Reviews

Raising Dragons by Bryan Davis

saraemmapope's review

2.0

Throughout this book I was constantly thinking “this SHOULD be interesting.” The idea for this book had so much potential, but the execution didn’t do it justice. The writing felt amateur. Moments that were meant to be heartwarming often felt cheesy and action-packed moments were too often interrupted by needless description. It was a bouncy ride of being drawn in and bored. I likely will not be continuing this series.

heathyfox's review

adventurous funny inspiring tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

cookiegecko's review

5.0

Ugh! This series was sooo good! Bryan Davis mixesChristianity, fantasy, sci-fi and Arthurian ledgends all together to create a really good series. I've read this series a couple times ;)

nancys_bookshelf's review

2.0

Honestly this book is good it’s not bad it’s just it had so much potential I remember loving this book when I was in 5th grade and now it’s ok but didn’t really stand up to time for me. The reason it got 3 stars is because I love Bonnie she is just so perfect in my eyes I’m pretty sure it’s just me but she is the only reason I read this book so fast was to see what happened to her. Overall good book meh pace decent characters the dad was a little weird and stiff in a bad way.

ellelainey's review

5.0

Excellent read. Completely un-put-down-able. Can't wait to get stuck into the second one.

micksland's review

5.0

One of my favorite fantasy book ever! While marketed toward younger readers, there's no reason why older teenagers can't enjoy this book too. The story is creative and the characters are a welcome relief from the stereotypes found in most teen fiction books. (Finally, a book where teenagers don't cuss or use drugs!) And while Davis is not the best writer in the world, the actual plot more than makes up for it.

While this book is not the best in the series, it sets the stage for the other books in the series, particularly the third.

I recommend to all teenagers who love fantasy.

leahegood's review

4.0

The writing in this story (and subsequent books) is amazing. Bryan Davis keeps the story moving at rip-roaring speed and you never want to put it down. At the end of book one, you can’t get to book two fast enough. That said, books that combine ‘other worldliness’ (i.e. Dragon’s that can turn into humans) with real world (God and salvation) always make me a little uncomfortable. I feel more doctrinally safe in worlds like Narnia that are separate from ours and allow our world’s rules to stay the same while allowing the allegorical stuff to work beautifully in the other world. Maybe that’s just me. In any case, that overlapping of worlds is the only concern I have with these books. On the other hand, dragons, half-dragons, and dragon hunters running around in modern day US and England is kinda fun! :) Also, if you read it, try thinking of the sword Excalibur as a picture of the Bible. I totally missed that parallel my first time through the series and it gives the books a whole new depth.

What do you think of combining real life faith with fantasy elements like dragons?

dragonterrier's review against another edition

adventurous dark fast-paced

5.0

louisa_meg's review

3.0

This was a pretty good book, although it was a little hard to follow at times. But not really. The plot was well laid out and I had a good time reading it. This was a whole new way of looking at dragons, and it was really fun. And yes, this is technically a Christian book, but it's not all about God. It is about people who believe in a God and there are themes that Christians like, but it really is a good book that pretty much any 12-14-year-old would like.

cacia's review

1.0

When I first read this story in sixth or seventh grade, I found it riveting. It was my first taste of fantasy fiction, and I could hardly put the book down. Revisiting it now that I have some life experience and know what good writing actually is, this is terrible. If I need to give someone an example of bad writing that actually got published, this is what I point them to. (What is even more appalling is that his publication has led to Mr. Davis teaching writing at seminars.) I simply cannot rate this book highly just for nostalgia or for my initial enthusiasm — it really is dreadful.

It’s a pity that I can no longer appreciate this series, because through it and the message board associated with it I met many friends, discovered the fantasy genre, learned about NaNoWriMo, and was encouraged to read the gem that is [b:The Lord of the Rings|33|The Lord of the Rings (The Lord of the Rings, #1-3)|J.R.R. Tolkien|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1566425108l/33._SX50_.jpg|3462456].

My life was indeed enriched by this series, yet not because of the books but because of the community I found through them. The test of time can be a harsh one: I have matured and these books have not. They grow more cringe-inducing with each passing year. Now, I have traded in this series at the used book store in exchange for [b:The Odyssey|1381|The Odyssey|Homer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1390173285l/1381._SY75_.jpg|3356006], [b:The Aeneid|12916|The Aeneid|Virgil|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1386924668l/12916._SY75_.jpg|288738], [b:The Divine Comedy I: Hell|19152|The Divine Comedy I Hell|Dante Alighieri|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1435940148l/19152._SY75_.jpg|2377563], and [b:Hamlet|1433|Hamlet|William Shakespeare|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1309282405l/1433._SY75_.jpg|1885548], four books I shall carry with me for the rest of my life.