5 STARS!!!!!
Goodreads synopsis:
On the run and hiding from ‘the suits’, Carolyn’s life is far from straightforward. After her mother and brother go missing in a most extraordinary way, (through a hole to another world which appears in the kitchen wall!), she is determined to track them down and bring them home. But life is never that easy! Rescued and protected by a group of unusual and like minded ‘people’, Carolyn hones her magic and fighting skills. Whilst answering a ‘call’ to retrieve a human from another world she’s faced with a quick decision and ends up bringing a demon back with her. Little did she know what effect this demon would have on her. As each day passes her strengths grow and her magic develops to assist her in her quest to track down her family, but there are decisions to make that will affect the rest of her life.
Review:
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Calling started out as a book that had me reading and re-reading a bit slower than my normal pace to try and figure out what was going on. Even though I was a bit confused in the very beginning, the story unfolded beautifully. After finishing the book, I now appreciate the way Louise Write started the story. As the reader, I was put in the same mind set as the protagonist, Carolyn. She spent two years after her mother and brother’s disappearance being a confused, wild being with new found magical abilities. Gateways to different realms called to her, and she followed an intense instinct to kill demons without any thought process behind it. After an encounter with a special mage and demon, Carolyn finds herself feeling ‘human’ again. She brings the demon (Note) with her back to her world, and they end up sharing a bond that Carolyn never saw coming.
Notechis didn’t rise to the bait. “You are right Ethanasius,” and he fixed Ethan with a bright stare. The destroyer is…” and Ethan expected ‘horrific’, ‘mad’, or even ‘a bitch’, “…glorious,” he concluded, to Ethan’s surprise.
Note stole my heart so quickly. He and Carolyn’s progressing relationship gave me overwhelming warm and fuzzy feelings. Carolyn is such a bad ass. She is a strong female character with purpose and confidence. They end up teaming up with a small group of people wanting to help train Carolyn, including a few mage’s and a demon. The leader of the group, Ethan, was not my favorite character, but he was so well written. I was also taken with a character named Sean, who is dark and quiet. I was wildly impressed with the characterization and development in this novel. I believe it is her debut novel, which is absolutely nuts! She seamlessly blends fantasy action/adventure with the bonds of friendships and romance.
I needed to devour this story, yet I did not want it to end. The ending has my anxiety through the roof! I am extremely excited yet very nervous for the second book.
Do yourself a favor, and add this book to your TBR shelf right now!!!
