The Calling

by Branwen OShea

Paperback, 508 pages

Published Dec. 29, 2020 by Sigma Orionis Publishing.

ISBN:: 978-1-7359159-9-9

(3 reviews)

Humanity’s wake-up call. Answer it or face extinction. When Bleu’s little sister shows symptoms of the deadly Sickness, a strange vision directs him to leave humanity’s subterranean haven and seek the cure on Earth’s glacial surface. Joining the expedition team, Bleu expects extreme temperatures, not a surface ruled by ingenious predators.

Rana and her fellow star beings have co-existed with Earth’s top carnivores since the humans disappeared. But when her peers transform into Crowned Ones, the final stage of star being development, she fears remaining Uncrowned like her parents. To prove her worth, she undertakes a dangerous mission—contacting the hostile and nearly extinct humans.

But Rana’s plan backfires, and Bleu’s team retaliates. As war with the more advanced star being civilization looms, both Rana and Bleu separately seek a way to save their people.

1 edition

Stephanie Jane reviewed The Calling by Branwen OShea

Insightful and entertaining

4 stars

I enjoyed reading The Calling, especially as it is quite different to the books I usually choose. The two central groups are really well portrayed so I could clearly envisage their unique emvironments. Where The Calling stood out for me though was in Branwen's deep understanding of her characters and their motivations. Realising that the underground humans are essentially us as we are now - paranoid, distrustful, competitive and prone to unwarranted violence - was quite the wake-up call! As the first in a series, The Calling sets the scene nicely for the books to follow, but is also a good story in its own right. It's a deft mix of action and thoughtfulness which has me intrigued to keep reading its sequels.

Paul Kater reviewed The Calling by Branwen OShea

Review of 'The Calling' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

"The Calling" is the first book in a series called "Finding Humanity".

Well written, with engaging characters and a good pace, we follow the experiences of two groups of people on Earth, one on the surface, one underground.

The ones underground are determined to find other havens where people live, but that's easier said than done. Expeditions to the frozen surface require a lot of preparation, and resources are limited.

Be ready for misunderstanding, rigid minds and insights of many kinds.

Stephanie Jane

rated it

Jan 16