Review: The Reckoning (Darkest Powers book #3) by Kelley Armstrong

Spoiler warning: The Reckoning is the third book in the Darkest Powers trilogy, therefore I'd avert your eyes if you haven't read the first two books! In fact, if you haven't read the first two books then I order you to go and hunt them down now. I said now, what are you still doing here?! ;) or read my review of The Summoning  or The Awakening. If you've read The Summoning and The Awakening then feel free to scroll down...

The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong

Author: Kelley Armstrong. Website, Twitter

Published: 6 April 2010 (Orbit)

Pages: 400

Buy: Amazon, Kindle, Waterstone's

Plot Summary: (from Goodreads)

Chloe Saunders is fifteen and would love to be normal. Unfortunately, Chloe happens to be a genetically engineered necromancer who can raise the dead without even trying. She and her equally gifted (or should that be 'cursed'?) friends are now running for their lives from the evil corporation that created them.

As if that's not enough, Chloe is struggling with her feelings for Simon, a sweet-tempered sorcerer, and his brother Derek, a not so sweet-tempered werewolf. And she has a horrible feeling she's leaning towards the werewolf...

Definitely not normal.

My Review:

The Reckoning picks up right where The Awakening left off. Chloe and her friends are on the run, having escaped from the clutches of the Edison Group. They've found refuge, but for how long?

My best piece of advice would be to try and read all three Darkest Powers books together as they take place over such a short space of time, and have the feeling of one story split into three chunks. There are, however, plenty of re-caps if (like me) it's been a while since you read the previous instalments.

I really enjoyed the conclusion to the series, especially the relationships between the characters and their resolutions. We've seen hints at Chloe's feelings in the previous books and those hoping for some romantic plot twists in this book won't be disappointed. The action was great, really fast paced, but I think there was a whole load of possibilities to explore the world more that weren't taken which was a bit disappointing. But we get to see more of Chloe and her powers, as well as Derek's battle against his condition as gets closer to total transformation. In fact, Derek in general is a particular highlight of this book and probably my favourite character!

The Reckoning wraps up things enough for it to feel like an enjoyable, worthwhile read and I was satisfied enough at the end of the book. I read this book almost entirely in one sitting so if you're looking for a way to kill a wet, rainy afternoon then this is perfect. I'm really excited to read other work by Armstrong after finishing this series so I think that's a sign of success!

Rating: 4*

What to read next: The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong, the first book in her Darkness Rising series.

Books like this: The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare.