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The Calling Chronicles #1
The Calling
Earth is broken and a group of people are brought together to save the world.
Lazarus saw his life change before him on a normal workday. A hundred-foot wave destroys everything around him. A group of survivors rises up from this rubble, trying to survive the next day. People morph and change into fantastical creatures and magic has become commonplace. Caught between miles of hostile territory filled with deadly monsters called Grogs,Lazarus and his group of friends needs to find the ancient temples to stop the next phase of the changing of the earth. Don't miss The Calling, the first in The Calling Chronicles series by E.M. Aguilar. If you like Stephen King's, The Stand, and Justin Cronin's, The Passage and Robert McCammon's, Swan Song, then this story will have you thrilled, horrified and excited.
307 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 5, 2017
About the author
E.M. Aguilar
18 books66 followersEric Aguilar (1970 to present) was born in Los Angeles, California. He started writing when he was in high school. He received a Fine Arts Degree in painting and drawing from CSULB and attended Otis Art Institute. Eric is a writer of Fantasy, Horror and Sci-fi. He lives in Southern California.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 10, 2017
Interesting!
Very interesting story here. Definitely a different take on magic. I loved the way it explained why there is no magic in the world nowadays, and allows you to imagine that this could be true and that magic may once again be part of our world.
Very interesting story here. Definitely a different take on magic. I loved the way it explained why there is no magic in the world nowadays, and allows you to imagine that this could be true and that magic may once again be part of our world.
October 15, 2025
The Calling is a thrilling and imaginative journey through a shattered world where survival means embracing both courage and the supernatural. E.M. Aguilar masterfully blends post-apocalyptic grit with elements of magic, myth, and mystery, creating a story that’s both heart-pounding and deeply human. Lazarus’s fight for survival and his quest to uncover the truth behind Earth’s transformation keeps you turning pages late into the night. Fans of The Stand and The Passage will find a new favorite here. A powerful start to a series that promises adventure, danger, and hope in equal measure.
October 15, 2020
The Calling follows the lives of four people who watch as their homes are destroyed right before their eyes in a cataclysmic event from different parts of the country. These four people rise up out of the rubble of what is left of their homes to find that their lives have been drastically changed.
They watch as the few survivors around them change into something they have never seen before. People are changing into magical creatures. While others including themselves now have magic and instinctively know how to use it. Each of these four people are drawn to each. They have a sense or feeling that they must find one another.
The Calling tells the stories of these four people as they survive this cataclysmic event and make their journey to each other. Along the way, they witness things they have never seen before. On their journey, they meet these deadly monsters that are called Grogs. They also come across these big bugs or roaches. I so enjoyed picturing all of these new creatures in my head. The Calling is an epic fantasy masterpiece that I would so love to see on the big screen.
The Calling is so different than anything I have read before. I loved the twist on all the magic and the creatures that people were changing into not to mention the animals. On and then there are the Grogs they sort of reminded me of an alien creature and/or zombies. Epic, Epic….
The Calling is a very intriguing story that will take you on a thrilling journey. The descriptions are so vividly written that they appear in your mind as if they are real or a movie playing in your head. I will definitely check out the rest of the series.
I highly recommend The Calling to all science fiction or post-apocalyptic fans. If you like movies like alien invasions then I think you would like The Calling. One-click your copy of The Calling today to begin this epic journey! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
They watch as the few survivors around them change into something they have never seen before. People are changing into magical creatures. While others including themselves now have magic and instinctively know how to use it. Each of these four people are drawn to each. They have a sense or feeling that they must find one another.
The Calling tells the stories of these four people as they survive this cataclysmic event and make their journey to each other. Along the way, they witness things they have never seen before. On their journey, they meet these deadly monsters that are called Grogs. They also come across these big bugs or roaches. I so enjoyed picturing all of these new creatures in my head. The Calling is an epic fantasy masterpiece that I would so love to see on the big screen.
The Calling is so different than anything I have read before. I loved the twist on all the magic and the creatures that people were changing into not to mention the animals. On and then there are the Grogs they sort of reminded me of an alien creature and/or zombies. Epic, Epic….
The Calling is a very intriguing story that will take you on a thrilling journey. The descriptions are so vividly written that they appear in your mind as if they are real or a movie playing in your head. I will definitely check out the rest of the series.
I highly recommend The Calling to all science fiction or post-apocalyptic fans. If you like movies like alien invasions then I think you would like The Calling. One-click your copy of The Calling today to begin this epic journey! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
March 9, 2017
This must be adapted for a live action version for tv or the theatre. Omg epic and wonderful.
February 23, 2017
This was far different from what I am use to reading. But it's a very good book. Kept my attention right from the start. Another hard t put down kind of book. You will enjoy the read.
May 30, 2026
My rating for this book is 3.6 stars.
This is my first encounter with this author, and I must say that I found the narrative engaging in many aspects. The characters are thoughtfully fleshed out, with sufficient background information provided that allows them to resonate with readers on a personal level. This depth makes it easier to connect with them, as we gain insight into their motivations and struggles.
The story kicks into high gear rather abruptly, which I found somewhat disorienting. The initial disaster—a colossal hundred-foot wave that obliterates everything in its path—sets a frenetic tone from the beginning. Unfortunately, this leaves little room for us to get to know the characters before they are thrust into chaos. Consequently, we lack a baseline understanding of who they are prior to the upheaval.
The protagonist, Lazarus, experiences a profound transformation on what initially appears to be an ordinary workday. The catastrophic wave not only wreaks havoc physically but also alters the very fabric of reality. As a result, Lazarus finds himself in a world where survivors emerge from the destruction, confronting the daunting challenge of living another day amidst the uncertainty.
In this new existence, individuals undergo remarkable transformations into fantastical creatures, while magic becomes an everyday occurrence. Lazarus, alongside his group of friends, navigates through treacherous landscapes filled with formidable monsters known as Grogs. Their quest is urgent: they must locate ancient temples that hold the key to preventing the next phase of this reality-altering phenomenon.
The narrative is enriched with the classic elements of heroes and villains, as well as intriguing side quests that add layers to the plot. However, it's essential to note that this is not merely a standard apocalyptic tale; it weaves together themes of magic, extraterrestrial invasions, monstrous creatures, and even time travel. While this tapestry of events makes for an imaginative story, the multitude of elements can sometimes create confusion, rendering it challenging to follow the primary storyline.
One issue that stands out to me is a persistent grievance I've had with certain literary styles. I often struggle to fully immerse myself in books that employ numerous short chapters. While they can add a sense of momentum and urgency, I feel that many of these segments, instead of propelling the story forward, simply add word count without substantial plot advancement. I often find myself wishing for a more streamlined narrative, focusing on quality over quantity.
This is my first encounter with this author, and I must say that I found the narrative engaging in many aspects. The characters are thoughtfully fleshed out, with sufficient background information provided that allows them to resonate with readers on a personal level. This depth makes it easier to connect with them, as we gain insight into their motivations and struggles.
The story kicks into high gear rather abruptly, which I found somewhat disorienting. The initial disaster—a colossal hundred-foot wave that obliterates everything in its path—sets a frenetic tone from the beginning. Unfortunately, this leaves little room for us to get to know the characters before they are thrust into chaos. Consequently, we lack a baseline understanding of who they are prior to the upheaval.
The protagonist, Lazarus, experiences a profound transformation on what initially appears to be an ordinary workday. The catastrophic wave not only wreaks havoc physically but also alters the very fabric of reality. As a result, Lazarus finds himself in a world where survivors emerge from the destruction, confronting the daunting challenge of living another day amidst the uncertainty.
In this new existence, individuals undergo remarkable transformations into fantastical creatures, while magic becomes an everyday occurrence. Lazarus, alongside his group of friends, navigates through treacherous landscapes filled with formidable monsters known as Grogs. Their quest is urgent: they must locate ancient temples that hold the key to preventing the next phase of this reality-altering phenomenon.
The narrative is enriched with the classic elements of heroes and villains, as well as intriguing side quests that add layers to the plot. However, it's essential to note that this is not merely a standard apocalyptic tale; it weaves together themes of magic, extraterrestrial invasions, monstrous creatures, and even time travel. While this tapestry of events makes for an imaginative story, the multitude of elements can sometimes create confusion, rendering it challenging to follow the primary storyline.
One issue that stands out to me is a persistent grievance I've had with certain literary styles. I often struggle to fully immerse myself in books that employ numerous short chapters. While they can add a sense of momentum and urgency, I feel that many of these segments, instead of propelling the story forward, simply add word count without substantial plot advancement. I often find myself wishing for a more streamlined narrative, focusing on quality over quantity.
July 2, 2017
This is a story that grabs you and does not let go. We follow four people in varied parts of the country gradually awaken to a greater purpose after the world they know suffers unnatural disasters that decimate their communities. Leaving their city behind they each follow an instinctive knowing to unite with their leader. Once united, the four embark on a quest to save the planet. This is a quick read because you don't want to stop reading. A really good dark fantasy that will stay with you after you finish the book.
August 1, 2017
While the plot want bad, the characters fell flat and it felt like the book could have really done with some more editing. Several sentences would contradict each other, even though they were right after one another.
For example:
"She wanted to look away but she could not. Cindy had to look. She gazed away from the gore."
Overall I just didn't like the writing style and never got invested in the story.
For example:
"She wanted to look away but she could not. Cindy had to look. She gazed away from the gore."
Overall I just didn't like the writing style and never got invested in the story.
September 11, 2018
interesting story
this was an interesting read, but i found it somewhat 'disjointed '. I am still not sure what the purpose of all this was! Perhaps a little more back from d sou!d help....I may read the others in the series, but i'm not n a hurry to do so...
this was an interesting read, but i found it somewhat 'disjointed '. I am still not sure what the purpose of all this was! Perhaps a little more back from d sou!d help....I may read the others in the series, but i'm not n a hurry to do so...
October 30, 2018
Amazing Story
It was very confusing at the begining of the story. You knew that it was the end of the world. You are fighting with the four people to save what is left of the world with magic and also fighting animal and plants that can eat you.
It was very confusing at the begining of the story. You knew that it was the end of the world. You are fighting with the four people to save what is left of the world with magic and also fighting animal and plants that can eat you.
March 13, 2019
Good idea but.......
This could have been a brilliant story but just didn't quite gel with me. It felt rambling and disjointed, and there were grammar, spelling and continuity errors. Sorry, not often I feel this way but I was disappointed.
This could have been a brilliant story but just didn't quite gel with me. It felt rambling and disjointed, and there were grammar, spelling and continuity errors. Sorry, not often I feel this way but I was disappointed.
October 17, 2020
Good story line
Simple characters that are believable as people before powers. There powers and use needed much more description. But I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Simple characters that are believable as people before powers. There powers and use needed much more description. But I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
January 31, 2017
To disjointed
I just couldn't get into this story. Nothing made me connect with the characters and the story just didn't have a good flow.
I can't recommend this book at all.
I just couldn't get into this story. Nothing made me connect with the characters and the story just didn't have a good flow.
I can't recommend this book at all.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews