Customer Reviews

The Reckoning (Darkest Powers, Book 3)

5 star:		(71)
4 star:		(40)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

In her final installment of the Darkest Powers trilogy, The Reckoning (Darkest Powers, Book 3), Kelley Armstrong returns us to the safe house where Chloe, Derek, Simon, and Tori are hiding from the Edison Group. Unsure of their new protectors and sometimes uncertain of each other, Chloe and her friends feel trapped and hesitant about what to do next to save themselves and to free Rae and Aunt Lauren. Combined with dangerous new ghosts, increasing romantic feelings, and the impending likelihood of Derek's first full Change, things are tense for all involved.

Like the first two books in the trilogy, I enjoyed Armstrong's strong writing and the world she has created. Pacing was solid, and the plot's twists left me guessing whom to trust and surprised when the answers were revealed. Character development continued with Chloe, Derek, and Tori, though Simon became more of a secondary character. The romantic subplot was done well again, but the romance was stronger and answered the long-awaited question of Simon versus Derek. The reader also got glimpses (though not always clear) into how the Darkest Powers trilogy relates to Armstrong's Otherworld series.

Even with these strengths, I finished feeling disappointed. This book did not provide the satisfying ending to the trilogy that I had wanted. Too many plot threads were left unexplored, unfinished, and unexplained. Nothing felt settled at the end except the romance. I understand why Armstrong may have left things as she did: the ending was just enough to close the series but also enough to leave readers wanting more, either from her adult series or from her new YA trilogy, set in the same universe, to be released next year. Though I understand this, I didn't like it. In this book, characterization also felt uneven sometimes, especially with Derek and his interactions with one character in the second half of the book. Tori's character also changed significantly within a few days' time without explanation. Though necessary to move the plot along (and in ways I liked), it didn't fit with how they had been portrayed before.

Despite these problems, I still enjoyed the book a great deal and plan to read Armstrong's future YA books. However, I will do so knowing to not expect a sense of closure from her books, even when it's the end of a trilogy or series. With her strong writing, likeable characters, and creative worldbuilding, Armstrong has the ability to craft a wonderful series of books and draw the reader in. I just wish she knew when to provide a real ending and let the reader go.

This is the third book in the Darkest Powers trilogy and it does not disappoint. The book was just released today so I don't want to give anything away. The plot continues at the quick pace of the other books and the relationships between Derek, Simon, Chloe, and Tori continue to develop. During this book they continue their rescue of Dr. Fellows and Rae and their search for Simon and Derek's dad. Kelley Armstrong does a good job of really capturing the character personalities and making you root for them all the way. It seems like I have been waiting for this book forever and it met my expectations. The only thing that bothers me is it seems like the series could continue. A few things are left loose that I thought would be cleared up at the end of a trilogy. I definitly recommend this book but the other two in the series should be read first to understand everything.

THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS.

Unlike the previous two installments of the Darkest Powers Series, which are driven both by plot and character development, The Reckoning is driven solely by a few of its action sequences. That a few of these scenes did keep me near the edge of my seat is, unfortunately, the only positive thing I can bring myself to say about this utterly disappointing conclusion to the trilogy.

My main criticism is that the author builds up a number of compelling issues in the previous two books which are left completely unresolved at the end of the third.

Of all of these, the most disappointing for me deals with the character development, particularly the romance between Chloe and Derek. I have to say, I was impressed with the build-up of this romance in the first two books. Derek and Chloe did seem to share a unique understanding of each other. And there were the necessary frustrating, yet interesting obstacles to their being together. But in The Reckoning, this romantic tension completely fizzled, in my opinion. None of the obstacles between Chloe and Derek are actually resolved, but somehow they magically seem to go away? The way I see it, the primary obstacle to Chloe and Derek being together is Derek's selflessness. This manifests itself in two concrete ways: 1) he is a genetically modified werewolf and fears he will lose control and hurt her (hence his shock and horror when he suspects that she likes him earlier in the series); 2) he knows his brother Simon has a crush on her and would never want to hurt Simon.

As to the first: Derek completes his transformation for the first time, realizes he retains his basic humanity even as a wolf, and therefore assumes he'll never hurt Chloe? Too convenient. What about that evil poltergeist that haunts the house, always reminding Chloe and the others that their genetic modifications will drive them to insanity before long? What about Derek's uncontrollable strength that sometimes leads to violent outbreaks with disastrous consequences? We're just supposed to forget all of these issues, which only a few days ago were apparently so crippling that when Derek suspected Chloe might have feelings for him, he responded with shock and horror? More importantly, we're expected to believe that Derek would allow himself to forget it so that he could be with Chloe? Completely out of character for him. Really corny, really unrealistic - laughable, even.

As for the second obstacle: I'm sorry, but Simon's drawing a poignant little comic to show Derek that he doesn't mind him being with Chloe is, in a word, lame. the selfless Derek that we have come to know and admire would never accept that so quickly. Plus, Derek had basically already attached himself to Chloe before Simon even gave him the comic.

Don't get me wrong: I'm not saying Chloe and Derek should never end up together. I'm just disappointed that these two very serious, very compelling obstacles were erased so easily. Did Armstrong just get lazy? For me, it cheapened the romance and the series as a whole.

Putting Derek and Chloe's not-so-star-crossed romance aside, there are about a hundred other issues that are unresolved. I'll just list several off the top of my head:

-Chloe's father. Why keep bringing him up in the books if he's never going to make an actual appearance? If Chloe's never actually going to contact him?

-Chloe's mother. Why show us glimpses of her ghost if she's not actually going to play a role?

-Chloe's dream to be a film director. Personally, I found all the director/screenwriter references kind of grating. That said, this was an interesting component of Chloe, and I was kind of hoping we'd have some kind of epilogue or something showing that she didn't give it up.

-Tori and Simon being siblings, and Kit being Tori's father. Why in the world does Tori never find out about this? Would have been really interesting to see her reaction. What's the point of all the build up in the previous books, of planting the suspicion in the reader's mind about it, if there's not going to be any resolution or follow through???

-Simon's character in general. What a boring, one dimensional person. I kept thinking there would be some revelation about Simon. No idea what it might be. But just something to make him more than this flat, boring, friendly preppy dude - "Whoa, bro, cool it, bro" - ughhhh. No such luck.

-Liz. Ever since she and Chloe have that heart wrenching scene in the 2nd book, where Liz accepts that she's a ghost and warns Chloe she'll have to cross over to the other side eventually (but isn't ready yet) - I've been bracing myself for it to happen. I really thought it would at the end of The Reckoning - would have been so perfect and bittersweet. But nope! Apparently Armstrong forgot about that scene.

-Chloe's necklace. Where did it come from? How was it made? How does it work? Again, I kept thinking there was going to be some back story here, some revelation. But we got nothing. Apparently it was just a handy plot device, and something pretty to put on the jackets.

-The Demi-Demon. I found the Demi-Demon enormously interesting. I was very excited when Chloe had to make a deal with her so she'd help break the crew out of the Edison Group building; couldn't wait to find out what horrid things she'd have to do in return. But...she winds up not having to do anything, because in a typical manipulation of the plot, the Demi Demon is somehow sucked back down into hell, never to bother Chloe again. Seriously? Soooo boring.

-The warning that Chloe and the band of genetically enhanced supernaturals will eventually go insane because of their powers. This was a very interesting and stressful part of the plot. I kept waiting for it. When's the insanity going to kick in! How are the characters going to cope!? I couldn't wait for them to support each other and show some real strength in the face of their impending doom. But, no. This never happened. One of the most interesting components of the whole story, which is, predictably, left utterly unresolved.

I really do feel like the author just got kind of bored and decided to just slap this story down as fast as humanly possible, so she could get it over with and move on to the next series. From a marketing standpoint, I suppose the content of The Reckoning doesn't really matter. Most anyone who read the first two books would buy the third just to find out what happens. But I have to say, as a reader, I find it offensive. I felt manipulated when I finished the Reckoning. As you read the first two books, Armstrong makes you think she's got some master plan worked out, that all the little hints and clues she's dropped along the way will eventually add up to something. I suppose I have only myself to blame for this disappointment--for allowing myself to have faith in this author!

The Reckoning picks up right where The Awakening left off, with Chloe and her group of genetically modified supernaturals safe from the clutches of the Edison Group at last. Once they get a chance to rest and stop running, the teens finally start learning how to use their powers. But it quickly becomes evident that no one is ready for what the Edison Group's experiments have created. When their safe house suddenly doesn't feel so safe, Chloe and her friends are forced to run again, and this time the stakes are even higher.

The Darkest Powers trilogy does a wonderful job of building on the supernatural world created in Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series without ever leaning on those characters to propel the story. Like the first two books in the series, The Reckoning is an action packed adventure that will keep you guessing as the story unfolds and loyalties are put into question. Never knowing who to trust keeps the reader in the same mindset as the characters, and heightens the suspense as things progress to the high-stakes conclusion. I actually found this series to be scarier than the Women of the Otherworld books, and was often on the edge of my seat as Chloe battled her ghosts and demons.

The character development in The Reckoning is fantastic! As usual, Kelley Armstrong's characters are so layered and authentic that you miss them when they're not around. Chloe, Derek and Tori all really grow and change throughout the course of this novel. Simon's role is reduced quite a bit in The Reckoning, but this makes sense as the other characters powers continue to grow.

Between the action, suspense and great characters, The Reckoning is a gripping adventure set in an amazing supernatural world that meshes seamlessly with our own.

It's nearly impossible for me to write a review for books that I love. I'm never able to do them justice, but I'll give it a whirl. "The Reckoning" is the final installment to Kelley Armstrong's Darkest Powers Trilogy. If you haven't read "The Summoning" and "The Awakening", I would advise you not to read this installment until you have. The Darkest Powers' world is constantly evolving and Armstrong doesn't waste her time catching readers up to what they should already know, which I have to admit, is part of what I love about her writing.

I devoured this book. Read it in one setting even and I was glad to see "The Reckoning" took us back to "The Summoning's" eerie roots. To a place meant to be a sanctuary, but is eerily much more similar to a prison, where the do-gooders may pull a Judas, and the menaces make for the best allies. While this series may have a red-herring or two, I was so caught up in these characters and their journey that I didn't even notice them until I had read the last page. In my mind, that is a testament to good writing, to see a flaw, and not register it or care because the story is just that good.

Chloe is equally impressive. She has shown tremendous growth and has somehow avoided the Mary Sue pitfall. It seems as though writers pen two types of heroines, the uber sweet, oh so pretty girl, despairing over her shortcomings as a mortal, who somehow rises to the challenge and smites everyone, becoming the bestest superhuman ever and miraculously saves the day or the oh so snide and cynical girl, jaded by everything and everyone, who has a hard edge, but somehow softens and like her counterpart, rises to the occasion and saves the day. Both types are cliché, neither apply to Chloe. Chloe is a necromancer, but as she often admits, isn't of much use unless there is a corpse nearby. She is petite, but not overly pretty, or exceptionally smart. The word that comes to mind is average. And yet, Chloe doesn't despair over things she lacks, nor does she turn into Chloe, Necromancer Goddess, though she is an extremely powerful necromancer. Rather, Chloe does what she can, and admits, that sometimes the best she can do is keep out of the way, and let those with more suited gifts run the show. Can we say refreshing?

I'm also enamored with Derek, who like his leading lady, avoids the stigma attached to leading men. He doesn't kiss Chloe's arse, nor is he mocking. He is honest and frank, protective and insecure, yet confident in his abilities. I appreciated the fact that Armstrong allowed him to lay into Chloe when she had made a mistake, and didn't then force him to grovel as though honesty were a sin. And I'll admit, I think Armstrong might lace her books with a bit of magic, cause she made me lust after someone, who upon first description, is very physically unattractive. That is simply unprecedented.

But what ultimately garnered my attention is the stereotype that Armstrong herself manages to bypass with ease. She can write and adult series, filled with some of the best steam I've read, and then turn around, write a book about supernatural teens, whose scenes together are so freaking sweet and endearing, that my stomach flips. Kudos.

All in all, a great non-ending to a series. While there was certainly a conclusion to the trilogy, Armstrong has left Chloe's story fairly open ended to allow for more adventures with Chloe and Co, and hopefully, we'll see her again, in Women of the Otherworld.

This book was a little slower paced than the second book in the series but it didn't make it any less of a page turner. I love the tension that is always sitting in the background of the story waiting to come to a pass and though you always feel as if the characters are chosing the better of two evils, things do come out in the end. Again I love how the author has tied in certain aspects from her Women Of The Underworld series. For the older teens who enjoyed these books I suggest they read those as well.

The Reckoning is an engaging, thrilling book that leaves you on edge the entire time. The book starts with the main heroine, Chloe Saunders, asleep in a safe house with her friends, Derek Souza, Simon Bae, and Victoria Enright. Chloe, along with the others, are no normal teens. Chloe is a powerful necromancer, Simon is a sorcerer, Derek is a werewolf, and Tori is a witch with an attitude. All are trying to avoid capture, but who can they trust? This book will keep you on edge from the first to the last page.
The Reckoning really connects to its readers. Chloe is 15 and starting out in high school, trying to fit in, like all of those teenage girls out there. The reader can really connect with this book, it's like you are Chloe and living her crazy life. I recommend this book to any other reader along with the Maximum ride series. Both books have advanced characters that are unrealistic but it makes you wonder if sorcerers or bird kids truly exist. In both books the characters were made into something powerful by mad scientists and now the characters are running and fighting for their lives because the experiments had back fired. Both series are a "must read" to anyone who loves adventure, excitement, and thrilling cliffhangers that leave you wanting more, if you can get over the creep factor of ghost and zombies.
I truly enjoyed this book. It was recommended to me by a dear friend and I gave it a shot because she said it was good, except she didn't mention how amazing it was. Literally I was trembling during the action parts, my mind reeling on Chloe's next move. I truly recommend this to anyone who loves a thrilling action, and a secret romance hidden between the pages.

This was an epic conclusion in the Darkest Power series! Kelley Armstrong did a wonderful job with the characters! It kept me on the edge:) If you enjoy action and romance this is a book for you. She executed the plot perfectly! I recommend this book to any teen who is looking for a book to really get into! This was a great book i hope this persuades you to read the Darkest Power series by Kelley Armstrong!:)

Armstrong does YA right, these books are just fine for your 12 year old but certainly enjoyable for older teens and fans of Armstrong as well.

Chloe is an awesome heroine--coming off very genuine and relatable but still admirable. The romantic elements are well done and wonderful and there's plenty of action as well.

Armstrong is a master of Sweet and Simple, keeping the plot clear but very well rounded. Also, she's created her Young Adult version of the Otherworld which she's populating with an entirely new cast of characters. I can't wait for The Gathering.

The Reckoning is the final book in the Darkest Powers trilogy. This is NOT a series that can be read out of order as each book picks up essentially where the last one leaves off and it is a continuous storyline throughout the three books. All three of the books are filled with non-stop action as the teens must contend with a variety of obstacles to their freedom.

Just looking at this book individually, I loved it. Chloe and her friends all continue to grow as they learn more about their powers and how they were altered. They learn a bit more important information about their larger role in the experiments and who is really behind the Edison Group. Their relationships within the group continue to evolve as each teen takes on new roles as necessary. There were a few times when I thought I knew something that was happening only to find out a bit later that it wasn't exactly the way I thought. This kept me a bit off balance which is exactly how the teens felt most of the book. The things they thought they understood were constantly shifting.

However, as much as I loved the book, I did not think it was a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. There were many loose ends and unanswered questions. After reading a bit more on Kelley Armstrong's website, I do now understand why she left things this way. The Darkest Powers trilogy is actually the first in a series of trilogies. While the next set of books will focus on a different group of characters, Armstrong says we will see Chloe and her friends again at some point in the series. The next trilogy is called Darkness Rising and will begin with The Gathering (Spring 2011). I can see how using another set of characters will be useful for approaching information about the Edison Group from a different direction. I do have one question about Chloe specifically that I wish had been answered because there was an obvious significance to another character but it is never explained fully. Knowing that Chloe and friends won't show up until at least the third book in the next series is an awfully long time to wait and I hope this question won't get lost along the way. (Yes, I'm being intentionally vague because I don't want to give away anything in the story.)