The Book Whisperer Reviews a Spiritual Fantasy for Teens

Occasionally, in our lives we receive rare opportunities and one of those came my way last year. Gaila Kline Hobson gave me the privilege of being a first-reader on her debut novel, The Chosen’s Calling. To be fully transparent, I must also say that Gaila’s husband is my husband’s cousin and I have known Gaila a great while. She is intelligent, caring, kind, and she also has a great sense of humor. That’s an important trait for a long-time educator as well as mother of three sons. My long association and kinship, however, have in no way colored my review of The Chosen's Calling which is now available on Amazon as an e-book and a paperback. Gaila has provided more information on her Web site: https://gailahobson.wixsite.com/website.

In the preface to The Chosen's Calling, Gaila explains the genesis of her novel, a spiritual fantasy. She tells readers “I did my best to avoid preaching and to make [the story] universally appealing to all faiths.” In doing so, Gaila has included quotations and references to many faiths. Another guiding principle in Gaila’s mind as she wrote the book concerns the deaths of young people. How do we explain such a loss? In her own life, Gaila was only four when her father died. She remembers hearing people spout platitudes like “only the good die young.” What could that possibly mean to a child? Then will she die young or if she lives will that mean she is bad? Adults need to consider the words they use in front of children and to children.

The Chosen’s Calling has chapter titles that give readers hints into the depth of the story. Titles like “Moving Forward,” “Trust,” Advancing,” and “The Mission” sweep Dina, Jo, and Gabe with his dog Bruno along in the story. To orient readers, Gavreel meets with the new recruits and thus readers learn the backstory of what has happened to bring the characters as Gavreel explains to Dina to “Heaven your true home.” There is a nod to Our Town in that the characters get glimpses of their loved ones left on Earth to mourn their loss.

Gavreel, always a good teacher, does not tell Dina and later Jo and Gabe what to expect or what they should learn. Instead, she guides each one by asking questions and prompting thought. Gavreel explains to Dina, “There are things to be learned everywhere. Your lessons have begun. Tell me what you learned from playing and watching.” The young people learn their lesson well, for by the end, they have developed their own questions to guide them in their training.

Dina’s response in part sets the tone not only for her learning to come, but also for Jo and Gabe whom we are yet to meet: “I’m just guessing, but maybe Heaven allows me to be the best at what I love?”

Dina first meets Jo and Gavreel suggests they get to know one another. They start by walking The Circle of Caring Trail of Discovery. They find magical and beautiful flowers along the trail. The flowers are not inanimate; instead, they dance exhibiting joy and welcoming Dina and Jo. Here is this early chapter, readers encounter words of wisdom from various faiths; these quotations are found on the flowers’ petals:

Gautama Buddha: “In our interactions with others, gentleness, kindness, and respect are the source of harmony.”

Mahatma Gandi: “In a gentle way, you can shake the world.”

They begin their training together and then encounter Gabe. At first, they are a bit uncertain about including him in their training. Is he supposed to be part of their team? In fact, Dina and Jo find Gabe intrusive and they feel they should get on with their work together, just the two of them. Gabe has been on the course longer than the two girls, and he offers good advice. Still, the girls are reluctant to allow him to join them.

Finally, more to make Gabe stop talking to them than anything else, the girls allow him to give them a hint about the training. His hint works! Now, their attitudes begin to change, but not at once. Still, the three are beginning to create a bond that will only become stronger.

The team of Dina, Jo, Gabe, and Bruno, the dog, does become stronger and wiser, although occasional setbacks occur. Finally, though, Dina reminds the others, “WE ARE A TEAM. We know it in our hearts. We know we are linked now. We went through so much together on this path. We learned to be gentle with one another, to trust one another, to be patient and supportive, to forgive and be forgiven, to work together to figure things out, and do whatever needs to be done.” These are important lessons which will serve the three well as they move into their missions as a Warrior Team.

Kirron, their trainer, will work with Dina, Jo, and Gabe to help them learn to use their talents as they become powerful warriors. Kirron reminds the trio that they have made great strides, but that they also have much yet to learn. The trio will experience great joy as they learn; sometimes they encounter setbacks that they must overcome.

Readers will thrill with the new skills Dina, Jo, and Gabe discover. Sometimes, the skill seems like great fun, but learning to use it is part of Kirron and Gavreel’s larger plan.

The Chosen’s Calling will keep readers turning pages as they discover what awaits Dina, Jo, and Gabe and even Bruno. The training is difficult and the three must go over and over some skills in order to master them. Then they will be put to a great test. Along the way, Dina, Jo, and Gabe do become friends and rely on one another. They also find fun in learning together.

While Dina, Jo, and Gabe learn over the period of their training, The Chosen’s Calling is not overbearing. Parents will like the virtues being taught while children will like the mystery and magic of the story perhaps not realizing at first what they are learning as they read. Many of us like learning through stories—not being preached at, but being carried along with the story itself through our love and concern for the characters. That is what will make The Chosen’s Calling a satisfying read.

Gaila Kline Hobson is hard at work on the sequel to The Chosen’s Calling. On her Web site, we learn “writing has always been a hobby for me. However, it was never something I thought I could make a living doing. Many people encouraged me to write a book, so it went on my bucket list. After retiring from teaching in 2016, I realized I had something to share with the world and turned to writing in that extra time I had on my hands.”