The Summoning

Normally i would of never read this book, but after reading Twilight i decided to give it a shot. First of all this novel is nothing like Twilight. This novel had me at the edge of my seat while Chloe Saunders starts questioning her schizophrenia that the doctors at Lyle House have labeld her with. I continued to read while joining Chloe with her worry and puzzlement when ghosts appear to her and see, or know, what she can’t. It is obvious that there is something very odd about Lyle House and its patients. This book ends in a clif hanger which makes you eager to read more. Definitly a mistake i made was not having the sequel with me when i finished this one. With likeable teenage protagonists and a fast paced fantasy plotline The Summoning is sure to entertain its target, young teens.
Desiree, age 15, Kenilworth Branch

The summoning follows the life of Chloe Sanders a normal 15 year old. Well normal until she starts seeing things she shouldn't see. One day in school she is chased through the halls by a janitor with a hidiously burned face...but the thing is only she can see him. The teachers come to see what is happening and try to restrain her, but she still tries to get away from the creepy janitor causing her to be taken away to a special place called Lyle House. Lyle house is a mental facility for teens who are "troubled". Along with her there are 5 other kids at the house- Simon, Derek, Liz, Tori and Rae. When word gets out that Chloe was seeing "ghosts" everyone thinks that she is crazy. Except for derek who shows her that she is a "necromancer". A person who can talk to and raise the dead. But that's not all that is fishy going on here. Liz is apparently seeing a poltergeist who whenever liz gets mad destroys things for her...causing Liz to be "se nt away." Soon Chloe finds out that Simon is a sorcerer, Derek is a werewolf and Rae is a half demon. While in the house's attic one day she accidentally raises 2 dead people who used to be patients at the house. THey tell Chloe that the owner used to experiment on people like them and that they don't stand a chance. So Chloe, simon, derek and Rae organize an escape. In the end though Chloe and Rae are betrayed by Chloe's aunt who has been working with Lyle house and now Chloe is not sure what to do. This book was really great and it was an awesome read. I hope it wins top novel.
Jennifer, age 13, Sherwood Branch

I loved this book because the word choice, the description and the creativity the author used to write this heart-wellming story is fantastic. This story is meant to entertain the 'Young Adult" target audience. The fantasy plotline and the likeable teenage protagonists makes this story irresistable. I would reccomend this book to all my friends - teens or adults- because the book is appropriate for all. I have no dislikes about this book and did not regret reading this book one bit. I like the ending because it adds an amazing realistic touch to the story. I read a book like this once where a boy has a super-natural talent and has to go to a different 'school' with kids like him with different 'talents'. I even like the cliffhanger, because it makes me more eager to read the next book in the series.
Mackenzie, age 12, Stoney Creek Branch

I found this book very good! I thought it was written very well and I found the plot very easy to follow. I would reccomend this book to who ever likes adventure and a good story!
Alanna, age 13, Sherwood Branch

The Summoning is the first novel in a new trilogy by popular fantasy author Kelley Armstrong. The Darkest Powers trilogy marks a new chapter for Kelley Armstrong as she branches out into the Young Adult genre.I have to confess at this point that there are no vampires in The Summoning but since this book is set in the same universe as Kelley Armstrong’s Otherworld series (for adult readers) there is always the potential for them to crop up at some point. Fantasy fans won’t be mourning the loss of vampires for long however, since the Otherworld is populated by plenty of other types of supernatural beings.The Summoning is written in the same style as the Otherworld books, only this time the story is narrated in first person by fifteen year old protagonist Chloe, rather than by an adult. It follows the story of teenage supernaturals coming into their different powers without help or guidance from someone they can trust. Sex and violence has been toned down for the teen audience but The Summoning still has plenty of supernatural thrills and chills.Edge-of-your-seat tension is built through the first half of the story as Chloe starts to question the diagnosis of schizophrenia that the Lyle House doctors seem so keen to label her with. For me, a large part of this tension is built through the fact that I have read the Otherworld books and therefore know that in Chloe’s world werewolves, vampires, witches, necromancers and half-demons are a reality. Armed with this knowledge, I can read about her worry and puzzlement when ghosts appear to her and see, or know, what she can’t. That said, I think that if The Summoning is a readers first journey into the Otherworld the tension would still be there because it is obvious that there is something very odd about Lyle House and its patients.Another difference between The Summoning and Kelley Armstrong’s other books is that this book is the first part of a trilogy rather than a stand alone story that is part of a series. As a result it ends on a cliff-hanger that is just about guaranteed to make you immediately want to read the next part of the trilogy.With likeable teenage protagonists and a fast paced fantasy plotline The Summoning is sure to entertain its target Young Adult audience. Writing as someone who is quite a lot older than its teenaged target market I can confirm that this book is quite capable of entertaining adults too. The Summoning is a hugely readable novel whatever your age (yes, even without vampires!). Rated at 4.5 out of 5 (I knocked off half a star for the lack of vampires)
Exauce, age 12, Red Hill Branch

This book is about paranormal stuff like werewolfs,necromencers, witches, etc. The main character Chloe Saunders is a necromencers ( people who can talk to ghosts ) she didn't know about this until she went to Lyle house ( which is a house for troubled teens ). There she finds out that this is a house for people that have powers and the darkest secrets about it,she tries to run away with the friends she has made there but gets caught and gets taken back . But she will try to escape again in the second book called the AWAKENING. I love this book because it opens a world of unknown things in such a exciting way that you can't stop turning the pages!!!!
Anum, age 14, Ancaster Branch

The Summoning is Kelley Armstrong's first teen novel. The story takes place in a world similar to ours, but with some people possessing supernatural powers. The story is narrated by a teenage girl named Chloe Saunders. At the beginning of the book she sees a ghost and is sent to the Lyle House, which she believes is a home for troubled teens until she finds out it isn't quite what it seems. Throughout the novel Chloe and her housemates unravel the mystery behind the Lyle House and what has brought them together. I really enjoyed The Summoning and found the characters very convincing. I would recommend this novel to any of my peers if they enjoy fantasy. I have difficulty finding new books to read, but this one met my expectations and surpassed them.
Kimberly, age 15, Saltfleet Branch

"My name is Chloe Saunders and my life will never be the same again. All I wanted was to make friends, meet boys, and keep on being ordinary. I don't even know what that means anymore. It all started on the day that I saw my first ghost—and the ghost saw me. Now there are ghosts everywhere and they won't leave me alone. To top it all off, I somehow got myself locked up in Lyle House, a "special home" for troubled teens. Yet the home isn't what it seems. Don't tell anyone, but I think there might be more to my housemates than meets the eye. The question is, whose side are they on? It's up to me to figure out the dangerous secrets behind Lyle House . . . before its skeletons come back to haunt me." So over all it's a really scary book and i would reconmend it to people who would like a good scare.
Ravneet, age 12, Saltfleet Branch

I don't particularly like the main character. But that said, I suppose that made the story more interesting. I did not see the necromancer thing coming, and I thought that this was to be a bit like the mediator series (Meg Cabot) with a more cute side to it. But the dark style of writing in the book suited the cover, and I found it very addictive, in the way that I ordered the next book.
The story is about a young girl (well not too young, about sixteen) who, after a strange incident involving a dead janitor and a bout of so called insanity, finds herself in a home for mentally unstable teens. The people she finds there are strange, ominous and full of their own secrets. Even the friendly Simon seems to have topics to avoid. Chloe thinks that she'll be out in a few weeks but gets worried when she finds out how everyone else once thought so too. There is one boy in the home who scares Chloe in particular, especially in the beginning. They grow closer, strangely, throughout the book. In fact I think that Derek is my favourite character in the whole book. Even though he's a little harsh on life he is still nice to Chloe and his brother, Simon.
People who say that if you liked twilight, you'll like The Summoning aren't really being truthful. The Summoning is very different, really. I liked it but I found it hard to love.
Abi, age 15, Concession Branch


The Summoning is about a young teenager, Chloe Saunders, living in a normal life. Until she finally hits puberty, things are starting to change.When she saw her first ghost, and the ghost saw her, she was sent to Lyle house, a home for troubled teens. But only a short time after, she finds out that she's a necromancer (someone who can see ghosts). When she thinks that nothing could go wrong anymore, she finds out that all the her housemates have some supernatural powers as well as her. Its up to Chloe to find out the secrets behind Lyle House, before the secrets come to haunt her.
Marlena, age 13, Terryberry Branch

It's about a girl named Chloe Saunders who has been sent to Lyle house, where she finds out she is a necromencer. there she finds out really deep and dark secrets about lyle house. She meets a lot of other people that have special powers as well, and tries to run away when she figures out what they are going to do with her but she didn't escape. I will vote for this book because it keeps me wanting more and more!!!
Naha, age 12, Ancaster Branch


Chloe Saunders can see and communicate with ghosts. Chloe's life changes when she is sent away to the Lyle house. She thinks its a good place that helps people that have problems be helped but she is wrong. She soon begins to relize that she is not crazy and its not just her that has these powers. Theres a whole world of people with paranormal and she must work togethor with some of them to find out whats really going on at the Lyle house.
Brittney, age 13, Terryberry Branch