The Summoning by Elizabeth Armstrong

Chloe Saunders suffers horrible nightmares where ghosts talk to her. On her 15th birthday the ghosts no longer stay in her dreams. A visit to the school bathroom turns violent as a burned skeleton chases her out into the hall. No one else can see the ghosts so she is diagnosed as schizophrenic and sent to live in a group home. There she meets Simon, Derek, Liz, and Rae. They each have their own psychological problems, yet Chloe can’t help feeling something is amiss. Despite her medications the ghosts won’t leave her alone. Derek has a theory as to why: she isn’t crazy at all, she is actually a necromancer, someone who can speak and raise the dead. Derek also implies that she might not be the only one at the home with other worldly powers. If his theories are correct then what are the nurses and doctors actually doing to them with the medications and therapy sessions at the group home? Something sinister is afoot at the group home and Chloe and her new friends are determined to figure the mystery out.

I was surprised about how much I enjoyed this book. It turned out to be really engaging and an interesting take on dark fantasy, and I am looking forward to the sequel. The Summoning would appeal to both boys and girls who are into urban fantasy, or who need a comfortably creepy read. Appropriate for anyone 12 and up.

Posted under a librarian reads, review