"The Summoning" Characters Analysis

List of Characters

Role Identification

Character Descriptions

Vanessa Cleveland

Vanessa is the protagonist of "The Summoning." She is a high school student who discovers she has the power to become invisible. Vanessa is portrayed as sensitive and caring, but also insecure about her identity. Her struggle with self-acceptance is central to the story. She is loyal to her friends and determined to protect them from danger.

Catty Turner

Catty is one of Vanessa’s closest friends. She possesses the ability to travel through time, making her a crucial asset to the group. Catty is adventurous, witty, and occasionally impulsive. Her sense of humor and loyalty make her stand out among the Daughters of the Moon.

Serena Killingsworth

Serena is another member of the Daughters of the Moon. She is empathetic and level-headed, with the power of telepathy. Serena often acts as the group’s guide, offering wisdom and insight. She is the peacemaker among her friends, often diffusing conflicts.

Jimena Castillo

Jimena is the fourth Daughter of the Moon in the main group. She has the power to see the future, which gives her a protective presence. Jimena’s tough exterior hides a deeply caring heart. She is fiercely loyal and protective of her friends.

Michael Saratoga

Michael is Vanessa’s love interest and provides her with emotional support. He is intelligent, kind, and grounded. His presence helps Vanessa stay connected to her humanity and the normalcy she craves.

Morgan Rowe

Morgan is a complex antagonist. Initially appearing as a friend, she later betrays Vanessa and her group. Morgan is manipulative and ambitious, having aligned herself with the Atrox.

Stanton

Stanton is a Follower of the Atrox, but he is conflicted. His interactions with the Daughters suggest he is not entirely evil. Stanton’s character adds depth to the novel’s exploration of good versus evil.

The Atrox

The Atrox is the main antagonist, an ancient evil threatening the Daughters and the world. It represents darkness and temptation.

Maggie Cleveland

Maggie is Vanessa’s mother. Her support and concern for Vanessa provide a sense of stability. She is protective but unaware of Vanessa’s supernatural life.

Mr. Cleveland

Vanessa’s father, Mr. Cleveland, is largely absent from her life. His absence influences Vanessa’s feelings of insecurity and longing for acceptance.

Character Traits

Character Background

Vanessa Cleveland

Vanessa comes from a loving but incomplete family. Her father’s absence shapes much of her emotional world. She struggles with feeling different, even before discovering her powers. Vanessa’s journey is about embracing her uniqueness and finding strength in her identity.

Catty Turner

Catty was adopted and has always felt different. Her ability to time travel makes her life unpredictable. Catty’s background is mysterious, and she is driven by a desire to uncover her origins.

Serena Killingsworth

Serena comes from a supportive family. Her telepathic abilities have always set her apart. Serena uses her powers to help others and maintain harmony in the group.

Jimena Castillo

Jimena has a difficult past, having been involved with gangs before joining the Daughters. Her experiences have made her tough and cautious. She uses her powers to protect her friends and herself.

Michael Saratoga

Michael is a normal human and represents the ordinary life Vanessa longs for. He is supportive of Vanessa, even when he does not understand everything about her.

Morgan Rowe

Morgan’s background is marked by ambition and a desire for power. She is drawn to the Atrox and is willing to betray her friends to achieve her goals.

Stanton

Stanton’s past is shrouded in mystery. As a Follower of the Atrox, he is expected to serve evil, but his actions suggest he is struggling with that role.

The Atrox

The Atrox is an ancient evil entity. Its background is rooted in myth and legend. It seeks to corrupt and destroy those who oppose it.

Maggie Cleveland

Maggie is a single mother, doing her best to raise Vanessa. She is unaware of Vanessa’s supernatural life but remains a constant source of support.

Mr. Cleveland

Mr. Cleveland’s absence is felt rather than seen. His departure from the family leaves Vanessa with feelings of abandonment.

Character Arcs

Vanessa Cleveland’s Character Arc

Vanessa begins the story as an insecure teenager, unsure of herself and her place in the world. Discovering her power to become invisible initially frightens her. Over time, she learns to embrace her abilities and her role as a Daughter of the Moon. Through trials and challenges, Vanessa grows in confidence. She becomes a leader among her friends and finds self-acceptance.

Catty Turner’s Character Arc

Catty starts as impulsive and sometimes reckless. Her journey involves learning the importance of her powers and the responsibilities that come with them. Catty’s search for her biological parents adds depth to her arc. She becomes more mature and supportive of Vanessa and the group.

Serena Killingsworth’s Character Arc

Serena begins as wise beyond her years but learns more about the burden of leadership. She grows into her role as a guide for the Daughters. Serena’s empathy helps her friends but also makes her vulnerable.

Jimena Castillo’s Character Arc

Jimena’s transformation is from a tough, guarded individual to someone who trusts and opens up to her friends. Her past makes her cautious, but she learns that relying on others can be a strength.

Michael Saratoga’s Character Arc

Michael’s arc is subtle but important. He learns to accept the supernatural world Vanessa inhabits. His unwavering support helps Vanessa stay grounded.

Morgan Rowe’s Character Arc

Morgan’s arc is a cautionary tale of ambition and betrayal. She aligns herself with the Atrox for power, ultimately facing the consequences of her actions.

Stanton’s Character Arc

Stanton struggles with his role as a Follower of the Atrox. He shows moments of conflict and hints at possible redemption, suggesting that not all followers of evil are entirely lost.

The Atrox’s Impact

The Atrox serves as a constant source of conflict and temptation. It pushes each character to confront their fears and desires.

Relationships

Detailed Character Interactions

Vanessa Cleveland and Catty Turner

Vanessa and Catty share a deep, sisterly bond. Their friendship is built on mutual support and understanding. Catty’s impulsiveness complements Vanessa’s caution. They confide in each other, and Catty’s humor helps Vanessa cope with stress.

Vanessa Cleveland and Serena Killingsworth

Serena acts as both a friend and mentor to Vanessa. Her telepathic abilities allow her to sense Vanessa’s emotions, making her an important source of comfort and advice.

Vanessa Cleveland and Jimena Castillo

Jimena’s protective nature gives Vanessa a sense of safety. Jimena’s experience with adversity helps Vanessa deal with her own challenges.

Vanessa Cleveland and Michael Saratoga

Michael’s role as Vanessa’s boyfriend provides her with emotional stability. He grounds her when the supernatural world becomes overwhelming. Their relationship represents the balance between normalcy and the extraordinary.

Vanessa Cleveland and Morgan Rowe

Morgan’s betrayal deeply affects Vanessa. It reinforces Vanessa’s trust issues and motivates her to become more vigilant.

Vanessa Cleveland and Stanton

Stanton’s ambiguous motives intrigue Vanessa. She senses his internal conflict and wonders if he can be an ally.

Vanessa Cleveland and The Atrox

The Atrox is the embodiment of everything Vanessa must fight against. It challenges her resolve and tempts her to abandon her mission.

Thematic Significance of Characters

Character Motivations

Antagonistic Forces and Conflict

The main source of conflict in "The Summoning" is the Atrox. It is an ancient evil entity that seeks to corrupt or destroy the Daughters of the Moon. Morgan Rowe and Stanton, as followers of the Atrox, create internal and external conflict. Morgan’s betrayal forces Vanessa and her friends to confront the realities of trust and loyalty.

Stanton’s ambiguous morality adds complexity. He is not a simple villain, and his conflicted feelings create tension. The Atrox’s influence is felt in how it tempts characters, particularly Morgan, to abandon their friends for power.

How Relationships Drive the Plot

The strength of the Daughters’ friendship allows them to resist the Atrox together. Their loyalty forms the core of their defense. Vanessa’s relationship with Michael is a reminder of the life she might have had without her powers.

Morgan’s betrayal is a critical turning point in the story. It tests the group’s unity and forces Vanessa to assume a leadership role. Stanton’s uncertainty offers hope that not all enemies are irredeemable.

Symbolic Meanings

Character Growth and Lessons Learned

By the end of "The Summoning," each character has grown. Vanessa steps into her role as a leader, learning to trust herself and her friends. Catty becomes more responsible, Serena more confident in her guidance, and Jimena more open to love and support.

The group learns that unity is their greatest strength. They must trust each other to overcome evil. The consequences of betrayal, as seen through Morgan, remind them of the importance of loyalty.

Stanton’s struggle suggests that redemption is possible, even for those aligned with darkness. The Atrox remains a looming threat, ensuring that the fight between light and darkness continues.

Conclusion

"The Summoning" by Lynne Ewing is rich in character development. Each member of the Daughters of the Moon is distinct, with her own arc, motivations, and relationships. The interplay between friendship, betrayal, and identity drives the story forward. Through their struggles, the characters learn that embracing their differences and standing together is the key to overcoming the darkness threatening their world.