On the surface this is a tale for middle grade readers focusing on magic, fantasy, and multiple dimensions. Underneath the obvious, however, lies an incredible tapestry of sociopolitical and environmentalist topics. From forced and exploited labor under the guise of “trade agreements” to theft of resources to propaganda and misinformation…this story covers it all in an easily digestible manner for younger audiences. As an adult, I was blown away by the adeptness at handling such tough topics and the way it unfolds alongside these magical elements. It’s whimsical, emotional, and creative, and i would highly recommend this for parents and adults who are looking to introduce these topics to kids in a subtle way. It’s also a great introduction to ethics as a whole, where “nothing comes from nothing” meaning even hte things we rely on for basic survival like food and water all have a root source and origin story. I also appreciated the fact it even touches upon indigenous and ethnic issues and the disparity between world powers and smaller countries. I think it was clever to also include the topics of “the world ends because that’s just what we were taught” when in reality the powers that be kept their own people in willful ignorance. I think that a lot of complicated, thoughtful issues were introduced and handled in just a short amount of pages and I commend the author for this! It takes a lot of skill to handle these in a clever way that feels natural, approachable, and not remotely preachy. I cannot wait to see how the series unfolds, and I gotta say I’m WAY HERE for the Rhinocerus/Pegasus creatures, that’s really neat. I would definitely keep this in a classroom for reading and recommend to schools therapists and librarians to keep on hand. It would make great recommended reading for assignments or book clubs for kids. Enjoyable also as a read aloud for kids and adults to have open and frank discussions about the current state of our world while doing so in a not-so-scary format. Well done!

“There was also part of him that felt…anticipation. Like he was on the verge of discovering something about himself. Something wonderful. Something real.”

Quintus Octavius is in trouble. Despite many, many hours of research and trying, he doesn’t have the ability to Call objects, creating them from nothing—or so he believes. He has a family legacy of Callers, his mother is the Chief Councilor, and his sister and best friend are set to join the Council of Callers, but Quin hasn’t managed to Call anything, from a banana to fire. After his disastrous Calling exam in which his mother gets his sister to cheat for him, Quin would be fine never showing his face on Elipsom again. And then everything goes black and Quin wakes up on the other side of the world, in a place that he’s been told doesn’t exist. Soon, with the help of a spunky and determined girl named Allie, he starts uncovering secrets about the true nature of Calling—and about himself. When the fate of their world comes down to Quin, he’ll have to decide where his loyalties lie if he wants to save everyone in time.

The Callers is a fast-paced, thought-provoking middle grade novel that everyone should read at least once in their life. Kiah Thomas does a superb job of examining timely topics such as the exploitation of natural resources, colonization, and consumerism in a way relatable to both children and adults. Quin is a great protagonist, and I loved watching him grow throughout the novel. I also really enjoyed the blooming friendship between Allie and Quin, and I hope there’ll be a sequel so I can see some more adventures with these two. Overall, the riveting storyline of The Callers will keep your eyes glued to the page while the characters bring the heart of the story and entice you to read on.

Content Warnings: Death of a parent, fire, parental emotional abuse, kidnapping, colonization, gas-lighting

(Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change upon final publication.)

Quin's family have been strong Callers for generations. The ability to make things appear through sheer will and words is the Octavius family legacy, and Quin wants nothing more than to make his family proud. But, Quin cannot Call. Afraid that he will disappoint his mother, the leader of the Callers, his world is turned upside down when he is Called and learns the dark secrets behind Calling. This delightful middle grade debut by Kiah Thomas addresses environmental issues, imperialism, and finding one's place within a story that still feels magical and whimsical.
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Thomas has a few books for young readers, but this is their first adventure into middle grade, and I would call it an absolute success. Its only shortcomings are those that are common among middle grade books: it isn't quite long enough to give me quite the time I would want with some characters to see their growth and development, and it does telegraph a few of it's plot points. These are not large criticisms, especially the latter, which can actually make it more accessible for its target demographic. Overall, this is a delightful debut, and I would be excited to read more of what Thomas has to say. Pick this book up for the middle grade reader for your life on April 5, or pre-order now!
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This ebook was graciously provided by the publisher, Chronicle Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

First off the book itself is beautiful- as are the intricate designs throughout the book. So I appreciate that. The story draws you in from the start and is interesting. Perfect for fans of Lois Lowry’s “The Giver”. This book was fantastic and I highly recommend it! Great for all ages. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Callers; I read it in one sitting. It reminded me of The Giver as both books have that magical, dystopian vibe and convey important messages and themes. Despite being a middle-grade read, I think people of all ages can relate to and enjoy this book. The world, creatures, and magic system are really interesting and the main character, Quin, is easy to connect with.

Quin deals with problems that I think many of us have in our own lives. He is struggling with the weight of his family's expectations and the feeling that he doesn't belong. He also finds out that his mother has been lying to him and has been a key player in the destruction of another land. Throughout the book, he finds his own calling in life--not the actual Calling--and begins righting the wrongs of his family.

The overarching theme of colonialism and it's negative impacts is also incredibly important and I love to see it being addressed in a middle-grade novel. While younger children might not completely understand, the lesson still shines through--stealing anything from anyone is wrong and other people should not be harmed for your own benefit.

The one shortcoming is that I there wasn't as much of a resolution as I wanted/expected in the end, but I think the book still accomplished it's purpose and the messages were conveyed well despite that.

Overall, this was a great read and I will definitely be recommending it to my friends and colleagues who teach so that they can include it in their classroom libraries.

This book was fun and magical, and the pacing was consistently fast. The idea of the magic system was also a unique one that left lots of room for discussion about what it represents, and the act of taking. “Nothing comes from nothing” was a powerful quote that resonates with the message of this book. I do feel the ending was a little more ambiguous than I’d prefer, and sometimes things moved very quickly, but overall a really fun read.

I had an absolute wonderful time with this book and I don't regret reading it whatsoever. I knew I was going to enjoy this book but I didn't expect it to make me so invested into it. I definitely recommend it!