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The Awakening (Darkest Powers Trilogy #2)

by Kelley Armstrong (Goodreads Author)

4.17 of 5 stars 4.17 · rating details · 51,040 ratings · 2,294 reviews

Chloe Saunders is on the run
and raising hell. Literally.

Chloe Saunders is not your average supernatural teenager. Genetically altered at birth by a sinister team of scientists, she can barely control her terrifying powers. Now the team that created her has decided it's time to end the experiment. Permanently.

Now Chloe is running for her life along with a charming sorcerer...more

Hardcover, 360 pages

Published April 28th 2009 by HarperCollins (first published March 4th 2009)

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Sep 12, 2009 Tatiana rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009, ya, urban-fantasy

As seen on The Readventurer

The second book in "Darkest Powers" trilogy starts where the first one left off - Chloe is at the research institute and contemplating escape. What follows is pretty much Chloe's and her friends' journey to get to the person who might be able to help them find Derek's and Simon's father (which is I suppose is what this trilogy is about, but I am not sure at this point).

The first book in the trilogy was undoubtedly drawn out and artificially extended, but this second bo...more As seen on The Readventurer

The second book in "Darkest Powers" trilogy starts where the first one left off - Chloe is at the research institute and contemplating escape. What follows is pretty much Chloe's and her friends' journey to get to the person who might be able to help them find Derek's and Simon's father (which is I suppose is what this trilogy is about, but I am not sure at this point).

The first book in the trilogy was undoubtedly drawn out and artificially extended, but this second book sure beats that. While "The Summoning" had at least some semblance of a story (specifically, the discovery of the true nature of Lyle House), "The Awakening" is truly 400 pages of filler. Almost nothing is added to the main story arc - only 3 pages describing the purpose of the experiments on supernaturals and the idea that Derek's and Simon's father can be found with the help of his friend - Andrew. The rest of the book is pretty much limited to: hiding in various warehouses (150 pages), hiding in an abandoned house (50 pages), riding a bus to Andrew's house (150 pages), and finally meeting Andrew (10 pages). "The Awakening" truly has no climax of any sort. It reads as a boring series of events that serve no purpose but to develop the characters, which is fine, when not used so shamelessly to fill pages and pages at the expense of the real plot. There are some nice Derek/Chloe moments, and only these moments save the book from being a complete waste of time.

If I had hopes that the trilogy would pick up after a rather slow first book, I don't have them any more. The second book proved to be as boring of a read as the first one, and even worse. This is a pity, because Armstrong knows how to write an engaging and tightly plotted book. This Darkest Powers "trilogy" however is a shameless attempt to extend 250 pages of story into 3 books 400 pages each.

I am not sure if I will ever get back to this series. I expect I will not be able to remember much about it even a month later. (less)

18 likes · like · see review

Jan 24, 2012 Heather rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009, ya, urban-fantasy, paranormal-romance

The Awakening is even more enticing and action packed than its prequel. While the setting shifts, it is no less menacing as Chloe and the gang face a grim and tretcherous life on the streets. Tension is heightened by 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. Arms...more

12 likes · like · see review

Jun 13, 2012 Shera (Book Whispers) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-paranormal-uf, werewolves, witches-mages-druids-wizards-other, necromancer, ebook-second

After reading the first book in this series, The Summoning, and now the second installment, I can confidently say I much prefer Armstrong's young adult series. I've read the first three books of her Women of the Otherworld series and thought they were quite enjoyable. Yet they lacked something for me, and towards the end of each books I found myself getting bored.

I wasn't sure if I would like the main character, Chloe. At time’s it felt like Claire had just rolled off the assembly line of damse...more

6 likes · like · see review

May 19, 2010 Maddie Cromar rated it 5 of 5 stars

I haven't reviewed this yet? It's definitely time, now that the series is over!
I loved this book even more than the first. It's such a delicious read! The teens you've come to know and really like are on the run from the Edison Group, and they have to get to know each other and trust each other over the course of their escape.
I think my favorite bit of the book was the whole part with Derek and Chloe alone. I don't know if I want them to end up together or not, but I really enjoyed the adventu...more

4 likes · like · see review

Nov 04, 2012 Jennifer Wardrip rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: trt-posted-reviews

Reviewed by Breia "The Brain" Brickey for TeensReadToo.com

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...more

4 likes · like · see review

Aug 10, 2010 Arlene rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: ghosts, paranormal, read-2010, weres-shifters, ya-paranormal, young-adult

Alas, this is where Chloe Saunders and I must part ways. As with the first book, I just couldn't stop myself from wanting to call it quits after about half of the book. There's just something about the storyline and this little necromancer that doesn't seem to captivate me despite how much I love a great paranorm.

Now, I'm actually apologizing upfront for my rant that is about to unfold, but it's only because my fellow group of trusted readers loved this book and I couldn't… I just couldn't… I t...more Alas, this is where Chloe Saunders and I must part ways. As with the first book, I just couldn't stop myself from wanting to call it quits after about half of the book. There's just something about the storyline and this little necromancer that doesn't seem to captivate me despite how much I love a great paranorm.

Now, I'm actually apologizing upfront for my rant that is about to unfold, but it's only because my fellow group of trusted readers loved this book and I couldn't… I just couldn't… I tried… but it didn't happen. *whimpers is shame*

There's quite a bit that fuels my annoyance with The Awakening and let me just start with demi-demons??? Reeeaaalllllyyyy??? Okay, so I understand the whole concept of a demi-gods - when a god procreates with a human and vio-la! You get a demi-god. Okay, that I can handle and actually it's rather fascinating and worthy of my time and attention. But get this, according to Armstrong, you get a demi-demon by mutating the genetic make-up of a demon and as a result you get a human with less subtle demon powers and the added benefit of an attitude problem and anger management issues. Wait! I guess there is no benefit. Either way it's laughable at best.

Okay so these mutations are conducted by The Edison Company. Where do they get the name you ask? Again… get this… this group of twisted scientists are named after Thomas Edison who not only invented some sound devices such as the phonograph, motion picture camera and the crafty little light bulb, but what I bet you didn't know is that he attempted to invent a device intended to contact the dead. Okay, I ask… did I read that right?^^ I'm sure I did, but just humor me for a bit. I think our history books are in need of a revision. So, this worthy set of scientists run their experiments and when the study goes array, they dispose of the subjects. Not so much of a problem if they were lab rats or guinea pigs (Well for animal humane societies, it might be an issue and nothing against rats or guineas) but unfortunately their subjects are TEENAGERS! So yes, they dispose of teenagers when their experiments fail. That's eff'ed up to say the least.

Now on to the characters. There is not a one that I liked. Well maybe the ghost Liz was cool, but all the other characters were worthy of a head shake IMHO. Chloe is not a very bright girl and many of her attempts to either escape, manipulate/lie to the adults, fight off batty ghouls, dead people or wolves are just simply too drawn out or end up in failure. And she really needs to learn how to hold onto a knife! It's actually rather irritating. A smarter maybe more conniving Chloe would have been fun to read about. Rae?? Ugh! Tory?? Double up… Ugh.Ugh. (Yes, I still have that song in my head.) Simon and Derek… ohhhh Simon and Derek…. What's to like about these two characters? One suffers from a puberty smack down and a bad case of body odor. Now, I understand Derek can't help his acne and BO, but if Armstrong was going to emphasize his insignificant flaws (notice my emphasis on insignificant), give him some character elements worthy of applause. But no, you have Simon that is simply his brother's shadow and Derek who's either brooding all the time or losing his temper. Oh that's right, his genetic makeup was altered so he can't help being in a constant state of anger.

For most of the book, they spend hiding out in warehouses, catching buses, eating junk food and fighting off bats, ghouls, and wolves. Sounds like a fun adventure, right? But nope, I lost interest early on and never really found myself drawn back into the story. I guess this is just the rare occasion where the paranorm element wasn't enough to take me on a fictional adventure. Sorry, but that's just where it stood. :(

Review Edit: I cleared Simon up of his acne that never existed. :)(less)

11 likes · like · see review

Jul 07, 2010 DarienMoya rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, wolves-shifters, 2010-reads

^^I AM IN LOVE WITH A TEENAGE WOLF!^^

The second book in the Darkest Powers series is just as engaging as the first, more creepy action and a more Derek. I am in love with this boy, I wanna go in the book and drop kick Chloe, so she can see what she is missing. I will say they have a lot of scenes alone together and they make me very happy.

For all y’all who don’t know Chloe is a new discovered necromancer ( able to awaken the dead), first she thought she was schizo but it was discovered that the...more

35 likes · like · see review

May 24, 2009 Katie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: own, arc

Chloe Saunders is back in the second book of the Darkest Powers series. If you haven't read The Summoning yet read it before reading this review. SPOILERS.

At the end of the first book Chloe and Rae go to Chloe's Aunt Lauren for help, not knowing that she is working for the very group that they are trying to escape from. As a result, Chloe and Rae end up locked in a high security warehouse that houses the Edison Groups many experiments. Luckily, Derek and Simon are still on the run and on the loo...more

12 likes · like · see review

Apr 13, 2011 Cheyenne Schenck rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: library, fantasy, romance, young-adult

Also see the review on my blog.

I liked the sequel just as much as I liked the first. The action, humor, and horror were consistent. The characters were really complete, with the exception of Simon, who seems most of the time to be simply the nice guy who likes Chloe. Tori’s sarcastic remarks were a much needed comic relief, and I found myself getting attached to her character.

Derek seemed to really evolve, too. He went from being the large hulking angry guy to the one who uses his anger to cove...more

5 likes · like · see review

May 28, 2011 Ange rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, fantasy, young-adult, romance

I was lucky to be able to read these books one after the other finishing them in only a couple of days. The books centre’s around a teenage girl named Chloe, who thinks she is crazy because she sees ghosts, however we soon learn this is not the case and that she is a necromancer. She is forcefully admitted to Lyle House, a group home for troubled teens, she later discovers that it is no ordinary group home. This is where she meets mysterious and quiet Derek, cute Simon and bitchy Tori. This tril...more

3 likes · like · see review

May 24, 2009 Leah:) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Delivered in her trademark style, Kelley creates a world within our own where supernatural teens are nothing but science projects to be shown and used then tossed away--sometimes even killed.

Chloe's character becomes even clearer in this novel then the one preceding it, and boy is being in her head interesting. She is struggling to understand how strong she is, and is no where near the point where she can control her powers. Despite her interest in her powers, Chloe would much rather be normal a...more

8 likes · like · see review

May 24, 2009 Lauren rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: own

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...more

11 likes · like · see review

May 24, 2009 Kristi (The Story Siren) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-own, signed-books

This is one of these times that I’m going to recommend you read a series in order! The Awakening was even better than The Summoning. Everything that I loved about the first book was present in this novel too, plus more!

I really love that Armstrong revealed more about the powers that the characters posses. It was fascinating to watch Chloe and Derek discover the extent and restraints on their powers. Excellent continuation on character development!

The plot was even more fast paced than the Awak...more

2 likes · like · see review

May 13, 2011 Jamie rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: library-books

Le sigh ...

This is what I thought when I sat down to write this review just minutes ago. I gave the predecessor to this book, The Summoning, a five-star rating and marked it as one of my favorites. Mainly the reason I did that, as I explained in my review, is because the story contained within brought back great memories of the Otherworld Series which I love to pieces/ However, the story itself was not that great. As well, I mentioned that I was so relieved that finally I was reading a young adu...more Le sigh ...

This is what I thought when I sat down to write this review just minutes ago. I gave the predecessor to this book, The Summoning, a five-star rating and marked it as one of my favorites. Mainly the reason I did that, as I explained in my review, is because the story contained within brought back great memories of the Otherworld Series which I love to pieces/ However, the story itself was not that great. As well, I mentioned that I was so relieved that finally I was reading a young adult novel that didn't involve one girl and two boys and a headache-causing situation of "the love triangle" Twilight is famous for with a side of unhealthy situations to top it off...

WRONG! Well, I shouldn't shout... but I can't help it. I felt so frustrated while reading this book because I could see that (view spoiler)

Despite this, I still did enjoy the story in a general sense. The book is very easy to read and doesn't take long to get through. I have to say, with finality, that I enjoy Armstrong's adult fiction much more than this young adult bullshit. I am giving this book two stars just based upon my horrid realization of what this book is really putting forth. Hopefully, I will find a better read in the next book.... but I'm not holding my breath.

* Edit: This series really redeemed itself. I finished the last book, The Reckoning, the day after I finished this, and I was pleasantly surprised. The review is here. I will not change my review for this book, however. I will stick with what I said, but the series was a good read.(less)

1 like · like · see review

Apr 30, 2013 Monisha rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: boo-a-ghost, young-adult-paranormal, sweet-romances, reviewed

The Awakening is even more enticing and action packed than its prequel, more creepy action and a more Derek.

It was still a bit slow starting like the first one, but once the kids were back on the road, I blazed through the book.

So, Chloe and her friends are on the run from the evil folks in charge of Lyle House. They discover that their captors are a bunch of supernaturals-cum-scientists called the Edison group.

And they're the experiments.

Those chase scenes...

All that action...

The zombie bats.....more

7 likes · like · see review

Dec 26, 2012 Nenia Campbell rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-baby-ya, x-2009s, x-series-bk-2, gorgeous-covers

You can read my reviews at my blog, The Armchair Librarian.

Be still my heart.

This. Was. Amazing.

I'm wary about starting new series. I admit it. I'm a commitmentphobe. I'm afraid of getting my heart broken.

You see, The Summoning had such an amazing opening, I was afraid that the sequel wouldn't be able to top it in terms of characterization and plot.

I giddily admit to being wrong.

Chloe and her friends are on the run from the evil folks in charge of Lyle House. They discover that their captors are...more

2 likes · like · see review

Sep 19, 2012 Susana rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kelley-armstrong, ya, 2012, favorites, urban-fantasy

I loved reading the first book of this series, so this shouldn't come as a surprise. But this one was even BETTER than The Summoning. This storyline is completely addictive, and i'm beting that it will have you hooked until the very last page. The characters are interesting, intelligent, people, who THINK before they act. They really could give another teenagers some pointers. Heck, they could even give them to adults!
Chloe is a wonderful character. She's mature beyond her age. She does what she...more

1 like · like · see review

Jun 01, 2011 Daphne Delacroix rated it 4 of 5 stars

All I have to (And want to) point out is the similarity between the main characters here and the main characters in the House Of Night Series.

Has anyone EVER thought about the TREMENDOUS amount of similarity between Tori and Aphrodite? I mean, spoilt rich girl/brat who's oh-so-hot and thinks she can get all the guys, though secretly there's a loyal friend in that ice cold heart that is protected from heart break because of what their parents have put them through. They're like this because of...more All I have to (And want to) point out is the similarity between the main characters here and the main characters in the House Of Night Series.

Has anyone EVER thought about the TREMENDOUS amount of similarity between Tori and Aphrodite? I mean, spoilt rich girl/brat who's oh-so-hot and thinks she can get all the guys, though secretly there's a loyal friend in that ice cold heart that is protected from heart break because of what their parents have put them through. They're like this because of crappy parents...

And then Chloe, the oh-so-nice/cute girl whose NAME even rhymes with Zoey, and both girls are the heroines! They both get stuck in a love triangle, both have powers they don't get, both are so nice they can't even swear (though I'm not sure whether Chloe can, maybe she can?)and both of them hold their friends together and stop them from fighting! Oh, and both girls lives change within a day! One two-second event takes place and they're both whisked off some place with kids who are like them. One gets her first period, another gets her Vampire Mark. AND they both have a problem at home of some kind...

Next is Stevie Rae from HON and Liz. Both die and are friends of the heroine and help her through out the books. Though one returns to life and the other doesn't but that's not the point!

Last and maybe least, the guys, Simon and Derek. Simon is a mixture of Heath, fun, popular, cute, girl-getter, and a mixture of Eric. Why Eric? You may ask. Because Eric is jealous of another guy who he thinks Zoey likes more, and he stomps off, real mad. Simon does the same. Also, they both have artistic talent, though one in art and the other in drama, and the last thing is that both guys, are dumped (or dump, in Simon's case) by the heroine, only to become friends later on. See the resemblance?

Now to Derek! He is Stark, TOTALLY! The guy who the heroine loves. The guy who protect the heroine, the guy with some kind of power that is DAMN scary! The guy who I vote for in both series, most of all!

DEREK FOR CHLOE AND STARK FOR ZOEY! Wow, that rhymed! Cool!

That's all, LOL!
(less)

3 likes · like · see review

Aug 13, 2012 FantasyWereld rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adults

Een link naar de volledige recensie: http://www.fantasywereld.nl/recensies...

Ontwaken is het tweede deel in de Darkest Powers-trilogie en het vervolg op Bezwering. In het eerste deel ontdekte Chloe dat ze van de ene op de andere dag geesten kon zien, wat resulteerde in een paniekaanval op school. Ze werd opgenomen in Lyle House, een opvanghuis voor tieners met gedragsproblemen, waar ze het etiketje ‘schizofrenie’ opgeplakt kreeg. Maar hoe langer Chloe in Lyle House verbleef, hoe meer ze besefte...more Een link naar de volledige recensie: http://www.fantasywereld.nl/recensies...

Ontwaken is het tweede deel in de Darkest Powers-trilogie en het vervolg op Bezwering. In het eerste deel ontdekte Chloe dat ze van de ene op de andere dag geesten kon zien, wat resulteerde in een paniekaanval op school. Ze werd opgenomen in Lyle House, een opvanghuis voor tieners met gedragsproblemen, waar ze het etiketje ‘schizofrenie’ opgeplakt kreeg. Maar hoe langer Chloe in Lyle House verbleef, hoe meer ze besefte dat haar gave echt was en dat er iets vreemds aan de hand was in het huis. Samen met haar nieuwe vrienden – charmante tovenaar Simon, weerwolf Derek en Rae die ‘iets met vuur heeft’ – besloot Chloe te vluchten, maar dat ging niet helemaal goed…

Nu zitten Chloe en Rae weer vast. Rae lijkt haar ontvoerders deze keer te geloven, maar Chloe weet wel beter. Langzaam maar zeker komt ze steeds meer te weten over de mysterieuze Edison-groep die haar vasthoudt. Wat hen betreft is Chloe een wetenschappelijk experiment en als het experiment niet slaagt, zullen ze er niet aan twijfelen om Chloe te elimineren. Genoeg redenen voor een tweede vluchtpoging dus. Samen met haar vroegere vijand Tori gaat ze ervandoor, maar zal het hen lukken uit handen te blijven van de duistere Edison-groep?

Spannend vluchtverhaal
Ontwaken is eigenlijk één groot vluchtverhaal, waarin de hoofdpersonages heel de Verenigde Staten doorkruisen om plekken te zoeken waar ze veilig zijn. Daardoor krijgt het verhaal niet echt de kans zich te ontwikkelen. Afgezien van het constant op de vlucht zijn, gebeurt er vrij weinig en Chloe kijkt vaak terug naar haar verleden, wat we voor het grootste gedeelte ook al kennen uit Bezwering. Een voordeel hiervan is dat je als lezer wel steeds meer begrijpt van alles wat Chloe meemaakt. Je leert onder andere de bedoelingen van de sinistere Edison-groep kennen en het wordt duidelijk waarom Chloe in Lyle House is opgenomen.

Wil je de gehele recensie lezen? Klik dan op bovenstaande link.(less)

1 like · like · see review

Apr 17, 2012 Adela Cacovean rated it 3 of 5 stars

Un prim lucru pe care ar trebui să-l menționez, este că Revelația, volumul doi al seriei Forțele Răului Absolut, este mult mai bun și mai plin de acțiune decât primul, Invocarea.

Atenție! Dacă nu ați citit primul volum până acum, nu citiți acest review! Poate conține spoilere.

(view spoiler)...more

2 likes · like · see review

Apr 12, 2012 Nikita Ompang rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: owned, novel

uuuhhh... This book is just the same with the first one. Not so bad. It wasn't that interesting but it was quite fun reading things like raising the dead. Also, I was looking for MORE details. It just keeps on shifting to different scenes like the previous one didn't happen or wasn't important. Maybe it wasn't THAT important, but still. The transition of the scenes made the whole story seem shallow. Did I make any sense? Whatever.

Chloe Saunders. Let me think what to say about her. hmmm.. Well, f...more

1 like · like · see review

Dec 13, 2010 Jude rated it 4 of 5 stars

http://inbetweenwritingandreading.blo...

What can I say? This series gets better and better.

This book picks up right where The Summoning ends, and after the shocking ending of the first book, this book fills you up but still manages to leave you wanting for more…

I think The Awakening was even better than the first book, it has so much more action and risky situations in which you are left with no more options than to hold your breath and hope for the best. Also, the romantic interests of Chloe ge...more

2 likes · like · see review

Dec 16, 2010 Stacia ~ Mistress of Mediocrity rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult

3.5 stars. Book 2 was an improvement over book 1. It was still a bit slow starting like the first one, but once the kids were back on the road, I blazed through the book. Something about this story just works better when they're only interacting with each other and trying to run from their enemies vs. when they're hanging out in confinement.

Derek has been tugging at my heart strings since the first book. How can you not feel for this kid who has nothing or no one to turn to except for his foster...more

2 likes · like · see review

Oct 04, 2011 Liliana ♥s Mythology rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ghosts-souls-spirits, werewolves, witches

Review also found here: http://lili-lost-in-a-book.blogspot.c...

I was so anxious to start this book! This one started off where the last one ended... duh! lol

Chloe was locked up by her own aunt in a research facility along with her friend Rae. Now, with the help of another ghost, she and another friend from the group home , Tori, escape from that place. Soon they reunite with their friends Simon and Derek in pursuit to find the guys' father. He is the only one who can keep them safe, a sorcerer,...more

2 likes · like · see review

May 16, 2012 Michele (Reading Lark/CanadianTwiMom) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: own-it, wolves-werewolves, witches-warlocks, signed, necromancy, reading-lark, softcover

My review can also be found on Reading Lark: http://readinglark.blogspot.ca/2012/0...

For the middle book in a trilogy, I really enjoyed this one. As we all know, the second book is often painful to get through but not in this case -- possibly due to the fact that there is very little romance so far -- just hints of some romantic feelings that seem to be slowly simmering in the background.

It's hard to talk about this book without spoilers; therefore, there will be some.

The Awakening picks up wit...more
My review can also be found on Reading Lark: http://readinglark.blogspot.ca/2012/0...

For the middle book in a trilogy, I really enjoyed this one. As we all know, the second book is often painful to get through but not in this case -- possibly due to the fact that there is very little romance so far -- just hints of some romantic feelings that seem to be slowly simmering in the background.

It's hard to talk about this book without spoilers; therefore, there will be some.

The Awakening picks up with Chloe and Rae under The Edison's Group care after being turned in by Chloe's Aunt Lauren, with Derek and Simon still missing and on the run. Chloe is enlightened with the goings on by summoning Brady, a former patient, who is now a ghost. Dr. Davidoff also explains to Chloe The Edison Group's purpose (frought with propaganda). She doesn't buy their innocent motives -- rightfully so. She plots to escape, and hopefully rejoin Simon and Derek, while The Edison Group plots to use Chloe as bait to recapture the boys and possibly eliminate them all because the kids cannot be controlled or rehabilitated to the expectations of The Edison Group. But these kids outsmart The Edison Group once again, with help from Chloe's Aunt Lauren of all people, who comes to the realization of what is really going on.

With Chloe and her friends on the run, their journey of getting as far away from The Edison Group and hopefully finding help from Simon and Derek's father is intense and action packed at times. As well, during their time on the run, it's not surprising that strong bonds begin to form between at least three of the friends.

This trilogy is safe, clean fun suitable for younger teens. I almost don't miss the lack of romance... BUT... there is something developing between Chloe and the two brothers individually. These characters are fairly young (15/16) so it is not surprising that these new feelings are somewhat new and requires time to sort them out.

The Awakening also has some delicious creepiness rolled into this story involving necromancy and other supernatural phenomena and the ending wrapped up nicely with a few strings left for the final book in this trilogy.

And while The Reckoning is the last book in this trilogy, the new Darkness Rising series stars new characters in the same world. As I understand it, the author plans to merge all the characters of both trilogies in the last book of the Darkness Rising series.(less)

1 like · like · see review

May 24, 2009 Karin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: youngadult, 2009-reads, zombies

Reading book 1 in this trilogy, THE SUMMONING, is recommended before reading THE AWAKENING.

Chloe Saunders can see ghosts. She can also raise the dead - mostly without meaning to. After being sent to Lyle House because her dad thought she was unstable (see THE SUMMONING), she found out that it was just a front for the Edison Group - a corporation that studies paranormal activity. Chloe, Derek, Simon, and Rae escape in hopes of finding Derek and Simon’s dad and putting a stop to the Edison Group’s...more Reading book 1 in this trilogy, THE SUMMONING, is recommended before reading THE AWAKENING.

Chloe Saunders can see ghosts. She can also raise the dead - mostly without meaning to. After being sent to Lyle House because her dad thought she was unstable (see THE SUMMONING), she found out that it was just a front for the Edison Group - a corporation that studies paranormal activity. Chloe, Derek, Simon, and Rae escape in hopes of finding Derek and Simon’s dad and putting a stop to the Edison Group’s evil plans. Freedom doesn’t last long though. Chloe is captured and forced to reveal the location of Simon and Derek when THE AWAKENING begins.

After regaining her freedom and being reunited with her friends, Chloe begins to learn more about her powers while staying one step ahead of the Edison Group. Simon, Derek, and Chloe learn some very disturbing information about their genetic makeup and struggle to come up with a plan to bring down the people responsible. In addition to the struggles she is already dealing with, Chloe is faced with a massive betrayal.

With the help of an unexpected ally, Chloe and her friends move one step closer to taking down the Edison group. She realizes there is no way she will ever be able to return to her old life and that she is going to have to find a way to make this new one work. Chloe’s relationship with Derek becomes stronger, but it is still unclear what is going on with her and Simon. It will be interesting to see if there is a romantic element in the future and how the brothers will handle it if there is.

THE RECKONING is the third and final book in the Darkest Powers Trilogy. Readers will be clamoring for it to find out how everything turns out for Chloe and her friends.

Visit “Chloe’s” blog for a free novella about Simon and Derek and events leading up to their arrival at Lyle House. It is being written in serial form. Kelley Armstrong is posting a section on the 1st and 15th of every month. When it is complete it will be transferred to the locker section of “Chloe’s” website.
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May 30, 2011 Carina rated it 4 of 5 stars

An improvement from the first book, not that the first one wasn't good, but this one is even better.
This one has lots of action and mistery. There is also a little bit of romance involved in the mix. I am definetly rooting for Derek to get Chloe, but Simon is a really good guy too. I just think there is alot more chemistry and attraction between Derek and Chloe, they are just resisting and pushing each other away.
We find out more about the esperimentation that was done to the supernaturals and t...more

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Nov 17, 2012 Grace rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ya-paranormal, urban-fantasy, 2012-new, 2012-all, library-brooklyn

3.5 - 4, rounding up.

Still enjoying this! I really appreciate that the focus is on the world and the action and not on the romance. There are moments where I feel like the action is a little glossed over/not perfectly clear, but otherwise, I enjoyed the way the world expanded in this one and we got to learn more.

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Jul 28, 2011 Mansi rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: First YA readers

Recommended to Mansi by: Beautyisntskindeep on Youtube!

This is the sequel to The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong.

Well, I am sad to say this but I felt this book lacked something. It was still absolutely brilliant, but I felt lack of depth into the text.
I think the text and dialogue could've been better.

Chloe is definitely still your preppy school girl...
But she's not so clique in this one so that was definitely a positive for me.

As some of you may know, in the first one Chloe wanted to hit puberty and get her menstrual cycle and I found that pretty...more

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Nov 14, 2009 Holly rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: death-ghosts, series, favorites, witches_magic, shifters

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

5 likes · like · see review

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About Kelley Armstrong

Kelley Armstrong has been telling stories since before she could write. Her earliest written efforts were disastrous. If asked for a story about girls and dolls, hers would invariably feature undead girls and evil dolls, much to her teachers' dismay. All efforts to make her produce "normal" stories failed.

Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked a...more

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Quotes from The Awakening

“Derek caught my arm again as I started to move--at this rate, it was going to be as sore as my injured one.
"Dog," he said, jerking his chin toward the fenced yard. "It was inside earlier."
Expecting to see a Doberman slavering at the fence, I followed his gaze to a little puff of white fur, the kind of dog women stick in their purses. It wasn't even barking, just staring at us, dancing in place.
"Oh, my God! It's a killer Pomeranian." I glanced up at Derek. "It's a tough call, but I think you can take him.” — 742 people liked it

“He had a newspaper rolled in his hand, bearing down on me like a puppy that had piddled on the carpet.
"Bad Chloe,” I muttered.
"What?”
I’d forgotten his bionic hearing. “Bad Chloe.” I gestured at the rolled-up paper and put
out my hand. “Get it over with.” — 339 people liked it

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The Awakening (Darkest Powers Trilogy #2)

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