Calling of Light (Shamanborn #3)
Lori M. Lee
Page Street Press
Published April 6, 2024
Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads
About Calling of Light
Danger lurks within the roots of FOREST OF SOULS, an epic, unrelenting tale of destiny and sisterhood, perfect for fans of Naomi Novik, Susan Dennard, and Netflix’s THE WITCHER!
Sirscha Ashwyn comes from nothing, but she’s intent on becoming something. After years of training to become the queen’s next royal spy, her plans are derailed when shamans attack and kill her best friend Saengo.
And then Sirscha, somehow, restores Saengo to life.
Unveiled as the first soulguide in living memory, Sirscha is summoned to the domain of the Spider King. For centuries, he has used his influence over the Dead Wood―an ancient forest possessed by souls―to enforce peace between the kingdoms. Now, with the trees growing wild and untamed, only a soulguide can restrain them. As war looms, Sirscha must master her newly awakened abilities before the trees shatter the brittle peace, or worse, claim Saengo, the friend she would die for.
My Review
I’ve been a fan of this series since the beginning, so I eagerly anticipated this book, since it’s the conclusion of the trilogy. What a wild ride it was!
It’s been almost three years since the second book in the series was released, so I had a tiny bit of trouble getting my bearings in the Shamanborn world again. Once I got a few chapters under my belt, though, I pretty much remembered what was going on. I think Lee does a great job pulling readers back into the story without bogging the opening down with too much information.
The pace gradually picked up as I read deeper into the book, making it easy to keep going. The plot has one central focus with other, connected things stretching out from it like spokes on a wheel. Taking down the Soulless (or failing to) has huge political ramifications. A terrible cost in terms of people’s lives. And a high price to Sirscha personally.
I liked the scenes in which Sirscha and Saengo or Sirscha and Theyen interact. They have some tender moments, some teasing, and some intense moments as well.
Content Notes
Recommended for Ages 14 up.
Representation
Based on Hmong belief that spirits are responsible for what happens to you. Asian-coded characters.
Profanity/Crude Language Content
Profanity used very infrequently.
Romance/Sexual Content
Sirscha and Saengo share a tender moment.
Spiritual Content
There are three races of humans. Two have magical abilities related to souls. Some can destroy souls or guide them. All require a soul in a familiar to access their magic. Sirscha prays to a goddess for a moment.
Humans aren’t the only entities with souls. One person uses a spider as her familiar. Another’s familiar is the spirit of a mountain.
Violent Content
Situations of peril. Brief descriptions of battle violence with injuries.
Drug Content
None.
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