Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
The Summoning Audio
Fiction
For ages 12 and up
Unabridged audiobook (CD)
Performed/read by: Cassandra Morris
Recorded Books, 2008 ISBN: 978-1436197205
Chloe Saunders is an ordinary fifteen year-old girl. It is true that she is a little small, and she is not developing as fast as her peers, but otherwise her life is quite unremarkable. And then, on the day when she becomes a ‘woman,’ Chloe’s life becomes very strange indeed. She sees a man in her school who terrifies her because he looks as if something awful has happened to him. Chloe loses control, and when the crisis is over, she finds herself in Lyle House, a group home for teens with mental problems.
At first Chloe decides to toe the line and accept the doctor’s diagnosis that she is schizophrenic. But, over time, when she sees other people who are clearly ghosts, Chloe begins to believe that she cannot deny who and what she is. This belief is further reinforced when she learns that the other inmates in Lyle House also have unusual gifts. Simon, one of the other residents, explains that Chloe, himself, and Derek (his brother) are all “supernaturals.” Could it be that Lyle House is not what it appears to be? Could it be that someone is collecting supernaturals for some reason?
In this first title in the Darkest Powers trilogy, Kelley Armstrong takes her listeners into a world where people with special powers exist, people who have to hide who they are. The story is so tantalizing that listeners will find it hard to turn their CD player off. When the story comes to a close, we are left wondering what is going to happen next. Will Chloe and her new friends be able to get away from the people who clearly want to keep them hidden?
In her wonderful narrative, Cassandra Morris perfectly captures Chloe’s voice. In no time at all listeners will feel as if they are with Chloe, trying to understand what is happening to her.
