The Hidden Forest (The Callers #2) by Kiah Thomas

Title: The Hidden Forest (The Callers #2)

Author: Kiah Thomas

Genre: Fantasy/ Science Fiction

Publisher: HarperCollins Australia

Published: 26^th August 2025

Format: Paperback

Pages: 272

Price: $16.99

Synopsis: 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 shocking truth about Calling has been revealed: the magical ability to conjure something out of thin air actually steals resources from another place. Adriana Octavius, Chief Councilor of the Callers, will do anything to quash rumours that Calling isn’t a force for good. While Quin looks for answers on Evantra, his sister, Davinia, is assigned to investigate and plant false evidence at the heart of the rebellion on Elipsom. Davinia has always maintained calm under pressure from her mother, but as she goes deeper undercover, her loyalties begin to waver.

This thrilling sequel to The Callers shows the power of standing up and fighting for a better tomorrow.

~*~

Quin, Davinia, and Allie are back to find the answers about Calling, Evantra and Epsilom that they started looking for in book one. Quin and Allie are on Evantra, trying to find answers about Calling and where things are actually coming from, as well as anything that can help them, including secret’s about one of their pasts that could have dire implications. Davinia on the other hand, has gone undercover on Epsilom to investigate and see what is happening with the rebellion. It’s because their mother, Adriana Octavious is trying to silence the rumours and anyone who spreads them that Calling is harmful.

Davinia will have her loyalty tested though, finding out that what Quin, Allie and so many others have been telling her is true. And there is an ongoing question about Quin and his abilities as well. It’s getting complicated as layers of story and the secrets that have been hidden for the past twelve years are starting to come out. As the Calling society starts seeing the cracks and those in power like Adriana are determined to hide the truth. It has hints of things to come, and as Davinia starts realising what Calling really means, things start to get interesting. I still wasn’t sure where I stood with her at times. It’s been three years since the first book came out, so I checked back over my last review to make sure I knew where I was.

This follow-up is all about standing up against people in power, and standing up for what is right. About making sure we seek justice in a world that values power more than anything. It’s also about the way we see humanity and what we value. Some people value taking what they want, whenever they want, and however they want more than building a community. It focuses on the stark differences between community-based thinking and individualism, and showing that there can be both extremes that need balance to work well. Novels like this play with the ideas and issues we have seen throughout history, and what happens when someone gets too much power and starts to abuse it.

This is in stark contrast to what Allie and Quin find as they try to find out more about what has been happening on Evantra. In some ways the world and places these characters inhabit reflect our world. Things like class systems, and people taking power and abusing it to such extents that it causes a rebellion. Or draws people into being spies and double agents as they wake up to the realities of what is really going on. Books that examine these themes in different worlds can help readers see or understand it happening in the real world. It’s a clever way to get people thinking and talking about what is going on and what they would do to help in a scenario like this.

Quin and Allie have a huge task ahead of them, and things might not always be what they seem. They’re layered and complex, and there is more to come as the rebellion ramps up and people are caught in the middle. This doesn’t conclude anything at all. I definitely got the sense that there is more to come, more for Allie and Quin to uncover. The big fight is only just beginning.