The Callers: The Hidden Forest by Kiah Thomas

The Vine. The heartbeat of Evantra—the source to which all life was connected. It had been the heartbeat of Elipsom once too. Until it had been killed off by their disregard for their own natural environment, pushing them to rely more heavily on Calling.

“The very existence of the Vine here proves that Calling is not creation. It’s theft.” Davinia’s head felt like it was spinning. She’d found it. The thing that she’d been sent to look for—the secret in the Spurges.

This quote from the beginning of The Hidden Forest sets the scene:

My son, Quintus Octavius, suffered a mental break. Years of trying and failing to Call led him to a point of desperation and disillusionment. In response to his failure, he attempted to discredit the gift by fabricating another world, “Evantra.” He then stole my personal rhinodrite to flee the city. Despite the proud legacy of Octavius Callers, I am grieved to confirm that Quintus is not a Caller. To Call is to create from nothing. Instead, Quintus seems intent on destruction. He has betrayed everything that we as Elipsomians hold dear. As a mother and as Chief Councilor, I am heartbroken by his actions. But I know that our nation is too great to be derailed by the decisions of one individual. We are a community, and I would like to reassure you that Council is committed to protecting and defending our citizens and our way of life.

This is the voice of Adriana Octavius Chief Councilor. 

Now take a look at my previous post about the first installment in this terrific series:

The Callers (book one)

Bookseller blurb for The Hidden Forest: 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.

I have just finished reading the third installment in this series (I devoured it).  

If you have not yet discovered this series, can I suggest you RUN to your nearest library or independent bookstore and grab all three books. These stories are filled with action, heart, imaginative storytelling and a plot line that is sure to make you THINK! And a warning once you read the first installment you will want to grab books two and three. 

Here are some quotes from The Hidden Forest which give an insight into some of the characters you will meet in this book:

Davinia didn’t let her steps falter. As far as anyone knew, she had last spoken to her brother at the induction ceremony. The ceremony where he’d announced that Calling—the principle their entire society was founded on—was based on a lie. Right before he’d very dramatically stolen their mother’s rhinodrite and flown away.

Adriana folded her hands. She studied Cassius and Davinia until silence stretched the moment tight, and Davinia felt a flicker of appreciation for the power her mother managed to draw out of every interaction. She really was an impressive leader.

Everything Quin had ever known was a lie. His family was not his family. His home was not his home. He didn’t know who his birth parents were—or if they were even still alive. And in the brief moments when Quin and Allie stopped running, truth and questions pressed in on him, crowding him until he felt like he couldn’t breathe. What was he doing? Who even was he? How was he meant to save everyone?

Quin had the power to help things grow, the rare power the Evantrans called being Vine-touched. He had the ability to connect with the Vine, to heal it, and even to use offshoots of it to create new things at will. Mostly, though, he felt like he was fumbling at the edges of his power. He’d discovered he could connect with living things, and he could even join the Vine through trees and plants, but just as often as not he found himself overwhelmed by the Vine’s enormity. He’d had some success exploring what he could do, and he was slowly working out how to heal the Vine based on dreams he’d had. But there was so much he didn’t understand.

“I helped Quin escape,” Davinia said bluntly. “I thought you might have,” said Milo. He didn’t move or look away. “I know that Calling is taking things from other places, and I do it anyway,” said Davinia. “You didn’t when you were here today,” said Milo. “Cassius and I were sent to the Spurges to find out what you’re hiding here.” “We know,” said Milo, like it didn’t matter.

These are the calling principals - but these have all been broken: