Okay, I am going to share with you the book that got me interested in dragons instead of just viewing them as evil, vile creatures that the hero has to slay. This book is Raising Dragons by Bryan Davis, the first in his series Dragons in our Midst.
The book opens by introducing the reader to a normal boy who just happens to have extremely hot breath named Billy Bannister. After quickly meeting his loving parents, the reader meets Billy’s best friend, the crazy yet trustworthy Walter Foley. A couple chapters later, we meet Bonnie Silver, a girl who is always wearing an oversized backpack. A couple more characters of important interest are a British professor Charles Hamilton and the school principal Dr. Whittier. Things start to get interesting when Billy’s father, Jared Bannister, reveals that he was alive at the time of King Arthur . . . and as a dragon. Things get even stranger, and more dangerous, when Bonnie reveals what she keeps hidden in her backpack: dragon wings. It becomes a story of survival, establishing faith, and mystery as the Bannisters and Bonnie have to discover who they can trust with their secret while on the run from a deadly dragon slayer. Though set in the early 2000's, the reader will be given a glimpse at medieval England where they will meet the dragons, King Arthur, and the prophet Merlin. Magic is replaced by the mighty power of God, working at the request of a faithful prophet and the faith of the recipients. The dragons are depicted as intelligent creatures who can choose whether to do good or to do evil. Oh, and they are able to speak too. From the dedication at the front of this book, it is revealed that this entire story was inspired by a dream and thanks to the author’s son was transformed into this amazing tale. I will admit it was the cover of the third book in the series that initially caught my attention, but it was really the first book that drew me in. The story is a novel meant for teens and young adults with twenty chapters, and when including the “sneak peek” chapter for book two, it is nearly four hundred pages.
I love the fast-paced action, the friendships, and the occasional craziness that should be present among any healthy, playful teenagers. And being the fantasy lover that I am, I also enjoyed this new view of dragons and the scenes where we learn new facets of old Arthurian legends. The characters are both what you would expect and what you wouldn’t expect: example in ordinary teens but with dragon traits they have to hide. You may wonder why I haven’t mentioned a villain. That’s because I don’t wish to give away one of the bigger secrets. Another of those you don’t quite see it coming so it surprises you sort of things. And no I can’t go into greater detail or else I may end up ruining it all for you. This is Christian based so there are references to Bibles and Bible passages. I only say this for any non-Christian and non-religious readers who prefer to be warned when such things are present, but I personally believe that for a Christian book, it is rather subtle in the use of anything Christian. All uses of the Bible or its verses further the story, being woven in seamlessly.
All in all, I highly recommend this book, and the series (of which I plan to do all of the books) to anyone who enjoys Christian stories, fantasy stories, or a combination of the two. That is all for now. Farewell until next time.
Others in the series:
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