Chloe especially explore their capabilities and restraints. Their difficulties and the tension that they face help them grow as characters and make them more appealing characters to the reader. This dark, gripping, and highly suspenseful read will have readers chomping at the bit for a sequel.

The Good: Kelley Armstrong is a strong writer and it consistently shows in her books. Her characters are engaging, her word choice on point, always. There were a few surprising twists, enough to make the book worth the read if you enjoyed the first in the trilogy.

The Bad: There was a significant falloff of personal enjoyment reading this one from the first in the trilogy. It clearly suffers from middle of a trilogy syndrome. It's hopelessly cliched, completely predictable with the main character "on the run" in an attempt to discover the truth of her situation. We've left the carefully constructed setting setup in the first novel and are now running blind in the world not knowing who to trust. I could be describing almost any random middle of a trilogy book here and that's a huge problem for this book and YA trilogies on the whole.

The Awakening was much much better than The Summoning, and The Summoning was pretty good. This book moved along at a much faster pace than the first book. I still think the necromancy thing is pretty cool and the whole idea has intrigued me.

Chloe is still a very likable character. She is selfless without being reckless and it is clear she cares for her friends. Heck, she even cares for people who aren't her friends. Some may say she is disobedient, I say that she simply does what she feels is right and needs to be done. I think more people should act on their instincts. It still amuses me how she thinks like a movie, and in order to reason through her problems she creates a scene in her head.

I really really really like Simon, but I get a sinking suspicion that a love triangle is going to rear its ugly head in the next book. I was rather hoping to stay away from that since these books haven't been romantically driven so far. Derek still annoys me for numerous reasons. I don't hate him, but I don't really like him either. I get a bad feeling though that Derek is the endgame. It is clear that Derek is the majority of fan's choice, and it is weird for me to be on the underdog's side. Normally I go for the more obvious choice. Call me superficial for picking Simon, but I really just appreciate his wit and laid back attitude. Tori has begun to grow on me. I still don't really like her, but I find her presence amusing. Tori can always be counted on to break up an awkward moment or stressed mood with her complaints. Also, her powers are pretty kickass.

I was glad that The Awakening wasn't a repeat of The Summoning. I was worried we were going to spend most of the book trying to escape from her new "home" again. Thankfully Chloe escaped pretty quickly and the majority of the book took place elsewhere.

Overall, a very fun read. Paranormal fans especially will enjoy this book.

Betrayed by her Aunt Lauren, Chloe and Rae are now locked up in some kind of lab, unable to escape and meet up with Simon and Derek. Worse yet, Dr. Davidoff and Mrs. Enright want Chloe to help them capture Simon and Derek, using Simon's diabetes as a way to persuade her to give up their location before Simon dies. Unwilling to trap her friends, Chloe gives them false rendezvous points until she can come up with a plan of escape.

When trying to summon Liz, Chloe accidentally summoned Brady instead, who was then taken over by a demon who has been trapped by the Edison Group. The demon tells Chloe of the experiment that she and her friends are a part of. The Genesis II Project is genetic modification meant to suppress a supernatural's power, but not all subjects were successful. Unsuccessful subject's powers are uncontrollable and based on their emotions. Those who cannot be rehabilitated are "terminated." Simon was a success, Rae and Tori are in progress, but Chloe and Derek are left with "???" next to their names.

With an uncertain future and a half million dollar reward out for Chloe's safe return, Chloe's new normal is a dangerous and deadly life on the run, but there is no going back now.

Chloe has really grown since The Summoning. She's stronger, more courageous, and taking a more active part in their escape. She thinks logically and thinks of each scenario that could happen. She's still a little rash sometimes, especially when Derek annoys her. Chloe is even trying to be friends with Tori and trying to make her feel like part of the group, instead of a tag-a-long.

The triangle between Simon, Chloe, and Derek heats up in this book. Simon and Chloe start spending more time together when they begin a comic chronicling the events of their journey. But Chloe and Derek's connection grows as Chloe sits with Derek as he tries to go through his change again. It always seems like Derek and Chloe are being pushed together as their journey continues. I like Simon, but I always wanted Derek and Chloe to end up together. Even though they fight and bicker a lot, they also have a lot in common, and they both have uncertain futures.

I'm glad that I've started reading Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series, otherwise I never would have noticed the references made to the series in The Awakening. One reference made is about how Tori's mother heard about another witch (Eve) bearing the child (Savannah) of a sorcerer (Kristof) and had to do the same. And mix-blood spellcasters are dangerous. And another reference I noticed was when Derek was anxious about being in Syracuse where the Pack lives. He definitely wouldn't want to run into Clay, Elena, and Jeremy. But Derek and Chloe did run into a couple werewolves who remarked that Derek looked like a Cain, in reference to Zachary Cain who was one of the werewolves who went against the Pack in the first book of the Women of the Otherworld series, Bitten.

When I read a series that is either a side story or spin-off of another series, I like seeing the characters of the main series, like with Women of the Otherworld and the Darkest Powers. It only makes sense since these two series take place in the same world.

I mentioned in my review for The Summoning that I was going to pay closer attention to Chloe's necklace. When I re-read The Summoning, I noticed that her ruby necklace was changing color. In the beginning of The Awakening, it was a purplish color, but by the end her necklace is almost blue. I really want to know what the deal is with the necklace. It must be important since focus is being put on how it's changing color.

The Darkest Powers Trilogy comes to a close with the next and final book, The Reckoning. As the title suggests, there's going to be a reckoning and not everyone will make it out alive. I can't wait to see what I notice when I re-read the conclusion to this amazing series that I didn't the first time through.

finds us first. Or die trying. (Goodreads)

The Awakening starts from where The Summoning left. Chloe, Tori and Rae has been recaptured by the Edison Group. Chloe and Tori escapes and starts to search for Derek and Simon. After they are reunited they decides that the best solution is to look for a family friend of Derek and Simon who could help. They're trying to learn to control they're new powers and to figure out what was done to them.

It's been some time since I read the first book and didn't remember these were so much fun!

Chloe is trying to learn how to control necromancy and her power just seems to grow. She's also trying to accept what she learned about her Aunt who was always there for her.

I like her , and the fact that she doesn't come complete idiot when a boy is around, and she is starting to believe in herself more. Sure she does some stupid decisions that leads her needing to be rescued but still. From the first book she has had a crush on Simon who is this nice, thoughtful guy but there is also Derek who most of the time is kinda rude at everyone but at times is kind and caring.

I liked Simon and thought he was fun but Derek is the mysterious one. Chloe understand him and helps him with his struggle with the wolf. And I can't feel hoping there would be more between the two!

I wish we would have been told more about how the kids have been genetically altered. It's told that they were but never more than that. And it doesn't come clear what is supposed to be normal so you don't really know how different the kids really are.

Personally I found it interesting when we found out that Simon has diabetes. It doesn't come across often in the books and not with something about medication plan explained. And even though it's not a big deal in the story, there is still the proper information.

I really enjoyed this and it was kinda quick read too. Can't wait to start Armstrong's adult serie too!

The Awakening is definitely better than the first book of the series. There's more of a focused conflict, there's more action and adventure, and the characters are rapidly evolving. As always, Armstrong's writing is suspenseful and makes for a quick read (I don't know how she does it!)

I like that more and more is being revealed about their powers and about the Edison Group, but we're definitely still not getting the full story. In any case, Chloe is learning a bit more about her powers and is practicing more often. We get to see more of Derek, who is awesome, and Victoria, who I'm actually starting to feel bad for.

The one thing I didn't like about this novel was how stupid Victoria could be sometimes. I know she's spoiled, I know there should be conflict between the characters, but really? Sometimes, I just wanted to jump through the book and give her a good slap. I also got tired of Chloe continually comparing her life to the movies. I know, she's a movie buff and that's probably what a movie buff would do, but it did get overwhelming. I don't like it in general when authors use the whole "in movies/novels, it works like this, but this is real life" for when their characters are thinking. This just draws my attention to the fact that I am reading a book and it isn't real life.

However, other than those two things, The Awakening was perfect. Armstrong does not make it easy on her characters, which makes for a suspenseful, exciting read. There are also some really cool (horribly frightening?) zombie scenes when Chloe's power gets a little out of control. :) I love the weird stuff.

I am very excited to read The Reckoning. If you haven't started this series yet and you're a paranormal young adult fan, run, don't walk, to the nearest library or bookstore and pick these books up!

After finishing the previous book titled The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong, I made sure to have The Awakening handy to continue on with the story. The Awakening picks up right were the previous book left off. Even though the first book wasn't a favorite book of mine, I was still interested in seeing where the author would take the characters and what would happen to them next.

While The Awakening still had some slow parts that did become repetitive -- ex. hide, run, chased, repeat -- the book did have some questions answered and character development that was desperately needed. I can see Tori starting to open up a little more. Derek is lightning up and showing a softer side. Simon is still Simon and some small details are brought to light about him. Liz finally accepts what has happened to her. Chloe is getting stronger and her powers are also getting powerful.

Again there is a bunch of repeat actions and loose ends as well. I am a little disappointed that the questions are starting to out weigh the answers, but I guess that is a good thing to keep the reader interested until the final book. Obviously, everything can't be revealed before then, but I do wish some things would start clearing up. The gang is also still looking for the boys' Father in the hopes of him answering their questions.

I will keep reading the series in the hopes that the final book will finally answer my questions. While this is not one of my favorite series, I still have high hopes for it.

Chloe Saunders is on the run with an unlikely band of allies - half-trained sorcerer Simon; too-powerful witch, Tori, and untested werewolf Derek, when the group is seperated, and Chloe, Tori and Rachelle (who may or may not have powers of her own) end up comfortable, spoiled prisoners of the Edison Group...the group who, Chloe discovers, is responsible for genetic mutations performed on her and her friends - not to mention various others - to tamp down their powers. But in Chloe and Tori's case, the experiments back fired. And having discovered the plot they were all unwittingly part of, none of them are the same. Chloe's innocence has been flaking away with every new development, but The Awakening is the transitional book in the trilogy - the story that takes intelligent but sheltered Chloe from her normal world and fully thrusts her into the middle of the supernatural world. And Chloe, to her credit, handles it pretty well. Kelley Armstrong doesn't really write shrinking violets, from what I've seen. She writes characters that, even if they stumble from time to time, are ultimately capable of making their own choices, and learning along the way, all of which Chloe does over the course of this book. After she escapes the Edison Group and reunites with Simon and Derek, and reluctantly, Tori, the four delve head first into the quest to locate Simon and Derek's father and, hopefully, a safe haven in the storm brewing all around them.

As dire as their circumstances are (Chloe now has a bounty on her head, placed there by her grief-stricken father, who knows nothing of what's going on,) sending the group to the streets was what this book needed to be, while transitory, also enough to keep me reading. Nowhere is really safe for Chloe, Derek, Tori, and Simon, as Kelley Armstrong proves more than once, sending different threats their way, while all the time, Chloe's powers continue to manifest themselves in new and unexpected ways. Armstrong shows us glimpses behind Tori's tough exterior, and proves, subtley, that there is more to Tori than meets the eye. All four characters struggle to come to some sort of understanding of what their powers mean, what they are capable of, and how to survive on their own, away from small comforts and trusted loved ones.

But the real star of this book was Derek, and his relationship with Chloe. Briefly separated from the others, Chloe and Derek are thrown together and experience a couple of harrowing ordeals (a pair of werewolves, Chloe talking to an elderly woman in a restaurant who turns out to be a ghost,) and Derek's second attempted Change. Through all of this, the two become closer, and Armstrong gives us a few rare glimpses behind Derek's gruff facade. There's a real guy there, a guy who cares a lot about those around him, and slowly, a sweet bond develops between him and Chloe. There isn't romance there, not just yet, but there's the hint of something more, something really meaningful, and Kelley Armstrong writes what IS there so well that I immediately wanted more of Derek and Chloe, when they weren't in the same scene.

Overall I was pleased with this book. I had a few hang-ups (people are always "swearing," and I guess because it's a YA novel the words themselves aren't allowed, but to me, it happened far too often and got a little annoying, "he swore, "it was my turn to swear," etc) but mostly it was a good book, and a little better than I remembered it being (I had previously read this book last year.) The pacing is pretty solid and keeps the book moving along nicely toward its climax. By the time I finished it, I felt like I had gotten to know the characters better, and was definitely ready for the third and final book, The Reckoning.

I really enjoyed the Darkest Powers trilogy. The Awakening is a fun book, but it serves to move the plot along for the trilogy and not as a stand-alone for sure. There were more of the things I enjoyed about the first book: chilling ghost encounters, fast-paced action, characters with ambiguous motives, and a tiny hint of romance. This is very much a plot-driven book. If you're looking for intense character development, this isn't the novel for you. I kept thinking it would make a good hour long TV show, with each book comprising a couple of episodes and the whole series making up one season of shows. Armstrong has a writing style that makes it easy to visualize the action, and I really felt like I could see everything in my mind as if it were on a screen. Maybe that's due in part to Chloe's love for and frequent references to movies and directing. I really love her snarky inner voice that tells her what would be happening if this were a movie or what she would say to herself if she were a character in a movie.
Chloe's nemesis Tori is in this book a lot, so if you aren't a fan of bickering....well, there's a good deal when Tori joins the gang for their escape from the Edison Group lab. The action of the story comes primarily from their flight and attempt to find a safe house. I really enjoyed Chloe and Derek's solo trek when they are separated from Tori and Simon. (Could've done without so much vomiting...Derek and his Change get pretty gross.)
Derek's character probably shows the most growth in the book, and although he's still a prickly guy I kind of appreciated that about him. I didn't enjoy what this story did with Rae, but it made sense after the last one. The fact that we still have no idea what the necklace is all about bothered me. I finished The Awakening in just a few hours and fortunately it doesn't end on such a dramatic cliffhanger as The Summoning did. There's more closure with this book. I still went out and immediately got the final book in the trilogy, The Reckoning. I just had to know what happened, and to me that's the sign of a successful series.

This is the second book in the Darkest Powers trilogy by Kelley Armstrong. I liked this book slightly better than the first book in the series. I have read the first few books in Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series and liked those okay.

The beginning of this book finds Chloe and crew trapped in the medical facilities; while Simon and Derek are still at large...right where the first book left off. The medical team wants to get Chloe and her friends to help find the boys. A jailbreak ensues and most of the book deals with Chloe and friends living life on the run; trying to hunt down Simon's dad and figure out the bigger evil plot that is going on.

This is another story of genetic engineering gone arwy and leaving people (in this case supernaturals) with unpredictable power. The powers aren't well defined and the characters don't put a lot of effort into testing their abilities or trying to understand them...they just kind of stumble through the story. The story is still engaging because the characterse are constantly on the run and being hunted.

I am still not that into the characters in this series. I thought the first book was okay and this book is only slightly better than the first one. Chloe is still pretty helpless, although she tries to get a better handle on her powers in this book. Derek and Simon are by far the most interesting characters in this series. This book did move faster than the first one and overall, was paced much better. The story was engaging, but I am still not finding it all that exciting.

The characters and their problems seem kind of blah to me...maybe I just read too much paranormal. I feel like this plot has been done many times before. None of the characters really grabbed me and I didn't feel like there was great chemistry between any of them either. I am still trying to decide if I will even read the third book in this series "The Reckoning" because to be honest I have absolutely no interest in what happens to these characters. This book ends with another cliffhanger...and I always hate it when authors don't give any closure to the reader.

Overall an okay book. Nothing to write home about. I still think there are other better YA paranormal series out there. Try Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy, Book 1) by Richelle Mead, Blue Bloods (Blue Bloods, Book 1) by Melissa De La Cruz, or Blue is for Nightmares (Stolarz Series) by Laurie Faria Stolarz .

In The Awakening (Darkest Powers, Book 2), the second in Kelley Armstrong's Darkest Powers trilogy, we catch up with Chloe, Derek, Simon, Tori, and Rae. Chloe learns more about the extent of her special powers, the intent of the Edison Group's experiment becomes clear, and the threats to each character's safety become more apparent. New alliances are built, old ones are rekindled, and current ones are questioned, all while trying to escape the clutches of the Edison Group.

Like the first book in the series, I enjoyed immersing myself in Armstrong's world. Her writing is strong for a young adult series, and her characters are well-drawn. The roles of some characters are expanded, especially Derek, and relationships are both strengthened and tested between characters. There's more exploration of each character's special skills and how well he/she can master them. Chloe remains a strong teen heroine with a conscience, though she comes off more cliché in this book. Again, the action and the trials the characters experience remain the focus of the novel, not any romantic subplot. There's romantic tension, but it's limited when it appears.

However, also like the first book, the ending leaves the reader without any closure. The series feels like a serialized novel, not a series of books. In this installment, there's no sense of plot other than running from the Edison Group. Though character development and discovery does happen during the journey, the book is almost entirely one flight scene that changes a bit, based on the circumstances. Compared to The Summoning (Darkest Powers, Book 1), it was a lot less satisfying as a stand-alone book.

Despite these misgivings, I'm looking forward to the conclusion of the trilogy this spring with The Reckoning (Darkest Powers, Book 3). Like the first two books, I'm sure it will be a good read and I hope it will provide readers with a satisfying ending to the series.

Chloe's still devastated by her aunt's involvement with the Edison Group. She's now stuck in a new house where things are supposed to improve. She's supposed be learning how to control her power, but she's not willing to give up too much information. She doesn't tell anyone that she can talk to Liz's ghost. Meanwhile Derek and Simon are still at large and the group desperately wants to capture them. They try pumping Chloe for information, but she's not budging. Finally after many threats, she weakens and says she might be able to remember something if she can look for it. But underneath she just wants to escape. Between a truce with Tori - who offers her help, the two of them elude the guards the group sent with them to the factory. With Liz's help, they remain out of sight until they meet up with the boys. Together they come up with a plan escape to find someone the brothers know and trust. Unfortunately, they have little money and can't risk Chloe's face being recognized. With difficult circumstances, they split up. Each group will meet at the house, where hopefully, they'll find the answers they've been looking for.

The cover of the first one drew my eye, but the story sucked me in. Now questions of the supernatural powers keep rising. Derek almost changes into a werewolf and Chloe keeps raising the dead - sometimes in her sleep. They have so many questions they need answered before they can learn to live in peace and they might not be able to live normal lives in society. But they're ready to try. The love triangle between the characters creates great tension. I know who I want Chloe to end up with. With book 3 not scheduled to come out until May 2010, it's going to be a long wait....

"We're Frankenstein monsters--failed Frankenstein monsters"
When we ended The Summoning, Chloe Saunders and Rachelle "Rae" Rogers had been apprehended by Lauren, Chloe's aunt, and turned into the Edison Group, under lock and key. Inside the Edison Group, Chloe has to find a way out. But in the mean time, she learns that she, Rae, Victoria "Tori" Enright, Derek Souza and Simon Bae were actually part of a genetic experiment to control supernatural powers--and if any of them become unmanageable, they end up like Elizabeth "Liz" Delaney--dead. Chloe has to find an escape, find the boys, and stay one step ahead of the Edison Group before it's too late.

I Liked:
It's hard to follow up such an amazing novel like The Summoning, but Kelley Armstrong does it and magnificently. This is exactly the type of novel that gets my heart racing and would have done so when I was a teen too.
Firstly, characters. Chloe is still amazing. Savvy, intelligent, yet she has her weaknesses. She gets into scrapes but not because she's stupid (that would be Tori). She is clever, keeps her wits, but will still scream if a zombie is crawling up her body, even while trying desperately to rectify her mistake.
Tori gets way more character this time around. It's hard not to develop a sort of fondness for the girl. She's abused by her mother and has no one to turn to. She may be prettier and wealthier, but she lacks sometimes the wits to keep from getting into scrapes. She tries to come off independent and better than Chloe, but in the mean time, she appears like a whiny brat. But the heart-warming part was when Tori sets herself aside for a moment to comfort Chloe over Chloe's bad hair dye. Tori and Chloe may be at each other's throats at times, but Chloe will always look out for Tori, and Tori knows and appreciates it.
The boys are also getting more interesting, especially with the hints of a romance with Chloe. Derek, the "ugly" boy with acne, is definitely my favorite for her. I think Derek and Chloe have great chemistry. Sure, he's a rude brute, but Chloe doesn't take it. She dishes it right back and makes him treat her like a human. And this time around, we see how much Derek appreciates Chloe's presence, particularly when shifting. He comes to her aid more than enough to make us realize he has something for her. As for Simon, our upbeat sorcerer continues to shine, even if he, of all the runaways, has the least screen time.
The story again is fabulous. Instead of rehashing The Summoning, Armstrong takes us to the next stage: fugitives. It was great to see the kids on the run, surviving by their sense and their willingness to stick together. Also, a hint of the light at the end of the tunnel appears with a traitor giving them aid and finding Andrew Carson. There are a few questions that appear (won't go into specifics so as not to spoil), but I think they are good questions, leading to a grand finale.
As for writing, I loved the humor, Chloe's references to movies (which sometimes made me laugh!), and the atmosphere.

I Didn't Like:
I have only one complaint. This time around, we have to endure quite a bit of both Simon and Derek gushing over Chloe. "How is Chloe's arm?" "Is Chloe tired?" "Chloe needs some rest/food/clothes..." That might not be a problem, but this is at the expense of Tori. Tori is often told to shut up, ignored, or told how useless she is. Starting to smart of a Mary Sue, if you ask me.

Dialogue/Sexual Situations/Violence:
All alluded to, and tastefully.
Chloe's heart skips a beat when she's holding hands with one of the boys. Dr. Davidoff had a thing for Rae's mom.
Chloe can raise the dead, which means zombies. That said, I didn't think the descriptions were too gruesome and were mostly left for the imagination. The kids are also shot at, encounter a girls' gang, and redneck werewolves.

Overall:
The Awakening is a superb sequel. I was enthralled, entertained and unable to put the book down. I love the characters, I love the story, and I love the tone--light with a dark edge. For urban fantasy lovers, don't forget to add this to your reading list!!

Brought to you by:
*C.S. Light*

Sequels make or break a trio in my opinion. This sequel was written extremely well, and if I based my rating on how fast I read it, I would have given it 5 stars because I read it in a day and a half. But I'm basing it more or less on how good I thought it was in comparison to the first in the series and in that case it wasn't as good as the first. It was; however, still extremely entertaining.

All of our favorite characters are back and we find out even more secrets about the Lyle House and the Edison Group. They are on the run throughout book two being chased by the Edison Group trying to find a safe place to stay and you get to know each of the 4 main characters a little bit better which include Chloe, Simon, Tori, and Derek. My favorite characters are definitely Chloe and Derek but I did start to really enjoy Tori's character more and more throughout this book.

The ending leaves you hanging again, there is plenty of danger again, and lots of mystery. Little romance but it really does not bother me in this series because the books are just not about romance and the storyline is fantastic without it. The little bit of romance there is, is extremely innocent. Smiles, flirting, that's about it.

I give it a 4-4.5 and recommend it to anyone who enjoyed book 1. I'm currently halfway through the 3rd in the series and find it even better... keep reading on my friends!

The second book in the Darkest Powers Series was better than I expected it would be. It was a thrilling ride full of action and adventure. Chloe Saunders is on the run from the Edison Group with her supernatural friends Simon (a sorcerer), Derek (a werewolf), and surprisingly, Tori (a witch).

I enjoyed the fact that Chloe grew more as a character, and for that I found her more likable. She continues to learn more about herself especially the necromancer side of her. She discovers that she has to be more careful with her powers because she is more powerful than she originally thought. There are instances where she accidentally raises a corpse from the dead while she is sleeping to accidentally reanimating dead animals. Through these sticky situations, Chloe learns that her powers are broader than she thought because she finds out that she can actually control the zombies that she raises (whether they want to be controlled or not).
I enjoyed following Chloe through this book. She finds out some tough truths like her friend, Liz, being killed at the hands of the Edison group and discovering some shocking truths about her aunt, the Edison Group and even herself. The only character that truly annoyed me at times was Derek. I hate how angry he can get, but I guess that just comes with being a werewolf. I especially hated it when he took his anger out on Chloe. When Derek was not angry or upset, I could tolerate him. In fact, he seems like a pretty decent guy, but his anger kind of pissed me off.

Overall, I liked The Awakening better than The Summoning, but it is still not my favorite series out there. Although, I am looking forward to seeing where Kelley Armstrong takes this story in the next installment in the series, The Reckoning.

Picking up just days after THE SUMMONING left off, Chloe is back and ready for her next great adventure.

Chloe always thought she was a normal girl, until a couple of weeks ago that is. Now she has been captured once again by the Edison Group, as she is a teen necromancer, that's right she can raise the dead and she really doesn't have much control over it. Chloe is now in the race for her life as she has escaped from the Group for a second time and absolutely cannot get caught. Along with her are her three friends, who all happen to be supernatural's as well. There's Tori, a whiny witch, Derek, a sarcastic wereworlf, and Simon a flirtatious sorcerer. These four kids have to find help quickly or die trying. If they don't, the Edison Group will get them once and for all and they would be turned into lab rats, which is the last thing any of these kids want.

I love this series. It is suspenseful and action packed and I couldn't wait to finish it from the moment I picked it up, it was just so good. If you haven't read the first book though, I highly suggest you pick it up, because it provides a lot of necessary information.

The characters in the this book were much more developed than in THE SUMMONING. I felt Like I got to know each of the four main people a little bit better and they were actually a lot of fun and wish they had been a bit more 3-D. All four characters really formed a stronger relationship together and it made the book feel less empty. Tori was especially fun, her tantrums made me laugh a lot!

The plot was riveting and fast paced. It literally flew past for me and I couldn't believe it was over when I closed the back cover. There was so much adventure and many twits and turns that kept my heart racing. I also enjoyed the author's writing. She did a great job creating a lot of suspense and she quickly developed the story so there was never a dull moment.

Overall I really liked this installment in the Darkest Power trilogy. I absolutely cannot wait for the third book because the ending left the reader hanging once again.

The Awakening starts off right where The Summoning left off and right after reading that first sentence there's no stopping you until you've finished the book.
*WARNING if you haven't read the first one the following might spoil it a bit for you so go read The Summoning!! Don't worry though I won't spoil Awakening for you*
Chloe and Rae were captured because Chloe's Aunt Lauren betrayed her. Now Chloe has to find a way out of this new place the Edison Group has locked her into and find Derek and Simon especially since Simon has a little dark secret that acquires immediate attention. The Edison Group is a group of people who genetically modified a bunch of kids with supernatural abilities. These people are obviously not good people since, as we learned, they are responsible for the death of Liz and possibly other kids.
As we all know would happen, Chloe finds a way out (!!!!). She reunites with Simon and Derek of course. Ahhh Derek!!! I love him!! :D ehem Anywho....They all have to find the one person that might be able to help them and that's Andrew, an old friend of Derek and Simon's dad, thing is they're not sure if he'll still be there after all those years especially since Andrew and D&S's dad had a "falling out". That's not the only problem though. On their journey they get separated, encounter werewolves, crazy people trying to kill them, and much more fun fun fun!! :D
This sequel was much more fast paced than the second one and I loved it!! The story just keeps getting better and better there is never a dull moment. Unfortunately like all great things, it must come to an end, and of course it did which made me soo sad :( but extremely anxious to know what will happen in the third and last installment in the Darkest Powers series. I'm very good at picturing whatever it is I'm reading in my head so it's like I'm watching a movie and I miss it!! I can still "see" it in my head and wish I could go "see" the third book already! hehe
I'm so glad Kelley's writing and creativeness is amazing otherwise I don't think I would like this book as much. :) I am a huge fan of the fact that she wrote this series in the POV of Chloe it just makes it better and I would not like it any other way.
I just LOVE Derek, he's one of my absolute favorite male protagonists. In pretty much every YA book you pick up there's always this perfect hot guy, but Derek is different and I ...LOVE that!! I'm rooting for this guy :D He hasn't really shown any feelings towards Chloe, at least not obvious ones, but I think Kelley's planning it so that in the third he does end up with her, but who knows? We can only hope hehe

And I'm really curious about what's up with her necklace changing color.
-tvandbookaddict.blogspot.com

Genetically modified with supernatural abilities, four teens are on the run from those who experimented on them. They're not concerned with future experiments - just the all-too-likely threat of termination. But escaping is just the beginning. From warehouses, to mean streets, to forests and more, their powers may not be enough to keep them unscathed.

The second book in a trilogy, THE AWAKENING should definitely not be read first. Also, it ends in a cliff-hanger, which is bloody annoying considering that Book 3, THE RECKONING, isn't out until April or May 2010. While the Darkest Powers series as a whole is pretty darn good (I've only read the first two instalments), on its own THE AWAKENING doesn't really work. Basically the story's about getting from A to B, which leaves the bulk of the plot points just obstacles that don't really teach us anything new. Yes, it's a page-turner, even if it does still feel like filler.

But here's something curious: In LIVING WITH THE DEAD, the ninth book in Kelley Armstrong's adult series, an Australian is mentioned. Seeing a review of the upcoming tenth book, FROSTBITTEN, the Australian definitely has a major part to play. Though the term "gullible" mentioned in relation to that character has me wary.

The author is Canadian, though her novels are mostly set in the US. So I'm not entirely sure it's a coincidence that at about the 3/4 mark of THE AWAKENING, an Aussie is mentioned - a man-eating werewolf Aussie, in fact. Will the Otherworld and Darkest Powers series crossover? Will Australians be the next trend in urban fantasy antagonists? As one myself, I'm extremely curious.

P.S. I meant me being Australian, not an urban fantasy antagonist. Or am I...? ;-)

After I finished reading the summoning, I went right away to my school's library to read the sequel. I was able to read it within the span of 3 days. I enjoyed it so much that I could hardly put it down. I had a lot of high hopes from the first book, and this book didn't fail to deliver a great novel with amazing suspense, romance, and general creepiness.

Reasons to Read:

1.The Mysterious Edison Group:

In the first novel, we heard about the Edison Group, but not a lot was revealed about them. Don't get me wrong, they're still very mysterious, and again only a bit is revealed about them, but the whole thing is just so fascinating that you have to keep reading, because you just can't wait to piece together everything. While this is not a particularly new idea, I think that the group is still really interesting nonetheless.

2.More action:

There wasn't a lot of action in the summoning, except for around the second half of the book. There were a lot more action and fight scenes, which I enjoyed. While many of them are against the Edison Group, a fair number of them are also against other groups of people. It was nice to see other types of foes in the novel, besides just the main villains.

3.The Non-Frustrating Love Triangle:

Like I've said before, I'm not a huge fan of love triangles. I'm constantly cheering for the guy who will inevitably lose, and I end up hating the other for it. I genuinely liked the two guys in this love triangle: Derek and Simon. They are both very, very different. Derek is the typical tall, dark, and handsome guy, while Simon is the classic boy-next-door. They both have a lot of chemistry with the protaganist, which I think is why I like this triangle so much.

In some areas of the book Chloe bugged me a little bit because she refused to use her powers to protect herself, so she wound up being the damsel in distress a lot of the time. She did get a bit better by the end of the book, though, which I was glad of. While I didn't like this book quite as much as the previous, I think that it continues the story very well from where it leaves off, and makes a great addition to the Darkest Powers series.

Okay, I still have not read anything from Kelley Armstrong's Otherworld series, but after this, I may just have to.

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I don't know what it is about the Darkest Powers series, but it has got me irreversibly hooked. So hooked that the Girl Who Doesn't Buy Hardcovers (aka Me), well... bought a hardcover.

The absolute best thing about The Summoning and now The Awakening (and hopefully, The Reckoning), is that the action NEVER stops. Seriously. Any other book, some parts get boring, you've got filler. You get told things that aren't really of any interest, and somethings that never end up being of any importance. The Darkest Powers though, I'm actually scared to put the book down, afraid that while I'm sleeping, or cooking, or writing, that I'm going to miss something. That something in the book is going to rewrite itself, and I will never know what really happened. There is absolutely never a dull moment.

The second best thing about the series, is the characters. I am definitely a `Plot and Characters' type person, and these books have all of that and more. The characters in the books seem so real. They have attitudes, they don't let anything slide, they bicker, they fight, they do stupid things. So many books have heroines who don't do anything wrong, or when they do it's not because of their own fault, but Chloe is not one of those people. She makes mistakes, she withholds information, her mouth gets her in trouble. All without being one of those I Know Everything, You Suck characters. Even Tori starts to grow on you eventually.

And I've just realized I'm rambling. Really, I'm surprised I'm able to form coherent sentences. That's how much I loved this book. Just trust me, if you've read The Summoning, you will LOVE this book. If you haven't read The Summoning (and therefore haven't read The Awakening), you really are missing out on what I would seriously call one of the best books this year.

I seriously love the Darkest Powers books! I'm not sure what it is about them: the characters, the supernatural elements, or the tension between Chloe and Derek, but I suspect it is all those amazing aspects.

I love the characters in The Summoning and The Awakening. Chloe is an awesome main character. I'm enjoying finding out more and more about her powers. I've read Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake novels, and Chloe is a bit like a younger version of Anita, which I love. Derek might be my favorite character though - I just love the brooding guys - plus I know that he's going to make it through puberty and be one of those guys that you wish you would have given a shot before the hotness kicked in! ;) The fact that he is smart just makes him even more appealing.

The awkward, yet trusting relationship Derek and Chloe have definitely keeps me turning pages! They are one of those relationships that, as a reader, I want so badly to turn into a relationship. They'd be so amazing together... !!

I'm liking the sinister Edison Group plot line that is starting to develop. The fact that the boys' father is missing reminds me of Supernatural, which is a definite PLUS (I know there are some Supernatural fans out there)! Kelley Armstrong found a way to weave all those different supernatural powers and creatures into one amazing story - there is never a boring moment and it all comes together perfectly!

Actual rating: 3.5ish

So we're still running around, still trying to uncover the mystery of the Edison Group. As story goes, it's okay, but not as fleshed out as it could be. What makes this series good are its characters. Chloe, Derek, Simon, Tori, all very well written. I love the dynamics between Chloe, Derek and Simon, and I'm dying to see where the romance blooms. While Simon may be the obvious choice - cute, funny, gentle, considerate, artistic - it's Derek I love. Sure, he's rough around the edges and not always the most considerate person in the world, but his capacity for love is tremendous, he just expresses it a bit differently than most. I want this relationship to happen... I NEED this to happen. I want Derek to have his Happily Ever After. Perhaps that's why I've continued reading... okay, it's totally why I've kept reading. It's all about the characters. I want to know how this whole thing works out.

So, perhaps the story itself isn't so perfect, but dude, I love these characters.

The Awakening was a lot better than The Summoning by bounds. A solid 4 star rating. What The Summoning failed at The Awakening accomplished; lot's of action and suspense. Picks up right where The Summoning left off, Chloe's trapped and on the run. The character's have a lot more depth and growth going on in this book making it even more entertaining. Though a pretty easy and quick read just like the previous book this one tends to be more memorable and enjoyable than the last. A fun read that will have you racing through it to find out what happens next.

SYNOPSIS:

Chloe Saunders and her friends had a plan. Don't get caught. But Chloe does exactly that and now she's trapped at the mercy of an experimental organization called The Edison Group. Now the stakes are even higher for escaping and everything she thought she knew about her life was a lie. Betrayed she turns to the most unlikely of allies to make it out alive and help her supernatural friends find Simon and Derek's father - the only one they believe can help them out of this mess.

Unlike the first book in Armstrong's Darkest Powers series, I thought The Awakening was pretty fast-paced from the beginning. The characters are growing and developing much more in this book, but the plotting still feels a little shaky and all over the place. Nevertheless, I am anxious to see how this story unfolds and wraps up in the third book, The Reckoning, which is due out in April.

This book finds Chloe learning more about the Edison Group and the experiment they have been performing on children with supernatural powers. Not only does this storyline focus on Chloe and her friends' quest to discover the truth about the Edison Group, but Armstrong also gives us a glimpse into the dark and difficult life for kids on the street. The two characters who probably grow the most during this stage of the adventure are Chloe and Derek, both discovering what they are capable of and trying to understand how they can control their respective powers. Even Tori shows us what she is capable of (though still obnoxious as ever), and together, all four of them, Simon included, make a smart and resourceful team.

If you enjoyed The Summoning, I think I can safely say that that you will enjoy The Awakening, perhaps even more than the first book. I know I did, and I am looking forward to finding out how Armstrong wraps this story up in The Reckoning.

In the first book, Chloe discovered the Lyle House was owned and operated by a scientific organization called the Edison Group who's sole intention is genetically engineering their powers. The Lyle House wasn't a safe haven for them to learn to deal with the problems after all. It was simply a place to send those children whose powers were too great for the Edison Group to control. This was the place where they determined if the child is a "scientific failure" and should be terminated.

Chloe has learned that she her powers aren't limited to simply seeing the dead but she can raise the dead without even trying-- as if being an estranged teenager wasn't bad enough, she had to add raising zombies at the first sign of emotional distress to her list. Running for her life with a witch, a sorcerer, and a werewolf doesn't help matters much either.In this installment Chloe learns more about her powers and with that she learns just how terrifying those powers can be and the only people she knows might have any chance of helping her will easily end her life the moment she loses control.

Bravo to Armstrong once again! Many series tend to spiral slowly downward throughout the following books. This is not so in the darkest powers series. It's so compelling at times you may find yourself sweating and feeling helpless. I read into the wee hours of the morning, eyes burning and unable to focus properly, until I'd soaked up every last word. I recommend this book one hundred percent!

I hardly like second books in the series better than I do the first, but The Awakening is definitely an exception. The fast-paced, heightened action and revelations of this terrific follow-up make it extremely hard to put down.

Whereas The Summoning was more of a laid-back introductory novel, The Awakening is an intense new walk in the park, a mixture of great character developments and suspenseful bumps along the way. Not much is revealed in this one, but it definitely still managed to capture and hold my attention throughout the entire thing.

This book really shines light on Derek and his struggle with his paranormal flaw. Who was once the greasy, mysterious strong boy from The Summoning is now somewhat of a trusting protector to Chloe for unexplained reasons. For somebody who was written so cryptic and odd in the first book, I loved that I felt so much admiration for him at the end of the second. Kelley Armstrong is the queen of writing characters, that is for sure.

Overall, The Awakening is an incredible follow-up, even better than the first. If you haven't picked yourself up a copy yet, I definitely recommend it! And you should also pick up the third book in the series, The Reckoning, because the ending of The Awakening will have you desperate for more!

The Awakening

Picks up where The Summoning left off. Chloe and Rae are caught by the Edison Group but not the boys. The Edison Group are a bunch of supernatural doctors who like to do experiments.
They experimented on Chloe and the other kids when they were little. They were hoping to help them assimilate better. This didn't work. Now Chloe and Tori are trying to find Simon and Derek and hopefully Kit, Simon's dad. He is a supernatural too and supposedly he can help them. They look for a friend of Simon's dad, Andrew, because they think he can tell them where Kit is. Tori and Simon are on a bus while Derek and Chloe stopped off so that Derek could change. He got about 3/4 of the way before the change reversed itself. There appears to be some sort of romance in the air between those two but Derek keeps pushing Chloe towards Simon, prolly cause he, Derek, thinks he might hurt her. They eventually find Andrew but isn't sure he can help them. They also need to find out what happened to Chloe's Aunt Lauren. Chloe has accepted her life as a necromancer and is now looking forward to kicking The Edison Group's butt and hopefully finding Kit. I can hardly wait for the next book! 5 stars and a definite purchase.

Quick Thoughts: Transitioning. Sinister. Endearing
While this story seemed to focus on transitioning to the next phase of the trilogy, I found myself engrossed in the characters and their predicament. This story picks up right where the first book ends, which means you have to read the books in order, and continues to follow the four teens, Chloe, the brothers, Derek & Simon, and Tori. I love that I got to see more of Derek but found Simon to be a mere distraction (Okay I'm biased). Instead of an ongoing story, I wish each book had its own discernible plot and problem. The entire trilogy could have been one long book as each book concerns a series of events that will, I'm sure, have a resolution in the third book. One scene literally gave me nightmares because it creeped me out to the extrme. Just imagining the situation gave me chills. The trilogy isn't scary but Ms. Armstrong is quite adept at vivid descriptions

This is the 2nd book in the Darkest Powers series. I enjoyed this book as much as I did the first. It continues from exactly where the first book leaves off. After Chloe is betrayed my her own aunt she is locked up by the Edison Group. There she learns about the experiments that were conducted and realizes she must escape. When she finally gets her chance, it's not as easy as she thought. Only with the help of Tori do they get away. That is what this book is mostly about... them running away. But with this there is still a lot going on. They come across a lot of challenges that they need to face, they learn more about each other and learn more about their powers as well. I really like the character development in this book. I feel attached to each one of those kids. I love the almost nonstop action and can't wait to read the third book. This one (as well as the 1st one) finishes abruptly. So you might want to make sure you have the 3rd book handy.

I remember finishing the The Summoning, the prequel to The Awakening, last summer and thinking, " I doubt Kelley will be able to top this." Though, apparently she can, as she has proven it with The Awakening.

In The Awakening more action and intense drama occurs. As well as major character development. Since, Tori, Chloe, Derek, and Simon's powers began to involve steadily in the book. Also, there was more information told and found out about the Edison Group and werewolves which was fascinating in any case.

Derek and Chloe? Yep, their relationship defiantly grew throughout The Awakening and made it one of my favorite parts. I swear I will scream if they don't get together by the end of this series. Since, they are so cute with their bickering and how they always protect each other.

Overall, The Awakening will have any fan of the Darkest Powers Trilogy begging for a sequel by the end. I look forward to reading the next book, tremendously. I wish Spring 2010 would come faster.

Grade: A+

It' a pretty cool idea -- a secret cabal devoted to genetically engineering and controlling supernatural creatures like witches and werewolves.

Kelley Armstrong continues to do the idea justice in "The Awakening," the second book in her urban-fantasy series aimed at kids and young adults. It's a solid novel that lags somewhat in the middle (when it seems like not much is happening beyond bickering), but has plenty of suspense, a dash of necromantic horror, and likable characters with realistic flaws and self-doubts.

Recap: Chloe has been imprisoned by the Edison Group along with Rae (who turns out to be a half-fire-demon), while Dr. Davidoff tries to track Simon and Derek.

But Chloe's terrible situation gets worse as she discovers that Rae actually LIKES the Edison Group, and that other boys and girls who weren't "rehabilitated" were killed. Oh yes, and an uber-creepy demon is whispering rotten nothings in Chloe's ear. When a shopping trip gives her the opportunity to escape the Group, she takes her chance -- only to suffer a devastating loss, and find herself unexpectedly allied with her former nemesis Tori.

Escaping is not the end of their problems, though -- life on the run is hardly glamorous, the streets are full of thugs, and neither girl has anyone they can go to. And reuniting with Simon and Derek only multiplies their problems, as the already-strained relationships start to fray under tension. With a million-dollar bounty on Chloe's head and the Edison Group in pursuit, the kids must find a place of safety before they end up permanently "terminated."

"The Awakening" picks up directly after the first book of the series, and it's a pretty different sort of story -- our heroes are just trying to stay alive, free and semi-hygienic, while they search for Derek and Simon's dad. The plot lags a little in the middle when the Edison Group seems to fade into the background, but fortunately it picks up again for a suitably suspenseful climax at the boys' house.

Armstrong is able to maintain an atmosphere of "The Fugitive"-like suspense all throughout the book. It has plenty of balanced dialogue (with much bickering), solid descriptions, a sense of humour (much mocking of bad movie cliches) and some gloriously eerie scenes that dip into the realm of horror, such as Chloe being assaulted by rotting zombie bats ("The bat was decomposing, one eye shriveled, the other a black pit"). And even when the Group isn't near, she uses switchblade-wielding thug girls and redneck werewolves to remind us that this is a dangerous world.

But as solid as the plot is, the real standout here is how Armstrong develops the characters -- all have their own flaws and insecurities, and some of them are exploring their supernatural powers. Chloe in particular struggles to overcome her "damselitis" and be more assertive, even as she reluctantly faces the prospect of what her necromantic abilities might unleash.

Derek and Tori also get some exploration: he continues to struggle with his bestial instincts and his temper, while the cause of her disgust and dislike for Chloe are explored. Nice twist on the usual "snotty teen queen torments our heroine." And Armtrong gives a chilling look at the brainwashing and cold-blooded methods of the Group, behind all the smiles and pretty promises.

"The Awakening" is a suitable sequel to Armstrong's first young adult book, and it ends with the promise of new problems and solutions in her next one. Definitely a good read, whether for teen or adult fans of werewolves, witches and zombies.

In the second installment in the Darkest Powers trilogy, Chloe must cope with betrayal while trapped within the walls of the Edison Group's mysterious laboratory. Simon and Derek are nowhere to be found and Rae proves to be a new challenge for Chloe as Rae's opinions on the Edison Group and its intentions regarding individuals with supernatural powers such as theirs clash with Chloe's. As Chloe struggles to find answers about her powers and her future in the world (or perhaps lack thereof), she stumbles upon startling data about the Edison Group: Chloe, Derek, Simon, Rae and everyone like them are experiments at the mercy of cold-blooded scientists.

Each character is explored more in depth as are their powers and individual histories. Chloe is a resourceful character (perhaps too resourceful for a 15 year old), but her inner dialogue becomes quite repetitive. Some romance is present in the novel, but the main focus remains on the trials and tribulations Chloe and her friends face in the fight for their lives and the lives of every supernatural.

Although Kelley Armstrong has a talent for offering readers intelligent and realistic teen characters, The Awakening was somewhat disappointing to me. The entire story seems to have been forced into a trilogy and would've been better as a stand-alone. Chloe's journey in The Awakening is really nothing but a drawn-out escape scene. The opening sequence, as well as the remainder of the book is too similar to the X-Men franchise and lacks originality.

This book picks up right where The Summoning left off. If you haven't read the first book you should really do that before jumping into The Awakening.

Again this is a 13+ book...maybe a little on the scary side if you have a young that is afraid of ghosts and raising the dead. This book has very minor language use, just in two or three places (for those of you that are concerned about that kind of thing).

This is not the first time that I have read this series, like the Twilight saga I have read the Darkest Powers series several times and loved it every time. The characters are written with the same flaws, attitudes, and emotions as your average teen. They are characters that the young reader can relate too. The Awakening has more action than The Summoning and never fails to hold your attention.

This book was great! Much better than the first. The plot line was constantly moving. Not a dull moment. The only complaint I have is that in parts it was hard to keep track of the train of thought the main character was following through the book. The love triangle theme in YA literature? I happen to LOVE it! Also, Ms. Armstrong has found a way to put a new spin on something old. The topic of werewolves and sorcerers is old. Kelly Armstrong has put a science twist into a topic that has been spun in so many ways you would think there was nothing new to become of it. This didn't hinder the reader's ability to comprehend. I rated this book 4 out of 5 stars.

The second book in Armstrong's Darkest Powers trilogy gets all five starts from me, mostly because it didn't leave me hanging as badly as book one did.

I like how the story is so full of tension and turmoil, so much even that the bit of romance to be found is very back burner. I appreciate that Armstrong made Chloe so level-headed. She's not some silly girl who is more concerned with cute boys than the seriousness of her story. To be fair though, when romance does make an appearance, it really shines. I'm a big fan of Armstrong's adult work, so I was really interested to see how her more tame YA scenes would compare. I'm impressed.

Chloe Saunders and her friends are back in this sequel to Armstrong's novel ''The Summoning.'' In ''The Awakening'' Chloe, Derek, Simon, and Tori are on the run from the Edison Group. A group that experimented on them as babies because of their supernatural powers.

I really enjoyed reading this book a lot more than I enjoyed ''The Summoning.'' Both books are slow at first, but I feel that ''The Awakening'' picks up much faster and has a stronger plot. Although ''The Awakening'' didn't have a big dramatic breaking point that made me go "Oh my God!" and it did seem kind of filler to set up the next book, it was really, really good. It was also a very fast read.

I'm not sure if Armstrong is trying to work a love triangle or not, but either way I'm definitely ''Team'' Derek and Chloe. I liked all their scenes together the most.

I really love this series. Kelley Armstrong writes a crisp, fresh story. I do not know how else to put it, but this series is a refreshing read.

The beginning of this book was kind of slow to start, but once it started, it really took off!

The whole crew breaks away from the institution excluding Rae, whom they find out was not exactly the trustworthy friend that they had thought. With the help of Aunt Lauren and Tori (which was a surprise) they escape and hit the road again on the hunt for Derrick and Simon's dad. There are quite a few twists and turns which ends up with them being seperated, but come back together in the end.

I cannot wait to read the final chapter in this series. It really deserves 5 stars!!!!

This is a good continuation of the story. I read the whole thing in under two days. You won't believe who ratted them out and who ends up coming in handy! In the previous book they escaped and then Chloe's Aunt Lauren betrays them. Let's just say all their parents are/were more involved with the going on at Lyle House than I ever thought. Also, what goes around comes around. Expecially for the bad guys and those who betrayed their trust, even as Aunt Lauren tries to make things right. I keep reading and couldn't believe how much is packed into one book. You get closer to the end and things are still playing out. Some may say it is too slow of a read, but it is all setting up one HUGE cliff hanger. Please don't let us dangle too long! We need book 3 ASAP!

THE AWAKENING picks up right where the THE SUMMONING left off. Chloe Saunders escapes, but with an unlikely ally, Tori. Soon they meet up with Simon and Derek in hopes of finding the boys' missing father. The Edison Group is after them and danger waits at every turn. They can't let their guard down for a minute. To make things worse, Derek change is coming, while Chloe can't seem to sleep without waking the dead.

THE AWAKENING is the second installment of the Darkest Powers trilogy. It was wall-to-wall excitement that I was sorry to see end. If you haven't read book one, start there first. Book two does have background information from the previous book, but I wouldn't have enjoyed book two nearly as much if I had started with it first.

Kelly Armstrong ended The Summoning with a major cliff-hanger, leaving me wanting more immediately. Armstrong definitely did not disappoint with the second book in the Darkest Powers trilogy. The Awakening has a great blend of action and information discovery. The emotions of the characters run high throughout the book and I think Armstrong did a great job capturing the voices of the teens as they face fear, confusion, and loss. While there is a slight bit of relief or a glimmer of hope at the end of this book, Armstrong still leaves many unanswered questions and leads in to the possibility of a great confrontation in the third and final book. I can barely wait to read The Reckoning which is expected to be released in May 2010.

Not too long ago, Chloe Saunders was an ordinary teenage girl with dreams of making movies when she got older.

Today she is a necromancer who has no idea how to control her powers or even what all of her powers are.

In book one of the DARKEST POWERS series, THE SUMMONING, Chloe and several of her friends escaped from the group home they had been living in. Now, Chloe and Rae are recaptured by the Edison Group, a shady organization that has genetically altered them to try and make use of the powers that many of them were born with.

I found THE AWAKENING to be well-written, descriptive, and thoroughly engaging. This book had soul-searching, action, and even a little teen angst - although it only had a little to do with being a teen and a lot to do with being a supernatural with very little control over their lives or their powers.

I would definitely recommend this book to others. Kelley Armstrong already has two popular adult series under her belt, and this is well on its way to being her third, and hopefully only the first for teens! I hope to see much more from her in the future.

Reviewed by: Breia "The Brain" Brickey

The second installment of the Darkest Powers series is just as good as the first. This one centers around the group after they escape the Edison Group and their quest to find Simon's Dad or at least someone who can help them. At first I found myself routing for Simon but then I got to see special moments between Chloe and Derrick. Their moments together have all the angst and tension that a good relationship needs. The only part that bugged me about this book was the constant movie scenarios. I know this is a big part of who Chloe is but I feel like she should be more focused on her tasks at hand. Other than this one minor bleep in the story I felt that Armstrong still has a great series and I can not wait for the next one.

The sequel to The Summoning just gets better with The Awakening.
More action packed than the first.
There is never a dull moment in the life of Chloe. Not anymore anyway
Afte escaping from the institute and getting caught (in the first book), she manages be on the run again with the help of her friends. Now the search continues for the missing dad. If search wasn't hard enough on it's own Chloe is declared Missing by he father and a reward will be given for her safe return. Can they find his dad before Edison group does?
What i like most is that we get to know Derek more.
It will be fun to see how Kelley wraps this one up in the next book. specially since all the questions need to be answered.