Jun 29, 2011

Review: The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong


Title: The Gathering
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Publisher: Harper
Publication Date: 4.12.2011
Pages: 359
Genre: Paranormal
Series: Yes (Darkness Rising #1)

Rating: B

Summary (from Goodreads):
Sixteen-year-old Maya is just an ordinary teen in an ordinary town. Sure, she doesn't know much about her background - the only thing she really has to cling to is an odd paw-print birthmark on her hip - but she never really put much thought into who her parents were or how she ended up with her adopted parents in this tiny medical-research community on Vancouver Island. Until now.

Strange things have been happening in this claustrophobic town - from the mountain lions that have been approaching Maya to her best friend's hidden talent for "feeling" out people and situations, to the sexy new bad boy who makes Maya feel . . . .
different
. Combine that with a few unexplained deaths and a mystery involving Maya's biological parents and it's easy to suspect that this town might have more than its share of skeletons in its closet.

Review:
This is most definitely not a book for the faint of heart. The action pulses with each flip of the page and the romance sizzles at an audible level. And there is the pesky matter of a cliffhanger that is driving me insane with curiosity. Kelley Armstrong is a fantastical writer, and this book is a great addition to any reader’s shelf.

I found Maya to be an extremely likeable character. She was somewhat sheltered, but how could she not be considering the way she (and all the other kids in town) have been raised? In fact, the whole cast was fun to read. I loved reading the scenes where several characters interacted (like at Maya’s birthday party) because they played so well off each other. Writing a chapter that throws 90% of the characters together but still gives each a distinct, individual voice is quite a talent that Armstrong seems to have mastered.

My only hang up was the predictability of the book. Well, that and the brutal cliffhanger that the reader is left with. But this book wasn’t one to throw a curveball at you. Sometimes that’s a good thing, and other times not so much. I think I just had higher hopes for this book, and was somewhat disappointed when I figured out the plot less than three chapters in.

I most definitely recommend you guys check this one out … you just might want to wait until the next book is almost published so you aren’t left feeling bereft and alone when you finish the last sentence.

13 comments:

  1. My issue with this one is that it didn't leave me feeling anything, nor was I left in a place where I was thinking, hmm, I need to read the sequel yesterday. It was a good book but it was a predictable book. I'll probably read the sequel anyhow.

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  2. I just read the Darkest Powers series and I am really looking forward to reading this one. I read the first few chapters online and I love that it features Nanaimo, B.C. because that is a city I had never heard of until I visited it last year and loved it. :)

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  3. I absolutely loved this book; maybe cause I was at the beach when I read it and I pretty much read it in one sitting. I guess I agree about the predictability, but I was just enjoying the story & characters so much I guess I didn't notice. That cliffhanger was so unfair. :(

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  4. Thank you for the great review. I have seen this author's books everywhere. Your review gives me some insight about the author and her writing style. I will be putting her down as one to check out.

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  5. I like Kelley Armstrongs YA books. I agree with Kaye, though, that this one didn't leave me as caught up with the cliffhanger as it could have done. Certainly I was more on the edge of my seat to get the sequel to The Summoning than I have been for this one. Still, it got off to a good start and I'm looking forward to the second book in a couple of months! :)

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  6. I loved the Darkest Powers series by Kelley but I think this series is going to be better!

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  7. I loved this book but didn't love it as much as the Darkest Powers. Not by far. :)

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  8. I enjoyed the book myself and considered it a fun and fast read. I can't wait to read "The Calling!"

    Thanks for sharing.

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  9. Sounds like a good book. I never really gave it a thought, just flipped it off because it really didn't seem original. Bound to give it a try now though.

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  10. Like others I just finished Darkest Powers and it was hard for me to say good bye to Chloe, Derek,Simon, Tori and Liz. I immediately felt the need to re-read the series, but first I wanted to give to the new series a chance.

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  11. I read this a while back and it was one of my first YA books and like you, I went through it pretty quickly. I enjoyed it and am fascinated with the paranormal idea. Will be reading The Calling soon! Thanks for your review.

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  12. I just got this book in the mail the other day and I'm absolutely excited about cracking it open when I finish the book I'm currently reading! But.. aaaah~ the idea of cliffhangers makes me sad.

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  13. I'm reading this book right now. I'm liking it so far. Thanks for the review.

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