First thoughts when I found this book in the library: “Yes! Score!” Full disclosure: Kelley Armstrong is one of my favorite Canadian authors. I love her easy-going storytelling style. I was a bit hesitant to pick up this book because I did not enjoy her Darkest Powers series as much as her adult series.I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I was captivated by the story and could not put the book down. The Gathering is the story of Maya Delaney, a 16 year old girl who lives in an extremely isolated community on Vancouver Island. Salmon Creek is home to about 200 residents who all work in mysterious research jobs for the St. Cloud Corporation. The residents have excellent health care, fantastic school, and good housing. That’s about all the information you get on the St. Cloud Corporation.The setting was truly a win. Every time that I travel to British Columbia, it never ceases to amaze me just how isolated you can be only a few miles from a city or town. For some pictures of the area click here.I really liked Maya’s character. She is strong and stands up for herself. She keeps her wits about her and doesn’t risk everything to get the boy. Definitely not a doormat! I love how the author slowly builds up Maya’s abilities. The reader learns about Maya’s powers at the same time as Maya. Maya’s affinity with animals was cute. Fitz the three legged bobcat, Marv the cougar, even her dog Kenji, all were attracted to Maya. The other teenage characters were interesting as well. I can’t wait to see what becomes of Daniel. Rafe, the resident bad boy, seems to have a lot of surprises and secrets.The inclusion of the cabals from Armstrong’s adult series was genius. As her YA readers get older, they will enjoy the connection of this series to Armstrong’s Men and Women of the Otherworld series. My notes at the end of the book simply said: “ARGH! Don’t end the book here! I have so many questions! I want more! 2012 is too far away.”
