Kelley Armstrong
THE DARKEST POWERS TRILOGY
Do NOT be fooled. This series may be meant for young adult (YA) readers, and teenagers, but it is worth the read no matter your age!
Firstly, character development is 100% on point. In the first installment, it is obviously very focused on character development and it is fantastic! You meet a large cast of characters, and each is so fully developed and consistent throughout the trilogy that there is no chance to forget a character or get them confused.
Chloe Saunders - protagonist - “ordinary girl” turned necromancer. A relatable girl going through a not relatable circumstance yet each moment still feels real and plausible.
Liz (Elizabeth) Delaney - bubbly roommate who is condemned for forces beyond her control. Who can’t relate to being ostracized for something they have no control over!
Tori (Victoria) Enright - your typical witch with a b, who seems to have everything she could possibly want in such a situation but actually cannot please her parents. (Admittedly cliché)
Rae (Rachelle) Rogers - the ostracized girl. She just wants to be special and recognized for who she is.
Simon Bae - the typical Mr. Nice guy who can befriend everyone. He really is just the nice guy but he will tell it like it is if the situation calls for it! (Like calling Tori out on her crap)
Derek Souza - large, stoic, sarcastic, no patience, (again cliché) but has a heart of gold and a protective nature, especially when it comes to his foster family. <3
Nurses - again varied, a little clichéd but required for such a situation. I cannot be angry because they each have their specific personality and it fits perfectly.
Aunt Lauren - mother figure, overprotective, loving, and dependable. She will do the right thing for her niece no matter what!
Kit Bae - Simon and Derek’s father. Mysterious and missing.
Andrew Carson - estranged family friend of Simon and Derek, had a falling out with their father, Kit. Will he be able to help?
Russell and Gwen - each make a short appearance, tutors for our teens
Margaret - Chloe's tutor, very no-nonsense, and pushy, refuses to take the word of children
the summoning
The reason I absolutely love this series is because I am fully hooked from the first moment I start reading. We first meet Chloe as a very young child and get a look into her young life dealing with ghosts, the paranormal, and the supernatural. Then fast forward to Chloe, almost grown, and living a normal life unaffected by ghosts; that is until today. Puberty hit like a ton of bricks and as with many young people with powers, they seem to hit their peak at puberty. This causes quite the commotion in Chloe’s otherwise quiet life, and after having a freak out, she is forced to go to a group home and receive treatment. Here starts Chloe’s new life in Lyle House and it is not everything it seems.
I could read this book, this series, over and over for the rest of my life and I do not believe I will ever be bored. It is an exciting novel series full of twists and turns, excitement, anticipation, and relatability. I connect very closely with Chloe. The cast of characters, with their independent personalities, work so flawlessly that you feel as though you could pull them straight from your own life. The good guy, the designated spoiled princess, the gruff guy, and the (in my opinion) needy friend. We leave Chloe in quite a predicament at the end of this book (she’s the main character so yes she does make it through everything that happens to her). I highly suggest anyone devour this book but be ready to also devour the next one, I certainly will.
I only give this wonderful book four and a half stars because though I love it and put is as one of my top favorite series, the main focus of the book is not completely original; supernatural powers that start a puberty, scientists experiment on them, and once the experiment is considered a failure, the scientists want to dispose of and cover up their mistake! The reason I let it keep the half star is because they are original in execution, variety, and introduction.
11/23/16
©2008
11/28/16
©2009
Transition. I feel like this second book is just that. A great, exciting read in which more questions are asked than answered. Why did Aunt Lauren betray the girls? Who spilled the beans and got Chloe and Rae captured? Where are they now? How will our heroine escape? What do they want with our loveable (well mostly) group of supernatural teens? Who are these people? By the end of the book, these questions are mostly answered but so many more are posed. When I close the book after reading the final chapter, the journey has been so long and arduous that it feels like a different story from the one I started when I opened the book.
"We can't trust anyone now, " I murmured, "even the good guys."
"Yeah. Sucks, doesn't it?" Derek asked.
What will happen to those left behind? What is the Edison Group’s real goal? After a run in with others, what could that mean for Derek’s future? What has happened to Kit? Where is Andrew? Can he help them? Will the Edison Group ever give up? Can these supernaturals control their powers? Can they find some semblance of a normal life and safety? Adventure after adventure we learn more but we also must face more. I hope we find out everything in the last installment of this trilogy.
the awakening
I give this book 4.5 stars as well. My attention is fully on this story because I am already ensnared by the wonderful characters and the captivating story. I must know what happens and I often think of where my characters will go next. The story is taking on it’s originality but the twists and turns are a little anticipated. (That doesn’t necessarily take away from the excitement though.) I will always hold this series as one of my favorites.
©2010
the Reckoning
11/30/16
As with any series that hasn’t quite finished, this story leaves things unresolved, with much more that needs to be told. And yet, the plot has run it’s course, the enemy has been defeated, the heroes have won. The battle is over, but the war wages on. Our heroes find their moments of peace and happiness in their troublesome times, but as we learn by the end, the troubles will never be over for them.
Lives may be lost (the heroine is a necromancer, this shouldn’t be a surprise) and obstacles have been overcome.
“I just went along for the ride. After that happened--” Liz waved at Derek. “You know how blind people need Seeing Eye dogs? Well, apparently werewolves could really use Opening Door poltergeists.”
This particular adventure may be over but there is more to come. I hope. Will they escape the Cabal? Will Tori find out the not so secret truth? Will romance blossom? Will the gang stay together? Can they learn to control their powers?
I will stick with my rating for this trilogy. Though, in my heart this series is worth 7 stars on a 5 star rating scale, I must be realistic. The dramatic twists and turns this story can take keeps it ranked high. I am obsessed and never want to stop reading. But things go exactly how I believe they would go, as if our film enthusiast Chloe wrote the book herself. In a sense, traditional, in a sense, cliché, all in all, still a great read! <3
THE DARKness rising TRILOGY
Do NOT be fooled. This series may be meant for young adult (YA) readers, and teenagers, but it is worth the read no matter your age!
Firstly, character development is 100% on point. In the second installment, it is obviously very focused on character development and it is fantastic! You meet a large cast of characters, and each is so fully developed and consistent throughout the trilogy that there is no chance to forget a character or get them confused. But don't get too comfortable, this band of characters may be new, but our old friends aren't gone for good. Welcome to a whole new world but with similar challenges that await them!
Salmon Creek - small town, less than 200 people, lots of forest, on Vancouver Island, not on the map.
St. Cloud Corporation - owns (almost all of) Salmon Creek, center around the medical research, run by employees such as Dr. Davidoff.
Maya Delaney - protagonist - Navajo? Outdoorsy, good with animals especially cougars, very respectful of the big cats, and having to deal with a lot all at once!!
Maya’s Parents - a Haida mother naturalist architect and an Irish father park warden
Daniel Bianchi - best friend, wrestling and boxing champ, a powerful sense of right and wrong, very persuasive and a trustworthy kid, tormented by an alcoholic father.
Kenji - German Shepherd protector, Fitz - Stubborn 3 legged cougar, Marv - “ragged-ear old tom”
Serena - blonde, petite, captain of the swim team, in choir, and mysteriously drowned in the lake.
Rafe (Rafael) Martinez - the designated leather clad bad boy (with a good heart) who plays around, native, southern accent, protective of sister Annie Martinez - mentally off, bright, happy, instinctive, protective of brother.
Hayley Morris - blonde, petite, swim team, choir, designated b*tch, has nicer younger sister, Brooke.
Nicole Tillson - blonde, petite, swim team, choir, nice, studious, the good, sweet girl, daughter of Mayor Tillson - large, heavy, “bulldog faced” father
Sam (Samantha) Russo - black clad, tough girl, quick witted and quick with her fists, second cousins with Nicole?
Corey Carling - Mr. Popular, second best in boxing and wrestling, witty, has younger brother Travis, sons of Chief Carling - tiny, blonde, well dressed mother.
Mina Lee - American reporter, Asian, early-twenties, interested in medical research?
Calvin Antone - Maya’s biological father!? What could he possibly want, and why is he after them?
Moreno - Antone’s trusty sidekick. A quick witted, smart-ass with no patience for these “kids”.
12/04/16
©2011
the gathering
This book is interesting enough to engage me, I really do enjoy it, but I cannot say I devour it as thoroughly as the Darkest Powers series. The two trilogies have similar premises but I find the storyline and characters less relatable to myself. Others may find the story more relatable if they enjoy the outdoorsy, sensible type and enjoy being caught off guard. No matter that I do not relate to our heroine as much in this installment, the book is 100% worth the read.
“We have Kenji. 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.”
A bright, beautiful, dry fall in Salmon Creek, where we meet the spitfire Maya, a girl with a lot to deal with. Her best friend and the swim captain, Serena, died a year ago, drowning in a lake she swam in her whole life. It seemed strange and unnatural but not as unnatural as Maya being called a yee naaldlooshii for her birthmark, or a reporter coming to town and stirring up trouble, suggesting witchcraft called Benandanti and a new boy making Maya question herself. With so much happening in a town run by the St. Cloud’s and their lead doctor, Dr. Davidoff, what else could possibly go wrong but the threat of forest fires and cougar attacks.
A new group of teens, new secrets to unfold, new challenges await, and maybe not everything is as simple and easy as it seems. What is really behind this little town created around a medical research center?
Maya has a lot to learn about herself and her friends.
“We get our energy from nature. We have healing powers and some control over animals.” Rafe met my gaze. “Sound familiar?”
After a harrowing escape what more could be in for these teens?
“It’s the Calling. The start of the transformation.”
12/30/16
I find this installment much more thrilling than the last. It is an action packed, emotional journey that has many twists and turns. Our heroes narrowly escape peril at every turn, or do they? They learn more about themselves, their town, the supernatural community, and the experiments they were a part of along the way. So many questions left unanswered, but the journey is half the fun, right?
©2012
the calling
The Calling, it has already begun. The chase is not over and the Martinez’s are missing. How will Maya handle this? Will she share her secret with her comrades or keep them in danger? But maybe she’s not alone? Who else has been at the mercy of genetic testing in her small medical/pharmaceutical research town? Is the town more than it seems? And who are these pursuers? One man looks familiar, too familiar. What could it all mean?
Maya and her gang have a tough journey ahead after narrowly escaping a raging forest fire, a fire and rescue team that wasn’t what it seemed, and now seemingly on their way to safety, all hell breaks loose. Annie is awal, Rafe might be gone for good, there is no one to trust, and they need to get back home. No food, lots of forest, possibly being hunted down and presumed dead, the journey continues for our teens in this harrowing adventure to get back home. But maybe they aren’t as alone as they believe…
the rising
©2013
SUPERNATURAL RACES
Yee Naaldlooshii Mythology
Benandanti mythology
Necromancer Mythology
"Necromancy is a form of divination in which the practitioner seeks to raise the spirits of the dead in order to gain knowledge of future events from them, or to acquire special powers from such entities.” Latin necromantia derives from Greek nekros or dead and manteia or divination, related also to Latin nigromancy “in which the magical force of ‘dark powers’ is gained from or by acting upon corpses.” Calling upon the spirits of ancestors, or shamanism may or may not be related to necromancy. The power to invoke spirits for the use of foretelling future events is widely referenced throughout history. Similar to an exorcism in which demons and spirits are driven away by name, the complete opposite is true for spells of necromancy.
“Necromancy has pre-dated the Renaissance and in fact appears to have been around since the dawn of human history.” The spirits raised through divination were thought to be knowledgeable and were often sought for counsel. Thought to be skilled magicians, who began the use of corpses as ingredients in spells, necromancers often practiced their art using a consecrated circle within a graveyard.
He who walks on four legs; skinwalker. They are ancient Navajo monsters who use black magic to turn into animal form. Shamans, typically men, gain this power by renouncing traditional ways at the highest level of priesthood and taking the life of a blood relative. They are recognizable by their unnatural animal movements and mutated forms. It is said they can curse another by using their spit, hair, or old clothes. Skinwalkers are fast enough to keep up with a speeding car and can imitate any noise to lure victims to their doom and because of these powers, it is very difficult to kill a skinwalker. You can protect yourself from a skinwalker but the only way to truly defeat one is to call it by its true name, then it will die. Myth or legend aside, the topic is forbidden from discussion among the Navajo people so as not to incur the wrath of the yee naaldlooshii.
During the time of the Inquisition, when witches and witch hunts were prevalent, in the north-eastern part of Italy came the Benandanti, illiterate peasants having been born with a caul, piece of amniotic sac on their head. At the age of about 20, the benandanti would be taken on a spirit journey with a superior, and meet the witches during the Sabbath led by the devil or a warlock. The two groups would battle four times a year, before each season; if evil triumphed through the witches, crops, children and animals would die and if good triumphed through the benandanti warriors, fields would be fertile, weather fair, and children healthy.
“According to their testimony, the benandanti can cajole and threaten witches into reversing their spells or hexes.” The benandanti started charging to lift the spells and began naming the “culprits” causing an uproar within communities that required action from the inquisitors. This led to the benandanti’s downfall and closer relation to the witches they were once opposed to until the cult had all but disappeared.
Necromancer truth
Yee Naaldlooshii truth
Benandanti truth
Necromancers are those supernaturals with powers that allow an individual to see and speak with the dead. They are witness to residual enactments, a spirit trapped in an endless loop replaying it’s death, usually a horrific one, over and over. They are sought out by spirits to chat, or ask a favor that can only be done by the living. Or necromancers seek out spirits, for help, guidance, and information. Necromancers have the ability to call forth spirits, banish spirits, control spirits, and in Chloe’s case, raise the dead by putting the spirit back into it’s corpse. Typically this would take a ritual, hard to find ingredients, and training, but in our super-powerful Chloe’s case, it takes just that, her power. Between mythology, history, and our beloved characters, there is not much difference; both use the power of divination through the help of spirits.
Marked at birth with a paw print, her destiny was set to one day make the shift as a skinwalker. Considered cursed and a black magic witch by the Navajo people, the truth is much different. Part of a supernatural race that can shift into cougars or mountain lions. Blessed with the ability to heal and have some control over animals, skinwalkers are creatures from nature who gain energy from such surroundings. Originating as assistants to the tribal healers and protectors, now a recovered race, doing all it can to survive this new experiment. Sound evil to you?
Our dear Italian friend Daniel, the great guy we all know and love, may be great for a reason. Though not a part of a cult, he is a part of a reestablished race of supernatural’s, the benandanti. He is charming, and similar to his folklore counterparts, he is very persuasive, to the point where it is almost impossible not to obey, and when he uses his full power to repel someone, watch out. Strong and agile, he is capable of fighting evil deep into the night, but for now his fight is for his life, not against witches and evil-doers.
“The truth is that benandanti do have powers, but dream-walking isn’t one of them. They can sense trouble. They can repel trouble. And they can charm and persuade people to do things they might not want to do. Does any of that sound familiar, Daniel?”
Born with a caul or not, Daniel is 100% a benandanti, with powerful instincts, spirit journey not required.
the other races
xana mythology
Sileni mythology
Sorcerors - male spell casters.
Witches - female spell casters.
Werewolves - Typical, man turns into wolf. Not the hollywood half transformation but the full bodied, painful transformation. As with other skinwalkers, they have the enhanced senses of their animal counterpart when in human form.
Vampires - not much is known about this race of supernaturals other than the fact they do exist as mentioned several times throughout the series.
Shaman - the ability to astral-project, or have the spirit leave the body, and healing abilities.
Fire Half-Demon - the product of a demon and human leaving a supernatural impact on the child, in this case the power over fire.
Agito - telekinetic half-demon, can move objects with their mind and can become poltergeists in the afterlife.
Teleportation Half-Demon - as you could probably guess, a half-demon with the ability to teleport, seemingly vanishing from thin air only to reappear elsewhere.
Demi-Demon - mystery...
Xana are extraordinarily beautiful, blonde and slender female creatures believed to live in places with pure water. “Their hypnotic voices can be heard during spring and summer nights. Those who have a pure soul and hear the song will be filled with a sense of peace and love. Those whose souls are not pure will feel they are being suffocated and may be driven insane.” Though the xana can be benevolent, there are many stories in which these creatures are violent or malicious.
Sileni are considered companions of the Greek god Dionysus, “described as a jovial old man, with a bald head, a puck nose, fat and round like his wine bag, which he always carried with him, and generally as intoxicated.” Able to know the past and future, he had a fondness for sleep, wine, and music which could be used to help reveal his prophecies by mortals.
xana truth
Sileni truth
We have met not one but three female characters who fit the description of xana. All beautiful, blonde, slender, magnificent swimmers, and enchanting singers, there is no doubt in my mind that we have adopted this supernatural race into the family and Project Phoenix. One such xana may have filled her own heart with insanity with her violent and malicious ways, but we hope she can come around again.
Though not an old man, a jovial young man, who enjoys alcohol, and music may be able to know the future. The sileni were a part of the resurrection of extinct supernatural races in Project Phoenix; could our friend be one!?
Cabals -
A clique or a small group of secret plotters, as against a government or person in authority.
Huge "corporations run and staffed by supernaturals" giving them a job and community in which they don't have to hide their powers.
Known Cabals
Boyds
smallest organization
St. Clouds
the perpetrators of Projects Phoenix & Genesis
Nasts
largest organization
Cortezes
“widely considered… the most powerful”
Escape is all that our teens could manage, but now they have gotten far enough away from danger that it is time to make their next move. Find help and make contact with a man who may be able to help. With a meeting set up, Corey issues a warning, it may not be who they expect waiting for them. But it is someone special; Ash, Maya’s twin brother. He grudgingly joins the now diminished group to help, however he can, but when separated, Maya is the only one caught.
She awakes in a place reminiscent of Lyle House, heavy security but free reign to an extent. Her friends are all here, as well as Antone. She needs to escape, they need a bargaining chip for their next move, but being in captivity doesn’t leave room for negotiations. It is time for Project Phoenix and Project Genesis to come together in order to have some sort of future. Will they be able to find common ground? Will they be able to make a deal? What more could the future hold for all of our beloved teens?
I was most impatient for this installment due to my love of the Project Genesis characters and my desire to meet them again. The story is fast paced, at times too fast paced for me. I feel like the most happens in this one book and I wanted more. I wanted more details, more action, more negotiations, more interactions; all of that was in the book but it was muted, cut down and shortened like would happen in a movie. I was disappointed but riveted. This story also leaves off with a lot of potential for more. Though side stories and short stories have been added to this series, for the most part I believe Kelley Armstrong is done with this particular series.
01/29/17