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The Descendants #1
The Missing Guardian
Seth Reid didn’t mean to run away with a shapeshifter.
When he lost his Dad one year ago, Seth’s world fell apart. On the verge of pushing the rest of his family away, he meets Belvedere, a quirky shapeshifter, who seeks help to eliminate a dark infection that threatens the Four Worlds of Life.
But when the guardian of the world of air and wind goes missing, everything falls apart. Seth is pulled into the Void, where he meets a dark figure who’s determined to become one with Seth.
On an adventure filled with dragons, elemental crystals, and an unknown prophecy lost over time, Seth questions his ability to help. And the more his doubts grow, the stronger the dark infection becomes. Will his bond with his siblings be enough to stop the infection?
And if Seth succeeds, will he finally be able to move past his father’s death?
When he lost his Dad one year ago, Seth’s world fell apart. On the verge of pushing the rest of his family away, he meets Belvedere, a quirky shapeshifter, who seeks help to eliminate a dark infection that threatens the Four Worlds of Life.
But when the guardian of the world of air and wind goes missing, everything falls apart. Seth is pulled into the Void, where he meets a dark figure who’s determined to become one with Seth.
On an adventure filled with dragons, elemental crystals, and an unknown prophecy lost over time, Seth questions his ability to help. And the more his doubts grow, the stronger the dark infection becomes. Will his bond with his siblings be enough to stop the infection?
And if Seth succeeds, will he finally be able to move past his father’s death?
- GenresFantasyMiddle Grade
220 pages, ebook
First published October 8, 2014
2 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Melanie McFarlane
12 books152 followersWhether it’s uncovering the corruption of the future, or traveling to other worlds to save the universe, Melanie McFarlane jumps in with both hands on her keyboard. Though she can be found obsessing over zombies from time to time, Melanie focuses her powers on writing young adult stories to keep the rest of the world up reading all night.
Connect with Melanie:
Visit my website: www.melaniemcfarlane.com
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 6, 2017
I received an e-copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.
I ADORED THIS BOOK!! Not only was it fast-paced and action-orientated, it also focused on the strength of family and team work. The writing is easy to read and flows nicely and the world building is great! I went into this story without knowing anything and I was pleasantly surprised. Each page has me wanting to keep reading.
The character development is also good too. I loved how closer the siblings got during their journey. I also found Seth's quick temper to be a flaw that is relatable to most teenagers. This novel also includes "the chosen one" trope and it incorporates the idea of darkness trying to overtake the light.
Overall, The Missing Guardian is a wonderful, quick read, perfect for fans of the chosen one trope. It is a wonderful start to a series and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
I ADORED THIS BOOK!! Not only was it fast-paced and action-orientated, it also focused on the strength of family and team work. The writing is easy to read and flows nicely and the world building is great! I went into this story without knowing anything and I was pleasantly surprised. Each page has me wanting to keep reading.
The character development is also good too. I loved how closer the siblings got during their journey. I also found Seth's quick temper to be a flaw that is relatable to most teenagers. This novel also includes "the chosen one" trope and it incorporates the idea of darkness trying to overtake the light.
Overall, The Missing Guardian is a wonderful, quick read, perfect for fans of the chosen one trope. It is a wonderful start to a series and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
July 21, 2015
Crystals and shape shifters. Night dragons and four world's of imaginary creatures. Darkness and the Decendants! I loved it and can't wait for book 2. I enjoyed how Seth's life struggles were woven into the fantasy becoming intertwined with his destiny to save the four world's from the darkness. What I loved the most is that I had the movie running in my head the whole time i read it. Visually descriptive. So engaging!.
March 17, 2018
McFarlane creates an imaginative and daring adventure sure to delight young readers! A place where dreams are born, and courage is ignited.
Seth is an adventurous boy with a signature third-child syndrome—feels inferior to his older brother and is at constant odds with his older sister. And all has only gotten worse since the death of their father. Belonging is all he wants. But part of Seth’s problem is that he doesn’t even accept himself for who his is. So, when the sky starts raining stars—or looks like it is—and strange creatures whisk him away, he’s about to have to accept more than just himself.
When he and his siblings are sent on a mission to save the Four Worlds, he must learn to work with them, dream the impossible, and believe in the unbelievable.
The writing engages young readers to imagine beyond the words, creating their own private adventure. Action and tension are around every corner as the siblings are presented with one test after another. And with a guide who’s constantly morphing into a different creature, who knows what could happen next? The build up to the climax is fantastical and action-packed, lending just a hint of what’s yet to come. Looking forward to reading book II!
Seth is an adventurous boy with a signature third-child syndrome—feels inferior to his older brother and is at constant odds with his older sister. And all has only gotten worse since the death of their father. Belonging is all he wants. But part of Seth’s problem is that he doesn’t even accept himself for who his is. So, when the sky starts raining stars—or looks like it is—and strange creatures whisk him away, he’s about to have to accept more than just himself.
When he and his siblings are sent on a mission to save the Four Worlds, he must learn to work with them, dream the impossible, and believe in the unbelievable.
The writing engages young readers to imagine beyond the words, creating their own private adventure. Action and tension are around every corner as the siblings are presented with one test after another. And with a guide who’s constantly morphing into a different creature, who knows what could happen next? The build up to the climax is fantastical and action-packed, lending just a hint of what’s yet to come. Looking forward to reading book II!
October 31, 2017
Imaginative and Fun | Review of ‘The Missing Guardian’ (The Descendants #1) (Review originally posted on Cyn's Workshop)
The Missing Guardian was a very cute book to read. Now that is not intended to be dismissive at all to the writing and the story at all because both were well done. However, what is intended by that word is to showcase the vibrant imagination within the novel on the whole. There’s another dimension to the novel that brings the imagination to life as well as the voices of the characters.
The novel follows young Seth, the youngest of three children who has become lost after the death of his father, almost left out by the rest of the family that doesn’t take him seriously or includes him. They baby him, so that aspect of the novel adds depth to the story by exploring the family dynamics. The richness of the family dynamics is the underlining focus of the story that doesn’t get lost within all the imagination and fantasy of the novel. Throughout the trials that they face they become a strong unit, and Seth begins to find his voice within the familial unit, he becomes stronger and less lost within the unit. This focus of writing leads to a lot of character development within the story focusing on those family ties which also serves as the grounding aspect of the story. The characters here are rich, but they are also realistic leading to a smooth connection to the reader, especially young readers who feel as though their voices are not being heard. That is important in a novel for young readers, a connection to the character that resonates throughout the novel. Seth is a kid, often overlooked as most children feel, and yet as he embarks on this journey, he finds his voice. That is compelling writing, making a character so young and so believable at the same time throughout all the fantasy.
It is also a fun story. There are times where the story slows down and lags a bit, but those are the parts where the story decides to go deeper into the characters and their dynamics. Those scenes also are a tad jarring because it almost feels as though the fantasy of the story, the overlying aspect of the story is on pause. Moreover, it is not a subtle pause either. These are the moments when the writing stops being fluid because it goes from fast-paced action to put the brakes on.
Despite that, however, the story is still rich in character development and imagination. The world that has been created here is fun, and it is colorful. There are beings and creatures both unique and, again, fun to watch come to life within the pages. It is an excellent novel for young audiences, but the level of maturity within the family dynamics also makes it enjoyable for older audiences as well. (★★★☆☆ | B+)
See more reviews at Cyn's Workshop and follow me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Google+ | LinkedIn
The Missing Guardian was a very cute book to read. Now that is not intended to be dismissive at all to the writing and the story at all because both were well done. However, what is intended by that word is to showcase the vibrant imagination within the novel on the whole. There’s another dimension to the novel that brings the imagination to life as well as the voices of the characters.
The novel follows young Seth, the youngest of three children who has become lost after the death of his father, almost left out by the rest of the family that doesn’t take him seriously or includes him. They baby him, so that aspect of the novel adds depth to the story by exploring the family dynamics. The richness of the family dynamics is the underlining focus of the story that doesn’t get lost within all the imagination and fantasy of the novel. Throughout the trials that they face they become a strong unit, and Seth begins to find his voice within the familial unit, he becomes stronger and less lost within the unit. This focus of writing leads to a lot of character development within the story focusing on those family ties which also serves as the grounding aspect of the story. The characters here are rich, but they are also realistic leading to a smooth connection to the reader, especially young readers who feel as though their voices are not being heard. That is important in a novel for young readers, a connection to the character that resonates throughout the novel. Seth is a kid, often overlooked as most children feel, and yet as he embarks on this journey, he finds his voice. That is compelling writing, making a character so young and so believable at the same time throughout all the fantasy.
It is also a fun story. There are times where the story slows down and lags a bit, but those are the parts where the story decides to go deeper into the characters and their dynamics. Those scenes also are a tad jarring because it almost feels as though the fantasy of the story, the overlying aspect of the story is on pause. Moreover, it is not a subtle pause either. These are the moments when the writing stops being fluid because it goes from fast-paced action to put the brakes on.
Despite that, however, the story is still rich in character development and imagination. The world that has been created here is fun, and it is colorful. There are beings and creatures both unique and, again, fun to watch come to life within the pages. It is an excellent novel for young audiences, but the level of maturity within the family dynamics also makes it enjoyable for older audiences as well. (★★★☆☆ | B+)
See more reviews at Cyn's Workshop and follow me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Google+ | LinkedIn
November 5, 2017
This easily shaped up to be one of my favorite books of the year. It's a faced paced, quick journey that has much to offer anyone looking for an epic adventure just their right amount of quick pace and excitement! It's a fun journey about Seth, who is still trying to figure out who he is after the loss of his dad, and how he fits into their new family dynamic. A missing guardian, damaged crystals, worlds beyond ours and an exciting cast that will leave you begging for the next one! It's perfect for kiddos who have a hard time keeping their attention on one thing, as the chapters are short; but the story is engaging enough to keep you turning the pages and reading more and more.
I deeply loved this book. I was so excited when I heard about it and now that I've read it, I just absolutely loved it. I'm going to be rereading this book for sure, that's how much I enjoyed it! :)
I deeply loved this book. I was so excited when I heard about it and now that I've read it, I just absolutely loved it. I'm going to be rereading this book for sure, that's how much I enjoyed it! :)
June 20, 2018
Disclaimer: I read this as a beta read for the author. This in no way impacts my opinion.
Wow this was such an amazing Middle Grade novel! With hints of Percy Jackson and A Wrinkle In Time, there are fun fantasy elements mixed with introspective moments that will satisfy every reader. I was so lucky to beta read this one and be able to give my input and insights, but honestly this book is so good! I loved the family aspects and seeing how Seth grows throughout the book. It has some tropes in it but it plays off of them in a really creative way. If you're looking for your next favourite fantasy read, this is the one for you!
See this and other reviews on Books and Ladders!
Wow this was such an amazing Middle Grade novel! With hints of Percy Jackson and A Wrinkle In Time, there are fun fantasy elements mixed with introspective moments that will satisfy every reader. I was so lucky to beta read this one and be able to give my input and insights, but honestly this book is so good! I loved the family aspects and seeing how Seth grows throughout the book. It has some tropes in it but it plays off of them in a really creative way. If you're looking for your next favourite fantasy read, this is the one for you!
See this and other reviews on Books and Ladders!
October 9, 2017
3.5 Stars ***
If you would like to see all my thoughts on this book, be sure to check out the review on my blog:
www.abooktropolis01.blogspot.co.za
But here is a snippet and overview of what I thought:
Overall, I thought that this was a great start to a series and a great middle grade book. I think that there are a lot of middle graders who will definitely enjoy this book, particularly those who are around Seth's age. The writing was true to the genre, the plot was slow paced but was still enjoyable. The characters had their ups and downs but at the end of the day Seth really shined as the main character. Thank you so much to the author for providing me with a copy of her book!
If you would like to see all my thoughts on this book, be sure to check out the review on my blog:
www.abooktropolis01.blogspot.co.za
But here is a snippet and overview of what I thought:
Overall, I thought that this was a great start to a series and a great middle grade book. I think that there are a lot of middle graders who will definitely enjoy this book, particularly those who are around Seth's age. The writing was true to the genre, the plot was slow paced but was still enjoyable. The characters had their ups and downs but at the end of the day Seth really shined as the main character. Thank you so much to the author for providing me with a copy of her book!
October 2, 2017
Cute middle grade fantasy book. Siblings, Seth, Jared, and Marin, are faced with riddles that will help them stop the spread of a dark infection and the darkness. Each sibling is important and play a part in their own way. They learn to work together to solve the riddles and tasks to get to their goal. I think MG readers will like this one even though some parts were a bit slow. The book ended well. I received a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.
April 23, 2020
This is a really good MG fantasy! When I was younger I would've adored it, and I still really enjoyed it now. I love the world it's set in, with all its different creatures and all the magic; it's just such a beautiful place, and really imaginative. I also really enjoyed the sibling dynamic, and how close they were, especially towards the end. All in all, I really recommend this book to MG readers (and anyone else who enjoys MG books)!
November 14, 2016
This book reminded me of Diana Wynne Jones' MG books--a rich world full of adventure. The characters were easy to relate to and often very funny. I was constantly eager to find out what would happen next.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews