The Descendant by Ally Capraro is the first book in the Guardians of the Worlds series. Ava is happy and engaged to be married to Barry – a man who appears too good to be true. As a writer, Ava likes to sit in her favorite cafe and draw inspiration from the happiness that surrounds her. Suddenly Ava starts having strange dreams about a mystery man, Meldrick, who tries to warn her that danger is coming. Ava is told that Xemlix – beings from another dimension - are stealing the happiness from human souls, using it to fuel their own immortality. Their weapon is disguised in the music that humans listen to each day. She discovers the source of all happiness (the Stream) and how to access it. The Stream weakens the Xemlix’s hold on those who are afraid. Ava’s dreams also warn her that not everything is what it seems to be with Barry. Sure enough, Ava discovers that the man is cheating and Ava breaks up with him, only to find Barry with a new woman the very next day. When her life is threatened, Ava is rescued by Meldrick, who takes Ava to Lapo in his own dimension in order to protect her. Little does Ava know that she is one of a kind in that she has many untapped powers, including the power to enhance the happiness or misery which is being stolen from every being on Earth.

I found Ally Capraro’s novel to be one that I simply could not put down. The story was filled with intrigue, suspense, romance and sacrifice. Ava is a character which most people can identify with, while Meldrick is the true definition of the ‘perfect dream guy.’ The story flowed smoothly and, while the book could benefit from some editing, the twists and turns of the story kept me on my toes, eager to see what happens next. The addition of Ava’s best friend, Chloe, makes the tale all the more realistic as it anchors Ava, keeping her grounded to Earth while she enjoys the ultimate luxurious lifestyle with Meldrick.

Pre-wedding jitters…that’s what Ava decided was happening to her. She was simply overwhelmed with preparations for the biggest event of her life. The crazy dreams, the unexplained visions that haunted her wakeful hours had to be a result of the tension of planning a wedding. But when her dreams didn’t stop, Ava took her friend Chloe’s advice and visited a doctor who prescribed a mood altering drug, which didn’t thrill Ava. Taking matters in her own hands, Ava was advised by a shaman to “participate in her dreams.” Not finding comfort there either, Ava relented to her dream man and allowed Meldrick to guide her in love, moving her into her own destiny with his words to “believe in him and her senses.” Little did she know that by following Meldrick’s advice she would become an honorary resident of Lapo as a royal member of her new existence.

Guardians of the Worlds Book 1: The Descendant by Ally Capraro sets the stage for a promising series that pits Xemlix society against the residents of Earth. Although at times the dialogue becomes rather pretentious between Ava and Meldrick, there is a very consistent romance genre to this sci-fi, fantasy novel. The combination of romance and science fiction is an interesting concept that will surely attract a particular audience. Ally Capraro exhibits intriguing creativity with her creation of an alternative universe while simultaneously satisfying the romantic in her readers. Because this is the first in a promised series, I foresee Capraro’s audience will grow.

The Descendant (Guardians of the Worlds - Book 1) by Ally Capraro is a unique modern-day fantasy novel that starts in the world you know, and quickly transports you to unknown dimensions. Ava is an ordinary young woman preparing for her wedding. She has a wonderful, rich fiance, an outstanding best friend, and a great job as a journalist. When strange dreams of a mysterious man named Meldrick start to plague her, she pushes them aside as pre-wedding jitters, until the dreams come true the next day. Suddenly, her eyes are opened to the fact that her jitters are actually premonitions about her fiance's true character, that Meldrick might be more than just a mystery man in her dreams, that her intuition is much sharper than the average person's, and the world as she knows it is much bigger and more dangerous than she imagined.

If you like science fiction and urban fantasy, but you're tired of the vampire/werewolf/zombie cliches, then The Descendant (Guardians of the Worlds - Book 1) is for you. Ally Capraro gives you something new to sink your teeth into - inter dimensional aliens! I like how she implants messages of positive thinking, gratitude, and using love not only to overcome personal negativity, but to rise above the day to day disturbances that threaten our happiness. This is not only a great fantasy read, but it gives the reader real information that they can use to make their own lives better. I've read many non-fiction books on the power of positive thinking, and I love that Ally Capraro puts it in a fictional setting to show it as a universal truth. Plus, The Descendant is a good book. If you like science fiction and fantasy with a positive spin, then this is the book for you.

The Descendant by Ally Capraro is tailored to please the young adult fantasy enthusiast. The narrative is an epic tale of good versus evil clothed as alien dimensions against Earth, giving it a slight feel of science fiction as well. Ava is a soon-to-be married, successful journalist. But she doubts that Barry is the one, something isn’t right. Doubt follows her into sleep, and a mysterious man appears in her dreams. Meldrick, the extremely dreamy-looking mystery man, instructs Ava to pay attention to her feelings and to tap into all of her senses. Following Meldrick’s suggestions, Ava asks her 'love 'em and leave 'em' best friend, Chloe, to help her test Barry’s devotion. He fails. This opens the door to freedom and a longing for Meldrick to revisit her in her dreams. During Ava’s meditative state, Meldrick appears, encouraging her to enter the Stream of Well-being. He explains that the malicious Xemlix are lurking from another dimension and they feed off human fear. Only through pure and positive energy will they be defeated. Meldrick is not just a man in her dreams; he is real. Ava is thrust into the surreal. For her protection, Meldrick whisks her off to the tranquil dimension of the Lapo. The real world is being manipulated by forces out of this world. Ava must awaken her dormant powers and save the world.

Alley Capraro’s The Descendant is written in an appealing, light-hearted and romantic manner. Many new age philosophies are exposed in the quest to overcome evil with love found in the Stream of Well-being. Oh, to be able to wish for evil to disappear, and it does; what a magical fantasy! The theme encourages self confidence, the central focus is believe in yourself and inner truth will be revealed. Furthermore, it warns - be careful whose voice you listen too. Gullibility can lead to the dark side. Capraro’s characters are spirited, young, and ready for adventure. However, they are guided by the age-old influence of their ancestors. When threatened by immature thinking, or when confusion manifests, the old ones rush to the rescue with their wisdom. As the plot unfolds, the reader is aware that sooner or later a battle will be waged. Yet, the last few lines set up nicely the next book in the Guardians of the Worlds series. The voice of evil proclaims: "Your victory won’t last long.”