Tuesday 17 May 2011

Review: The Awakening

The Awakening (Darkest Powers #2) by Kelley Armstrong
Publisher: Orbit/Atom
Published: 4th May 2009

Description from Amazon:

Chloe Saunders used to be a normal teenage girl - or so she thought. Then she learned the shocking truth - she is a walking science experiment. Genetically altered at birth by a sinister group of scientists known as the Edison Group, Chloe is an aberration - a powerful necromancer who can see ghosts and even raise the dead, often with terrifying consequences. 
Even worse, her growing powers have made her a threat to the surviving members of the Edison Group, who have decided it's time to end their experiment - permanently ...Now Chloe is running for her life with three other supernatural teenagers - a charming sorcerer, a troubled werewolf and a temperamental young witch. Together they have a chance for freedom - but can Chloe trust her new friends?


My thoughts:


I definitely preferred this book to its prequel, it didn't have as slow a start and the character development was much more significant. Plotwise, nothing major actually seemed to happen. I've seen a few people complain about this, but I actually enjoy books with the sort of plotline this one had, the 'on the run' type storyline. (It's not a spoiler, it's in the synopsis!) I liked the fact they had to worry about money too...runaways who have unlimited cash annoy me. I'm such a realist. I liked how we saw just how far the reach of the Edison group is, though it is starting to remind me a tad of the maximum ride series. 


I liked seeing the development of Chloe's powers, even though it freaked her out. We saw the development of all their powers really-which was interesting to see.  Especially Tori's, we all wondered what she could actually do...


I actually really like Tori. I love a good bitchy character and she is no exception. I love how you sorta feel sorry for her and I do find her endlessly amusing. Simon on the other hand, he's getting blander by the page. I'm not sure if it's a device by the author to thrust Derek into the spotlight more, but I just feel...nothing for him at all. It's a shame really. Jury is still out on Derek for me I'm afraid. He opened up a lot more which was good to see in this book, and it's nice to have a male character that's not dazzlingly attractive, but I'm still not sure where I stand on him. 


There were a couple of twists and character betrayals that I didn't see coming and was surprised at, but overall this book was a fairly easy and not too intense read. Definitely more enjoyable than the first and I'm looking forward to reading the 3rd. 


I give it 3.5/5 



7 comments:

  1. I feel like I'm the only one who hasn't read any of Kelley Armstrong's books. Sounds really good. Great review :-)

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  2. I've read the first one, and while I liked it...I'm a little hesitant about reading this one! Maybe I'll pick it up soon though. Great review!

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  3. I still need to read this series!!

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  4. I didn't like Tori at first but I gradually warmed up to her more during the second book. I have a soft spot for Simon but I do agree - it's a big, refreshing change to have a lead-type male who isn't you know, perfect. And I loved (in the first two books) how Chloe's relationships with both males progressed. I got so sick of YA love triangles!

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  5. When I first heard about this series I though it sounded like L J Smith's Dark Visions series - now that is an amazing series! I'm sorry this book disappointed you somewhat.

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  6. I really want to read this series, but I don't think I'll be in any rush! Great review

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  7. I really want to start this series, but there are so many other books in my TBR pile that I just dont have the time. Maybe I will start her new series instead.

    Great review!

    Kristina

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