The Callers: The Hidden Forest: Book 2 — Spooky For Kids

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The Callers: The Hidden Forest: Book 2

Name: The Callers: The Hidden Forest: Book 2
Price: 9.27 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781797230054

✍️ Thomas, Kiah

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$9.27

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A middle-grade fantasy novel examining magical resource exploitation, political corruption, and environmental recovery.

This middle-grade fantasy follow-up centers on the fallout of a stolen magic system. Quin travels through Evantra with Allie to restore the fading Vine that feeds the land, entering a hidden forest that holds secrets about his heritage. In Elipsom, his sister Davinia encounters moral conflict when their mother, the Chief Counselor, forces her to frame political dissidents to protect the ruling elite's supply of summoned goods.

Key Themes

environmental exploitation and recovery economic inequality and privilege political corruption and resistance

Literary Context

Set in the fictional fantasy realms of Elipsom and Evantra, this middle-grade narrative reflects contemporary social debates around colonialism, wealth divides, natural resource depletion, and youth resistance against established political structures.

Thomas, Kiah

📚 all books by this author (5) →

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

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

🏛 Chronicle Books 📅 2026 📖 272 pages 📔 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

In the world of Elipsom, magic users called Callers possess the ability to conjure physical objects out of thin air. A month after discovering that Calling secretly steals vital resources from the suffering nation of Evantra, Quin works to repair the damage. Alongside his friend Allie, Quin seeks to heal the dying Vine, the central source of growth across Evantra. Their quest brings them to a mysterious forest containing answers about Quin's past and the declining ecosystem. Meanwhile, in Elipsom, Quin's sister Davinia faces mounting pressure from their mother, the Chief Counselor, who demands the preservation of Calling at all costs. Davinia's allegiance falters when she receives orders to plant evidence and spy on a rebellious city district. Author Kiah Thomas grew up reimagining book endings before turning her focus to writing original stories for children and adults. Her debut entry in this middle-grade series earned a Sunshine State Young Readers Award nomination alongside praise from Printz-Honor author Garret Weyr. This 272-page paperback volume addresses real-world issues including resource exploitation, economic disparity, political corruption, and youth activism. This fantasy novel suits middle-grade readers, families seeking shared reading, and fans of Rick Riordan who enjoy stories about standing up to unjust systems. It does not suit readers seeking non-fiction magical texts, historical occult guides, or direct instructional manuals on spellcraft.

💎 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 4.6/5

★★★★★

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

4.6

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.

📜 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?