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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.
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?
What do you think of combining real life faith with fantasy elements like dragons?
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.
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.
rebelrider's review
5.0
Raising Dragons is the first book of Bryan Davis’s Dragons in our Midst series. (Oracles of Fire is the second series.) Raising Dragons is Christian fantasy set in modern times about a boy named Billy and a girl named Bonnie who are dragon/human hybrids. Billy can breath fire and sense danger while Bonnie has dragon wings and a strong faith in God. But fire breathing and flying are not all fun and games for Billy and Bonnie. Dragons are still alive but so are dragon slayers and they are set on hunting down every last dragon and their offspring.
Overall, Raising Dragons is an exciting adventure for all ages and, unlike some Christian fantasy, is original and does not borrow from previous authors’ ideas. There is also nothing that parents need to worry about besides a little violence. (I even read it to my brother who was eight at the time.)
Overall, Raising Dragons is an exciting adventure for all ages and, unlike some Christian fantasy, is original and does not borrow from previous authors’ ideas. There is also nothing that parents need to worry about besides a little violence. (I even read it to my brother who was eight at the time.)
carina_shephard's review
4.0
⚠ SPOILERS BELOW!! ⚠
4 stars // read May 2021
If tiny!Carina would've read this when she was younger it would've been one of her favorites. As it is, I enjoyed it but especially towards the last 1/3 of the book it was more of a 4 star read. I'm planning on continuing the series though!
Likes:
-The audio book was semi-dramatized and I really liked that. It gave it a Adventures in Odyssey sort of feel.
-Yay for Arthurian stuff!
-Yay for positive parental and authority figures!
-Yay for homeschooling not being portrayed in a negative light!
-I didn't read the description for the book and so it was totally unexpected to me that Bonnie had wings. So that was fun finding that out at the same time the other characters did!
-I am *convinced* that the Professor knows more than what he is letting on....
Dislikes:
-It seemed achingly obvious to me that Mr. Bannister had reverted into dragon form, especially once it was mentioned that Hambone went wild near the cave, but Billy and his mom took their sweet time figuring it out? Granted, it would be a little hard to swallow in their situation, but there were so many clues (near the cave, the burned wreckage, the ruby, the Bible passage) it seems like they should've figured it out before then.
-So Walter finds out about Billy and Bonnie but then it's not mentioned afterward about his knowledge? Billy treats him as if he doesn't know; does Billy not realize that Walter knows? I was confused on that aspect.
-The audio book had 4 or so places where it repeated the same sentences a couple of times, where it repeated the same sentences a couple of times, where it repeated the same sentences a couple of times, or skipped a sentence, which, as you can imagine, was annoying.
-I'm not sure if this was intended or not, but Cleftspear seemed to have an almost Christ figure connotation and... I'm not sure how I feel about that? That was the vibe I got- the willingness to die for those he loved and his statements about how Billy was blessed because he believed without seeing, that sort of thing. I could be wrong though.
-Also it's just casually mentioned towards the end that Billy has an older sister who's off in college. WHAT. Is she adopted? How is all of this affecting her? Does she know that her dad is a dragon?? All of the questions!
Content: Due to violence (especially in the latter part of the book) probably 12+.
4 stars // read May 2021
If tiny!Carina would've read this when she was younger it would've been one of her favorites. As it is, I enjoyed it but especially towards the last 1/3 of the book it was more of a 4 star read. I'm planning on continuing the series though!
Likes:
-The audio book was semi-dramatized and I really liked that. It gave it a Adventures in Odyssey sort of feel.
-Yay for Arthurian stuff!
-Yay for positive parental and authority figures!
-Yay for homeschooling not being portrayed in a negative light!
-I didn't read the description for the book and so it was totally unexpected to me that Bonnie had wings. So that was fun finding that out at the same time the other characters did!
-I am *convinced* that the Professor knows more than what he is letting on....
Dislikes:
-It seemed achingly obvious to me that Mr. Bannister had reverted into dragon form, especially once it was mentioned that Hambone went wild near the cave, but Billy and his mom took their sweet time figuring it out? Granted, it would be a little hard to swallow in their situation, but there were so many clues (near the cave, the burned wreckage, the ruby, the Bible passage) it seems like they should've figured it out before then.
-So Walter finds out about Billy and Bonnie but then it's not mentioned afterward about his knowledge? Billy treats him as if he doesn't know; does Billy not realize that Walter knows? I was confused on that aspect.
-The audio book had 4 or so places where it repeated the same sentences a couple of times, where it repeated the same sentences a couple of times, where it repeated the same sentences a couple of times, or skipped a sentence, which, as you can imagine, was annoying.
-I'm not sure if this was intended or not, but Cleftspear seemed to have an almost Christ figure connotation and... I'm not sure how I feel about that? That was the vibe I got- the willingness to die for those he loved and his statements about how Billy was blessed because he believed without seeing, that sort of thing. I could be wrong though.
-Also it's just casually mentioned towards the end that Billy has an older sister who's off in college. WHAT. Is she adopted? How is all of this affecting her? Does she know that her dad is a dragon?? All of the questions!
Content: Due to violence (especially in the latter part of the book) probably 12+.
thebookishpersuasion's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
starsenshib's review
1.0
WOW
I recently remembered these books and I just HAD to review them because what a wild ride! what an absolute trip these books were wowee and holy mama buckle your seatbelts kids and get ready for the time of your life!
These books are trash
(Tl;dr Don't let your child read these books they are unhealthy, badly written and colored with creepy throughout)
I read these books as an impressionable young christian who was looking for fantasy media that aligned with my values. Oh my gosh, christian + dragon! An absolute no-brainer!
...Said me, and thousands of other impressionable tweens
So i read the books, and I liked them. Because I was an impressionable tween, and he was a respected christian author, and the books were about dragons, and the characters were (not really) respectable, good role models who strove to walk the christian walk
Something about these books always made me uncomfortable, but I figured it must be nothing, I devoured the first series and moved on to the next
And then I stopped
Because I knew there was something off about these books, even as an impressionable tween girl who is surrounded by terrible influences that say these kinds of books should be beneficial
I'm just going to do a fly-by and throw out the first few reasons I can think of for why you shouldn't read these books. An in-depth review of all the reasons would take weeks and lots of planning, so here's a small taste.
1.
Bonnie is a mary-sue
Not only is she a mary-sue but she is p e r f e c t. She never does anything wrong. She's referred to as Billy's "virgin bride" (his prize, the object to be won...yes) After reading 4 books about Bonnie I cannot give you a single character trait besides "sweet". She never DOES anything. She's as useless as Snow White from the original Disney movie and she's not even as likable. At one point in the book, she is sleeping - SLEEPING - and a man comes in to murder her and she's just so pure - as she lays in her bed - that he's like "aw nah I don't wanna kill her" and he leaves.
That happened.
As an adult I can look at these books and lol at the bad writing, but when you're a young impressionable tween you don't see a bad character - you see an unattainably perfect character. you see a girl that is the ideal - she is what you should be, but of course it's impossible because Bonnie is so perfect she makes Barbie jealous. What a great message to send young girls! "be perfect and if you're not it's because you're bad". Lights should shine down on you from heaven! (did that happen to Bonnie yes it did)
2. The theology is Troubling
This is what made me the most uncomfortable in his books. This author makes up crap by the truckload and he weaves his creepy dragon lore in with his own disturbing "perfection is attainable" theology, creating a narrative that both confuses and concerns me. I am genuinely glad this book didn't affect me more as a child, because from what I can tell of his ideals, the author is a disturbed individual.
3. The writing - it aint good folks
Christian fiction is a beautiful genre that kinda doesn't have any quality control, so it's always a surprise what you're going to get. It's like wattpad but you can't swear. These books have bad dialogue, badly written characters, uninteresting and confusing plots...everything you could ever want in a textbook case of a terrible story. Seriously - you want to become a better writer? go through this book page by page and pick apart all the errors, mistakes, bad writing techniques - you will at the very least be a great critic by the end.
The author should not be a writer, he should be a trashman. (I mean, he is a trashman, but his job should also be trashman.) He can start by taking all of these books and throwing them into the abyss
I recently remembered these books and I just HAD to review them because what a wild ride! what an absolute trip these books were wowee and holy mama buckle your seatbelts kids and get ready for the time of your life!
These books are trash
(Tl;dr Don't let your child read these books they are unhealthy, badly written and colored with creepy throughout)
I read these books as an impressionable young christian who was looking for fantasy media that aligned with my values. Oh my gosh, christian + dragon! An absolute no-brainer!
...Said me, and thousands of other impressionable tweens
So i read the books, and I liked them. Because I was an impressionable tween, and he was a respected christian author, and the books were about dragons, and the characters were (not really) respectable, good role models who strove to walk the christian walk
Something about these books always made me uncomfortable, but I figured it must be nothing, I devoured the first series and moved on to the next
And then I stopped
Because I knew there was something off about these books, even as an impressionable tween girl who is surrounded by terrible influences that say these kinds of books should be beneficial
I'm just going to do a fly-by and throw out the first few reasons I can think of for why you shouldn't read these books. An in-depth review of all the reasons would take weeks and lots of planning, so here's a small taste.
1.
Bonnie is a mary-sue
Not only is she a mary-sue but she is p e r f e c t. She never does anything wrong. She's referred to as Billy's "virgin bride" (his prize, the object to be won...yes) After reading 4 books about Bonnie I cannot give you a single character trait besides "sweet". She never DOES anything. She's as useless as Snow White from the original Disney movie and she's not even as likable. At one point in the book, she is sleeping - SLEEPING - and a man comes in to murder her and she's just so pure - as she lays in her bed - that he's like "aw nah I don't wanna kill her" and he leaves.
That happened.
As an adult I can look at these books and lol at the bad writing, but when you're a young impressionable tween you don't see a bad character - you see an unattainably perfect character. you see a girl that is the ideal - she is what you should be, but of course it's impossible because Bonnie is so perfect she makes Barbie jealous. What a great message to send young girls! "be perfect and if you're not it's because you're bad". Lights should shine down on you from heaven! (did that happen to Bonnie yes it did)
2. The theology is Troubling
This is what made me the most uncomfortable in his books. This author makes up crap by the truckload and he weaves his creepy dragon lore in with his own disturbing "perfection is attainable" theology, creating a narrative that both confuses and concerns me. I am genuinely glad this book didn't affect me more as a child, because from what I can tell of his ideals, the author is a disturbed individual.
3. The writing - it aint good folks
Christian fiction is a beautiful genre that kinda doesn't have any quality control, so it's always a surprise what you're going to get. It's like wattpad but you can't swear. These books have bad dialogue, badly written characters, uninteresting and confusing plots...everything you could ever want in a textbook case of a terrible story. Seriously - you want to become a better writer? go through this book page by page and pick apart all the errors, mistakes, bad writing techniques - you will at the very least be a great critic by the end.
The author should not be a writer, he should be a trashman. (I mean, he is a trashman, but his job should also be trashman.) He can start by taking all of these books and throwing them into the abyss
paperbacks_and_ponytails's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this first book in the series. About a boy who finds out he is a dragon and the modern day knights who are trying to kill off the last of the dragons in the world. I listened to the audiobook for this, and I really enjoyed the fact that it was a full cast. The action and storyline kept up a high pace of fun and excitement for young readers and old readers alike.