Review for The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong

"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." I loved Kelley Armstrong’s first series for Young Adults The Darkest Powers trilogy and was so excited to read her latest book The Gathering the first book in the new Darkness Rising series a companion to The Darkest Powers. As a companion series I was expecting some answers that I didn’t get with The Reckoning and it to have some scenes with Chloe and company. Instead this book is really quite separate and easily read on its own. The only common theme at the moment seems to be that both series are set in the same “world” so to speak. After I got use to the different setting I really started to enjoy the story. I absolutely love Kelley Armstrong’s writing and how seamlessly it all flows together. She is definitely one of those authors where you plan to sit down for a few chapters and before you know it hours have flown by because you’re so engrossed in what’s going on. Kelley certainly possesses that talent of really captivating her audience. I loved the characters in this book maybe even more so than The Darkest Powers cast. Maya is a very different heroine compared to Chloe. She’s confident, self assured and funny. She’s kind of bad ass and adventurous and is definitely the type of girl I can see becoming one of my book bffs. This book to me felt like a cocktail of Shiver, The Body Finder and The Summoning which I have to say is a recipe for awesome! If you enjoyed any of the above books you’re bound to love The Gathering. I was desperate to know more about the town of Salmon Creek and its strange small town goings on from the beginning. The mystery, suspenseful plot and awesome characters to boot made for a fantastic read. The only thing that let this book down for me was the lack of answers at the end. I was so curious to know more and although Kelley gives us enough to keep us interested I wasn’t completely satisfied. I’m so curious to know what happens next and how Maya’s story fits in with Chloe’s. Although you do get some hints throughout the book nothing is confirmed and I so desperately want to know more, kudos to Kelley coz you can bet I’ll be devouring the next book as soon as possible! Overall Mrs Armstrong again has written a fantastic book setting herself up for another potentially awesome series. Kelley sure knows how to write and is a born storyteller. If you haven’t discovered one of her truly captivating books yet you really should and The Gathering is as good a place to start as any. My Rating 4/5 stars **** Synopsis taken from goodreads