Book Review: To Be Called Worthy by Penny Johnston

About this book

Magic is Only for the Worthy: the Clerics. Join Them, or Your Magic is Forfeit.

Rinnen doesn’t give the shadowy clerics much thought. At least not until his sister, Kessandra, turns out to have the rare gift. Kessandra wants to keep her magic, but they won’t let her.

When the magic-removal ceremony takes more from his sister than just her special powers, Rinnen is devastated. But he’s just a fighter in training. What good is a sword against magic? How can a handful of ordinary elves fight such a sinister power?

Rinnen knows one thing. He wants his sister back. And he will do whatever it takes to save her.

*Part of "To Be Called" series (Book 2)

*Genre: Young Adult Christian Fantasy (recommended for ages 14+ for mild violence and a few kisses.)

My thoughts

I finished my first new book of the year!

I discovered this beautiful story while searching for more "noblebright" fantasy, and I had to wait until after Christmas to finally get my copy. I had a feeling I would enjoy it, and my goodness, did I enjoy it!

Don’t be fooled by this cover. Inside is an adventure worth reading again and again!

This book centers on elves, but unlike the famous Middle-earth elves, these are very similar to humans in their range of builds—save for their pointed ears. And the neat part: "elven" here is said to translate as "child of the Maker."

The characters all shone so brightly like stars, and I found myself rooting for Rinnen, Kessi, Mayda, and even the epic Chief Bladesinger Linazon. The main villain, however, was despicable.

But this story is more than just an epic fight against evil. You’ll find beautifully powerful themes of redemption, hope, forgiveness, divine grace, faith, and courage against the power of fear.

I’m so glad I got the chance to enjoy this refreshing new read, and I can't wait to read more from Penny Johnston!

About the Author

When she’s not writing fantasy fiction or doing life with her two teenagers, Penny Johnston works as a medical office assistant. She is the author of the To Be Called series, and is currently writing the next book when no one is reading over her shoulder. Penny has been known to fangirl over swordfights, rangers, and rescue stories, and she loves slipping away to go camping at the lake. Her latest novel, Chief Bladesinger, was released on May 30, 2025.

Website: Penny Johnston Writes – Fantasy with Hope

Instagram: @pennyjohsntonwrites

Facebook: Penny Johnston Writes Facebook Page