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Dragons in Our Midst #1
Raising Dragons
A boy learns of his dragon past; a girl has known hers for years. They combine their faith, courage, and love to overcome an evil slayer who seeks to bring an end to dragon heritage, forever.
The kids at school call Billy "Dragon Breath" for good reason. His breath is bad! It isn't the normal, morning-mouth bad; it's the hot-as-fire, "don't-you-dare-get-near-me" bad. Trouble erupts when his hot breath sets off the fire sprinklers in the boys' restroom in school, and his parents learn that they've kept their secret for too long.
Billy finally discovers the secret. His father was once a dragon! Now that's a piece of news a guy doesn't deal with every day! Billy feels betrayed, alien, lost. When the dragon slayer traps him on a cold mountaintop in West Virginia, Billy learns to battle with weapons of steel and spirit while relying on a power he doesn't understand, a power that helps him learn to trust again.
Bonnie, an orphan, tries to find a home, someone to love her, even though she feels like a freak because of a body feature that she calls a deformity. But this unusual feature becomes a life-saving attribute as she discovers that her love for others and her faith in a creator hold the answers she's looking for.
The kids at school call Billy "Dragon Breath" for good reason. His breath is bad! It isn't the normal, morning-mouth bad; it's the hot-as-fire, "don't-you-dare-get-near-me" bad. Trouble erupts when his hot breath sets off the fire sprinklers in the boys' restroom in school, and his parents learn that they've kept their secret for too long.
Billy finally discovers the secret. His father was once a dragon! Now that's a piece of news a guy doesn't deal with every day! Billy feels betrayed, alien, lost. When the dragon slayer traps him on a cold mountaintop in West Virginia, Billy learns to battle with weapons of steel and spirit while relying on a power he doesn't understand, a power that helps him learn to trust again.
Bonnie, an orphan, tries to find a home, someone to love her, even though she feels like a freak because of a body feature that she calls a deformity. But this unusual feature becomes a life-saving attribute as she discovers that her love for others and her faith in a creator hold the answers she's looking for.
399 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2004
About the author
Bryan Davis
98 books904 followersBryan Davis is the author several speculative-fiction series, including Dragons in Our Midst, Oracles of Fire, Children of the Bard, The Reapers Trilogy, The Time Echoes Trilogy, Tales of Starlight, and Dragons of Starlight.
Bryan lives in western Tennessee with his wife, Susie. Bryan and Susie have homeschooled their four girls and three boys.
Bryan was born in 1958 and grew up in the eastern U.S. From the time he taught himself how to read before school age, through his seminary years and beyond, he has demonstrated a passion for the written word, reading and writing in many disciplines and genres, including fantasy, theology, fiction, devotionals, poetry, and humor.
Bryan lives in western Tennessee with his wife, Susie. Bryan and Susie have homeschooled their four girls and three boys.
Bryan was born in 1958 and grew up in the eastern U.S. From the time he taught himself how to read before school age, through his seminary years and beyond, he has demonstrated a passion for the written word, reading and writing in many disciplines and genres, including fantasy, theology, fiction, devotionals, poetry, and humor.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 490 reviews
August 26, 2013
Review by my 10 yr old son :-)
Billy and Bonnie are both half dragons. Bonnie has known her entire life but Billy only just found out. Not long after hearing what he is, he finds himself on the run from a crazy Dragon Slayer. He learns what and who his dad is and how and why they are being hunted.
I love Dragon books and my mom gave me this to try. I enjoyed it and found the story good - a boy finding out he is half dragon (how cool would that be???)and that his dad is a full dragon (even cooler) forced to become human to hide from the Dragon Slayers. He meets another half Dragon and both end up on the run with Slayers trying to kill them.
Bonnie is cool for a girl Dragon. She has wings and is quite strong. Billy though is awesome because he can breath fire. I liked both of them but my most favourite character was Walter, he is a good friend to have. He had their backs. The story was action packed and never dull. I especially liked the Arthur bits and reading about the Dragons. The Slayers weren't very nice but they were very good villains. I also want a teacher like Professor Hamilton because he was pretty cool and had awesome weapons. I also want to know who or what he is because that bit was very mysterious.
I really liked Raising Dragons and have asked my mom for the next in the series.
Billy and Bonnie are both half dragons. Bonnie has known her entire life but Billy only just found out. Not long after hearing what he is, he finds himself on the run from a crazy Dragon Slayer. He learns what and who his dad is and how and why they are being hunted.
I love Dragon books and my mom gave me this to try. I enjoyed it and found the story good - a boy finding out he is half dragon (how cool would that be???)and that his dad is a full dragon (even cooler) forced to become human to hide from the Dragon Slayers. He meets another half Dragon and both end up on the run with Slayers trying to kill them.
Bonnie is cool for a girl Dragon. She has wings and is quite strong. Billy though is awesome because he can breath fire. I liked both of them but my most favourite character was Walter, he is a good friend to have. He had their backs. The story was action packed and never dull. I especially liked the Arthur bits and reading about the Dragons. The Slayers weren't very nice but they were very good villains. I also want a teacher like Professor Hamilton because he was pretty cool and had awesome weapons. I also want to know who or what he is because that bit was very mysterious.
I really liked Raising Dragons and have asked my mom for the next in the series.
July 10, 2012
I was tempted to give this five stars for "entertainingly bad." I mean, I have gotten a great deal of enjoyment from reading this, just not for the reasons the author intended.
Now, before I get any further, allow me to say that I think the concept had potential--dragons are cool when done well, and the idea of them hiding out in human form is interesting, etc.
But the execution was...poor. The characters are about as well-developed and intriguing as oatmeal (and they're named "Billy Bannister" and "Bonnie Silver"--who thought this sounded like the real world?), the villain is silly, the plot is contrived--but most of all, the writing is just somehow peculiar. The dialogue feels about as natural as that in Tommy Wiseau's "The Room," and it is delivered with the same stilted awkwardness--you can't quite put your finger on why it sounds wrong, but it's just...off.
If that were not enough to make this book laughable, the narration style is melodramatic yet somehow lethargic, and the bizarre similes (trying to be artsy, I think?) were both hilarious and distracting--seriously, he compares dog's tongues to "pink welcome mats." What the heck??
Overall, the book was silly, and I'm astounded at how many people can take it seriously. I understand that people like the good morals and Christian messages, but just because something is wholesome does not mean it is good in the artistic or entertainment departments. There is nothing wrong with wanting to imbibe your writing with Christian values. Heck, C.S. Lewis relied on Biblical allegory and made a very imaginative and beloved series. Tolkein and Rowling did it even better by making their Christian messages subtler (using Christ-figure characters and other symbols, which can appeal to people on both a secular AND religious level) and not hitting readers over the head with them. Most importantly, these three writers had talent.
And Bryan Davis, though I am sure he is a nice guy, cannot write.
Now, before I get any further, allow me to say that I think the concept had potential--dragons are cool when done well, and the idea of them hiding out in human form is interesting, etc.
But the execution was...poor. The characters are about as well-developed and intriguing as oatmeal (and they're named "Billy Bannister" and "Bonnie Silver"--who thought this sounded like the real world?), the villain is silly, the plot is contrived--but most of all, the writing is just somehow peculiar. The dialogue feels about as natural as that in Tommy Wiseau's "The Room," and it is delivered with the same stilted awkwardness--you can't quite put your finger on why it sounds wrong, but it's just...off.
If that were not enough to make this book laughable, the narration style is melodramatic yet somehow lethargic, and the bizarre similes (trying to be artsy, I think?) were both hilarious and distracting--seriously, he compares dog's tongues to "pink welcome mats." What the heck??
Overall, the book was silly, and I'm astounded at how many people can take it seriously. I understand that people like the good morals and Christian messages, but just because something is wholesome does not mean it is good in the artistic or entertainment departments. There is nothing wrong with wanting to imbibe your writing with Christian values. Heck, C.S. Lewis relied on Biblical allegory and made a very imaginative and beloved series. Tolkein and Rowling did it even better by making their Christian messages subtler (using Christ-figure characters and other symbols, which can appeal to people on both a secular AND religious level) and not hitting readers over the head with them. Most importantly, these three writers had talent.
And Bryan Davis, though I am sure he is a nice guy, cannot write.
January 14, 2018
This is at least my fourth time visiting Billy, Bonnie, and Walter in Castlewood--and every time it's like returning to old friends!
A tale of a boy coming to grips with his father's hidden past, friends finding courage, Arthurian legend reaching through history, and a remnant dragonkind fighting to survive, I found myself remembering certain scenes with perfect clarity. Others surprised me. I'd forgotten things like Professor's crazy driving, the jar of shark teeth, what Mr. Foley looks like... little details.
My favorite scene still is (and has always been) the one in chapter 13... "Forever and ever, Bonnie. I will always be your friend." <3
This book first captivated me when I was twelve. Coming back ten years later, I found myself smiling at a few cheesy lines and instances of head-hopping--not smiling with cynical criticism, but with fondness and pride, because after finishing Bryan Davis's Reapers trilogy last year, I can see just how far his craft has come. And despite the minor flaws, a heart pulsing with dragonfire shines through.
That's what first captured me, what inspired the first rendition of my own first novel, and what still grabs me today.
I'm planning to reread the rest of this series, along with the next two--twelve books in all. One a month! And I can't wait to relive the adventures these dear characters are about to take.
A tale of a boy coming to grips with his father's hidden past, friends finding courage, Arthurian legend reaching through history, and a remnant dragonkind fighting to survive, I found myself remembering certain scenes with perfect clarity. Others surprised me. I'd forgotten things like Professor's crazy driving, the jar of shark teeth, what Mr. Foley looks like... little details.
My favorite scene still is (and has always been) the one in chapter 13... "Forever and ever, Bonnie. I will always be your friend." <3
This book first captivated me when I was twelve. Coming back ten years later, I found myself smiling at a few cheesy lines and instances of head-hopping--not smiling with cynical criticism, but with fondness and pride, because after finishing Bryan Davis's Reapers trilogy last year, I can see just how far his craft has come. And despite the minor flaws, a heart pulsing with dragonfire shines through.
That's what first captured me, what inspired the first rendition of my own first novel, and what still grabs me today.
I'm planning to reread the rest of this series, along with the next two--twelve books in all. One a month! And I can't wait to relive the adventures these dear characters are about to take.
November 14, 2021
I have received this ARC from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
It honestly surprised me when I found this was available for an ARC. Mostly because it originally came out back in 2004. So, yeah I was a little confused but still excited to jump into this book nonetheless. The book was pretty enjoyable and easy to follow along with. The characters themselves were also pretty likable. Out of them all, I don't necessarily think I have a favorite but the day is young and I'm only at book one in the series.
The adventure was jam packed with action but I stayed for the comedic relief. It was refreshing and lots of fun to listen to. I think overall, Raising Dragons was a pleasant surprise. Honestly, anything with dragons will make me happy and if I cross paths with the sequel, I wouldn't mind diving into that one either.
In the end, I'm glad that I randomly came across this and got the chance to dive into it.
It honestly surprised me when I found this was available for an ARC. Mostly because it originally came out back in 2004. So, yeah I was a little confused but still excited to jump into this book nonetheless. The book was pretty enjoyable and easy to follow along with. The characters themselves were also pretty likable. Out of them all, I don't necessarily think I have a favorite but the day is young and I'm only at book one in the series.
The adventure was jam packed with action but I stayed for the comedic relief. It was refreshing and lots of fun to listen to. I think overall, Raising Dragons was a pleasant surprise. Honestly, anything with dragons will make me happy and if I cross paths with the sequel, I wouldn't mind diving into that one either.
In the end, I'm glad that I randomly came across this and got the chance to dive into it.
May 21, 2008
Oh, this book is just awful. It has a wonderful idea -- that dragons long ago had to take on human form in order to survive, that some of them are good and some of them are evil, and that they're hunted down in modern times by slayers who think that all of them evil. But the book is just badly written. The characters aren't real, their emotions aren't real, their dialogue is stilted (there's an English character who walks around saying, 'Old chap'), the settings aren't real (I don't think the author has spent any time in a public school or knows how one works), and the plot is just too silly for words (the bad guy suddenly pops up in the back of a plane the characters are in, AFTER the protagonist has explained his life story to his son...) Oh, plus the male characters are always exchanging "manly" glances and "masculine" embraces and the female characters are brave but have to be rescued.
I heard about the book because the author was making an appearance nearby, and I'm always interested in Christian fiction. I'm so disappointed.
I heard about the book because the author was making an appearance nearby, and I'm always interested in Christian fiction. I'm so disappointed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2022
4 Stars ✨
Middle Grade/Ya Fantasy Series
Book 1
Raising Dragons was such a fun read. Bonnie and Billy aren’t your average teenagers. Both have weird traits that make them stand out to their peers, causing them to get teased. Bonnie has wings she hides with a backpack and Billy has horrible breath, that he’s just figuring out is due to the fact that he can breathe fire. Their abnormalities come from having at least one parent that is a dragon. Bonnie has always known she was half dragon, and Billy thought he was normal - until he sets off the sprinkler at school with his breath. This new found ability sends him on a quest for the truth of his origins and so much more!
As a mom, I’m always on the lookout for clean books that my kids will not only enjoy, but will gain something from. This story was full of dragon lore, medieval fantasy, quirky characters and was pretty inspiring. To me that’s a recipe for a good book, one I think my kids would really enjoy. I’m looking forward to reading more of Bonnie and Billies adventures in the rest of the series.
Middle Grade/Ya Fantasy Series
Book 1
Raising Dragons was such a fun read. Bonnie and Billy aren’t your average teenagers. Both have weird traits that make them stand out to their peers, causing them to get teased. Bonnie has wings she hides with a backpack and Billy has horrible breath, that he’s just figuring out is due to the fact that he can breathe fire. Their abnormalities come from having at least one parent that is a dragon. Bonnie has always known she was half dragon, and Billy thought he was normal - until he sets off the sprinkler at school with his breath. This new found ability sends him on a quest for the truth of his origins and so much more!
As a mom, I’m always on the lookout for clean books that my kids will not only enjoy, but will gain something from. This story was full of dragon lore, medieval fantasy, quirky characters and was pretty inspiring. To me that’s a recipe for a good book, one I think my kids would really enjoy. I’m looking forward to reading more of Bonnie and Billies adventures in the rest of the series.
April 17, 2017
I really enjoyed this. It was many years ago when I first read this and I wasn't sure my opinion would be the same. Overall it was.
A lot of fantasy some chase and intrigue and a dash of light comedy and good action. The pace is busy from beginning to end. I was quickly drawn into the characters and their predicaments. They are easy to connect to. My favorite characters are the enigma Mr. Hamilton and Walter who is an amazing best friend on many levels. Some prophecies spoken in the the time of Merlin and King Arthur mix with modern setting. And how it plays out is fantastic. I am eager to read the next book in the series!
4.5 stars
A lot of fantasy some chase and intrigue and a dash of light comedy and good action. The pace is busy from beginning to end. I was quickly drawn into the characters and their predicaments. They are easy to connect to. My favorite characters are the enigma Mr. Hamilton and Walter who is an amazing best friend on many levels. Some prophecies spoken in the the time of Merlin and King Arthur mix with modern setting. And how it plays out is fantastic. I am eager to read the next book in the series!
4.5 stars
October 30, 2018
It was intriguing to a point. But I doubt I will finish this series.
Sorry Brian Davis.... I tried... I tried.
Sorry Brian Davis.... I tried... I tried.
May 21, 2022
2022 Series Review:
When I first read the Dragons in Our Midst series not long after this book released, it quickly hit my favorites list. The Oracles of Fire series took me a little longer to win me over, but eventually, it joined its predecessor on my top ten (technically sharing a space, as you really can't have one without the other). But time went on, and my growing reading list meant I reread less, and before long, years had passed without my touching these books (except to occasionally take Bookstagram photos). And the question arose: were they as good as I remembered? Other favorites from that time had fallen in favor as I found other stories that I loved more and that rang more true and as I discovered other authors with lovelier writing. Would Dragons in Our Midst and Oracles of Fire hold up?
In October 2021, I decided to find out. And as I delved into the familiar pages, I quickly found myself falling in love again with the story, characters, and themes, all of which were as excellent as I remembered — or, in some cases, better. Maturity on my part meant I could better appreciate certain characters and choices that had frustrated the younger me and that I could more clearly see the spiritual truths Davis weaves into every page of his writing. And books I originally didn't love — mostly Tears of a Dragon, Enoch's Ghost, and The Bones of Makaidos — I found I liked much better this time around because, again, I could better appreciate the themes, particularly the theme of sacrifice that runs so strongly through this series.
It's bit interesting for me to think that in some ways, these books were published at the last possible moment that they could've been really successful, both in- and out-of-story. In-story, the increasing omnipresence of the internet and surveillance and just the increased number of people with cameras on their phones would've made it nearly impossible for the dragons and anthrozils to stay hidden (especially in the case of LITERAL dragons or Bonnie and her wings) — and that's not even starting on the events at the end of Circles of Seven or the merging of Earth and Hell in Oracles of Fire. Those were a Big Deal in the story; they'd be receiving hundreds of times more attention and panic today.
And out-of-story, well, you can't get far into these books without recognizing that Davis isn't exactly subtle with his spiritual themes. Even compared to other books of the time, these books are saturated with Biblical truth, scripture, allegory, and messages — I would argue even more so than some books that were explicitly allegorical. It's even more evident compared to a lot of Christian fiction today, which tends to be much more subtle. But honestly? It's kind of refreshing to read a book that's so in-your-face about these things.
So, do these books hold up? Absolutely. If you've never read them before, pick them up. And if you have read them before, well, don't you think it might be time for a reread?
When I first read the Dragons in Our Midst series not long after this book released, it quickly hit my favorites list. The Oracles of Fire series took me a little longer to win me over, but eventually, it joined its predecessor on my top ten (technically sharing a space, as you really can't have one without the other). But time went on, and my growing reading list meant I reread less, and before long, years had passed without my touching these books (except to occasionally take Bookstagram photos). And the question arose: were they as good as I remembered? Other favorites from that time had fallen in favor as I found other stories that I loved more and that rang more true and as I discovered other authors with lovelier writing. Would Dragons in Our Midst and Oracles of Fire hold up?
In October 2021, I decided to find out. And as I delved into the familiar pages, I quickly found myself falling in love again with the story, characters, and themes, all of which were as excellent as I remembered — or, in some cases, better. Maturity on my part meant I could better appreciate certain characters and choices that had frustrated the younger me and that I could more clearly see the spiritual truths Davis weaves into every page of his writing. And books I originally didn't love — mostly Tears of a Dragon, Enoch's Ghost, and The Bones of Makaidos — I found I liked much better this time around because, again, I could better appreciate the themes, particularly the theme of sacrifice that runs so strongly through this series.
It's bit interesting for me to think that in some ways, these books were published at the last possible moment that they could've been really successful, both in- and out-of-story. In-story, the increasing omnipresence of the internet and surveillance and just the increased number of people with cameras on their phones would've made it nearly impossible for the dragons and anthrozils to stay hidden (especially in the case of LITERAL dragons or Bonnie and her wings) — and that's not even starting on the events at the end of Circles of Seven or the merging of Earth and Hell in Oracles of Fire. Those were a Big Deal in the story; they'd be receiving hundreds of times more attention and panic today.
And out-of-story, well, you can't get far into these books without recognizing that Davis isn't exactly subtle with his spiritual themes. Even compared to other books of the time, these books are saturated with Biblical truth, scripture, allegory, and messages — I would argue even more so than some books that were explicitly allegorical. It's even more evident compared to a lot of Christian fiction today, which tends to be much more subtle. But honestly? It's kind of refreshing to read a book that's so in-your-face about these things.
So, do these books hold up? Absolutely. If you've never read them before, pick them up. And if you have read them before, well, don't you think it might be time for a reread?
December 11, 2021
This is the second time that I've read through this book. I intended to read through the rest of the series, but didn't ever end up doing it, so I figured I'd better go back and read the first book to refresh my memory before going on.
Raising Dragons is a fun, Christian read for teens onward. It has lots of action, and some quirky characters, with a very interesting plot idea. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series!
The only place I really have a problem with this book is the names for the main characters. Like, come on, Billy? *smacks forehead* Most common name ever, right there along with Bob and John. Bonnie's not too bad, but it's not real great either.
To be honest, my favorite main character is not either of the main characters, but rather, Mr. Hamilton. How can you NOT like Mr. Hamilton and his British accent ;) I'm a sucker for accents XD
Overall, if you're a parent looking for safe, fun, Christian reads for your kid, this book / series is it.
Raising Dragons is a fun, Christian read for teens onward. It has lots of action, and some quirky characters, with a very interesting plot idea. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series!
The only place I really have a problem with this book is the names for the main characters. Like, come on, Billy? *smacks forehead* Most common name ever, right there along with Bob and John. Bonnie's not too bad, but it's not real great either.
To be honest, my favorite main character is not either of the main characters, but rather, Mr. Hamilton. How can you NOT like Mr. Hamilton and his British accent ;) I'm a sucker for accents XD
Overall, if you're a parent looking for safe, fun, Christian reads for your kid, this book / series is it.
June 5, 2018
This one was okay. I remember not being too impressed with the writing, even as a kid, but the series gets sooooo much better.
January 3, 2016
As a mother of young children and a lover of fantasy this book is a winner for me. Knowing this is a book geared toward children and teens, I read it keeping my eyes open for appropriateness and characters with integrity. I can say in that department, I give it a full 5 stars. This book is one I would gladly sit down and read to my children 6-10 without any qualms. The books characters exhibit qualities and traits that I would like to see developed in my own children and the story is one that grabs the imagination of young and old from the beginning.
The reason I give this book 4 stars instead of 5 is because while I can suspend reality to read a book about dragons becoming human and having half human, half dragon children; I have a hard time as a parent suspending reality enough to believe any parent would willingly and knowingly let their middle school child rush into harms way to fight in epic battles against the forces of evil, and without adult supervision. Other than that, great work of Christian fantasy!
The reason I give this book 4 stars instead of 5 is because while I can suspend reality to read a book about dragons becoming human and having half human, half dragon children; I have a hard time as a parent suspending reality enough to believe any parent would willingly and knowingly let their middle school child rush into harms way to fight in epic battles against the forces of evil, and without adult supervision. Other than that, great work of Christian fantasy!
February 4, 2009
Raising Dragons is a fantasy by Bryan Davis about two kids: Billy and Bonnie. They are fairly normal teenagers except for one thing: Billy breathes fire, and bonnie has wings. Bonnie already knows one of her parents was a dragon, Billy finds out on his own when he blows at a smoke detector and sets it off. They also find out that someone very close to them is a dragon slayer. When they crash land out of a plane they are stranded on the top of a deserted mountain: with the slayer. Will they make it out alive?
March 22, 2020
**Updated Review: One if my book goals for 2020 is to revisit some old favorites from my childhood and early teen years, and the Dragons in our Midst series seemed like the perfect place to start. These were books that grew with me. I read them over and over, and carried them with me everywhere. When I received the series as audio books I listened to the books on repeat, more times than I can count.
They brought to life moral aspects such as honor, friendship, and faith in a way I found attainable. I learned a lot through following the journey of these fictional characters. As an adult, there are aspects of the writing in this first novel that I can see may not flow the best. However, I know this changes and becomes more natural as the author writes more. I also can forgive quite a lot in light of my nostalgia and personal connection with this series. **
Raising Dragons is the first book in the Dragons In Our Midst series. This book started a long journey for me. Three years ago a friend lent me this exciting book, and I have been part of its adventure ever since. Raising Dragons is filled with an exhilarating plot line, taking you through the struggles of two individuals as their dragon heritage keeps them on the run. Billy Bannister and Bonnie Silver display the ever important lesson of sacrifice. Billy’s courage even through his doubts and Bonnie’s faith even amidst her life’s trials are inspiring! A beautiful masterpiece by Bryan Davis, this book opens a whole new world and has sent me on many quests of my own. I deeply encourage you to pick this book up, and begin the journey. You will not regret it!
They brought to life moral aspects such as honor, friendship, and faith in a way I found attainable. I learned a lot through following the journey of these fictional characters. As an adult, there are aspects of the writing in this first novel that I can see may not flow the best. However, I know this changes and becomes more natural as the author writes more. I also can forgive quite a lot in light of my nostalgia and personal connection with this series. **
Raising Dragons is the first book in the Dragons In Our Midst series. This book started a long journey for me. Three years ago a friend lent me this exciting book, and I have been part of its adventure ever since. Raising Dragons is filled with an exhilarating plot line, taking you through the struggles of two individuals as their dragon heritage keeps them on the run. Billy Bannister and Bonnie Silver display the ever important lesson of sacrifice. Billy’s courage even through his doubts and Bonnie’s faith even amidst her life’s trials are inspiring! A beautiful masterpiece by Bryan Davis, this book opens a whole new world and has sent me on many quests of my own. I deeply encourage you to pick this book up, and begin the journey. You will not regret it!
December 21, 2012
This book is simply amazing! I picked it up and started reading not knowing how i would feel about it. It seemed weird how dragons could be incorporated into a christian story and still be a good thing without contradicting itself. But it was great, its one of those books which puts you into the story and sets the scene and all so you are there with the characters.
Well it starts off describing Billy and Bonnies life. They appear to be normal kids living in Montana but they are apart of a long line of dragons. Or dragons turned human at least. So when they were born a certain characteristic of a dragon was given to them. Bonnie got the wings of a dragon and Billy got the fire breathing of a dragon. They learn that there is someone trying to kill them named devin and he is relentless. He is on a rampage to try and kill all the dragons and rid the world of them. They meet many friends on the way and fight against the evil forces which are trying to kill them. The story takes place in an end of the world type setting so everyone is on edge with dead people walking the streets. And people getting used to being greeted at a door with a gun drawn. They dont really finish the story in this book because it is a part of a series but its still great. I would definitely recommend it to anyone. Its a great book to read any time and it speaks on faith and other good things like that.
Well it starts off describing Billy and Bonnies life. They appear to be normal kids living in Montana but they are apart of a long line of dragons. Or dragons turned human at least. So when they were born a certain characteristic of a dragon was given to them. Bonnie got the wings of a dragon and Billy got the fire breathing of a dragon. They learn that there is someone trying to kill them named devin and he is relentless. He is on a rampage to try and kill all the dragons and rid the world of them. They meet many friends on the way and fight against the evil forces which are trying to kill them. The story takes place in an end of the world type setting so everyone is on edge with dead people walking the streets. And people getting used to being greeted at a door with a gun drawn. They dont really finish the story in this book because it is a part of a series but its still great. I would definitely recommend it to anyone. Its a great book to read any time and it speaks on faith and other good things like that.
December 10, 2014
The writing is slow and overly-descriptive, so stunted that I just couldn't get into the pacing of the book. Davis spends so many words explaining ideas, instead of letting things happen through dialogue. The characters felt very juvenile and underdeveloped, even though they were teenagers and should have been getting into deeper/darker issues.
This book felt like the cliche coming-of-age story with the misfit young hero, elderly guide, and innocent heroine. Someone in another review described Davis's writing as "wading through clay," which is very accurate. All the books are like that: too long, sedate, and simplistic to connect with -- same with The Candlestone.
See my review of Tears of a Dragon for a more in-depth look at what's really wrong with this series.
This book felt like the cliche coming-of-age story with the misfit young hero, elderly guide, and innocent heroine. Someone in another review described Davis's writing as "wading through clay," which is very accurate. All the books are like that: too long, sedate, and simplistic to connect with -- same with The Candlestone.
See my review of Tears of a Dragon for a more in-depth look at what's really wrong with this series.
January 2, 2024
I'm rereading this series that I absolutely LOVED in middle school and high school, and oh boy, it is SO nostalgic and SO fun. Dragons in the 21st century, Arthurian legend in present day, what more could you ask for? As a Tolkien fan and a King Arthur buff, this book has everything my teenage heart could dream of. While the writing definitely can be trite at points (and even could make me wince) and the dialogue especially is rough, I absolutely love the creativity of Davis's ideas. I'm looking forward to rereading the rest of these books and seeing how he pulls together his ideas across not just this series but all three of his series!
I especially recommend the audiobooks if you can get them--they're excellent! If you enjoy fantasy that is in the real world (think dragons and King Arthur and prophecy) with strong Christian principles, this is a great series for you.
I especially recommend the audiobooks if you can get them--they're excellent! If you enjoy fantasy that is in the real world (think dragons and King Arthur and prophecy) with strong Christian principles, this is a great series for you.
January 2, 2021
The audiobook was outstanding. It was a full cast audiobook, which is something I love. This book was definitely action-packed and I pretty much read it in one sitting or I should say listen to it and one sitting. So good.❤️
August 13, 2009
I REALLY love this series. It's fantasy, and I love that, but more than that, it's inspirational. I love all the symbolism and Christianity in it. You're an awesome author Bryan! keep at it!!!
November 16, 2019
Very good. A unique take on the genre. More to come.
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Ok so I read this a while ago. Like, a WHILE. (I wasn’t aware that goodreads was a thing at the time) but I remember loving it. Many biblical references. This is THE dragon book - better than all the rest. This is the book to read if you hated eragon.
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Ok so I read this a while ago. Like, a WHILE. (I wasn’t aware that goodreads was a thing at the time) but I remember loving it. Many biblical references. This is THE dragon book - better than all the rest. This is the book to read if you hated eragon.
March 25, 2017
Raising Dragons by Bryan Davis is the first book in the Dragons in Our Midst series.
Like I said in one of my many status updates for this book, this isn't normally the type of book I'd read. However, I ordered my friend to read the first Love Comes Softly book, and that isn't normally the kind of book she reads. So I felt obligated to read it when she told me it was good. So there's a little backstory for you. ANYWAY.
In this book, a teenager, Billy, learns a secret his parents have been keeping from him for years. He's half-dragon. Then he learns that another girl in his school, Bonnie, is also half-dragon. The principal of the school is out to kill him, his father (the dragon), Bonnie, Billy's mother, and whoever else happens to be remotely related to anyone who has anything to do with dragons. Can they defeat him?
This book was certainly interesting, I'll give you that. It dragged on at times, and I feel like it was a little too long for what it was. But it was an interesting take on dragons and fantasy. I just feel like it could have been executed better overall.
The plot got a little confusing at times. First it was Billy's father is a dragon, okay, cool, Merlin, yeah, nice. Mystery solved. Then it's like "MODERN KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE" and I'm like "wait wut I thought you sai -" then NOPE "BILLY IS A DESCENDANT OF MERLIN" and then it's back to Billy's POV and dragons and you are wondering "Which is right?" It was a little unclear at times until later in the book.
This is also the case with the good vs. evil. At times I was wondering who was good and who was evil. It IS all cleared up in about the middle of the book, and by the end there is not a shadow of doubt who is good and who is bad, but I just thought I'd mention it because I know this is very important to some people.
Finally, this is a modern Christian fantasy book. What I didn't like about this was that there was a lot of magic and the book does focus around dragons, and it is said that dragons really existed and God made them into humans. Now, I KNOW this is just fiction, and I KNOW there are visions/allegories of dragons in the Bible. But when God and magic are put together it just makes me feel a little uncomfortable. I can't quite put my finger on why, it just does.
Now let's talk about the characters. I didn't feel particularly attached to any of them except Bonnie and that one awesome British teacher (#teachergoals). He was probably my favorite character in the entire book, to be honest. But I did like all the good people. I thought they were funny with their own distinct personalities. Sir Devin and his dark knights didn't really seem to have a motive for wanting to kill all dragons and their uncles. That kind of bothered me, as well as all the fighting and blood. The descriptions made me wince a little at times. Agatha Christie books have less blood, and they are murder mysteries!
All-in-all, the book had a unique spin on fantasy, but it took me a long time to get through it, it dragged on, there wasn't a solid motive as to why Devin wanted all dragons dead, and some things in the book made me feel a little uncomfortable.
Therefor, I give it three stars out of five. I probably will not be reading the next book in the series.
Like I said in one of my many status updates for this book, this isn't normally the type of book I'd read. However, I ordered my friend to read the first Love Comes Softly book, and that isn't normally the kind of book she reads. So I felt obligated to read it when she told me it was good. So there's a little backstory for you. ANYWAY.
In this book, a teenager, Billy, learns a secret his parents have been keeping from him for years. He's half-dragon. Then he learns that another girl in his school, Bonnie, is also half-dragon. The principal of the school is out to kill him, his father (the dragon), Bonnie, Billy's mother, and whoever else happens to be remotely related to anyone who has anything to do with dragons. Can they defeat him?
This book was certainly interesting, I'll give you that. It dragged on at times, and I feel like it was a little too long for what it was. But it was an interesting take on dragons and fantasy. I just feel like it could have been executed better overall.
The plot got a little confusing at times. First it was Billy's father is a dragon, okay, cool, Merlin, yeah, nice. Mystery solved. Then it's like "MODERN KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE" and I'm like "wait wut I thought you sai -" then NOPE "BILLY IS A DESCENDANT OF MERLIN" and then it's back to Billy's POV and dragons and you are wondering "Which is right?" It was a little unclear at times until later in the book.
This is also the case with the good vs. evil. At times I was wondering who was good and who was evil. It IS all cleared up in about the middle of the book, and by the end there is not a shadow of doubt who is good and who is bad, but I just thought I'd mention it because I know this is very important to some people.
Finally, this is a modern Christian fantasy book. What I didn't like about this was that there was a lot of magic and the book does focus around dragons, and it is said that dragons really existed and God made them into humans. Now, I KNOW this is just fiction, and I KNOW there are visions/allegories of dragons in the Bible. But when God and magic are put together it just makes me feel a little uncomfortable. I can't quite put my finger on why, it just does.
Now let's talk about the characters. I didn't feel particularly attached to any of them except Bonnie and that one awesome British teacher (#teachergoals). He was probably my favorite character in the entire book, to be honest. But I did like all the good people. I thought they were funny with their own distinct personalities. Sir Devin and his dark knights didn't really seem to have a motive for wanting to kill all dragons and their uncles. That kind of bothered me, as well as all the fighting and blood. The descriptions made me wince a little at times. Agatha Christie books have less blood, and they are murder mysteries!
All-in-all, the book had a unique spin on fantasy, but it took me a long time to get through it, it dragged on, there wasn't a solid motive as to why Devin wanted all dragons dead, and some things in the book made me feel a little uncomfortable.
Therefor, I give it three stars out of five. I probably will not be reading the next book in the series.
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June 10, 2022Amazing 🤌🏼 Mr. Davis beautifully ties the old legends of King Arthur with present day life. Beautiful Christian story with a cliffhanger of an end 🙃
June 17, 2020
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 The Lord of the Rings.
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 The Odyssey, The Aeneid, The Divine Comedy I: Hell, and Hamlet, 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 The Lord of the Rings.
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 The Odyssey, The Aeneid, The Divine Comedy I: Hell, and Hamlet, four books I shall carry with me for the rest of my life.
October 27, 2008
Got dragon breath?
Raising Dragons is the first novel in the Dragons in Our Midst series by Bryan Davis.
Billy has dragon breath, and he didn’t just forget to brush his teeth. His breath scalds his own fingers, burns his mother’s cheek when he kisses her goodbye, and sets off the school fire alarm. Despite his attempts with soda, water, and breath mints, nothing seems to cool his breath. The answer to his concerns comes when his father reveals a long-kept secret: he is a dragon who has been hiding for years as a human. An evil dragon slayer has been hunting Billy’s father for years and Billy, son of the last true dragon, is also on his list.
Billy befriends Bonnie, who has a dragon feature of her own. Together they discover an ancient prophesy and the history of how many dragons served darkness, becoming so evil that a powerful order of knights hunted the dragons to near extinction. To survive, the dragons assumed the form of humans and have been hiding ever since. Now the prophecy has come full circle and
Raising Dragons is a fun and original read that melds medieval fantasy and dragons with today’s world. Billy is a courageous character who struggles to know who to trust, but ultimately relies on God to pull him through. If you love fantasy novels, dragons, and medieval tales, this book is for you. Highly recommended.
Raising Dragons is the first novel in the Dragons in Our Midst series by Bryan Davis.
Billy has dragon breath, and he didn’t just forget to brush his teeth. His breath scalds his own fingers, burns his mother’s cheek when he kisses her goodbye, and sets off the school fire alarm. Despite his attempts with soda, water, and breath mints, nothing seems to cool his breath. The answer to his concerns comes when his father reveals a long-kept secret: he is a dragon who has been hiding for years as a human. An evil dragon slayer has been hunting Billy’s father for years and Billy, son of the last true dragon, is also on his list.
Billy befriends Bonnie, who has a dragon feature of her own. Together they discover an ancient prophesy and the history of how many dragons served darkness, becoming so evil that a powerful order of knights hunted the dragons to near extinction. To survive, the dragons assumed the form of humans and have been hiding ever since. Now the prophecy has come full circle and
Raising Dragons is a fun and original read that melds medieval fantasy and dragons with today’s world. Billy is a courageous character who struggles to know who to trust, but ultimately relies on God to pull him through. If you love fantasy novels, dragons, and medieval tales, this book is for you. Highly recommended.
August 26, 2016
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?
October 31, 2023
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.
May 26, 2021
⚠ 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+.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2022
Billy's nickname at school is "dragon breath," and with good reason - his breath is really hot! He doesn't understand why until his parents tell him that his father is a full dragon and he is a half-dragon. He's not at all happy that they've kept this from him his entire life, but he's forced to deal with it when he's attacked by his principal. His father tells him the tale of King Arthur and Merlin and how dragon slayers almost wiped out all of his kind, and how and why he is now a human. He also shares with him a prophecy that is going to end up reshaping Billy's life. He meets the new girl in school, Bonnie, and discovers that she, too, is a half-dragon, although she has known for years, so at least he's not alone.
This was a good middle grade blend of fantasy and Christian fiction. This book does a good job of blending dragon tales with Christian teachings, without overdoing it. I liked the kids and thought the way they acted was pretty much the way most young teens act in real life. The blending of all of this with the Arthurian legend was a good move on the author's part. I thought it added a great layer to the story.
The only problem I had with this book was the level of violence against the kids. I thought it was a bit graphic for a book targeted at a younger audience.
All in all, I enjoyed this book and look forward to continuing the series.
4.5/5 stars.
*** I would like to thank NetGalley, AMG Publishers, Living Ink Books, and Bryan Davis for the opportunity to read and review this book.
This was a good middle grade blend of fantasy and Christian fiction. This book does a good job of blending dragon tales with Christian teachings, without overdoing it. I liked the kids and thought the way they acted was pretty much the way most young teens act in real life. The blending of all of this with the Arthurian legend was a good move on the author's part. I thought it added a great layer to the story.
The only problem I had with this book was the level of violence against the kids. I thought it was a bit graphic for a book targeted at a younger audience.
All in all, I enjoyed this book and look forward to continuing the series.
4.5/5 stars.
*** I would like to thank NetGalley, AMG Publishers, Living Ink Books, and Bryan Davis for the opportunity to read and review this book.
August 2, 2024
I read this series at least twice as a middle/high schooler, and I remember absolutely devouring it. And I will say that the plot of this book isn't as insane as I remember it being (even though the concept is insane in and of itself). However I also recall that this is the most normal of the 8-book series. A bunch of different plot twists could've been solved with a call to someone's cell phone. Billy and Bonnie ignore and deny their attraction to each other and instead insist that they feel as close as brother and sister EVEN WHILE THEY ARE ACTIVELY FLIRTING. This is a clear influence of purity culture, and I do remember adopting this mindset when I was a young teen and feeling "impure" simply for having romantic feelings. The voice actors are fairly flat in their delivery (especially Walter), and the characters are even more flat. The only one allowed to be remotely complex is Billy. Also, his dad turning back into a dragon, calling his human wife "my love" and immediately nullifying their marriage hit really weird. Was it supposed to be a metaphor? What the heck does it mean for the dragon to have "passed his Eden test"? Also maybe don't describe a 15 year old as a "virgin bride"? Clearly I had a lot more issues with this than I enjoyed it. I can't deny the very dedicated following that this book has in the homeschooling community, and it's a very creative concept, but I was mostly bored/confused/lightly weirded out.
Buckle up kids.
Buckle up kids.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2019
Billy "Dragon Breath" Bannister has some serious problems, and not all of them are about his super-hot breath.
1: The new principal at his school is really creepy.
2: Adam Lark keeps getting him into trouble.
3: Kids are saying that he and the new girl, Bonnie Silver, a foster child, have the hots for each other.
And... oh yeah.
4: His dad is a dragon.
Billy is launched into an incredible adventure revolving around the stories of Clefspeare the dragon, King Arthur, the New Table, and the foster kid Bonnie Silver. As he discovers his dragon past he must outmaneuver the evil slayer trying to kill him, Bonnie, and his father, all while becoming even stronger in his Christian faith.
This book was pretty good, but the chapters... so long. I was over halfway through the book and just starting Chapter Seventeen. I prefer shorter chapters so that you feel like you've accomplished more. With too long of chapters the entire book feels dragging and almost boring because you don't have new chapters to start. Altogether, this book was a pretty good one, though I was a little disappointed in it.
1: The new principal at his school is really creepy.
2: Adam Lark keeps getting him into trouble.
3: Kids are saying that he and the new girl, Bonnie Silver, a foster child, have the hots for each other.
And... oh yeah.
4: His dad is a dragon.
Billy is launched into an incredible adventure revolving around the stories of Clefspeare the dragon, King Arthur, the New Table, and the foster kid Bonnie Silver. As he discovers his dragon past he must outmaneuver the evil slayer trying to kill him, Bonnie, and his father, all while becoming even stronger in his Christian faith.
This book was pretty good, but the chapters... so long. I was over halfway through the book and just starting Chapter Seventeen. I prefer shorter chapters so that you feel like you've accomplished more. With too long of chapters the entire book feels dragging and almost boring because you don't have new chapters to start. Altogether, this book was a pretty good one, though I was a little disappointed in it.
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