My brother bought me this book after I said that I want to read something new. At the beginning the story evolved a bit slow but when more pieces came together a machine for action was ready to roll, and I was hooked. A story of a teenager with a special gift that end-ups in psychiatric clinic with a treatment plan for schizophrenia was quite captivating. Therefore, I look forward to read a sequel that should clear up all the questions that were risen by the cliff hanging ending.

I thought that this book was great! It had a sense of mystery and lots of action. It also showed that you definitely can't judge a book by its cover and that if you give someone a chance, they might become your best friend, or maybe save your life.

I love Kelley Armstrong's adult series, I purchased this book because I'm always looking for books my ninth grade students would be interested in. Even as an adult it really kept my interest but I hate how much of a cliffhanger it was. I'll have to reread it by the time the next book comes out.

I especially liked the opening scene with the toddler seeing dead people and being lured into the basement. Morbid, I know. Yet, mostly this book reminded me of the Hero's series on T.V.

At age 15 Chloe hasn't had a strange occurance since she was toddler so many years ago, yet on this strange morning, she wakes up from a dream (of that time as a toddler) sees a ghost walking down the street, and encounters a dead janitor in her school hall. After running screaming through the hall and fighting with teachers her father and aunt have decided to put her in a group home for the time being with other disturbed teens. Yep, the "crazy" house. It doesn't take long to realize things are not always what they seem.

I flew this novel. I highly recommend it.

When Chloe's ability to see ghosts draws unwelcome attention, she is deemed to be an at risk adolescent and sent to a group home where she can "be helped." Among the troubled youths there, she makes some instant enemies, but also, some very close friends, some of whom will prove to be vitally important in the days to come. Despite the purported high success rate of Lyle House, not every patient makes it out alive. Moreover, Chloe is not the only teen there who is not really troubled, just has powers. Two boys, Simon and Derek, introduce her to the idea of Supernaturals, beings like her who have something extra, whether it is spellcraft, necromancy, or other powers. Because of this, Lyle House is a very dangerous place for them, for something has been going on there for decades, something that threatens to destroy any Supernatural who walks through its doors. Chloe's admission there might not be a coincidence after all.

***** If you thought Kelley Armstrong to be an awesome writer going on her Women of the Otherworld series, then double your estimation by at least two when you read this. I still love her adult writing, but this really blows you away. Chloe's story is a compelling read that will keep you riveted right from the start, and grow more addictive as you turn the pages. I can hardly wait to see more. *****

Reviewed by Amanda Killgore for Huntress Reviews.

I enjoyed this story. I'm a little dissapointed in the ending. I think that if it had been a little more wrapped up, I would have felt a whole lot better waiting on the next in the series.

Now, I feel like I'm left hanging until The Awakening comes out...which I will totally buy. I mean, I have to know what happens to the kids!

"A banner week for me. Getting short-listed for the director spot. Nate asking me about the dance. My first period. And now my first criminal act. After I fixed myself up, I dug into my backpack for my brush and emerged instead with the tube of hair color. I lifted it. My reflection in the mirror grinned back."

Chloe Saunders is a very special girl. Not just because she has an in-depth and intense obsession with movies, filming, and directing. Not just because of her unusual home life. She is special, because on top of all this, Chloe Saunders can see ghosts.

On the day of her first period, she goes to the bathroom and skips class. She dyes her hair, feeling particularly rebellious. Upon exiting, Chloe sees a strange man wearing an old custodian's uniform, who follows her around school. She thinks she is in trouble for skipping class...

When he starts to talk to her, she ignores him. He gets angry, and deliberately shows her his face... and she sees it is burned so badly she can barely distinguish his features. When he disappears into thin air, she starts making a scene and freaking out, and school officials round her up. When she accidentally punches a teacher, they sedate her and take her to the hospital.

From there she is sent to Lyle House, which is a place for troubled teenagers. There she meets a wide variety of people - a pyromaniac, a girl with a poltergeist, an unusually moody girl, a boy with extremely bad people-skills, and a boy who, strangely, she finds nothing unusual about. As her new friends' stories unfold, Chloe begins to question the
motivation behind Lyle House.

With everything from ghosts and magic to romance, humor, and growing up, THE SUMMONING will have you laughing, wondering, and in disbelief. This book has many plot twists that will keep the reader guessing throughout the course of the novel. Kelley Armstrong uses great characterization and dialogue, which makes THE SUMMONING an overall good read.

Reviewed by: Margaret Waterman

This is a very good start for Kelley Armstrong's YA series. I love her other books and this was just as good.

What would you do if you woke up one day and saw a ghost? If you're like 15-year-old Chloe Saunders, you end up in a group home for "troubled" kids. All Chloe wants to do is get back to her normal life, but she keeps seeing ghosts, and is starting to suspect that this isn't a normal group home - and that the doctors might have something sinister in mind for all the kids. This is Kelley Armstrong's first book for young adults, and it is fantastic. With strong, witty characters and danger at every turn, this is the start of a must-read series.

I have a lot of faith in Kelley Armstrong, although I could have left Haunted and the Nadia Stafford book. Haunted (from the Otherworld series) was a little grotesque (I only read it once, as compared to about a dozen times of reading the others) and Nadia Stafford is just wasting time that could have been spent on Armstrong's other two series.

I gave this book 3 stars because of the confusing plot (what is the use of keeping supernaturals drugged and in a home instead of trained for your own purposes like the X-Men?) and then the terrible cliffhanger ending. Seriously, here at the end of the book, some reasonable explanation for an unreasonable scenario is about to appear- then BAM! NOTHING.

If you could read the 3 books all in a row it would be better. However, I do like the overall storyline and will buy the next books. Maybe just leave this one on the shelf until the others are out unless you can take the frustration of the extended wait.

This book had a great plot and it kept things at a speed that made it hard to put down. The charaters are multi-faceted. It is a great start for a late teen interested in beginning the paranormal experience.

Great book from a great author. You can't go wrong when reading Kelley Armstrong. Even though it is YA adults would still enjoy.

Wow! Another GREAT book from one of my favorite authors. Geared a little more towards the teens..Me, I'm in my 40's, but loved it!

Once again, Ms Armstrong has outdone herself. As soon as I heard this book was coming out, I decided I was going to buy it whether it rocked my sock drawer(100x better than sock rocking =P) or stunk it up; one of the best decisions I've made!! After a while, I forgot that I was supposed to be wary of how the story was going to go, and completely lost myself in it. This book is a definite "stay up all night with a flashlight under the covers and read until you finish" kind of book, but I don't recommend hiding with a flashlight in the summer and trying to read this; it's way too hot for that xP I agree with another reviewer that this book does feel like it left off in the middle, but that just means there'll be a sequel that's just as page turning as this one.
Hope all you Kelley Armstrong fans AND teen fantasy fic readers read this book; you'll be glad you did =]

This book hook me with the first page and did not let go till the end. Her character development proves that she is a writer to read. She has a style that makes it almost impossible to wait for the next book. I also met her at the comic con this year and was impressed with how approachable she was. I love her work and recommend this book to all the readers. highly recommended can't wait for the sequel

I consumed this book in one sitting... and I am looking forward to the rest of the series and how these young people get back together and grow up; and how Ms. Armstrong is going to integrate these people into the 'Women of the Otherword' and the 'Men of the Otherworld'.... I am facinated by the whole concept of reality that exists within our 'mundane' world.... More please.. :)

Reviewed by Christina Wantz Fixemer
on 07/24/2008

Things are looking up for Chloe Saunders. She's in to the arts-focused high school she's dreamed of attending. She's making friends. And nothing weird has happened in a long time.

Until now. On what started out as a normal day, Chloe's world is shattered. Terrifying ghosts come out of nowhere, and no one believes her. Chloe's bizarre behavior lands her in a home for troubled teens. Surrounded by other misfits, she soon learns there's more to everyone's "troubles" than they realize. Learning the truth behind Lyle House could cost Chloe more than she imagines.

This novel is the first in a new series by bestselling author Kelley Armstrong, in which she brings her fascination with the paranormal to the Young Adult audience. THE SUMMONING blends popular elements of the genre with an interesting spin of its own.

Armstrong presents a well-defined subculture in an otherwise ordinary world. While the plot is a little thin at times, there's a solid foundation for future installments. Most of the characters have enough depth to keep them interesting, although Chloe seemed like a watered-down version of what her character could be.

This novel offers promise for an enjoyable series. It had a few bumps, but it was fun enough for me to read in less than a day. THE SUMMONING isn't the strongest book available in the genre, but it is fun and worth a read.

Chloe Saunders is an ordinary teenage girl. She wants to meet boys, hang out with her friends, and become a movie director. Chloe realizes she's not so ordinary when she sees a horrifying ghost in the halls of her art school. She has a breakdown and is sent to the "Lyle House", a group home for teenagers with mental illnesses.

The Lyle House is full of interesting characters, and Chloe wonders if any of them are really on her side. The nurses tell her with the medications her hallucinations will go away, but why is she still being contacted by ghosts? What do they want from her, and can she help them? Chloe and the other kids realize that their symptoms don't match up with the illnesses the doctors have pigeonholed them into, thus making them question what they really are and what really goes on at the Lyle House.
I recently just started Kelley Armstrong's Otherworld Series, and knew I had to have this book when it came out. I couldn't wait to see what she could do in the Young Adult Paranormal Arena! She definitely didn't let me down. I love the characters, especially Derek. He's so dark, strong, and scary, but deep down he cares. He just has a hard time showing it. Simon and Rae are still kind of mysterious, and I don't feel like they were developed enough. I'm sure we will get to know them better in future books. There of course is the mean girl at the home, Victoria. Thanks to the evil Victoria there is one scene in a crawl space...in a basement that is super intense! I think the book took an interesting twist at the end, and leaves us with a cliff hanger! Evil...Evil Authors!
I think this is a great beginning to a YA series, and can't wait to read the rest.

If you love Kelley's other writings, please don't hesitate to pick this one up when you see it. I thought it was really fantastic to see the teenage side of this world.

Chloe Saunders has always seen ghosts. Of course, she didn't know they were ghosts. After another particularly frightening episode, Chloe's mom decides it's time to move, and that is the last Chloe sees of them.

Fast forward to age 15. Chloe is now living with her maid because her mother has died and her father is too busy working all over the world. She's attending yet another school, but at least this time it's an art school and she's managed to be there for more than one year. It's nice not being the new girl for once. She's your average teenage girl just trying to get through the typical trials of high school - exams, friends, and boys. When Chloe officially hits puberty and finally starts her period at school and kind of gets asked on date to the school dance, she thinks life couldn't get any better. Evidently, she's wrong because with the onset of her period, the ghosts come rushing back at her. After having a breakdown at school, Chloe finds herself admitted to Lyle House - a group home for troubled teens.

Diagnosed as schizophrenic, Chloe vows to the doctors and her family that she's determined to get better. She dutifully takes the medications they give her and tries to ignore the strange phantoms talking to her. After all, if she's schizo, hearing voices isn't all that uncommon - right? As Chloe slowly gets to know the rest of the teens at Lyle House she begins to question that reasoning. After one of the girls is taken from Lyle House, Chloe begins to have doubts about the group home. Chloe and the rest of the group slowly come to realize that Chloe really isn't crazy - and neither are they. But why are they all here and who are these doctors that claim they just want to help them to get better? And most importantly, can they really be trusted?

While Kelley Armstrong is a huge presence in the urban fantasy genre, this is her first foray into the YA arena and I must say she does a fine job of it, too. The story is set in the same world as Armstrong's adult urban fantasy series, Women of the Otherworld. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Chloe and riding along while she begins discovering who - and what - she really is. Up until she's placed in Lyle House, Chloe had lived a very sheltered, but pampered lifestyle. When she ends up teaming up with some of the residents at Lyle House she's exposed to more than she could imagine is really out in the real world. While there are times that I have to remind myself that Chloe is just a teenager and there's a reason she acts/reacts in certain ways, overall I really enjoyed the book. By the end of the book there is a lot of action happening and I found myself not wanting the story to end, knowing I'd have to wait for the 2nd book, The Awakening, to release months from now. If you are a fan of the ever-growing YA paranormal genre, I recommend this book.

Chloe is not crazy. Just because she can see ghosts and, yes, sometimes raise them from the dead, doesnt mean she belongs in the nut house. But that's not the way society sees it. They say Chloe is schizophrenic and put her Lyle House, a group home for troubled teens. But it just so happens Chloe's not the only 'special' kid there, and Lyle House has some ghosts of it's own. Is it a coincidence, or is there something the kids don't know?

This book was amazing from the first page to the last. I love how the very first sentance grabs your attention. The story is very fast paced and there is never a dull moment. It is told from the perspective of a 15 year old girl who has always been able to see ghosts but never really realized what was happening. When she's sent to a group home for troubled teens she meets new friends who also have special powers. It's really cool how it all unfolds and leads up to a very climatic ending. Sadly, this is a series and Kelley doesnt let you forget it. After reading the last page there is no way you won't be first in line to buy the second book, The Awakening. But even with the major cliffhanger you won't be disapointed with this book in the least.

As a big fan of Kelley's Otherworld series I, of course, went and ordered this. The premise being young supernaturals coming into their own, which is a great idea as the characters in her 'Women' series have already had their powers, so it would be interesting to see that side of things. I know being a YA novel that it wouldn't be as graphic as the others in the series, but I felt a little disappointed in this as the main girl, Chloe just didn't make me feel sympathetic towards her. It was an easy read (just under 2 days to finish) and may be a good primer for Kelley's younger fans to ease into the main OW series when they're older. I'll probably buy the next (because I'm a completist on stuff like that) and hope that it begins to pick up.

I am a huge Kelley Armstrong fan. I ordered this hoping that, while written for younger readers, it would still have enough there to keep me interested. Unfortunately, not quite.

If I had read this as a teenager, I probably would have given it a 5. It has everything you could want - suspense, an interesting main character, a mystery, supernatural activity, etc.

As a more experienced reader, I'm giving it a 3.5. There could have been more characterization and a grander story arc. I was left wanting something. That said, I'll probably read the sequel, though I'm not sure I'll buy it in hardback.

Chloe Saunders use to have a relatively normal life; loving aunt, great friends and attending one of the best Art Schools in Buffalo, but now her life is beginning to resemble a horror movie; monsters and all.
Chloe is seeing ghosts and not the nice and normal transparent kind, but ghosts with serious agendas and they all are awful chatty, especially when word gets out among the spirits that Chloe is able to listen.
Naturally, Chloe freaks out when she is chased by a janitor with horrific burns, becoming hysterical when she is caught and held down by her teachers. Admitting to her Aunt Lauren she has been seeing ghosts wasn't the smartest thing to do since claiming to see and talk to the dead gets you in whole lot more trouble.
Convinced that Chloe is mentally unstable her aunt sends her to Lyle House; a `special' group home for troubled teens. There Chloe meets others with problems like hers; mysterious problems that don't fit with the diagnoses the doctors want to label them with. Turns out the people who are sent to Lyle House don't have mental conditions; they are all Supernaturals; sorcerers, witches, necromancers, and shamans. It's up to Chloe and her friends to figure out the secrets behind Lyle House... before its skeletons come back to haunt her.

Kelley Armstrong mixes supernatural drama with a whole lot of action packed conspiracy. The Summoning has an underlying sense of eeriness throughout it, waiting to burst through for the exhilarating ending.

When Chloe was a toddler, she lived in a house that had ghosts in the basement. One of the ghosts was a hanged man. Another liked to scare her. Chloe's mom talked her dad into moving them to another place and Chloe forgot all about the experience and now doesn't believe in ghosts. Her mother died when she was 8 and she's been raised mostly by housekeepers as her dad travels for his job.

A late bloomer, she doesn't get her period until she's turned 15. On that day she wakes up dreaming about her last experience in that basement, still not recalling that she ever lived there. Later that day, the ghost of a custodian at school who had obviously been in a fire, notices Chloe and won't leave her alone, wanting to talk to her. Chloe is totally freaked and runs from him screaming. The school staff has to tackle Chloe, sedate her and she's taken by ambulance to a hospital before being transferred to Lyle House, a group home for kids with mental issues.

Like all of the other kids there, she's put on drugs and for her daily therapy session with the doctor, acts like she's accepted her schizophrenic diagnosis in order to get out of there sooner.

At first this seems to be a story about someone with unique abilities (she's a necromancer) who is labeled with mental problems and drugged because the establishment doesn't understand or believe that there could be a perfectly healthy reason for what the person experiences. But it comes to light that other teens in the home have their own abilities and something bigger is going on.

Unlike the author's other series, this one appears to be one continuing story by the viewpoint of the same character. The biggest difference is that when the book ends, you don't feel like a story has completed; like the book ended in the middle. There is no feeling of conclusion to the drama that had taken place near the end of the book. Everything is left hanging.

The story itself and the characters are good, although for me (an adult who does like to read YA), it was getting kind of boring at times, at least until we get to the point of realizing that something bigger is going on. But it's that ending that has me downgrading the rating to 3 stars.

Kelley Armstrong mixes supernatural drama with a whole lot of action packed conspiracy. The Summoning has an underlying sense of eeriness throughout it, waiting to burst through for the exhilarating ending.
Chloe Saunders use to have a relatively normal life; loving aunt, great friends and attending one of the best Art Schools in Buffalo, but now her life is beginning to resemble a horror movie, monsters and all.
Chloe is seeing ghost and not the nice and normal transparent kind, but ghosts with serious agendas and they all are awful chatty, especially when word gets out among the spirits that Chloe is able to listen.
Naturally, Chloe freaks out when she is chased by a janitor with horrific burns, becoming hysterical when she is caught and held down by her teachers. Admitting to her Aunt Lauren she has been seeing ghosts wasn't the smartest thing to do since claiming to see and talk to the dead gets you in whole lot more trouble.
Convinced that Chloe is mentally unstable her aunt sends her to Lyle House; a `special' group home for troubled teens. There Chloe meets others with problems like hers; mysterious problems that don't fit with the diagnoses the doctors want to label them with. Turns out the people who are sent to Lyle House don't have mental conditions; they are all Supernaturals; scorers, witches, necromancers, and shamans. It's up to Chloe and her friends to figure out the secrets behind Lyle House... before its skeletons come back to haunt her.

I read all of KA's other books so when I saw this in the young adult section - I bought it out of curiosity. I'm glad I did. It is about young high school age children but it's still her slow build writing that holds the readers interest without losing any of the detail of the world she creates. It's her adult supernatural universe focused on some children who are lost in it and their too strong abilities.
I like the style and if she writes this series the way she writes her adult books they won't all be left on cliffhangers and some could be stand-alones with some character crossovers. The only fault I could find - and it's purely because I'm an adult now I would assume -is that I really couldn't lose myself in the character as I can typically with most of her stories. I found the lead character's desire to storyboard everything distracting... and yet I remember doing something similar at that age -so it still comes across realistic. Hopefully a sequel will come out soon...

What an exciting book from Kelley Armstrong. I loved her 1st YA novel. Having read all of her adult books, I wasn't sure what to expect. "The Summoning" was a really great start.
It was a little slow in the middle. The story wandered a little. It seemed that Chloe {the main character} took a long time to realize what was happening to her. But that's also normal for a 1st in series book. Now all the ground work is layed, so I'm really looking forward to reading the next 2 books.

This book does a good job of introducing all the principals and whetting your appetite for what's to come, but anyone considering reading it should be forewarned that it is not a stand alone story and that it ends cliffhanger style. Having said that though, the author did a good job of setting up each character and making this introductory story readable. I found the characters likable and believable. The story moves along at a nice pace and the setting is well utilized. I would have preferred the story stand alone, but I will probably be back just the same for the next one to see what happens next. FWIW though, a much better series in the same genre, teen supernaturals, is Richelle Mead's "Vampire Academy" series. Thanks for listening. Happy reading!

This book does a good job of introducing all the principals and whetting your appetite for what's to come, but anyone considering reading it should be forewarned that it is not a stand alone story and that it ends cliffhanger style. Having said that though, the author did a good job of setting up each character and making this introductory story readable. I found the characters likeable and believable. The story moves along at a nice pace and the setting is well utilized. I would have preferred the story stand alone, but I will probably be back just the same for the next one to see what happens next. Thanks for listening. Happy reading!

Chloe Saunders is your average teenage girl. She lives in Buffalo, with her aunt and attends an art school. She spends time with her friends, talks to boys, that kind of thing. Then she meets a ghost. This ghost is terrifying and grotesque. The interaction sends her into a breakdown, which gets her sent to a group home, Lyle House.

Lyle House is for mentally-ill teens who must work through their problems, or at least that is what it is advertised to be. Bizarre situations are occurring at this house, not only with herself, but also with other residents of the house. And no matter how much she tries not to believe it, Chloe sees more ghosts. Through strange events, the secrets everyone is hiding spills out, connections are made, and soon nothing is as it was thought to be. But with secrets.... there are always people who want to keep them quiet.

The Summoning was unlike anything I had expected. Kelley Armstrong has managed to mix a supernatural drama with a dash of teenage angst and a whole lot of conspiracy. This novel had an underlying sense of eeriness throughout it, waiting to burst. The middle of the story did drag a little, I will admit, but the end was thoroughly exhilarating. This book was amazing and the ending left it completely open for what is sure to be a fantastic trilogy.

From when Chloe Saunders was just a little girl, she saw ghosts. Of course then, she thought they were only nightmarish imaginary friends. And her life seemed to become almost normal when they moved out of that haunted house and after her mom died. But when Chloe hits puberty, she starts seeing the ghosts again. Now she's forced to stay in Lyle House so she can learn to cope with her "schizophrenia." But the other kids at Lyle House have also been incorrectly diagnosed with mental problems. There's a reason certain doors remain locked and there special kids are gathered in this institution. As Chloe works to uncover these sinister secrets, she starts to question everything around her, from her "schizophrenia," to what happened to her roommate who was taken away, and even to her mother's death.

My first reaction after finishing this novel was WOW. Kelley Armstrong does an amazing job of connecting Chloe's past with her present and weaving the other characters' stories in as well. the story was highly suspenseful and action-packed and the exciting twists and turns kept me guessing. The novel focuses mainly on plot, so there isn't much characterization, but the suspense, secrets, and action were more than enough to hold my interest.

I most definitely recommend this novel, especially to fans of the Maximum Ride series by James Patterson or the Uglies and Midnighters series by Scott Westerfeld. The Summoning will be part of a trilogy, which I am very excited about.