I can't believe how despite all the praise and excitement I've heard about Kelley Armstrong's The Gathering, I still wasn't inclined to read it. I think it's the cover. Why is it blue? But I'm glad I gave it a go because I was very impressed. Armstrong, represent!...Sorry, I haven't slashed anything in a while. I've forgotten how much fun it is.

So, this book. Oh, this book. It's set on Vancouver Island, population 200. It's a medical research town. Uh hum. It's nature in it's naked form. Maya is a young Native 16-year-old with an interesting paw-print for a birthmark. She's into animals, especially cats. More importantly, they're into her, too. Doesn't take much to figure out where the "fantasy" aspect of this story is headed...But it was different. At least, to me. It presented a different angle on the supernatural. Not so much the mythology behind it, which is new. But more so the characters who themselves have to deal with their gifts. (view spoiler)[These kids are trying to reverse their powers, not enhance them. You don't see that too often, no? (hide spoiler)] It's unique compared to how other writers execute their plot. It's a mystery, and it feels like a mystery, because just like the characters, we the readers are left feeling like we're grasping on straws. Which can be infuriating because like many reviewers have complained, this book lacks a peak. It starts slow, and when the action does come, it's late and abrupt. And then it's done. I read this on my e-reader and I promise you, I thought maybe I didn't download the entire book. That couldn't have been the end, right? Apparently, it was.

It's a testament to Armstrong's writing that upon reading that cliffhanger was it really, though? Because it felt like the printer just ran out of ink that I didn't swear to the gods proclaiming to never pick up the sequel purely out of spite. Because the book didn't seem at all slow to me. I enjoyed the stroll. It was a lovely walk. I'm one of those movie viewers who, no matter how great an action scene is, if I didn't care about the people in danger, I'd fall asleep. I was nodding off during Wrath of the Titans. So, we need to get to know these characters well. Because I have a feeling Armstrong is going to throw at us some emotional bombs down the road. Which I have no intention of dodging.

Maya has got to be one of the most rational, independent, brazen young girls I've ever come across in YA. She knows her sht. So much so that when she was making the inevitable bad moves because no mistakes means no story, duh I was right there egging her on, instead of my usual face palm reaction towards most female protagonists of this genre. She's funny, she's kind. But she's not perfect because as Rafe points out, she's a little too harsh, a little too rash. I love her reaction when she discovers the truth: denial, as is natural, but a quite understanding and acceptance. She doesn't freak out in a way that propels the book into several chapters of avoiding plot development because she's too busy deluding herself. No, she freaks out, repeats to herself that she's not crazy then addresses the situation in a calmly manner; while putting aside her very complicated and delicate personal affairs, which can only distract her from what is of utmost urgency. Props. Daniel, Rafe, Annie, Sam, Nicole, they were all interesting secondary characters. I liked having them around. I'd invite them to the party. Even Haley.

Solid everything. Except the ending, which has a very slippery, vapour-y feel...like floating down a cool river then getting stuck between two huge boulders on the edge of a waterfall, just struggling there fighting against the tide, getting so tired because you don't know if there will be rescue or if you're going to plunge into the misty depths below, desperate to hold on but ready to let go...like hanging on a cliff.

If, like me, you've been brushing this book off because of the cover, I say to you: don't. Just take the dust jacket off. That's what I did with Nevermore...because have you seen the cover for Nevermore?

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I didn't even mention all the Canadian-ness in this book. Oh, it was magnificent! There was everything! There were disses, there were jokes, there were odes! It revered but it was still fun enough that she wasn't afraid to give playful punches, oh!