Review: The Awakening

by Kelley Armstrong
publisher: HarperTeen
date published: May 1, 2009
format: hardcover
pages: 368
source: library
Amazon / Goodreads / B&N
challenges: Goodreads 2011 Reading Challenge; 2011 YA Reading Challenge

From Goodreads:

If you had met me a few weeks ago, you probably would have described me as an average teenage girl—someone normal. Now my life has changed forever and I'm as far away from normal as it gets. A living science experiment—not only can I see ghosts, but I was genetically altered by a sinister organization called the Edison Group. What does that mean? For starters, I'm a teenage necromancer whose powers are out of control; I raise the dead without even trying. Trust me, that is not a power you want to have. Ever.

Now I'm running for my life with three of my supernatural friends—a charming sorcerer, a cynical werewolf, and a disgruntled witch—and we have to find someone who can help us before the Edison Group finds us first. Or die trying.

What I Thought

This is the second book in the Darkest Powers trilogy and, I have to say, I really enjoyed it. I actually liked it better than the first book, The Summoning. Now that the premise has been firmly established, there is more time to explore the situation at hand and detail the motives behind the events set in motion at Lyle House. As Chloe begins to make more and more discoveries about the organization behind Lyle House, the Edison Group, it is easy to see just how dire the situation is and just how much danger everyone is in.

I was surprised to find myself rooting for Derek in this book. He started out as his usual surly self in the beginning, but more was lying beneath the surface that was revealed in this book. While a possible love interest between him and Chloe wasn't blatantly alluded to, there were some very subtle hints that it may be a possibility in the future. I was left curious as to what will happen on that front in the third book.

The fact that romance was handled in a more subtle manner is this book was refreshing. Instead, the main focus was on the danger the kids are in, as well as the origins of their powers. There was also a lot more danger and suspense in this book, which I really liked, not to mention the creepier elements involved in Chloe's powers. It made for a much more action-packed book.

I read The Awakening within six hours, which speaks well for how well its plot can absorb a reader. The surprises; twists and turns; mystery; and subtle hints at romance made this a much more appealing book. I can't wait to get my hands on book three, The Reckoning. I was left very pleased when I read the last page. The Awakening earns 5 hoots from me.