The Call of Dreamwalkers

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Call of the Dreamwalkers is a work of fiction in the urban fantasy, action, and adventure subgenres. It is aimed at the young adult reading audience but can also be enjoyed by mature middle­grade and adult readers alike. Penned by author Rafaele Desire, we follow our protagonist, Ana, a shy ninth-grader whose dreams of fitting in are shattered when her only friend, Heloise, falls into a coma after a strange bus accident. Ana's life takes a dark turn until a fateful dream introduces her to Arcadian, a mysterious light being who reveals the existence of malevolent entities called Mind Worms that prey on vulnerable young minds. Ana discovers her destiny as a Virtue, tasked with fighting against these dark forces. To save Heloise, her school, and herself, Ana must rally her classmates to face their deepest fears and confront the hideous Mind Worms in a battle for their souls.

Author Rafaele Desire masterfully combines elements of mystery, friendship, and supernatural encounters to craft a captivating narrative that is sure to have readers engaged from start to finish. The concept of dreamwalking and the existence of the Mind Worms add a unique and intriguing twist to the plot, building a sense of urgency and suspense through some excellent cinematic descriptions and atmospheric lexis. One of the features which impressed me the most was the thought put into exploring the psyche of young minds, exposing their fears and vulnerabilities while emphasizing the power of unity and inner strength to overcome darkness. 

Overall, The Call of the Dreamwalkers is a thrilling adventure that explores the depths of friendship, self­discovery, and the battle between good and evil, and I would not hesitate to recommend it to YA fantasy fans everywhere.

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

The Call of the Dreamwalkers is an urban fantasy by Rafaele Desire. When a freak accident puts her best friend, Heloise, into a coma, Anael (Ana), a fourteen-year-old teenager, struggles to navigate her daily life. But after she comes across a light named Acradion, Ana learns that she is a dormant Light Warrior who has to find the other Virtues and awaken them to defeat the Mind Worms responsible for Heloise's predicament. Ana, with the help of her friend, Joe, recruits other Virtues, Mike, Isa, Emmy, Gabe, and Rafi, to help in their fight against the Mind Worms. 

Now, the friends must train their bodies and minds for a final confrontation with the Mind Worms before everyone they know succumbs to their influence. However, first, they must overcome their own insecurities and weaknesses. 

If you're a fan of Neil Gaiman's The Sandman comics, you will absolutely love The Call of the Dreamwalkers. This urban fantasy features teenage friendships, romance, and a ferocious ultimate battle between light and dark bound to be relished by young adult readers. With a captivating story, author Rafaele Desire makes a vital point about not letting fear and doubt take control of your mind, emotions, and feelings. Desire's characters display a wide range of personalities and emotions that make them feel like real teenagers. The members of the V group share a powerful bond of friendship, and you can't help rooting for them every step of the way. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and highly recommend it to young adult fantasy readers who enjoy stories with empathy and compassion as their core themes.

Reviewed by Ronel Steyn for Readers' Favorite

Rafaele Desire brings us a young-adult urban fantasy in The Call of the Dreamwalkers. Anael and Heloise are best friends and freshmen at Liberty High and should be looking forward to an exciting new time in their lives. However, there is a dark cloud over the school. When Heloise is hit by a bus, Ana is devastated. One night, a being of light called Arcadian visits Ana in her dream and tells her that Mind Worms are why Heloise won't wake up from her coma.

Given a mission to find Virtues and fight the infestation at her school, Ana discovers a world where anything is possible. A world where the darkness can end you. Who can she trust? Will she be able to save her best friend and her school?

Author Rafaele Desire has brought to life a true dream universe. Written in the first-person narrative meant that I was privy to the innermost thoughts and feelings of the main protagonist. Be prepared to experience a range of emotions. I loved the colorful scenery, which emphasized the dream-world reality. The plot is solid, and character development is clear.

Characters are relatable and described vividly. Even though there are a few instances of swearing, I gladly recommend this book to young adults. It has some valuable insights that everyone should know at a young age. This book is also quite fun. Imagine what you could do in your dreams if you were truly aware of them.