THE CALLERS

Picking up where the series opener left off, this volume reunites readers with Quin and rebel best friend Allie, who have escaped back to Evantra; meanwhile, on Elipsom, Quin’s sister, Davinia, wrestles with her loyalties to Quin and her mother.

With Davinia’s secret help, Quin has escaped from his adoptive mother (Elipsom’s powerful chief councilor, Adriana Octavius) and fled to Evantra, where he’s working to heal the Vine—the life force that makes Evantra a productive, more vibrant land than the depleted, sterile Elipsom. When Quin realizes that he can’t heal the Vine alone, he and Allie set off to find a legendary forest that may contain clues—and discover something greater than Quin ever expected. Back on Elipsom, Davinia now knows that Calling, or conjuring objects, doesn’t involve creating things out of thin air, as Elipsomians are taught, but rather requires stealing materials from Evantra. She’s sent by Adriana to the Spurges, a poor, rebellious section of Elipsom whose inhabitants refuse to Call. Adriana suspects they’re hiding something of vital importance, and when Davinia discovers what it is, she realizes she must somehow keep the secret safe from Adriana. Told through Quin’s and Davinia’s alternating points of view, the competently crafted plot excels in action and imagination before culminating in an effective cliffhanger ending. The story reflects present-day environmental and societal crises in ways readers will find relevant and empowering. Characters present white.

Timely and invigorating.