The Gathering (Darkness Rising, #1)

by Kelley Armstrong

[lizarodz]

I really enjoyed Kelly Armstrong’s Darkest Power’s series, so obviously The Gathering was in my TBR list for a while, and now I had the opportunity to “read it” (I listed to the audiobook) and really liked it.

Maya is a very different character; she is pragmatic, headstrong, stubborn and a little inflexible as well. She has a very strong set of values and a clear vision of right and wrong that can be annoying to some of her friends. She is adopted and hit the lottery with her adoptive parents, therefore she is not that interested about her natural parents, that is, until she starts experiencing some changes.

Daniel is a great friend and I am assuming that he also has some powers, and we will learn more about it in the next book. He is very protective of Maya, a great friend, and has freaky good instincts. I was a little confused as he didn’t seem to be interested in Maya in a romantic way (I don hope this doesn’t develop into a love triangle). Rafe was a complicated character, with a shady history, and lot of baggage. He does seem to genuinely care about Maya and is in search of answers for himself and his sister Annie, although he at least knows more than Maya. Maya’s parents are a treat, as well as some of her friends.

The plot is new, it seems to mix two seemly different problems that I’m guessing might have to do with the same lab (Maya , Rafe and Daniel’s abilities). The writing is very straightforward, and the forest seems to be alive and become another character as well.
The ending was a complete cliffhanger which was very cruel Ms. Armstrong! The Calling, the second book in the series will be published in April of next year *sits down to wait*

About the cover: Maya is on the cover and we can see (or imagine) what she looks like. The dark background paired with the blue tinged skin makes it look very mysterious.