The Darkest Powers Series by Kelley Armstrong

Published: 2009/2010
Publisher: Harper Collins
Copies provided by: Library

I have been a fan of Ms. Armstrong since she wrote her first adult novel, 'Bitten'. I had gone to a workshop on 'horror fiction' and was surprised to find her werewolf book included under the horror banner, but I tried it out and loved it and have been a major fan ever since then. The fact that she is one of us, i.e. Canadian, just made it all the sweeter. When I heard that she was going to venture into YA fiction, I was immediately curious and decided I had to try them out.

The world that this series is based in is the same as the one her adult books inhabit, so most of the actual world building is already in place, and some of the characters from those novels are mentioned in passing. Psychic and magical powers are accepted as part of life, if swept under the carpet somewhat, and just about anything can and does happen. Chloe Saunders can see ghosts, in fact it turns out she's a 'genetically altered necromancer who can raise the dead, rotting corpses and all, without even trying'. (from Ms Armstrong's website) When she finds herself at Lyle House, a home for troubled teens, she discovers that she is not the only one with problems (read powers). Chloe runs away from Lyle House with Simon, Derek and Rae, but instead of finding a safe place they are betrayed over and over again. It's a wonderful story, with complex twists and turns and if you haven't tried the series yet, I highly recommend it.

I've just been looking on Ms Armstrong's website and here is the cover for the next YA book 'The Gathering'

It looks as if it follows in the series, but the blurb on the website doesn't mention any of the old characters! It's due out April 2011 in hardcover, so keep your eyes peeled.

You can find a list of Ms Armstrongs adult novels HERE and if you are an older teen, there is no reason that you can't try them out for yourself. Some of you may remember me saying that Christinabean had given me a copy of the latest title 'Waking the Witch' for my birthday, which I am looking forward to reading. May'be I'll be able to get it signed at the Smart Chicks Kick It tour stop in Brampton, which Christinabean and I are going to on Sept 25th. If you're interested in a list of the dates you can find one HERE.

Ghost Huntress 4: The Counselling

Author: Marley Gibson

Published: Sept. 6, 2010

Publisher: Graphia

E Arc provided by: Publisher and Netgalley

Summary: Netgalley

Kendall has just discovered who Emily really is, lost her boyfriend, and nearly died doing the thing she loves most—ghost hunting. It's time to take a break and try to reconcile all the changes she's going through. So Kendall heads to the Sierra Mountains, where there's a camp especially for young people with gifts such as hers. It's a time for reflection and self-discovery. But when she gets to California, she once again finds restless spirits—and the boy in her last vision. It may be the end of one chapter of her life and the beginning of a new one.

I really enjoyed reading this book and felt the story had a sense of reality to it, as if the author knew what she was writing about. I read an interesting note attached to Ghost Huntress # 1, which I read in May of last year, that said ' The story is fiction, but the science is real'. It turns out that Ms Gibson knows a lot about ghost hunting and this comes through very clearly in her writing. She talks about different types of psychic abilities without ever making them seem far-fetched or unreal. Some people might think that guiding a restless spirit into the light is a bit hokey, but I found it rather beautiful.

The main character, Kendall, seems like a genuinely nice person and I found myself really rooting for her. She has a rather wry sense of humour, which was wonderful.

"My vessels pulse under my skin in my anticipation and eagerness, coupled with, quite frankly, my being scared shitless. I'm crawling on my trembling hands and knees on the dirt and grass with Talking Feathers's butt in my face as he leads the way in ........Sort of like how Luke Skywalker went to fight Darth Vader in the cave on Dagobah, or, in actuality, into his own dark side. Will I have a vision of slashing off some unknown enemy's head only to find my face on the decapitated portion? Jesus, Kendall. Get a grip, I hear Patrick say in my head."

Kendal is at a retreat with 12 other boys and girls. In the story they all pair up and I loved the way this happened so naturally, with no scheming or nastiness.

"Our unintended pattern of boy-girl-boy-girl seems fine with our two leaders."

As Kendall and Patrick are trying to solve the mystery behind one ghosts' death, their relationship developes slowly and carefully, both of them feeling their way around without rushing and Ms Gibson made it all seem so natural. Aaah, I wish I was 17 again - or not! Unfortunately I haven't read the 2nd and 3rd novels in the series, but luckily that wasn't too disastrous. I was able to follow along with the story quite nicely, and I am now determined to read them both so that I can find out what I missed.

If you like stories with a psychic element you're just going to love this one.