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"Keeper of the Seed"
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About the Author... Dr. Vijay Balraj
Dr. Balraj obtained his bachelor's degree from Case Western Reserve University, his master's degree in Counseling Education from New York University and his Ph.D. in clinical child, school and community psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. He then went onto complete a post-doctoral fellowship in neuropsychology and rehabilitation psychology from the MarionJoy Rehabilitation hospital in Wheaton, Illinois.
Dr. Balraj has an active clinical practice specializing in children adolescents, as well as, adults and geriatrics. Many of his book ideas come from his two children (Sarina & Samir), who possess the superpower of boundless imagination. Dr. Balraj is married and lives with his wife and two children in Columbus, Ohio.
A description of Keeper of the Seed
The first book lays the framework for a vehicle, upon which many successive books in the series will be based. In addition, because this series is based upon a multiverse, the creatures and beings that will be encountered will be quite fantastical and unusual. In the first book, aliens are introduced which allows an unique blend of science fiction to the story line. The concepts of this series are loosely grounded in science, therefore, while intended for young adults, it has the capability to cross over into an adult readership as well. In the first book the main characters, unbeknownst to themselves are called into service to be Keepers (ancient protectors of the multiverse). However, prior to becoming a Keeper they must pass a series of tests to see if they are worthy. The first half of the first book leads up to a battle with the warrior Mizek, an alien from the planet Syrah. During this battle, the children (i.e. Sarina and Samir) will become aware of their special abilities and powers, in addition their companions, a worm named Willy and a praying mantis named Greenwing, will reveal their special attributes and hint at their roles as Guardians (i.e. protectors of the Keepers). This first battle will ultimately help the war-like Syrahians understand the need to form alliances with their neighboring worlds, rather than dominate and conquer them. It will also introduce to the reader the forthcoming danger to the entire universe. Sarina and Samir must then figure out how to enter the magical tree and once inside they must make their way to the heart chamber, the very center of the tree and the place where it's telepathic link to the Keeper is the strongest. Before reaching the heart chamber, the children will have to pass another trial. Sarina will battle a race of rock creatures and Samir will do battle against a giant king cobra, saving a beautiful queen in the bargain. Once they reach the heart chamber, the children will be explained the nature of the upcoming threat to the multiverse, and every living creature within it (i.e. Gruelgerog, a former guardian corrupted by the power he has extracted from others, and who was banished and has now returned to wrest control of the multiverse from the creator). The children's legacy will be revealed, as will the history of their family's role in protecting the multiverse from danger. The tree is a conduit of magical energy, as well as a nexus of the multiverse. That is, it is the point from which all the infinite strands of the different universes intersect (ala string theory). Each universe is a separate strand that stretches out infinitely in either direction. Occasionally, when two or more strands intersect or touch, this is called a node and, through a proper portal, at such a node, an individual can pass from one universe to the other. The tree is the nexus, or the intersection of all the strands of the universe and allows a keeper and/or guardian to pass any place in the multiverse. The first book ends with the children beginning their training as Keepers and being charged with the mission to stop Gruelgerog and his minions from corrupting and destroying the multiverse and all the creatures which inhabit it.
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