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The Gathering


The Gathering is a YA paranormal by best-selling author Kelley Armstrong, and the first in the new trilogy entitled Darkness Rising.

Maya has never resented living in a tiny Canadian town. She loves her parents, she loves the wilderness and animals, and she loves her friends. The fact that the pharmaceutical company that owns the little town for their employees, in order to prevents the influx of corporate spies, gives them all the best of everything isn't too bad either.

But last summer Maya's best friend drowned in the lake when they were out swimming, even though she was on the swim team and an excellent swimmer. So when a reporter starts showing up asking questions about her death, Maya doesn't know what to think.

And the thing is, that's not the only thing that's weird. An older woman in a tattoo shop calls Maya a witch when she sees Maya's fading paw-print birthmark. More cougars than usual begin appearing in the town. A new guy with a sexy bad boy streak shows up and she finds herself more attracted to him than seems normal for herself. And when she touches a wounded animal, something happens.

Though she's never felt the urge before, Maya begins to wonder if this is the time to start asking questions...

I am a HUGE fan of Kelley Armstrong's Darkest Powers series!!! So I was psyched that she was writing another YA trilogy that seems to be taking place in the same world as the first one. And Kelley's awesome writing style is on display right away, offering up a cinematic opening!

Anyone who has read the Darkest Powers trilogy will recognize a name early on - a name that brings an ominous chill to the otherwise peaceful wildlife of Salmon Creek. That name? Dr. Davidoff. Mmm-hmm.

The Gathering is wild, feral, fast-paced and suspenseful! Maya is a feisty, vibrant, refreshingly outgoing and strong-minded heroine - completely different from Darkest Powers' Chloe, but just as awesome. The plot really sucks you in and won't let go. Plus, there's fantastic nature details and a great respect for wildlife that always gains points on my personal scale. I was loving it pretty darn quick, reading swiftly to find out what would happen next - knowing instinctively that Kelley had some secrets to unveil. And, oh yes, she did! ;)

I was surprised, however, that end was a bit anticlimactic with fewer answers than I was expecting. I mean, a ton happened I am still definitely clamoring for the second book and hoping it's coming out SOON - but I thought the story was gonna move forward a bit more than it ended up. But The Gathering was exciting, different, and riveting! I still loved it and that is only a teeny, tiny, minor complaint. In fact, I wouldn't even call it a complaint. More like a personal observation.

With its blockbuster feel, racing, breathless pace, great romance, excellent, personality-filled characters, and phenomenal paranormal plot The Gathering deserves to join the ranks of other best-selling YA novels - and gain a prized spot on bookshelves from fans of Kelley Armstrong's other books (like me!!!). I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end - and I think you will too!

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