 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Summoning: Darkest Powers, Book 1
- By Kelley Armstrong
- Genre: Fantasy
Common Sense Media says
Slow but suspenseful teen supernatural fantasy.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that there are some gruesome visions of
ghosts who died violently, and a girl getting her period is a plot
point.
What's the story?
When Chloe begins seeing gruesome ghosts and flips out in
school, she is placed in a group home for disturbed teens. There she
begins to realize that all of the kids in the home have supernatural
abilities, and that sometimes they are taken away from the home and
not seen again. As she begins to understand her new talent, she also
discovers that the building itself has a dark past linked to those
with supernatural abilities -- and that she may not be safe there.
Is it any good?
Author Kelley Armstrong takes her time to get this story moving.
This is no slam-bang action-adventure, though it does get pretty
exciting in the last quarter. Before that, the author gradually builds
up Chloe's (and the readers) understanding of what is happening to her
and around her, though the reader will get there long before Chloe
does. By the end, though, Chloe and her friends have just barely begun
on their journey to understand themselves and their world, which is
quite different than what they have been brought up to believe.
The cover picture, showing a hot girl in a low-cut dress holding a
ruby pendant, may convince some boys that this book is not for them.
That would be a shame -- with a touch of gruesome and edgy violence,
and that last action-packed quarter of the book, along with ghosts,
werewolves, and magic, boys will find just as much to like here as
girls. Those who persevere through the rather slow start will find
that this has more in common with Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment (if that were written well and had fewer plot holes) than it does
with Gossip Girls: a group of kids with special powers trying
to escape from scientists who want to experiment on them. A fun start
to what should be an exciting new series.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about mental illness and the
supernatural. Is it possible that people we think are ill are actually
in touch with things we can't see or hear?If you had special abilities, would people think there was something wrong with you?
Does that happen to kids whose abilities aren't supernatural? Do you know
kids who are treated as if there's something wrong with them just
because they have an unusual talent? How do you treat them?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Freaking Awesome!
This book wasn't what I expected. Let me clarify that: This book was amazing, beyond my expectations! I couldn't put it down! I think I should mention that I looked in the mirror after reading the description of Chloe haha. She's like a fictional replica of me!
I really enjoyed all the characters and the plot and the twists. It is definitely worth reading. I agree 100% with Melissa Marr's quote "You'll Be Desperate For a Sequel"
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
7th Graders And Up, So Says The Book Jacket
I really enjoy the Darkest Powers Series. I liked the pace and I fell in love with the characters. The drugs used on the children aren't really an issue, because they were being used to treat something, but it was not known what by the children. Bad language was infrequent and rare. The sexual content was very minimal. Violence was obvious because it was about a necromancer.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Good book, might be too scary for young kids.
I enjoyed this book, but it was pretty graphic in the sense that it described ghosts and how people died in gruesome detail. It's a perfect book for teens and it's mostly appropriate except for a few gruesome scenes. It's nothing too outrageous and most teens can handle it. It was an overall great book.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
I loved this book! it was amazing! I would recommend it for maybe 12 or 13 years and up. 11 may be pushing it! It all depends on how scared your child is of ghosts and other supernatural beings. It can be a little gruesome in descriptions at times. Other than that, I would highly recommend it!
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
A entertaining, edge-of-your-seat read; it has mystery, horror, some action, and a hint at romance. Its kinda like a coming of age book for supernaturals. But beware of the cliffhanger ending.
The next book is The Awakening.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Great read!
A very good book, but there are some iffy parts, nothing most 13 year olds couldn't handle. It really depends on the maturity level of the person.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Good Book
I really enjoyed this book! after looking at the reviews here it did draw me in, however there is very limited violence and the review above does mask it seem worse than it was. I did enjoy the book and look forward to the next one, as it was a very twisty plot.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Loved the book
I really liked this book and the others in the series. It touches on some of the things that kids really worry about, like not fitting in, taking medication for a disorder (the am i really crazy idea) having a crush and so on. I really like the characters because they are so well developed, and they create such a good mix. There were a few gruesome parts describing the ghosts that Chloe sees. And the fact that there was some references to making out, but if you have been around teens or turned on the TV after 7 pm it is nothing that should bother you. Like everything I think that it depends on the reader. Parents preview it, if you think that it is too graphic, or don't like the content, then don't get if for your kids. But it is a really good book, my 11 year old fights me for Kelly Armstrong's novels when we find them.
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Author: | Kelley Armstrong |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Fantasy |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Children's Books |
| Publication date: | July 1, 2008 |
| Number of pages: | 400 |
| Hardcover price: | $17.99 |
| Paperback price: | $8.99 |
| Read aloud: | 14 |
| Read alone: | 14 |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already read it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
