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The Callers

Name: The Callers
Price: 14.44 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781797210780

✍️ Thomas, Kiah

Reader Score

4.5

(1 review)

$14.44 ~~$16.99~~ Save $2.55 (15%)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

This narrative centers on Quin, an powerless youth in a world built on summoned goods. When he accidentally erases an object instead of bringing one forth, he uncovering that his society's magic relies on taking physical property from a neighboring realm. Joined by an activist named Allie, he must choose whether to protect his family's high status or end the plunder of another world. The text uses a fictional realm to address trade, privilege, and adolescent ethics.

Thomas, Kiah

📚 all books by this author (5) →

Praise for this book

“Don't we all want to believe we are forces for good and we carry within us some unknown magic power? Fast-paced and richly imagined, The Callers follows young Quin, the black sheep of a powerful family, as he struggles to absorb uncomfortable truths about who has the right to magic, comfort, resources, and safety. Beautifully told and engaging and just thrilling. What a great story.”

— Garret Weyr

🏛 Chronicle Books 📅 2022 📖 228 pages 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9781797210780

Fun Fact

Kiah Thomas delivers a genuinely clever middle-grade fantasy that masterfully subverts expectations regarding magical abilities. Its strength lies in its ethical complexity and the protagonist's relatable struggle for identity. While it might disappoint those seeking purely lighthearted adventure, its thought-provoking premise and fast-paced narrative make it a compelling read for young minds ready to question the nature of power and responsibility. A significant entry in ethical fantasy.

📝 Description: The Callers

In the world of Elipsom, magic manifests as Calling, an ability to summon objects into being that maintains daily life and structures society. Quin comes from an elite family of Callers, yet he lacks the gift entirely. His mother arranges for his sister to cheat on his Calling exam to protect the family name, but Quin soon discovers a surprising ability to make physical items disappear. He learns that Callers are not creating objects from nothing; they are stealing resources from another world and stripping its people of their possessions. Teaming up with a girl named Allie, Quin faces a choice between family allegiance and stopping an unjust system. This middle grade fantasy novel engages themes of consumerism, resource exploitation, colonialism, and the ethical balance between personal desires and shared humanity. The setting blends futuristic elements, tall metropolises, and lush landscapes to frame its story of adolescent growth and moral awakening. The book suits readers seeking fast-paced fiction focused on systemic fairness, social responsibility, and coming of age. It is not designed for readers looking for a non-fiction study of historical occult practices, actual spellcasting manuals, or real-world magical traditions. Author Kiah Thomas grew up reimagining book endings and returned to writing children's literature after having her own family. She lives on the south coast of New South Wales, Australia, and focuses on creating stories intended for family reading. Writer Garret Weyr notes that the story follows a central character absorbing uncomfortable truths regarding who holds the right to safety, resources, and magic.

💎 Expert review

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💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

While the premise offers a clever twist on summoning tropes, this book may not suit readers seeking intricate magical theory or slow-burn political intrigue. The narrative prioritizes character emotion over complex plot mechanics, which might feel simplistic to seasoned fantasy veterans. It is best for those who prefer accessible prose and clear moral stakes over ambiguous grey areas. If you dislike young adult pacing or expect dense lore dumps, this may disappoint. However, for readers willing to engage with its straightforward emotional core, it delivers a solid, if familiar, adventure.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who enjoy deconstructed magical systems will find this tale deeply satisfying, as it challenges the conventional notion of creation in favor of a more morally complex mechanism of theft. Quin’s journey from societal outcast to reluctant hero offers a compelling narrative of self-discovery and rebellion against familial expectations. Those intrigued by the ethical implications of magic and the concept of parallel universes will appreciate the fresh perspective on power dynamics. The story provides an engaging entry point for those seeking adventure with a philosophical undercurrent, appealing to fans who value character growth alongside world-building intricacies.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

For young readers enchanted by unique magic systems, intricate world-building, and characters grappling with significant moral quandaries. If you appreciate tales where familiar powers are given a dark, thought-provoking twist, this journey into Elipsom's hidden truths awaits your discovery.

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

While the premise offers a clever twist on summoning tropes, this book may not suit readers seeking intricate magical theory or slow-burn political intrigue. The narrative prioritizes character emotion over complex plot mechanics, which might feel simplistic to seasoned fantasy veterans. It is best for those who prefer accessible prose and clear moral stakes over ambiguous grey areas. If you dislike young adult pacing or expect dense lore dumps, this may disappoint. However, for readers willing to engage with its straightforward emotional core, it delivers a solid, if familiar, adventure.

❓ Frequently asked questions

While categorized as middle grade, its themes of ethical responsibility, identity, and the moral implications of power resonate with older readers, offering layers of depth beyond a simple adventure story.

The narrative concludes with a sense of resolution, but also opens avenues for future exploration, characteristic of series-starter novels. It prioritizes discovery and growth over facile conclusions.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Navigating Identity and Expectation

Quin's journey explores the intense pressure of family legacy and societal expectations. His struggle with an unfulfilled magical talent and the subsequent discovery of a different, unsettling ability, forces him to confront who he is, independent of what others demand, shaping his path to maturity.

Ethics of Power and Discovery

The story delves into profound moral questions surrounding the source of Elipsom's prosperity. Quin's realization that his world thrives on theft from another dimension compels him to grapple with complex ethical choices, highlighting themes of justice, responsibility, and the true cost of comfort.

📜 Historical context

"The Callers" sits comfortably within the tradition of middle-grade fantasy that challenges its own premises, akin to works that deconstruct heroic narratives or reveal the hidden costs of seemingly benevolent magic. It echoes the spirit of speculative fiction that uses fantastical elements to explore complex ethical dilemmas and the responsibilities inherent in power.

📚 Glossary

Callers
Calling
Elipsom

📔 Questions to reflect on

If your society's prosperity depended on a hidden injustice, how would you react upon discovering the truth?
How might a single, unexpected ability redefine your sense of self, especially if it challenges your family's legacy?
Consider the ethical implications of using resources from another "world." Where do we draw the line between necessity and exploitation?