The Reckoning by Kelly Armstrong

My name is Chloe Saunders. I'm fifteen, and I would love to be normal.

But normal is one thing I'm not.

For one thing, I'm having these feelings for a certain antisocial werewolf and his sweet-tempered brother—who just happens to be a sorcerer—but, between you and me, I'm leaning toward the werewolf.

Not normal.

My friends and I are also on the run from an evil corporation that wants to get rid of us—permanently.

Definitely not normal.

And finally, I'm a genetically altered necro-mancer who can raise the dead, rotting corpses and all, without even trying.

As far away from normal as it gets.

Spoilers in this one... DEREK AND CHLOE! I am happy about it but at the start of Book 1 I would have picked Simon for her. Armstrong is tricky. I was so frustrated every time that Derek and Chloe would get so close to kissing and then someone would interrupt! Until the last two pages!!! I wanted to scream "Finally!" I wonder if she intended for them to be together at the end of Book 1. Anyone know?

I thought Book 3 had a lot more action in it and all the action was leading up to the big event, where I felt Book 1 and 2 were leading up to Book 3 and that was it. I don't want that to discourage anyone from reading this series because I thought it was really good. By the way, is The Gathering part of this series or is it a spin-off? But back to the action. There was a lot more death in this one, and I loved how all of them (except Andrew) came to the foursomes aid, even if some of them were really pissed off about it.

What about the demi-demon and demon Chloe raised? I felt that wasn't explored very well. Along with Royce's story. I wanted to know about his situation more. I wanted to know what exactly made him crazy. I think it would be very interesting. Maybe a spin-off? Royce also led me to believe, along with how Chloe answers herself all the time, that she is already starting to go crazy.

Where did Kit come from? Glad he showed up in the end but I felt it was like BAM - He's here!

Some quick thoughts

I want Aunt Lauren and Kit to date :)

What about Chloe's father - he just dropped off the map

Tori's mom what a BEEP

Did I mention I loved the kissing between Derek and Chloe?!

I wished we could know more about the Simon/Tori/Kit situation

On a side note: My birthday is approaching and I always get a ton of gift certificates to get books. Any suggestions on a book you recently read that you think is a must read? Or a series that should be on every paranormal YA lover's shelf? And tell me why.

The Awakening by Kelly Armstrong

Book 2

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 cynicall 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.

I think Chloe is insane... I have seen characters "talk" in their heads and talk through telepathic abilities (MY manuscript for one - yes, that was a plug for me) but Chloe talks back to herself. FULL ON REPLIES.

This book wasn't as strong for me. I felt it ran like a Melissa de la Cruz filler novel. I'm still fully interested and loved it but nothing really big happens. Book two's purpose was to get me from book 1 to Book 3. I can live it. I have already ordered the third one to my NOOK today.

Um so does she love Simon or Derek? I'm not sure and none of you who know should tell me.

To the point - Chloe and Derek spend a lot more time together and their bond is really growing. I think Chloe really cares for Derek's well-being. I think Derek really cares for her but I'm not sure in what way. On their way from Buffalo to NYC, the foursome gets separated. But they all meet up at Andrew's, a friend of the boys' father, and discover that the Edison Group is not far behind. Diana - they are bad guys, aren't they!? So sad.

Some quick thoughts:
Tori and Chloe are going to be friends by the end. Tori will have a complete character turn around
I want to know more about Andrew
Chloe's dad really wasn't brought up at all
Poor Aunt Lauren
I hope chloe's hair gets dyed back to blonde.

The Summoning by Kelly Armstrong

After years of frequent moves following her mother’s death, Chloe Saunders’s life is finally settling down. She is attending art school, pursuing her dreams of becoming a director, making friends, meeting boys. Her biggest concern is that she’s not developing as fast as her friends are. But when puberty does hit, it brings more than hormone surges. Chloe starts seeing ghosts–everywhere, demanding her attention. After she suffers a breakdown, her devoted aunt Lauren gets her into a highly recommended group home.

At first, Lyle House seems a pretty okay place, except for Chloe’s small problem of fearing she might be facing a lifetime of mental illness. But as she gradually gets to know the other kids at the home–charming Simon and his ominous, unsmiling brother Derek, obnoxious Tori, and Rae, who has a “thing” for fire–Chloe begins to realize that there is something that binds them all together, and it isn’t your usual “problem kid” behaviour. And together they discover that Lyle House is not your usual group home either…

This was given to me by one of my students and when ever they recommend to me, I never know what I am going to get. This was a wonderful surprise. It's set in Buffalo, New York - which I love because I'm from around the area and know the references.

Anyway, the story starts with Chloe as a little girl, scared of her basement because she does not understand that she is seeing ghosts. Fast forward to Chloe's 9th grade year and a really bad day in school. She gets her powers and BAM - she's dead people and her Aunt sends her to Lyle house. She meets Liz for a split second and she's gone. She meets Rae - the pyro and friend. Tori- the bitch with a really bad temper. Simon - the flirty and protective brother of Derek. Derek the abnormally scary teenage boy who also has a temper. All kids who need help but not the normal type of help, you would think.

There are tons of relationships - delicate relationships - my favorite is actually with Derek and Chloe. He's super protective of her and I'm not sure why. He also doesn't like many people and is very blunt as well, but his relationship with Simon and Chloe, show that he is a considerate and kind person, he just doesn't show it like others.

The group orchestrating the Lyle house aka the bad guys, may have a reason for what they are doing or they don't. But I need to know more about them. Never have I wanted the "bad guy" to not be. There could be a great reason. Or they could be really, really bad guys. (again, more info is hopefully going to be in The Awakening).

Some quick thoughts:

There's a romance budding - I can feel it!

Chloe really needs to figure out how to use her powers or she is going to be in some serious trouble.

Aunt Lauren - hmmmmm

And what did Chloe's dad do in his past?

Derek may like Chloe - heartbreak in the future?