The Callers: The Hidden Forest: Book 2 Thomas, Kiah by Thomas, Kiah

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Occult Philosophy

The Callers: The Hidden Forest: Book 2 Thomas, Kiah

Name: The Callers: The Hidden Forest: Book 2 Thomas, Kiah
Price: 9.00 USD
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Rating: 4.5 (2 reviews)
Author: Thomas, Kiah
ISBN: 9781797230054

Thomas, Kiah

Reader rating

4.5

(1 reviews) 17 sold

$9.00

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📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

What if summoning magic isn't creation, but a hidden act of cosmic theft?

Return to Elipsom, a world where 'Calling' magic allows inhabitants to conjure objects seemingly from thin air. However, the shocking truth has been revealed: this power secretly drains resources from the parallel world of Evantra. As whispers of this exploitation spread, Quin strives to expose the full extent of the deception. Meanwhile, his sister Davinia, caught between her powerful mother's agenda to suppress dissent and her own wavering loyalties, must confront the uncomfortable ethical implications of her society's very foundation.

Key themes

The Ethics of Conjuration Unveiling Esoteric Secrets Conscience & Allegiance

Historical context

This work sits at the intersection of contemporary dark fantasy and ethical world-building, reflecting modern anxieties about resource exploitation through a magical lens. It draws upon the tradition of speculative fiction that interrogates the moral cost of power within constructed societies.

Thomas, Kiah

📚 all books by this author (5) →

Difficulty

●● Moderate

Fans will love it

Brandon Sanderson · Ursula K. Le Guin · N.K. Jemisin · Patrick Rothfuss

🕯️ Occult Philosophy

🏛 Chronicle Books 📅 2026 📖 272 pages 📔 Paperback 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9781797230054

Fun fact

Kiah Thomas expertly continues to unravel the complex morality of power in this compelling sequel. While its middle-grade designation belies its thematic depth, this book thoughtfully explores the hidden costs of magic and societal denial. Those seeking simplistic spell-slinging might be surprised, but readers drawn to allegorical tales that subtly introduce profound ethical dilemmas will find much to ponder. It stands as a significant addition to fantasy literature that educates as much as it entertains.

📝 Description: The Callers: The Hidden Forest: Book 2 Thomas, Kiah

Now in paperback! Return to the world of the Callers in this exciting middle-grade fantasy series that explores the amazing power of summoning objects into being and the ominous consequences of doing so. Perfect for fans of Rick Riordan. The Callers, Book 1 set the stage for a riveting series that introduced the world of Elipsom and its inhabitants' unique ability to Call--or summon. In Book 2, a month has passed since Quin fled his home world of Elipsom after revealing the shocking truth about Calling: that the magic ability to conjure something out of thin air actually steals resources from another place. And that other place is Evantra, a nation suffering from exploitation by the Callers. Across the country, rumors are spreading that perhaps Calling isn't a force for good after all. Even so, Quin's sister, Davinia, has maintained calm under the pressure of her mother, the Chief Counselor of the Callers, who is determined to keep the status quo and quash anyone who questions the rightness of Calling. But when Davinia is assigned to investigate and plant evidence in a rebellious part of the city, her loyalties begin to waver. Meanwhile, Quin and his friend Allie are in a race against the clock to heal the Vine, the source of all growing things in Evantra, which has been slowly dying. Their search leads them to a mysterious forest that may have the answers they seek--and the truth about Quin's past. Arresting and thought-provoking, this story explores some of the most crucial topics of our time and shows the power of standing up and fighting for a better tomorrow. SERIES PRAISE: Book 1 received a Sunshine State Young Readers Award (SSYRA) nomination and glowing praise, including a blurb from Printz-Honor-winning author Garret Weyr, who called it "beautifully told and engaging and just thrilling." RICH THEMES: This series takes a deep, thoughtful look at complex and essential issues--including haves and have-nots, environmental exploitation, colonialism, truth, and social responsibility. In doing so, it takes after some of the best works the fantasy genre has to offer. PAGE-TURNER: This easy-to-read, fast-paced page-turner will be a joy for middle-grade readers who love immersive adventure and fantasy stories. DUAL POV BOOK: Alternating between the main character and his sister's narratives, The Callers: The Hidden Forest introduces new characters and new mysteries to unravel, along with Quin's continuing discovery of his powers.

💎 Expert review

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💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

This title excels in its conceptual originality regarding the mechanics of magic as exploitation. However, it may not suit readers looking for straightforward heroic adventures or unambiguous moral victories. The narrative relies heavily on ideological tension rather than action-heavy sequences, which might feel slow to those preferring immediate physical stakes. Additionally, the focus on systemic ethical dilemmas and political suppression requires patience; it is less suitable for audiences seeking lighthearted escapism or simple good-versus-evil binaries without nuanced societal critique.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who enjoy morally complex magic systems will find this narrative deeply compelling. It offers a refreshing twist on the summoning trope by framing it as cosmic theft rather than creation, inviting deep ethical reflection. Those invested in sibling dynamics and political intrigue within high-stakes environments will appreciate Quin’s quest for truth and Davinia’s internal conflict. The book serves those seeking fantasy that challenges the foundation of their world's power structures, providing a thought-provoking exploration of loyalty, deception, and the hidden costs of convenience.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

For seekers fascinated by the ethical underpinnings of magic, and those who ponder the true cost of power. If you enjoy narratives where hidden truths challenge societal foundations and young protagonists navigate profound moral mazes, this continuation offers a compelling journey.

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

This title excels in its conceptual originality regarding the mechanics of magic as exploitation. However, it may not suit readers looking for straightforward heroic adventures or unambiguous moral victories. The narrative relies heavily on ideological tension rather than action-heavy sequences, which might feel slow to those preferring immediate physical stakes. Additionally, the focus on systemic ethical dilemmas and political suppression requires patience; it is less suitable for audiences seeking lighthearted escapism or simple good-versus-evil binaries without nuanced societal critique.

❓ Frequently asked questions

While it's Book Two in 'The Callers' series, the narrative skillfully reintroduces the core concepts, though experiencing the first installment, 'The Callers: Book 1,' will undoubtedly enrich your understanding of the unfolding mystery.

Unlike typical summoning, 'Calling' in Elipsom is revealed not as pure creation, but as a transference of resources from a parallel world, adding a profound ethical dimension to its practice and consequences.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

The Ethics of Conjuration

Delve into the profound moral questions arising from a magical system that thrives on hidden exploitation. This book challenges the notion of 'harmless' power, exploring the true cost of summoning and the societal structures built upon such an unsustainable foundation, forcing characters and readers to confront uncomfortable truths.

Unveiling Esoteric Secrets

At its heart, this tale explores the dangerous journey of uncovering a profound, suppressed truth about the world's most cherished power. It delves into the resistance faced by those who dare to question entrenched beliefs and expose the esoteric mechanisms hidden beneath societal norms, revealing a complex web of deception.

Conscience & Allegiance

Witness the harrowing internal struggle as characters grapple with their personal loyalties against a burgeoning moral awakening. The narrative explores the difficult choices made when confronted with undeniable injustice, forcing individuals to weigh their family's expectations against their own evolving ethical compass and sense of right.

💬 Quotes from the book

“The objects we conjured, the wonders we celebrated—each one was a whisper stolen from another world, a piece of someone else's reality.”

“To deny the truth was to embrace a comfortable lie, but the echoes of the stolen world were growing louder in her conscience.”

📜 Historical context

While presented as fantasy, this narrative resonates with ancient esoteric traditions exploring the hidden costs of creation and consumption. It echoes allegories of societies built on unseen exploitation, drawing parallels to Gnostic concepts where the material world's apparent abundance masks a deeper, often painful, truth.

📚 Glossary

Elipsom
Calling
Evantra

📔 Questions to reflect on

If a cherished ability or societal comfort you relied upon was revealed to be sustained by hidden exploitation, how would you reconcile your personal benefit with the newly unveiled truth?
Consider a time you had to question a deeply ingrained belief, either personal or societal. What was the catalyst, and what challenges did you face in accepting a new perspective?
Reflect on the distinction between true creation and resource transference. How might this distinction alter our understanding of power, magic, and even everyday consumption?