Friday, July 20, 2012

Canadian Spotlight Month: Review + Giveaway - The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong

The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong
Series: The Darkest Powers trilogy, Book #3
Published: April 6th, 2010
Publisher: Orbit Books
391 pages (paperback)
Genre: Young adult paranormal
Acquired this book: From the library
Warning: If you haven’t read The Summoning or The Awakening this review will contain spoilers
Read my review of The Awakening
{GoodReads || Purchase this book: Book Depository || Amazon}

Synopsis: Chloe Saunders is fifteen and would love to be normal. Unfortunately, Chloe happens to be a genetically engineered necromancer who can raise the dead without even trying. She and her equally gifted (or should that be 'cursed'?) friends are now running for their lives from the evil corporation that created them.

As if that's not enough, Chloe is struggling with her feelings for Simon, a sweet-tempered sorcerer, and his brother Derek, a not so sweet-tempered werewolf. And she has a horrible feeling she's leaning towards the werewolf...

Definitely not normal.


The Reckoning is the exciting conclusion to the Darkest Powers trilogy by Kelley Armstrong. This was definitely my favourite book of the three.

Chloe, Derek, Simon, and Tori are on the run from the Edison Group and don’t know who to trust. People have betrayed their trust so many times, they can no longer tell who’s an ally and who’s out to kill them. At first, it was clear that whoever was after them just wanted to return them to the Edison Group, but things quickly escalate when the guns that once held tranquilizer darts now hold real bullets. Add to that the fact that a group of werewolves is after Derek, and The Reckoning is an action-packed, suspenseful book.

I really liked how Chloe’s character developed from the beginning. She was shy, kind of lived inside her own head, and everything was a possible scene for one of her movies. She was considered a pushover, and because she was ‘too nice’, people assumed she was weak and took advantage of her. She definitely lost a lot of that innocence along the way, and she grew stronger, tougher, more independent, and she was ready for whatever came her way. I enjoyed watching her grow and learn and come into her own.

Chloe’s powers really escalated in this book. She already knew what she could do, and knew she was powerful, but it was nothing compared to the full force of her powers. There were a few fairly horrific scenes where her powers came into play. As disturbing as they were, I actually loved those scenes - they were so descriptive I felt like I was right there watching the horrors unfold.

I was also really happy with the outcome of the romance in the book. I’m not going to say which of the brothers Chloe ultimately chose, but it was the one I was hoping for, and it made me really happy. They went through so much together, and their relationship was far from perfect - he was far from perfect - but it was obvious they cared a great deal for each other, and the dynamics between them and the way they challenged each other made their relationship that much better...and more fun to read about!

I always dread coming to the end of a trilogy, because the ending has the potential to ruin the entire series if it’s not done well. I know it’s impossible for an author to please everyone, so ultimately they have to please themselves, since it’s their characters, their world, their story, but I thought Armstrong did a great job. I’ll be perfectly honest, at first I wasn’t 100% happy with the ending, because I wanted things to be tied up a bit neater, but then I realized there was really no other way to end it. The kids would always be in danger, they’d always be on the run, their powers would always be a bit out of control because they’d been genetically tampered with. The series had the possibility to carry on forever, so I think Armstrong ended it in a good spot with some closure, but it’s open-ended enough for you come to your own conclusions.

And since the Darkness Rising trilogy is a loose spin-off of the Darkest Powers, I’m wondering if we’ll see these characters again at some point, even just for a bit. I sure hope so! Maybe we'll end up getting a bit of closure for them after all.

Overall, The Reckoning was a thrilling story full of action and suspense, infused with humour and romance, and filled with lessons about friendship, family, love, and life.


Because I love this book so much and it was my favourite of the trilogy, I'm thrilled to be able to give a signed copy away to one lucky reader! Kelly Armstrong has very generously donated a copy for Canadian Spotlight Month, and anyone can enter! She's also donated a signed copy of Enthralled: Paranormal Diversions, which has a short story about Chloe, Derek, Simon, and Tori that takes place shortly after where The Reckoning ends.

Giveaway details:
*Simply fill out the Rafflecopter form below. There’s one free entry where all you have to do is click Enter - the rest are optional and get you extra entries.
*This giveaway will end July 31st at 11:59 PM. Winner will be contacted and will have 48 hours to respond before I pick another winner.
*Kelley has very generously opened this giveaway to international readers, so everyone can enter! Good luck!
 
This post has been part of the Canadian Spotlight Month. Click the graphic below to check out the schedule and all things Canadian here at Ramblings of a Daydreamer. 


14 comments:

  1. I've been dying to read some of Kelley's books. My favorite supernatural creature is any type of shape shifter. Thanks for the great giveaway!

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  2. Perfect review, Marie! I, too, was VERY happy with the way the romance turned out and was developed, as well as Chloe's character growth. I did have a few of your same issues with the end, but, I have a feeling that we might see these characters again, or so I'm hoping!

    Thanks for the FAB giveaway!

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  3. This is a really great review, I've read the books, and the way the series ended REALLY left me wanting sssoooo much more. I think that Kelley is a very gifted writer and I love her books. Plus, the chance to actually win a signed one is so cool!! Thanks SO MUCH!

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  4. I love Kelley Armstrong, and while I did enjoy this series, I love her otherworld books the best. My favourite out of them all has to be Bitten.

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  5. I've never read Kelly's books but I've heard many good things about hers. My favourite paranormal creature is shapeshifter and I've just finished Clockwork Angel and it's so freaking good

    -wni

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  6. Both of Kelly's giveaways sound good but I'm gonna need their prequels! C'mon Marie! :) I invite folks to see what else we have in common. www.CMRiedel.WordPress.com

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  7. Yes I have. I love Bitten and the Darkest Powers series! It would be nice to have my own copy. :)

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  8. I love this series! I read library copies so to have my own would rock!
    I would recommend Fire on the Island by JK Hogan. Her book comes out August 2nd!
    Thanks for the awesome giveaway! <3
    Tobi <3

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  9. I love Kelley's writing, I have also read most of her women of the other world series and love it! So proud that she is a fellow Canadian!!

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  10. I haven't read this series! But my paranormal favorite creature, would be, Vampires, Angels and Demons!! An I recommend The Guild Hunter series by Nalini Singh
    (ileana-rafflecopter)

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  11. I read The Summoning and it was great. I'd die if I get a signed copy :) About paranormal, I love almost everything, from vampires, werewolves, fairies, mermaids. It just has to catch my attention since page 1 and I'd love that book!

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  12. There's a contest on NPR to choose the best teen books and Kelley Armstrong's series is in with a chance!

    I've never read any of hers but of course I voted for her because she is Canadian!

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  13. I've never got a chance to read Kelley's books...
    my favorite paranormal creatures are shape-shifters, angels,witches... etc.
    I'll recommend The Forever Girl by Rebecca Hamilton

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  14. I read The Darkest Powers series a while ago and it was great! Nice review!

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Thanks for visiting Ramblings of a Daydreamer! I love hearing what you have to say, and I appreciate every single comment. I hope to see you here again soon! ♥
~Marie

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