The Reckoning: 11/04/13

The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong is the final book in the Darkest Powers trilogy. As this series has such a short timeline, it's best to read both The Summoning and The Awakening first. This is not a series whose books stand alone.

Chloe, Tori, Derek and Simon have made it to the safe house. The have survived Lyle House, the Pack, and all manners of chase. Now they can lay low and learn how to master their powers.

Or so they think. In reality, the first item on Ariana Tucker's rules, "Trust no one" should be their mantra. I suppose that's the moral of this trilogy. Or maybe, trust no one over the age of 20.

While their characters do grow and Chloe does get a handle on her powers — too scary and awesome results — there is frankly no tidy end for them. Were this an episode of Supernatural, this book would begin with "Carry on my Wayward Son" by Kansas. Although the foursome do survive to the end, a lot is left open, much like a season finale cliffhanger.

My one complaint at seeing the series at its conclusion is its timeline. Chloe makes a big deal in The Reckoning at it having been only two weeks after she came into her powers. I just can't buy that. It makes the slowish discovery of the truth in The Summoning implausible and the time hiding and traveling fold up onto the events of the last book. I realize that adventure books need a breakneck pace but travel and hiding take time.

Four stars

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