Occult Philosophy

The Callers

Name: The Callers
Price: 17.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.5 (2 reviews)
Author: Thomas, Kiah
ISBN: 9781797210780

Thomas, Kiah

Reader rating

4.5

(1 reviews) 35 sold

$17.00

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📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

What if the power to summon wasn't creation, but theft from another world?

Young Quin lives in Elipsom, a society where "Calling" — the ability to conjure objects — is vital and revered. Despite his family's legacy and his mother's relentless pressure, Quin lacks this magical gift. His failure is a deep embarrassment, compounded by his sister's forced assistance in his exams. However, during a moment of profound frustration, Quin unexpectedly discovers a unique, inverse power: instead of summoning, he can make things vanish. This revelation unravels a darker truth: the objects Callers manifest aren't created, but stolen from an unsuspecting parallel world, leading Quin to a perilous alliance with Allie.

Key themes

Navigating Identity and Expectation Ethics of Power and Discovery

Historical context

This novel sits within the contemporary young adult fantasy tradition, exploring themes of systemic magic and ethical responsibility often found in modern speculative fiction. It engages with the trope of hidden worlds and parallel dimensions prevalent in recent occult-inspired literature.

Thomas, Kiah

📚 all books by this author (5) →

Difficulty

● Easy

Fans will love it

Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series · Sarah J. Maas's early fantasy works · The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

🕯️ Occult Philosophy

🏛 Chronicle Books 📅 2022 📖 228 pages 📔 Hardcover 📐 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

This riveting middle grade novel, which explores the amazing power of summoning objects into being, will capture fantasy and sci-fi lovers alike. Arresting, fast-paced, and thought-provoking, The Callers turns familiar magic upside down and inside out, and is perfect for fans of Kenneth Oppel and Andrew Clements. In the world of Elipsom, the ability to Call, or summon objects, is a coveted, crucial skill, revered among its people as both a powerful tool and an essential way to sustain life. But despite an elite family history, a phenom for an older sister, a best friend who is set to join the Council of Callers, and his mother's steely insistence that he learn to Call, Quin doesn't have the gift--an embarrassment made worse when his mother gets his sister to cheat for him on his Calling exam. But everything changes in a moment of frustration when Quin, instead of summoning an object, makes something disappear. And what's more, he quickly discovers that the objects Callers bring into their world aren't conjured at all but are whisked away from another world and a people who for years have had their lives slowly stolen from them. Now Quin must team up with Allie, a girl who's determined to stop this unfair practice, and decide whether he should remain loyal to his family or betray them--and save the world. In a story that explores some of the most crucial topics of our time--our relationship to consumerism, the exploitation of natural resources, colonialism, and the consequences of wanting more than we need--magic is sought, and truth is found. THOUGHT-PROVOKING FANTASY: With its lush landscapes, towering metropolises, and hint of futurism, the distinctive look and feel of this world is familiar and strange in all the right ways. RICH THEMES: This book explores complex topics--taking what you want versus what you need, colonialism, coming of age, and what different worlds owe each other in light of their common humanity. It takes a deep, thoughtful look at essential issues and, in doing so, takes after some of the best works the fantasy genre has to offer. PAGE-TURNER: This perfectly paced page-turner of a book by Kiah Thomas will be a joy for middle grade readers who love immersive adventure and fantasy stories. Perfect for: Middle grade readers, Fantasy fans, Educators and librarians

💎 Expert review

“

💎

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.

💬 Quotes from the book

“Every other student could conjure a simple stone, a leaf, even a whisper of wind. But my hands remained stubbornly empty, a testament to my utter lack of the gift.”

“It wasn't creation. It was... taking. Every object Elipsom had ever 'Called' wasn't birthed from nothingness, but ripped from someone else's world.”

📜 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?