The Calling by Kelley Armstrong
A forest fire forces Maya Delaney to flee town in a helicopter along with the mayor, and several other teens. But she’s sure the fire was set on purpose, and her fear is justified when the teens are kidnapped. But a helicopter crash helps them to flee deep into the woods of Vancouver Island. With their would-be captors hot on their trail, the group must rely on their wits and special abilities to see them home.
The second installment in the Darkness Rising trilogy, The Calling centers on a select group of teenagers and their wild adventure trying to find a way back to civilization, knowing they can’t trust anyone. Maya has a secret – that she’s a skin-walker, just one of the gifts that have been bred into the teens.
Though the trilogy must be read in order, there is a convenient, brief review of events from the first novel that I found extremely beneficial since it’s been a year since the last release. This novel reads like a survival thriller film – an abundance of suspense, adventure, and pulse-pounding excitement. While the first laid the foundation with the characters and was engaging, this sequel was darker with non-stop danger and suspense. This fast-paced, young adult fantasy trilogy is entirely captivating. I’m not sure how all the loose ends will tie up in just one more final installment, but it promises to be a wild ride.
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The Calling releases from Harper Teen on April 10, 2012.