Amy Faulks’s SUMMONERS takes readers to a fantasy world where death isn’t always the end. Spirits can stay in this world after someone dies, which is bad for the living. People have made strict rules to control magic and keep spirits away from society. This careful balance affects every part of life in the city.
The story takes place in a city that is safe because of a strong barrier called the Veil. The Veil separates the world of the living from the world of spirits. Without it, spirits could move freely among people, which would scare them and cause damage. The Veil is what keeps people safe, and its presence affects how society works.
When someone dies, their spirit doesn’t always leave in peace. Some spirits fade away on their own, while others stay angry or confused. If you don’t keep an eye on these unstable spirits, they can hurt you. The city relies on trained professionals called Executors to handle this threat.
It is the job of executors to lead spirits away from the living world. Their work is hard and important. As part of their daily lives, they have to deal with danger, fear, and stress. Executors are important, but they work behind the scenes and don’t get much credit. People don’t often understand what they do, but their job is important.
The book is about one Executor in particular, Terry Mandeville. Terry has a lot of experience, is disciplined, and is very dedicated to his job. He has a strong belief in rules and order. He thinks that order is the only thing that can keep things safe and keep things from going wrong. Routine, control, and responsibility shape his life.
Terry trusts the system because he knows what happens when it doesn’t work. He thinks that emotions need to be controlled and rules need to be followed. He can do his job with this way of thinking, but it also limits how he sees the world. Terry thinks that structure is always the best way to go.
When Terry meets the spirit of a man named Whip during a night of unrest, everything changes. Whip doesn’t act like other spirits. He is still aware, alert, and unwilling to fade away. His spirit doesn’t get led away; instead, it becomes tied to Terry.
This unexpected bond messes up Terry’s powers and makes him feel like he has no control. He is no longer alone in what he thinks or does. Whip is inside of him, sharing his body and mind. Both men are scared, tense, and confused because of this.
Whip has a hard time with his new life. He needs Terry to stay in the world because he doesn’t have a body of his own. He won’t be quiet or follow orders, though. He questions the rules and Terry’s beliefs. Terry has to think about things he has never thought about before because he is there.
Terry and Whip’s relationship grows slowly. It’s not easy to trust. Both men have to work together because they have to, not because they want to. They start to understand each other over time, even though there is still conflict. Their relationship grows stronger and stronger as the story goes on.
As this personal battle goes on, a bigger threat starts to grow. The city’s veil is getting weaker. People start to worry when small things go wrong. If the Veil falls, a lot of spirits will come into the world of the living. The end result would be chaos and death.
This growing threat makes people think about the past. A long time ago, strong magic was used to make the systems that keep the city safe. The Witch Queen, Iris Westheide, is at the heart of this history. Her knowledge helped make the Veil and the rules that spirits must follow.
Calling upon the Witch Queen’s spirit might be the only way to save the city. But what she did in the past both protected and hurt her. The book looks at whether old power can solve new problems or if it will make the same mistakes again.
Amy Faulks shows that magic is something that can be controlled and is hard to do. You need to pay attention, get ready, and take care when doing rituals. Making mistakes can have serious effects. Magic is not a quick fix. It is a duty that needs to be done with care.
The writing style of SUMMONERS is easy to understand. The story is easy to follow because the language is simple. The pacing is steady, so readers can learn about the world and its rules without feeling rushed.
Instead of big battles or constant action, the book builds tension through the choices and consequences of the characters. Characters have to choose what they are willing to give up to be safe. These choices affect relationships and the city’s future.
The main theme of SUMMONERS is duty. It asks what people owe themselves and what they owe society. Terry’s journey isn’t about getting stronger. It’s about realizing that control has its limits.
Whip’s job goes against strict ideas of justice and order. Even though he broke the law, his point of view shows how rigid systems hurt people. Terry and Whip are two sides of the same fight.
Amy Faulks’s SUMMONERS is a fantasy story that values clarity, character, and meaning. It’s a book that shows how systems are made, how they break down, and how people have to change.
Readers who like fantasy that makes them think and has clear writing and emotional depth will find SUMMONERS to be a powerful and interesting book.