The Gathering (Darkness Rising #1) by Kelley Armstrong

Rating: 3.8/5
This is Book 1 of the Darkness Rising Trilogy (Darkest Powers Series Trilogy #2)
Sequel: The Calling (to be released 2012)


Synopsis:
Sixteen-year-old Maya is just an ordinary teen in an ordinary town. Sure, she doesn't know much about her background - the only thing she really has to cling to is an odd paw-print birthmark on her hip - but she never really put much thought into who her parents were or how she ended up with her adopted parents in this tiny medical-research community on Vancouver Island.

Until now.

Strange things have been happening in this claustrophobic town - from the mountain lions that have been approaching Maya to her best friend's hidden talent for "feeling" out people and situations, to the sexy new bad boy who makes Maya feel . . . . different. Combine that with a few unexplained deaths and a mystery involving Maya's biological parents and it's easy to suspect that this town might have more than its share of skeletons in its closet.

Review:

The Darkness Rising is the second Trilogy to the Darkest Powers Series by Kelly Armstrong (Read information here). That's preceded by the Darkest Powers Trilogy.

I try not to compare it the first of the series since I thought it would be unfair. The contents of the first book has never given out spoilers (so far) from the preceding series. Maybe if they did, it'll be too subtle for someone who hasn't read the books yet to notice.

I had problems with the cliff-hanger and climax of the plot. It felt like this was the first part of single book rather than a full one for a trilogy. It felt like I got cut-off after I turned to the last page. This reminded me of the gaping cliff-hanger at the last part of The Summoning.

The setting for this story is within the walls of nature (which I love) and I do like the female protagonist for some reasons. The geography and characters need a lot of work to introduce in such a fluid writing style. Kelley did a great job on the introduction part, which made me notice how much this book turned out to be useful for character and location reference. It felt like the book did a little introduction galore and a then a few revelations, a little mishap, then BAM---it's done.

In the bottom line, I wouldn't think I'd like this if it was the book alone. If it's the rest of the trilogy, then I guess it'll be more promising by then.