Where to Start Reading Darkest Powers
If you are new to Kelley Armstrong's young adult paranormal universe, the absolute best place to start is with the first novel of the core trilogy, The Summoning (2008). This book introduces Chloe Saunders, a fifteen-year-old aspiring filmmaker who begins seeing terrifying ghosts. Chloe is placed in Lyle House, a group home for troubled teens, where she quickly discovers that her fellow residents—including a werewolf, a sorcerer, and a witch—possess real, genetic supernatural abilities. Starting here allows you to experience the mysteries and twists of the Edison Group conspiracy exactly as the author intended, without spoiling the major revelations that occur later in the series.
The Core Darkest Powers Trilogy
The main storyline of Darkest Powers is a tightly paced, high-stakes trilogy that follows Chloe and her allies as they uncover the truth about their origin and flee the powerful corporation that created them. The core books should always be read in this sequence:
- The Summoning (2008): Chloe discovers her necromantic powers and meets Derek, Simon, and Tori at Lyle House.
- The Awakening (2009): The teens escape from Lyle House and must learn to navigate their powers while surviving on the run.
- The Reckoning (2010): The final battle against the Edison Group, featuring explosive confrontations, romantic resolutions, and answers about the genetically modified supernaturals.
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order
While the core trilogy is straightforward, Kelley Armstrong has published numerous novellas and short stories that flesh out the histories and perspectives of secondary characters. Reading these in Publication Order is highly recommended for first-time readers, as it introduces character backstories and side plots in the order they were released to the public. However, if you are planning a reread or want to trace the exact timeline of events, a Chronological Order will give you a day-by-day perspective of the Edison Group project.
The Publication Order
- The Summoning (2008)
- The Awakening (2009)
- Kat (2009) (Novella, originally in The Eternal Kiss anthology)
- The Reckoning (2010)
- Dangerous (2010) (Novella, set before the events of the first book)
- Disenchanted (2010) (Short story)
- Divided (2011) (Short story)
- Belonging (2011) (Novella)
- Hunting Kat (2012) (Novella, originally in Kisses from Hell anthology)
- Darkest Powers Tales (2015) (Anthology collecting the major companion pieces)
The Chronological Order (Timeline View)
For readers who want to follow the timeline from the very beginning of the Edison Group's experiments to the aftermath of the escape, the order shifts significantly. In this order, prequels and mid-book stories are integrated directly between the main novels:
- Kat: Focuses on Katiana, a vampire teen, and her initial capture by the Edison Group.
- Dangerous: Tells the story of how Derek and Simon first arrived at Lyle House, written from Derek's perspective.
- The Summoning: The main events begin.
- Divided: Set during the events of The Summoning, showing what happens from Derek's point of view when he and Simon are separated from Chloe.
- The Awakening: The second main novel.
- Disenchanted: Set during the events of The Awakening, focusing on Tori and Simon's journey after they are separated from Chloe and Derek.
- The Reckoning: The final novel of the trilogy.
- Facing Facts: A post-Reckoning story showing Chloe dealing with a ghost and Tori learning truths about her family.
- Hunting Kat: Follows Katiana after her escape as she works to hunt down the Edison Group.
- Belonging: A post-Reckoning novella from Derek's point of view, focusing on his werewolf pack.
Understanding the Novellas and Companion Stories
You do not need to read every single novella to understand the main plot of the Darkest Powers trilogy, but they add immense depth to the characters. Here is a breakdown of what the key side stories contribute to the lore:
Dangerous is a crucial prequel for fans of Derek and Simon. It provides key context on how they were captured and their life before Chloe's arrival at Lyle House. Divided and Disenchanted offer parallel viewpoints during the events of the first two books, filling in gaps where the group was split up. Kat and Hunting Kat follow Katiana, a vampire who underwent similar modifications. Her arc runs parallel to the main group and highlights just how far-reaching the Edison Group's experiments actually were. Lastly, Belonging deals with Derek's werewolf heritage, providing a satisfying epilogue to his character arc.
The Sister Series: Darkness Rising
Once you finish the Darkest Powers trilogy, you should immediately transition to the companion trilogy, Darkness Rising. Set in the same universe and occurring roughly around the same time, this trilogy follows Maya Delaney, a skinwalker teen living in a remote medical-research town in Vancouver Island. Like Chloe, Maya discovers that her town is a front for genetic experiments conducted by the Edison Group. The reading order for Darkness Rising is:
- The Gathering (2011)
- The Calling (2012)
- The Rising (2013)
The Ultimate Crossover: While the two trilogies start separately, their storylines converge dramatically in The Rising. Chloe, Derek, Simon, and Tori meet up with Maya and her friends to join forces against their creators. Reading Darkest Powers before Darkness Rising is highly recommended to fully appreciate this crossover.
What to Know Before You Start
The Darkest Powers universe is part of Kelley Armstrong's larger Women of the Otherworld urban fantasy series. While the adult novels feature mature themes, Darkest Powers and Darkness Rising are specifically tailored for young adults, focusing heavily on themes of autonomy, found family, identity, and the ethics of scientific experimentation. You do not need to read the adult Otherworld books to enjoy this YA series, as it stands entirely on its own. The tone is fast-paced, atmospheric, and highly character-driven, making it an excellent match for fans of early-2010s urban fantasy.