FlumeAward – The Summoning Discussion page for The Summoning
This was clearly the first book in a series (the second, The Awakening, is due out in a few months). It leaves on a definite cliffhanger. It was a quick read and features a girl who goes to an arts high school who can see ghosts, which lands her in a group home for kids who have "issues," but it turns out that all the kids have supernatural powers and the people who run the group home have evil plans for them. There was an interesting dynamic between the main characters that would appeal to Twilight fans. There was plenty of action and the story moved along quickly.
–Katie Spofford, Wadleigh Memorial Library (Milford, NH)
Although this book was derivative of X-Men and Charmed, to name just a couple, it was also a page-turner. I agree that it clearly leaves the reader hanging, and one must read the next book(s) for any amount of closure. I liked how assumptions about people are constantly turned on their heads, and how Chloe, the heroine, is open to changing her mind about people. I would highly recommend this book to middle and high school aged teens, with the caveat that the onset of Chloe’s powers are tied to getting her first period, and there are guys out there who might be lost as readers at that point. If they stick with it, though, it doesn’t really matter that the protagonist is a girl -it’s a gripping suspenseful adventure.
-Kirsten, Lane Memorial Library, Hampton, NH
I think it’s a good read and would like to see it on the list. I agree with Kirsten that it felt like X-Men but it was better than that, and it was a super fast read. I am definitely going to read the second one.
Kelly Budd
Keene High School