The Called

The Calling #2

by M.D. Neu

The world is changing quickly for Chris now that he’s part of the Immortal Community. With the events of his past finally behind him, he’s still having visions and true magic is gradually taking hold in the world. Chris is still new and has no real standing in the Immortal Community, but he is learning that nothing is what he thought.

Old enemies must work together and longtime friends may not be trustworthy. With Juliet, Amanda, and Kirtus by his side, they have to prevent the immortal and witch community from being exposed.

New friendships are made, and longtime alliances are called into question. How will The Called defeat these latest threats, and what does it mean for the world?

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal

ebook

First published April 19, 2021

About the author

M.D. Neu is an award-winning inclusive gay Fiction Writer with a love for writing and travel. Living in the heart of Silicon Valley (San Jose, California) and growing up around technology, he’s always been fascinated with what could be. Specifically drawn to Science Fiction and Paranormal television and novels, M.D. Neu was inspired by the great Gene Roddenberry, George Lucas, Stephen King, Alice Walker, Alfred Hitchcock, Harvey Fierstein, Anne Rice, and Kim Stanley Robinson. An odd combination, but one that has influenced his writing.

Growing up in an accepting family as a gay man he always wondered why there were never stories reflecting who he was. Constantly surrounded by characters that only reflected heterosexual society, M.D. Neu decided he wanted to change that. So, he took to writing, wanting to tell good stories that reflected our diverse world.

When M.D. Neu isn’t writing, he works for a non-profit and travels with his biggest supporter and his harshest critic, Eric his husband of twenty plus years.

Reviews

[Jonathan Pongratz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Original Review at Jaunts & Haunts.

3.5/5

I was extremely conflicted coming up with a final rating for this book, but ended up at a three and a half. 

Following the events of The Calling, Chris is still adjusting to being a vampire and all that entails. But when he has a terrifying vision of a violent future, he must convince the others that what he saw is a serious threat, one that may destroy them all. 

This book was a mixed bag for me, but I ultimately enjoyed the experience. Some things worked for me, others not as much. 

First off, the characters. Chris is the MC and a good hero to root for. He worries quite a lot in this book (maybe a bit much), but it's warranted given his ability to see the future and his being new to the vampire world. I do think his POV gravitated a bit too much on the details of architecture and other minute details here and there, but overall it was easy to see where he was coming from. I specifically enjoyed his continued romance with Kirtus and where things went with him.  

There were a lot of other characters in this book, but it wasn't hard for me to remember who they all were from the first book. That being said, I highly recommend reading the first book before this one to avoid any confusion as to who is who and get a real feel for them. 

The plot was exciting! I mean, horrible visions of death and destruction? Sign me up! We get to know a bit more about the vampire world and its workings in this novel, and I enjoyed that. We are also introduced to more supernatural elements this time and that was pretty great too. I will say, I wanted a little bit more action throughout, though I do favor insanely fast-paced reads for the most part. Also, I feel that the buildup was really good for the main plot point, but the resolution came a bit too early and I felt that the last 15-20% of the book was an extended epilogue of sorts. 

One last thing to note of was I did see a lot of typos throughout, though more in the first half. This could be due to the fact that I read an ARC copy, but there were enough typos for me to make mention of here. It wasn't terrible, but it did take me out of the story here and there. 

Overall, this was a fun romp into the chaotic world of The Calling, with plenty of mystery, plot turns, and vampey goodness to keep me entertained. 

***I received an ARC copy of this book in return for an honest, unbiased review.***

[Gar McVey-Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chris has visions. He sees a challenge coming to the Immortals, an ancient race of vampires, that could not only threaten their existence, but also expose the larger world of mortal humans to danger. Thus, despite his newness as a vampire, he suddenly finds himself thrust into its hierarchy and upper echelons. His visions also bring him up close with the Immortals’ history and their conflicts, both with their ancient enemies and within their own ranks.

Filled with action, history, mystery, and romance, The Called kept me fully engaged and is an easy page turner. The battle scenes are full of tension and the characters are engaging. Chris has many who help him manage his powers and learn the ropes. Juliet, an ancient vampire who brought him to the world of the Immortals; Amanda, who works with Juliet; and Kirtus, a handsome “young” vampire and love interest. I enjoyed how Chris and Kirtus try to develop their relationship amidst the chaos of their lives. Despite being immortal vampires, they still go through the same getting-to-know each other rituals and anxieties that all couples face.

I particularly like how author MD Neu creates a whole world of vampires, witches, and magic on top of the familiar world of our day-to-day existence. Most of the action takes place in the South Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area, familiar places like San Jose and Los Altos. I also like how the story integrates Bay Area Native American culture and history into the plot. William, a Healer and another of Chris’s guides, comes from the Muwekma Ohlone Nation.

I very much enjoyed reading The Called and recommend it highly. Neu engages and entertains with this great volume.

[Cranky - The Book Curmudgeon · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 CRANKY STARS


The first book was good and this one is too. The story of Duncan, now called Christopher, Juliet, Victor and Kirtus gets even more complicated as Chris's special power manifests. Every vampire has a magical power but the type and strength varies greatly.


In the first book, the vampires were attacked by witches led by Chris's father. Even though the witches were defeated, true magic has seeped into the world. There are reports of strange things happening in the Bay area. Chris keeps having visions but isn't sure how to interpret them. This book is focused on the Dark and Light working together. Of course, that is an unpopular theme among the Dark. The Council is determined to keep the status quo but they learn a valuable lesson from Chris's ability as a seer. Kirtus turns out to be way more important than anyone knew, so it's a good thing he wasn't killed at his Marking ceremony.


Non stop action keeps you glued to this book. Will Chris and Kirtus be able to spend their lives together? Most importantly, can the vampires weed out the traitors and work in harmony. I loved this series. It was tastefully written and the storyline was very interesting.

[Danial · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exact rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.

This is part of a series. You could read the book as a standalone (That's what I did). However, I do believe that you should read the first book. It might get a little confusing at the beginning if did not read the first book.

This book was enjoyable, especially in the second half. There's a lot of stuff happening here, and I won't go into detail about it. I liked Victor the most tbh. I liked how the author wrote the story and was able to keep my interest in the story till the very end.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Kaila · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting and curious.. kept me guessing and on edge.. i enjoyed it.

[Matt Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I scored MD Neu’s The Calling 4 out of 5, so was very much looking forward to this sequel. The interesting thing is, though it changed the balance that I loved in said first book, I thought this was actually a better release, overall.

To elaborate on that, I thought The Calling did a great job in balancing out the scary and alluring side of the vampires. In The Called, there definitely feels like there’s more of a leaning towards the romance. While that’s something that would normally mean the book moves away from being what I was hoping for, this bolstered the move with enough lore to keep it in a comfortable zone for me.

That lore is definitely a standout element too. We get to see snippets of vampire culture that have, in-story, been around for a long time. We also get to see them start to adapt in the aftermath of the finale to book one. Seeing the effects of true magic and the rise of a group of werewolves through the eyes of the vampires was wonderful because it allowed us to experience these changes from the standpoint of creatures that are a little magical themselves.

Chris remains a decent lead, with his viewing himself as nothing special contrasting his genuinely special abilities. Being a seer makes him ‘rare’, after all. Best of all, his visions aren’t overdone. Even as he learns to control this gift more and more, it doesn’t become a deus ex machina. It’s useful, but it’s not a quick fix to the problems the vampires face. In some ways, it’s more of an early warning system.

Meanwhile, Chris’s lover Kirtus is thrust into a larger role this time around, and this forces him to show his more brutal side. He’s not the only one either, with a couple of scenes reminding us that we are still dealing with monsters here, no matter how cultured.

There’s plenty of focus on scent this time around, which was a nice addition to the way the world works. Little touches like how something as mundane as a person’s natural smell comes into play for the vampires really do illustrate how much thought was put into this as a whole. As with the previous book, if you want monstrous vampires with little humanity, this won’t be for you, though. Some of the vampires are certainly cruel, manipulative, and merciless, but there’s more of a focus on their motivations and general personality than those traits.

Overall, this was a fun, easy read. It manages to offer plenty of familiarity for those who enjoyed book one while using the events therein as a catalyst to offer something new too. This is a clear 4.5 out of 5 for me.

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

4 stars

This is the second book in The Calling series, and it picks up right where The Calling left off (give or take a week or two.) I really do recommend the first book, especially for people interested in complex world building, as well as the simple fact that this book dives right into the deep end with a lengthy cast of characters and fraught political relationships and diplomatic contrivances. Without the background from the first book, it’ll be hard to figure out exactly whose on what side, but considering sides change as rapidly as seasons, it’s not 100% needed, just highly suggested.

I really enjoyed the first book and wanted to enjoy this one. That’s not to say I didn’t, but much of what I liked in The Call wasn’t quite the same, here. Juliet, in the first book, had a gravity and mystery that helped support the idea that she was an ancient being over a thousand years old. The blood, the powers, the weight of her presence, and even the scenes with Victor made them feel more alien. In this book, in part because Chris is more familiar with them, all of the Immortals seem more like affluent and entitled mortals. There’s a lack of nuance or depth that I wish had been there.

Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.

[Drew Landgrebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me longer to read than normal because I kept getting images in my head that made me just stop and enjoy what I was seeing. I'm not sure how much of this was expressed directly through the author's descriptions or how much came from how I was able to let myself become part of the world that he created.
This is the second book in the series. It can be understood if read alone, but it is much more enjoyable and rich if you have read the first book. It had been a few years since I read the first book and it took some time to bet my head back into the story and reconnect with the cast of players.
I truly enjoyed the main story and loved how the characters were described. Something as simple as reading about the character's outfits somehow enhanced the visuals for me. There were a few unexpected plot turns that kept me reading later into the night than I had anticipated.
The wrap up went a little long for me but hopefully, it is preparing us for book 3. I would like to read more about how true magic affects the world.

[Zeoanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

If there's something I love reading in a story is action, mystery, drama. Add vampires to the mix and exciting plot, fantastic writing, and I'm happier than a pig in a mud pit. This book has all the above and then some. It's the type of story that once you start reading, you can't put it down, thus staying up until 5 AM this morning and had to finish it once I got up. This is the third book I read from MD Neu and I can assure you, it won't be my last. I loved Neu's writing style, the world-building where it feels like you're actually there, living the drama. The characters are amazing. The setting is simply fabulous, and the plot, well, read above :D I highly recommend this story to those who love Vampires. Well done, Neu. Well done.

[Jayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read The Calling back in 2018, so I had to play a bit of catch up to grasp The Called, which is the second book in the series. Duncan, as referred to in the blurb for The Calling, is now Chris, as he had to leave his old life behind once becoming one of the Immortals.

This is an enjoyable second instalment, with Chris finding out who his real friends are and his burgeoning relationship with Kirtus happening quietly in the wings. In fact, the whole book is subtly done, without the brash colour of the first novel. The plot could also have been tightened up a little. It could be confusing at times and when that happened, I struggled to remain engaged with the story.

The story is much more character- than action-driven, and the characters are very likeable, with chemistry between the leads and a strong sense of the practicalities of being a vampire, without a sparkle in sight.

Although the tension could have been ramped up more, and it all felt somewhat low-key and a bit dour in parts, there’s a wry sense of humour running through the book, again so subtle some might miss it. I can’t help help thinking the author needs to shake loose a little and allow themselves to go all out, as the overall tone felt restrained. However, I’ll be very interested to see what happens next.

[Violet Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Calling Series. You will want to read the first book before reading this one. I must admit that I do find it a bit difficult to explain my likes and dislikes without spoiling this story. So, I will be general and not specific. The story was good, and the plot was entertaining and steady throughout the book. I found the story and characters engrossing although I would like a clearer picture of who people are and what they do and their relationships. I didn’t like that there was not real start or development to Duncan and Kurtis’s relationship. And in some cases, Duncan let Kurtis walk all over him. Duncan and Kurtis being the MC’s for this book. Again, there were times when I felt like a thought wasn’t carried out completely which in some cases is confusing. However, I can recommend it as a good read and can’t wait for the next book. I voluntarily read an advance copy of this book for an honest review.

[RACHEL REED · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely recommend reading this as part of a series.

I loved the first book and this one starts right where the first left off.

I absolutely love the world building and the characters were real and relatable and well fleshed out.

Definitely recommend this series

[Rachwithheadinabook · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second book is as good if not a little better than the first book, Chris is still new and settling into the world in which he belongs, He has some staunch believers and supporters but with the wider community he is still finding his feet and treated as such. Battle lines are drawn and the trust between enemies and friends are blurred and fractured so who does Chris and his allies turn too. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it to have more sense of urgency than the first. I liked that the romance was not the focus of the book as it didn't need to be. I would be happy if the author wanted to expand this world with other characters or even revisit Chris and co. again.

[Ida Umphers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The world building here is even richer than in the first book. We get more information about how the vampires have adapted to modern technology and yet, we also have Native American traditions added in. The Bay Area setting is well done. As expected from book one, not all allies are good (or even allies), the evil is dark and complex and the relationships have bumpy roads to traverse. A world I've loved reading about but one I'm certainly glad is fiction!

[Joscelyn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful closing for this duology. Chris' journey was an engaging and enticingly different take on vampires. I can see myself reading this again, it's keeper-shelf material for sure.

*I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the GRR team*

[Julie Bedwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like seeing the relationship between Chris (was Duncan) and Kirtus continue to develop and progress. They have some rough times but eventually get their HEA. I also like seeing the storyline from the first book wrapped up. To me this book didn't have the surprises or as much excitement as the first, though. That said, this is still an enjoyable book with many paranormal beings which are still some of my favorites!

[J.P. Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series isn't what you'd typically expect for a vampire tale. Sure, sure there's a little bit of blood and gore - but not where you'd expect it.

Neu has taken a very romantic view of the predators that many of us have come to know and love. The enticement of immortality persists, but the savage violence is hidden behind closed doors, contained within psychic visions, or displayed in traditional 'fight-to-the-death' challenges. It almost feels like we are only allowed glimpses, snapshots if you will into the evil chasms of a vampire's soul. Blood is still sustenance, and there is only one source - live humans. Immortals have tempers either forged in fire over millennia, or tempered through self-mastery, culture, and business affairs. Humans are not always victims of their savagery. Nay, it would seem they are far more discordant amongst themselves than they are with their sources of food.

There are two camps. The dark, and the light. They are, as you might expect, a defining line between behaviours, however, the differentiation is more representative of moral character than anything else. The dark are dubious, enigmatic, dangerous, and certainly more quick to resort to mayhem. Those in the light are elegant, refined, and governed by tradition, rules, and modesty.

Both have style.

Neu has cleverly written in fashion, aromas, and tastes into the novel giving it a textured layer. Even though everything is dripping in red, not all blood is the same. Believe it or not, some of us smell like buttered popcorn, vanilla and roses, or chocolate covered strawberries. It's an interesting take on what we would have come to expect from bloodthirsty creatures.

Chris, our main character, carries on in his customary "everyday joe" feel from the first book. He doesn't see himself as unique or special, and his actions and language come across that way, setting him apart from the rest of his kin. And yet, Chris, along with his lover Kurtis turn out to be the most central of all beings within the supernatural world.

Neu has woven in First Nations shamanistic traditions, witches, and shape shifters giving the second and final book in this duology additional complexity. There's an ancient mystery here to be solved as well, and I was unsure where the story would lead - and that's a good thing. As much as I could sense an inevitable happily ever after, the ending was still unexpected.

It's quite difficult to put into words how The Called takes the Urban Fantasy Vampire realm, and while retaining much of the expected elements, has managed to turn it all on its head and give it an easy, classy and romantic feel to it.

Don't get me wrong, there's still violence, blood, and mayhem, and yet there's an accessibility to the books that I've not quite experienced before and it is, in a sense, calming. It's a gentle, but welcome read.

There's a part of me that still wants more though. I'd love to see where the story picks up five years from now. I want to see more of Kurtis, the non-dark and non-light vampire, and how his reign has changed the immortal world. I'd love to see how Chris' abilities grow - he certainly showed a credible amount of learned mastery over the course of the book. Perhaps I could persuade the author into writing more.

Or perhaps the next time I smell buttered popcorn, I'll fondly remember that may be how I smell to at least one vampire.

Certainly will make me look over my shoulder, and check the shadows, however briefly.

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series and definitely worth the read. I'm happy with how it ended and how the author actually closed everything out. The story is very engaging and everything makes sense. There are some spicy scenes so I would say this is adult, not young adult.