The Calling by Kelley Armstrong - Ashley's Review

My Pre-Reading

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This book really surprised me. I mean, I figured it would pick up right after The Gathering left off, and I figured Maya would really have to start using her Skin Walker powers. But I didn't expect it to be such a thrill ride, or for it to be so fast-paced.

I really enjoyed how quickly this book moved along. There was enough detail to know what was going on, but it wasn't so much that you get lost in unimportant things. The kids are running for their lives, and reading this book kind of felt like you were running right along with them. And the fact that it only takes place over a couple of days really helps, I think. There are no jumps in time, and there aren't any gaps that need explaining. Some questions from The Gathering are answered, but there are more questions raised that I assume will be answered in the next book, so things never really get very dull.

The characters are all really nicely developed throughout the course of the book as well. None of the minor characters are there without a reason, and each one of them helps Maya to come to terms with her powers and herself. I also really enjoy how nobody just makes a decision and everyone agrees with it. Someone always has a counterargument, and they discuss every plan and take a vote. The kids act as equals instead of just blindly following one or two people. You also get to learn more about each person and what makes them do the things they do, and why their families have been asked to live in Salmon Creek. Plus, there are a few new characters introduced, and they do not disappoint either.

I do wish we could have seen more of Rafe, but I guess that would have removed one of the major conflicts. So I guess it worked out alright. He's grown on me though, and I really hope we get to see more of him in the next installment. And Annie too. They're the only characters that have been around  since the beginning that I really don't feel like I know very much about.

Overall, I think I enjoyed The Calling more than I enjoyed The Gathering. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who has read The Gathering, and I would recommend the series to anyone who is interested in supernatural YA books, especially ones that are set in this world. Plus, if you like a little bit of mystery and romance, you would probably enjoy these books. 3/5 to this one, but I'm excited to find out how Maya's story ends!


--Ashley

The Calling by Kelly Armstrong - Ashley's Pre-reading

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Title: The Calling
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Year Published: 2012

Synopsis: Maya Delaney’s paw-print birthmark is the sign of what she truly is—a skin-walker. She can run faster, climb higher, and see better than nearly anyone else. Experiencing intense connections with the animals that roam the woods outside her home, Maya knows it’s only a matter of time before she’s able to Shift and become one of them. And she believes there may be others in her small town with surprising talents.

Now, Maya and her friends have been forced to flee from their homes during a forest fire they suspect was deliberately set. Then they’re kidnapped, and after a chilling helicopter crash, they find themselves in the Vancouver Island wilderness with nothing but their extraordinary abilities to help them get back home.

Why?: I won this book from a HarperTeen tweetstakes a while back. So, I bought the first book (The Gathering) and read it a few months ago. I finally got around to this book, so I'm excited to find out where Maya and her friends are at now.

Expectations: I'm expecting this novel to pick up right where The Gathering left off - with the kids in a helicopter escaping the forest fire raging in Salmon Creek. I'm also expecting Maya to start coming to terms with her powers and actually using them, as well as finally shape shifting. I'm sure there will be some added mystery and some added conflict as well, although I'm not sure what exactly.

Judging a book by its cover: The cover is very similar to the cover  for The Gathering - it's just a girl's face. I probably wouldn't pick this up off of a shelf if I saw it in a book store or in the library, only because it isn't really unique and it doesn't stand out like so many covers do now. I do like it though, and I think it fits the books.