SUMMONERS by Amy Faulks Examines the Price of Safety in a Magical World

Amy Faulks's SUMMONERS is a fantasy novel that looks closely at how societies keep themselves safe and what they have to give up to feel safe. The story takes place in a world where magic is tightly controlled and every answer comes with a price.

In this world, death doesn't always mean the end. Their spirits may stay behind when people die. Some spirits are calm, but others get angry or confused. The city relies on trained professionals called Executors to keep the living world safe.

Executors are in charge of keeping spirits away from the living and keeping them safe. People don't always notice their work, but it's very important. The story is about Terry Mandeville, an experienced Executor who really believes in rules and order. Terry thinks that the only way to stop chaos is to keep things in order.

When Terry meets the spirit of a man named Whip, his routine is thrown off. Whip is different from other spirits in that he is still aware and alert. His spirit doesn't get free; instead, it becomes tied to Terry. This surprise bond makes it hard for Terry to do his job and puts both men in danger.

Terry and Whip have a hard time getting used to sharing the same body. Terry loses control over things in his life that he used to be able to count on. Terry must depend on Whip to live in the world. Their relationship is tense and not very good, and they are only together because they have to be.

A bigger threat appears as their personal problems get worse. The Veil that keeps the city safe is getting weaker. The Veil is a wall that stops a lot of spirits from coming into the living world. If it falls apart, the city will be in a lot of trouble and lose a lot.

This growing problem brings to light an old figure known as Iris Westheide, the Witch Queen. A long time ago, her knowledge helped make the systems that keep spirits in check and keep things in balance. Calling on her spirit might help the Veil, which is failing.

But the Witch Queen's return is very dangerous. She did things in the past that helped bring order, but they also hurt people. The book looks at whether it's a good idea to use old power to solve new problems or if this will just lead to more mistakes.

Amy Faulks shows that magic is something that needs to be done carefully. Rituals need planning and skill. Mistakes have effects that last. This method gives the fantasy a sense of reality and makes it fit within its own rules.

The way SUMMONERS writes is clear and steady. The language is easy to understand, so readers can focus on the story instead of the hard words. The pacing lets ideas and feelings grow on their own.

The book doesn't just focus on action; it also shows moral tension. Characters have to choose how much they are willing to give up to be safe. These choices have an effect on the whole city, not just one person.

Terry's journey is the most important part of this theme. His fight isn't about getting more power. It's about knowing when you can't control something and when you need to make a change. He has to grow because his beliefs are being challenged.

The story gets even more interesting with Whip in it. His point of view questions strict systems and shows how strict order can hurt people. He lived outside the law, but his voice makes the story more balanced.

The city itself shows the book's themes. The way it is built and run shows that it is a society based on fear and compromise. The Veil stands as a symbol of safety achieved through sacrifice.

Amy Faulks's SUMMONERS is a fantasy story that makes readers think about power, duty, and survival. It is a book that asks important questions but is still easy to read and interesting.

The book is now out and invites readers to enter a world where safety costs money and every choice counts.