The callers by Kiah Thomas

Quin Octavius is an 11-year-old boy who lives in dread of a test he must sit to prove he is a Caller. Calling is a special ability you are born with where you summon things by saying the word and that object appears. There’s no need to grow your own food or buy anything if you are a Caller. His intimidating and powerful mother is Chief Councilor in this world of Elipsom. His sister Davinia, and best friend Cassius, are accomplished Callers. Quin knows he doesn’t have this ability and is mortified that his mother and sister cheat in order for him to pass the test and therefore uphold family honour and dominance. Quin realizes there are people who don’t rely on Calling and live much simpler, happier lives and he questions the way things work in Elipsom. Suddenly he finds himself in another world, Evantra, where he meets and befriends Allie. He discovers the truth about Calling and how Elipsom is abusing the people of Evantra and stealing from them. Quin also learns the truth about himself and his own important gift which may help revive a deteriorating natural world.

The Callers is a very well-paced and readable sci-fi parable about our own world. Currently powerful governments and greedy businesses exploit people and resources and destroy lives and the environment. These are important topics to ponder and I think this novel will work well as a class novel for 11/12-year-olds. There are also ethical issues of honesty, betrayal and questions of loyalty to family. Although The Callers deals with serious stuff this is balanced out with a creative and rich world of maengoberries and rhinodrites. The inhabitants of Evantra have ingenuity and care for each other. Then there are also the heroic characters of Quin and Allie who have hope and principles. The story ended quite positively but abruptly and I think there will probably be a sequel.

Themes: Greed, Power, Honesty, Exploitation.

Jo Marshall