The Calling

by David Mack

HEAR THE CALLING.

No one would guess by looking at Tom Nash that he's extraordinary, and that's just fine with him. A tall, broad-shouldered jack-of-all-trades from Sawyer, Pennsylvania, Tom has a knack for fixing things. He also hides a secret talent: he hears people's prayers. Stranger still, he answers them. Maybe it's because he's a handyman, but Tom feels compelled to fix people's problems. Which is all well and good -- until the soul-shattering plea of a terrified girl sends him on the darkest journey of his life....

SEEK THE TRUTH.

Heeding the call and leaving his home for New York City, Tom discovers a secret world beyond the range of mortal perception -- a world of angels and demons and those who serve them. With the guidance of a knowing stranger named Erin, Tom learns that he himself is one of The Called, born with a divine purpose and a daunting task: to help the powers of Heaven in the war against the agents of Hell, an army of fallen angels known as the Scorned. Thrust into an epic battle of the sacred and the profane, Tom Nash must find the girl who prayed for his help -- because her fate will determine whether humanity deserves to be saved, or damned for all eternity....

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Fiction, Thriller, Supernatural, Science Fiction Fantasy, Angels

336 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2009

About the author

David Mack is the New York Times bestselling author of 39 novels of science-fiction, fantasy, and adventure, including the Star Trek Destiny and Cold Equations trilogies.

Beyond novels, Mack's writing credits span several media, including television (for produced episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine), games, and comic books.

Follow him on Twitter @davidalanmack or like his Facebook page.

Reviews

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

the back cover makes this book sound like an epic battle of good vs. evil, which I can never turn down. For the most part, the book lives up to it's potential, there were only a few issues I had with it.

I'll start with what I really did enjoy about the book, which is Tom himself. Tom is that guy that lives on your block who is always willing to give you a hand and never asks for anything in return. He is the all-American good guy who tries to do the right by people. He has one of those faces and smiles that you instantly trust and like. Were a lot of people would run away from such a gift, not wanting to get involved in the problems of others, Tom feels a strong sense of purpose to help those who's prayers he hears.

Now that I got that out of the way I will let you know the first "problem" I had with this book. I understand that a book like this should be a little violent at times, actually I would be dissapointed if it hadn't of been. I don't even have a problem with the level of violence in the book itself. My issue is with how Tom ends up reacting to the violence. There is one segment where Tom is being chased, plus doing some chasing of his own, through the subway system. There was supposed to be a ransom drop off but it goes horribly wrong. Police officers, national guardsmen, and innocent bystanders who just happen to be in the way get blown away by the bad guys. I lost count of how many people die in this segment but I think it would be safe to say that it would be in the mid double digits. Some of those people die because Tom is running from the bad guys and since they are obviously really bad shots they end up shooting everyone else but Tom.

A guy like Tom, at least the guy we've gotten to know throughout most of the book, would be racked by guilt or at the least feel a real sense of responsibility for all those deaths, even if he wasn't the one who pulled the trigger. Other than a few words sprinkled throughout the scene you really don't feel that Tom is really caring all that much for the innocent llifes being lost. Now you could chalk that up to being in the heat of the moment, running for your life, so you may not really have time to care. I could accept that actually, but what I couldn't accept was the face that it really isn't mentioned after the scene either. Tom doesn't really seem to react to what just happened. Even at the end of the book, when Tom meets one of the guys in charge, it's never brought up except in a off handed way that had more to do with how Tom used his powers to get out of the situation. I wanted more from him, I wanted him to feel something about what happened.

Now the second issue I had with the book has more to do with the publisher than the book itself. It's also a issue I find with a lot of books, the synopsis on the back cover. The last line "Thrust into an epic battle of the sacred and the profane, Tom Nash must find the girl who prayed for his help-because her fate will determine whether humanity deserves to be saved, or damned for all eternity...." gives you the impression that if this young girl is not saved, the Earth as we know it and all of humanity will be doomed too suffering beyond our wildest dreams. Now do I really need to tell you that the last line was a tad bit overstated? Yes the girl, when she grows up, will be on the side of The Called, she has powers of her own that will come in useful to them down the line. However, everything I understand about the book and The Called gives me the impression that there will always be others ready to step in when one of them falls. That no one person, except maybe Tom which is hinted at, is all that instrumental to the cause. Each loss is felt and grieved but there is always someone else ready to do the job. Like I said, this is a issue I have with a lot of books, especially in the fantasty/scifi/paranormal genres. I just wish the publishers would quit overstating the plot and let the reader discover it for themselves.

With all the being said I will leave you with the knowledge that I really did enjoy the book overall. It was a fast paced thriller set in a world of angels and demons, a world of danger that can come out of anyplace or from anyone. I am really looking forward to the next in the series so I can get caught up with Tom and his journey.

[Nely · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tom Nash might seem like a normal average guy from Sawyer, Pennsylvania. He’s a jack-of-all-trades with a knack for fixing things. But beneath all that, Tom is anything but ordinary - he hears people’s prayers. And more odd than that, he answers them. Maybe it's because he's a handyman, but Tom feels compelled to fix people's problems. Which is all well and good - until the soul-shattering plea of a terrified girl sends him on the darkest journey of his life....

Please God - don’t let them kill me.

Those seven words turn Tom’s world upside down. He departs from home and heads out to New York City where he is immersed in a world full of angels and demons and a never-ending battle between good and evil. There he meets a saucy, Latina named Erin who more or less gives him a quick lesson on what he is - one of The Called. He was born with a divine purpose for a reason - to help the powers of Heaven in the war against the agents of Hell (otherwise known as the Scorned). It is up to Tom to find the girl who prayed for his help -- because her fate will determine whether humanity deserves to be saved, or damned for all eternity.

Doesn’t that just sound fantastic?! I know the description totally hooked me and boy was I in for a treat. Firstly, Tom was a great character - he was very down to Earth, loves his wife (I really like that in a man), yet is in a position where he has a calling to help other people. He does this and does it well. And although, his wife is very supportive of this, he knows that she is not all that happy with him when he leaves her several weeks before their baby is due. On his mission, he meets Erin (which may be because I'm Latina myself) but I loved her. She was saucy, funny and was a major kick a$s character. We are kept at the edge of our seat as Tom and Erin head from one dangerous situation to the next and all while trying to get the next clue that will bring them closer to the missing girl - Phaedra.

I found the storyline to be very engaging - it was a cross between the tv show Heroes and the movie Constantine which created its very own unique blend. Full of twists and turns that kept you guessing and helped the pages turn quite easily. I can envision this becoming a series and I would definitely love to read more of Tom Nash. I can't help it, I have a thing for men with special powers. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys fantasy, good writing and powerful characters.

[Arnaud · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very solid story. Liked the plot and characters both. Story unfold at a good pace and it was a surprisingly fast but enjoyable read :-)

[Aj · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a bit of a slog to get through. I kept trying so that I could find out why Phaedra's fate would determine humanity's fate...yeah that never came up so the back of the book blurb was misreading. Interesting characters, poor execution.

[Sammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great ideas in this book, execution is ok.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tom Nash has a special ability, he can hear prayers. Tom is sure that there is a reason for this ability but he's not sold on the whole "part of God's plan" thing. He knows that he is special and has the ability to help others' in need. When he hears the prayer of an eleven year old girl, the words "God please don't let them kill me" shocks him to the core. He takes of to New York to try and find this little girl that he doesn't even know. Will he be able to save her? Will he find out who he is and why he has this talent? Will he make it home to see his wife and their child that will be born any day now?

I loved it. I was drawn in right away and did not want to put this book down. I was laying in bed reading it cross eyed trying to stay awake. If you like Fantasy, then this is a book you don't want to miss.

[Joey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this a very neat premise and enjoyed reading the book... I really liked the main character, Tom... but I was left wanting there to be more... I wanted more action... more mystery... more interesting 'otherness' to everything... I wanted to care more... as a series I do think it has some potential and would likely read a follow up... I can't really say I was disappointed... I was just wanting to be grabbed a bit more thouroughly...

[Not Now...Mommy's Reading · Rating 2 out of 5]

I suppose I've been spoiled by Frank E. Peretti and his masterpiece "This Present Darkness". I was expecting something more along those lines when I picked up this book but was sadly disappointed. I expected a more paranormal element to the story but it stayed moreso in the background. The story was okay but I found myself skipping pages. Just wasn't my cup of tea.

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to read and fast-paced, though there were quite a few action scenes where I found my eyes unfocusing and jumping around. Also just in general had issues with Tom and the powers. Maybe I just didn’t understand the parameters of what The Calling actually was.... if he didn’t listen to/act on the prayer- was he going to self-destruct or die? Or did he have a choice the whole time?

If he did have the choice... even worse. That would mean Tom chose to let his guilt make decisions and chose to be a slave to this prayer. Playing/thinking he’s the good guy while doing this to soothe his own conscience, lying to his pregnant wife, enjoying constant flirtations from his “friend” who, from beginning to end disrespected his marriage, Tom succumbing to eating junk food because no one was watching, “feeling” like he had to go do this or that based on his guilt and hunches...

I just couldn’t get over Tom’s lame choices and inherent weakness. Everything about the mission he was on- other than actually saving the girl- was self-serving. Not a bad book but Tom really sucks! Haha

[Matt Buck · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can see where Mack was going with this, and it's an interesting premise - man can hear prayers, hears a prayer from a kidnapped child, and ends up getting involved in a much bigger conflict. There are a lot of these modern magic/mysticism series, but I don't think this worked as well as Mack's later works The Midnight Front trilogy. I think the problem comes because there are several distinct levels of antagonist, and while the major one was interesting, their backers seemed to be overly-detailed for one or two scenes but then played almost no part in the actual story.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, ehh.
I felt like I entered a story in the middle. There was so much hidden that didn't make sense to me. It should be a series of books to at least explain the seekers, the seerers, the scorned, the called. And what about Tom's life now? Or even about Tom's life before all this?
Don't get me wrong it's a good book but we enter into the middle of something that the author chose not to go into detail about.

[Maggie Shanley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good beginning to a fantasy series about good angels versus the scorned. Tom Nash sets out to rescue Phaedra who was kidnapped at age 11. He gets tangled up with the Russian mafia, a dirty cop, 11 million dollars and a feisty woman named Erin. He needs to find Phaedra and get back to Pennsylvania and his beloved wife without being killed or falling to temptation.

[Fliss · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this on Audible. To start with it sounded very monotunus as the actor speaking has a very monophonic voice.
But once I’d listened for 30 mins, I was caught up in the story so much, that I didn’t notice his voice anymore.
It’s a great story, well written and enjoyable. I hope we get more in this to make it a series?!

[Holly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reads like a script for television. It was okay. Not really my thing

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Mack is jumping into the Urban Fantasy genre with his novel The Calling. Mr. Mack has spent many years writing quality Star Trek novels and television scripts. Will he be able to make the transition into an already crowded field? Will his novel break out from the pack? My answer would be a resounding yes! Mr. Mack has enough experience as a novelist that he does not make the mistakes that a typical new author does with a debut novel. I did have some issues with parts of the book as they are alittle clichéd but overall I really enjoyed this book completely devouring it in 2 days.

Tom Nash is your everyday guy who makes his living being a handyman. He is happily married and has a child on the way. He is content living in the small town of Sawyer, Pennsylvania. He drives a beater pick-up truck that he just bought. When John Mellencamp sang “Pink Houses” he was singing about somebody like Tom Nash.

Except that Tom Nash has one extraordinary ability, at times, when people are in deep trouble, he can hear their prayers for help and he is compelled to help them. At first it is simple tasks, such as helping a suicidal teacher fight alcoholism, etc. But one night a truly desperate prayer that hits him so hard that it wakes him from his sleep…”Please, God…don’t let them kill me.”

All Tom knows is that the prayer came from a little girl and she is somewhere in New York City. So Tom jumps into his truck and heads to New York on a mission to this unknown young girl.

We learn that Tom is Seeker. A Seeker is a person that hears other people’s prayers and tries to help them out. It is a very dangerous profession and many are killed. A Seeker also has one additional ability that is different and unique to that individual. Tom eventually learns his special ability and it comes in very handy during the story.

In the world created by David Mack there are essentially two factions fighting each other; the Called and the Scorned. The reasons for the conflict is never really explained exceptt it is the typical good vs. evil. The Called fight for the side of the good and the Scorned for the dark side. There are other ranks above the Seekers, for example the Sages are the people who are in charged; the Seers can distinguish between who are the Called and who are the Scorned; the Sentinels guard people, places and things. This may sound complicated at first but it becomes second nature as the story rolls on. Mr. Mack also does an interesting thing; he just gives the reader the mere basic outline and does not perform an info dump explaining every detail of his world. By the end of story you will have many more questions than answers as to the reason behind conflict, the individuals who fight in the conflict, etc. This piqued my curiosity for future novels to learn more about this world Mr. Mack has created.

By the story outline you would assume that the novel is overtly religious. In my opinion it is no more religious than your typical Urban Fantasy novel that involves angels and demons as a plot device. Heck, even one of the good Seekers question the existence of God.

I really enjoyed the plotting of this novel. It follows the investigation into child kidnapping with added supernatural elements. Tom Nash is kinda like the Patrick Kenzie (Casey Affleck) character in the movie Gone Baby Gone. He exists out the system of law which allows him to follow clues without worrying to much about police procedure. His only goal is to find the missing child and nothing will stop him. He is also not all powerful. Numerous times he gets kicked around suffering real world consequences and bruises. By the end of the novel I really came to like Tom Nash as a character.

Mr. Mack is a master of writing action sequences. He wrote some of the most memorable starship battles in his Star Trek novels. This ability also shines through in The Calling. There is one scene in a subway station that involves a running gunfight that is so well done that it honestly felt like I was watching movie. He is able to keep the tension at a high level for the entire sequence which is difficult chore in a novel.

The only real quibbles I have with the story were some of the clichéd elements. For example, there is a scene at the end that has been used way to often in novels and movies that it came as no surprise. I would have liked a smarter resolution to the ending.

As Urban Fantasy novel this is one of the better ones that I have read. The story has the no nonsense style of Jim Butcher’s Harry Dresden character and mixes it the mystery of a Dennis Lehane novel with a back drop set in a supernatural world.

[Jill Bratcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I passed the author's table this past weekend at the STAT (Star Trek Association of Towson [MD:]) event "ShoreLeave 31" at the Hunt Valley Inn/Marriott [ http://www.shore-leave.com/ ]. While the annual convention has broadened its scope to sci-fi/fantasy in general, most of Mack's dozen-plus books have centered on the Star Trek (TM) franchise; however, this one does not. (To the best of my recollection, I had read none of his previous books.) The cover intrigued me, so I asked what the book was about. I actually had to stop David from telling me too much, and I was glad I had done. I like a few surprises.

Basically, an average Joe from a small community, handyman Tom Nash, has for many years "heard others' prayers" and done something about it - from talking down a suicidal person to suggesting a better course of action or providing for a need. One night, Tom hears an urgent, seven-word prayer of a kidnapped ten-year-old girl, "Dear God...please don't let them kill me." Following that "lead" takes Tom 100 miles from his small town to New York City, where he's totally out of his element and completely in over his head.

A likable fellow, Tom can gently persuade people to do what he wants, too. Still, as this Calling proves a dangerous business, Tom struggles with how far he wants - and how far his *very* pregnant wife at home wants him - to go to answer this little girl's prayer.

Partnering up with another of the Called, a young woman named Erin, who is as attractive as she is independent, Tom races to find Phaedra before her kidnappers can kill her, collect twelve million dollars in untraceable bearer bonds and disappear without a trace. Through it all, Tom learns more about his gifts and others' - including those fighting on the *other* side.

The Called explores the age-old struggle between good and evil in terms of the use of paranormal abilities for betterment or bitterment. Though Mack holds back not at all in describing violent actions - both hand-to-hand combat and gunfights - he focuses on the use of each individual's special abilities more than the gore. The good guys actually get hurt, i.e., the baddies are not always incompetent marksmen.

While predictable in places and a fairly easy read (one transcontinental flight and an hour-plus BART ride), he provides enough twists and turns to make turning the page worthwhile. He does have a few pet [read: overused] words like "shambling", and this easily could turn into a series - if not featuring Tom Nash in particular, featuring others with these (and other) special abilities.

All in all, I recommend the book and would be interested in more if it did become a series.

[Valorie Dalton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tom Nash can hear prayers, which he feels compelled to answer. Usually, they are run of the mill things and Tom uses his other talent for swaying the minds of people for the best good possible. He has an otherwise pretty mundane life: mortgage, job, truck, wife, and baby on the way. This is all until one night he hears a prayer, which comes from a young girl praying not to be killed. It’s a prayer Tom cannot ignore, though he has never had to answer anything so serious before, and it takes him into New York City where danger awaits.

In NYC, Tom meets another of his kind named Erin. Through her, Tom learns that he is not the only one who can hear prayers. In fact, he belongs to a group known as The Called. Within The Called, there are sages, seekers, and sentinels. Opposed to them are the Scorned, who are fallen. It becomes clear to Tom and Erin that the Scorned have something to do with the kidnapping of the girl Tom hear the prayer of. It is up to Tom and Erin to find the girl, secure her release, and do so with as little damage as possible. Unfortunately for them, they have to go under the law because it seems that the Scorned and the Russian mobsters who are trying to ransom the girl for 12 million dollars have connections in the force.

The story is fast paced, but full of detail and exciting. Mack hangs just enough mystery above you to compel you to keep reading for answers. The characters are varied, but not cardboard cut outs that make them hard to distinguish from others. The storyline is very creative– Mack designed a world of his own, but made it realistic enough that one could almost believe that underneath the realism we live under, there just might be other forces at work. This book demands that you read it from front to back. A few twists are added to make the plot take a few unexpected turns, which I very much enjoyed.

The book moved from a few perspectives, but not so many that the book felt choppy and hard to follow. Every transition from one character to another went smooth. I have to admit, though, that the action scene that took place in the subway toward the end of the book got a bit too long for me. The drama was very high throughout, but there’s only so much description of running, jumping, and shooting I can take. I prefer my action and drama to be intense and quick, and I felt that it sort of drug on in this book. That was the only part of the book that I skimmed and read through. The rest of the book kept my attention, so I still recommend it highly to anyone who likes fantasy, action, and mystery/crime. It has elements of all a bunch of genres, so it has a large appeal to a varied audience.

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Calling is the first novel in what almost has to be a new ongoing series by Star Trek author David Mack (not to be confused with the Kabuki graphic novelist). In this novel we are introduced to Tom Nash, an average, everyman type with one secret - he answers prayers. Not all of them obviously, but every so often a prayer gets telegraphed to his head and he is compelled to act. When he hears the prayer of a recently kidnapped girl, he sets off on a quest that will put him in the crossfire of a supernatural conflict that has raged for centuries.

The Calling's brilliant cover artwork caught my eye, and after reading the back cover I picked it up hoping for an urban fantasy along the lines of the Dresden Files or Repairman Jack series. Mack's novel shares some characteristics with those series (more so Repairman Jack than Dresden Files), but it doesn't feel like the typical urban fantasy, which is a good thing. I found it especially refreshing that the conflict between what is pretty obviously angels and demons is presented in a non-religious way (it's decidedly not a Christian novel by the way). The supporting characters are all quite memorable, and the action is almost choreographed for an eventual TV series.

The problem - for me at least - is that the main character seems almost too bland and generic. I never got a feel for what makes the guy tick. The motivations of some of the other characters seemed a bit shallow as well. The plot seemed to rely on coincidence and blind luck, and even with the eventual explanation for (some of) that it still stretched belief at times.

Despite those flaws, The Calling is a very enjoyable read and has the potential to be a standout urban fantasy series, especially if Mack can give Nash more personality. There's a lot of potential here, and I'd love to see where he takes the story.

[JC · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a different take on the Urban Fantasy genre, and frankly one I think needed to be written. Our main character, Tom Nash is 'Called'. He can hear people's prayers, and is compelled to help answer them. He doesn't hear prayers he can't do anything about, like "please God, let me win the lottery," rather ones he can help with, that we could all help with like, "Please God, help me fight my alcoholism." In which case Tom has the power to make people to trust him when his intention is to help them. Tom never had a dangerous prayer until he heard the prayer of an eleven year old girl in New York... "Please God, don't let them kill me."

Tom's adventure begins with that prayer and leads him into the world of the 'Called' and the 'Scorned'. Individuals who have been given gifts to see, know, protect, and in Tom and his new friend Erin's case, hear.

Mack suffers a bit with what I call the "Sterling" syndrome, when it comes to writing his women. Those who are meant to be open books, are clear and articulate about every feeling they're having, even in the case of Tom's pregnant wife, while those meant to be enigmatic, are sultry temptresses who never truly reveal themselves. I call it the Sterling syndrome, as that's how S.M. Sterling tends to write his female characters. It makes for easy exposition, but rings false to me.

[Jennww2ns · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really enjoyable book but definitely not as monumental as the back of the book makes it out to be but good for what it is. It gets bogged down with over-descriptive mundane details on occasion.

For example: There is a bathroom that features exactly once in the book and is the scene of nothing significant:
"The safe house's bathroom was as polished as the rest of the space was raw. Granite tiles covered the floor and three-quarters of the high walls; the upper part of the walls and the ceiling were finished in pristine white. Green marble served as the vanity countertop and as a platform around the deep spa bathtub and the glass-walled shower area, which were made of spotless white porcelain.
Twin rectangular washbasins sat on the vanity, mirror images of each other, with side-mounted faucets that featured single-lever controls for water flow and temperature. A massive mirror dominated the wall over the basins, and a row of teal-painted cabinets provided ample storage beneath them."

[Chrissy Wissler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't read many thrillers, but I find it amazing how many subgenres there are and how common it is for books to cross into different ones. It wasn't the thriller aspect of this story that caught my attention - it was the premise. Tom Nash appears to be a normal, ordinary guy who drives a beat-up old pickup truck except he can hear people's prayers. When he hears one girl's prayer, asking God not to let these men kill her, Tom follows the prayer and enters a world where he's no longer the only one with special powers.

The story's pace continues to move forward, the tension rising as the clock ticks closer, keeping you on the edge of your seat. Readers are alongside Tom as he enters a new world he's very much apart of, but knows nothing about.

This book sounds like the start of great, fun series and I'll definitely pick up the next one when it comes out.

[Julia Putnam · Rating 4 out of 5]

7/19/12: While I enjoyed reading this book again, I remember liking it so much more the first time through. It is well written and an interesting premise. I think one of the things I like most about it is the location. The "chase" scene in the Times Square subway station is awesome because that's where I am every day so I can visualize it so well. It makes it fun to know the exact pillars they are hiding behind! I'm not sure I'll need to read it again, but it's a fun read.

2/12/10: I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I really liked Mr. Mack's writing style and am super intersted in reading more! I loved the characters and hope there are more books written about them. Definitely going to look into it!!!

[Kati · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book wasn't bad but the beginning was rather boring, it didn't really get going till Tom and Erin went to the ransom exchange, then the urban fantasy turned into an action thriller. But it felt like too little too late. Also, there were too many character POVs. Maybe if it was told just from Tom's POV, the way most urban fantasies are told... Who knows. I was interested in Tom and his abilities but, to be honest, the most intriguing thing was the very ending, when Tom met the Sage and the man hinted at big things to come, at how important Tom might be. So yeah, a good read, but nothing spectacular.

[Bethany]

This book was a diamond in the bargin bin! Very good story. He could easily continue this as a series but somehow it doesn't feel like he will. I'll have to check that out~ because if he has/is... I want to see what happens next in the battle between the Called and the Scorned. I'd love to see if Tom's son will be Called too. And I'd like to see what happens to Erin after she and Tom part ways. Well researched, vivid descriptions, easy to relate to characters and gratuitous violence... I'm happy! :)

[Haralambi Markov · Rating 2 out of 5]

An urban fantasy with an unlikely protagonist by the genre’s standards and rules so far with a touch of Christian mythology and a CSI/Law & Order aftertaste.

Not bad a transition into a different genre. It could have gone way worse and I am glad Mack avoided the common combinations of tropes and devices in urban fantasy, but it’s not quite as much as I expected it to be and I expect it to fade altogether from my memory quite soon.

[Wendy Hines · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Calling is a wonderful addition to the urban fantasy genre. Mack does a wonderful job of weaving the story together. Tom Nash is a hero who is just one of the good ole guys. We need more of him in the world today! The action is gritty and turbulent, and the outcome is phenomenal. The Calling ends leaving the reader satisfied, yet open ended enough to suggest a sequel. Definitely a must read for all sci-fi and paranormal fans!

[Kosh Koshover · Rating 2 out of 5]

just an ok book, a lot of set up involving angels/demons etc...that for the most part are irrelevant and is simply a book about a kidnapping. Perhaps if it was a beginning of a series and he was fleshing out the characters and the mythology more I could buy into everything but as far as I can tell it is a stand alone novel.

[Cecelia Geller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastically paced. Really engaging and it even threw me a few curve balls. The only downside is the author really doesn't explain who the "seekers" etc are too well, even in the end. It feels only half explained, but I know that means there are more books in the series, but I don't feel compelled to buy them. Maybe check them out of the library?

Summary: I'd read it, but on loan.

[==Anne== · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Calling is a fantasy book in which Tom Nash hears others' prayers and is compelled to help answer them. I really enjoyed this book. Easy prose and a quick read. Great book to keep in mind for the beach or in the carpool lane as the characters are few and the storyline is easy to follow.

[Karl Hagman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read (less than 5 hours). Some cool ideas about there being people who hear prayers and answer them. Some superpowers evolve and the good vs. evil dichotomy. The problem is that some of the things introduced are very intrigueing but not explored at all. Feels very much like bait for a sequel.