The Calling

By: Kelley Armstrong

Narrated by: Jennifer Ikeda

Length: 7 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

Maya Delaney's paw-print birthmark is the mark of what she truly is - a skin-walker. She can run faster, climb higher, and see better than nearly everyone else. Experiencing intense connections with the animals that roam the woods outside her home, Maya knows it's only a matter of time before she's able to Shift and become one of them. And she believes there may be others in her small town with surprising talents.

Now Maya and her friends have been forced to flee from their homes during a forest fire they suspect was deliberately set. Then they're kidnapped, and after a chilling helicopter crash, they find themselves in the Vancouver Island wilderness with nothing but their extraordinary abilities to help them get back home.

In The Calling, the sizzling second book in the Darkness Rising trilogy, New York Times best-selling author Kelley Armstrong pumps up the romance, danger, and suspense that left readers of The Gathering clamoring for more.

©2012 KLA Fricke Inc. (P)2012 HarperCollinsPublishers

Wonderful

Would you listen to The Calling again? Why?

Kelley Armstrong is one of my favorite authors and this book is just as wonderful as all her other books! Loved it!

Just as good as I remember,

I read all six books as they came out in high school, this is my first rereading as an adult and they hold up just as well. I am ecstatic to read the last book in the series and start the Women of the other world as an adult. So excited I learn more about this universe that sucked me in so long ago :)

GREATNESS!!!!

This is the second book in the series, and I am still waiting on the next, but i love the story, the way its written, and the narrator. Its just an all around hit for me.

Get The Gathering first, good listen

If you could sum up The Calling in three words, what would they be?

Good creature adventure

If you’ve listened to books by Kelley Armstrong before, how does this one compare?

I bought the Gathering because I loved Jennifer Ikeda in another series by another author. I enjoyed the Gathering and bought the Calling at the same time. Both books were enjoyable. I have not tried her other series.

Which character – as performed by Jennifer Ikeda – was your favorite?

Mya was my favorite but she did Daniel, Raif and the others great too.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Mya's consistent loyalty to her friend Daniel even though her heart was pulling her another way.

Pleasantly surprised

Stronger than book 1. Moving along faster and more intense. Jennifer Ikeda makes it such a treat to listen.

One book- in 3 parts

I discovered this trilogy through searching for Jennifer Ikeda, who is one of my favorite narrators. I enjoyed the first book, The Gathering, and listened to it in one session as it’s not terribly long. I was surprised though at how it came to such an abrupt ending. I did really like the storyline so I wanted find out what happened.

I then moved onto the Calling, which again ended abruptly, but even more so. It’s only 228 pages in paperback- so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. But it really feels like it was only perhaps Part II of a book, not the end of one. I really wanna know how this story ends, so I will probably wind up buying the third installment, but I may see what Kelley Armstrong audio books I can find to see if she only chopped things up in the series, or if it’s something she does on a regular basis.

As far as the story goes, I really think it flows well, a good mix of excitement and character development. While some elements are predictable, everything hasn’t been, so it has definitely been an enjoyable listen that I could do while getting other things done. I definitely think the storyline could go further.

These really feel like these three books are novellas that could be put together easily- and start a series such as Cassandra Clare and Marissa Meyer have done. Perhaps I will find that in some of Armstrong’s other writings.

Terrific story

On to the last book. A genuinely mind blowing supernatural story and really enjoyable. Read on.

Golly, What now?

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I would have to say it was hard to finish this book because I got bored shortly after starting and it never got a lot better. It would be a great young adult or teen book, but it was too slow amd didn't develope fullly for me.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

When the end came was the most interestomg and the least interesting was when it started with the kids already on the run.

What does Jennifer Ikeda bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narrator did an adaquate job considering the material she had to work with.

Did The Calling inspire you to do anything?

Stay away from this author.

Book for older Teens

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Got the series based on audiobook recommendations. Not sure if I missed something in the sales intro (click/purchased a bunch of books one day.) Not being familiar with the series - it wasn't apparent that this was a young adult title. Last time I was a young adult, corded touchtone phones were all the rage.

Would you be willing to try another book from Kelley Armstrong? Why or why not?

While there are many series that span multiple books; I find it preferable that each stands on its own as a complete story. Here, you have to read the previous books in order. Otherwise it is like starting a new book from "chapter 31." This could be a intentional cliffhanger approach by the author who may have limited time for writing - or more of a suit-and-tie contractual decision by the publisher to generate significantly more sales. In either case, a year or two between "chapter sets" seems far too long to wait for a single story arcline. As well as quite expensive. However if the entire story (series will be 3 books?) was encapsulated and slightly shortened into two books with a decent ending between; It would certainly be a good read even for older fiction readers (as a light read between brasher sci-fi/fiction fare) Therefore if you can get get book 1&2 for a good price at the same time - the story holds up.

Have you listened to any of Jennifer Ikeda’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

She is a very good narrator. I have not listened to other books by Jennifer - but for the young adult genre, she certainly seems ideal.

Any additional comments?

I have not read any of the other authors series. In this series (The Gathering was the first); there is a peculiar overuse of trailing sentences. Such as "I wanted to say I was sorry for...." or "He turned to see...." sorry for what? See what?! The technique can be used to help the reader engage in the story; to fill in the blanks. However when it is done every 10 sentences, it becomes a distraction to the story. This technique occurred a little less in this 2nd book where it often materialized as an awkward pause between words. Perhaps it was to emphasize the challenge of teens to express themselves, but the technique seemed a bit overused.

Love it!

I finished this one in 3 days. it have me chills, made me laugh, and cry!