The Gathering (Darkness Rising, #1)
Kelley Armstrong
First published April 12th, 2011
by HarperCollins
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.
3 pages! 3 pages is all it took for this book to get thrilling! Armstrong has given us another great novel. Though not as engrossing as The Summoning, it’s still a good start.
The Gathering follows Maya, a teenager with a strange connection to animals and an interesting heritage, who is recuperating from her best friend’s tragic death. She is one of only 68 kids living in Salmon Creek, a very isolated town created by a research company (ooouuh!) to house their employees’ families, where evidently, strange things are starting to occur.
The book starts with a bang, fast paced and gets intriguing quickly. So it really gets you into it. Then about 3/4 through, I realized the pace has slowed down and the anticipation that something exciting was going to happen any minute is just that, anticipation. Unlike The Summoning where we find out about Chloe’s necromancy and how the story is going to develop quite early, in The Gathering it’s all near the end, and even then we only get a teaser.
I’m still not quite sure the direction the story is going to go. In that way, the book felt more like a build up for the rest of the Trilogy. Regardless, I still quite enjoyed it. Armstrong has never disappointed me so I’m confident that the Trilogy in a whole will be awesome. It sure has great potential. Like usual, we are left with a lot of wonder and mystery, but it’s not a jarring cliffhanger.
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| 4/5 hot espressos |
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I really enjoyed The Summoning so I really want to try this one especially now that you gave it such a positive review.
Jessica(BookLover)
Great review! I agree, this book drew me in from the beginning as well. I loved how Armstrong incorporated some of the characters (scientists) from The Darkest Powers trilogy–I can’t wait to see where she goes with this one.
Robyn @ Robolobolyn's Universe
I really wasn’t a fan of The Gathering… I loved The Darkest Powers Trilogy, though. (And I’m loving the online stories Kelley Armstrong is posting with Derek’s POV!) I just don’t really like the characters in The Gathering. And, as you said, the plot was kind of slow.
Raine
I haven’t encountered a book yet were the rest meaty parts of the book are all in the end then finishes off into a mean cliffie 😀 Interesting treatment from the author. I hope the book shop has copies available. 😀
Natalia Belikov @ DazzlingReads
I also enjoyed a lot this book =D Kelley never disappoints and her adult book.. oh boy!!! they are sexy sexy sexy!! Cant wait for The Calling O_O. There was such a clifhanger at the end of The Gathering snifI wish u a happy week ^_^
take care muah!
Rachel
I loved this book too, and I agree about there being no real cliffhanger (thank god), but it doesn’t compare to Darkest Powers in my mind. That series will always have my heart!
Rachel @ The Rest Is Still Unwritten
Mimi Valentine
I’m really glad that you enjoyed this book! 🙂 I actually didn’t like it as much — maybe because I just adored her Darkest Powers books and my expectations were too high. I agree with you completely when you said that it felt like this book was more of a set-up for the rest of the trilogy!
Awesome review, Giselle! I’m still going to read the next books anyway, too! 🙂
Melliane
I’m glad you like this one, I didn’t know it, but it sounds like a book I could like too ! I really enjoy her other series so I will add it to my wishlist ! thanks for the review
❤ Vivian
I loved, loved, LOVED this book as well! Totally agree with you that it hooked me super fast as well! Great review!!
I’m a new follower! 🙂
Vivian @ Vivaciously, Vivian
Feel free to drop by and read my review on
The Gathering too!
Ever
I’m new to your page. I joined it because I noticed you read my favorite author, Kelley Armstrong. I know it says you like YA, but have you read any of her Otherworld series?
Giselle
@Ever; yes I have it’s a great series!!
Ever Elizabeth
Out of curiosity, have you found any other authors you would recommend to a Kelley Armstrong fanatic?
Giselle
@Ever: It’s hard to say really as I have a very eclectic reading taste. You can check on Goodreads see what people recommend.