Relationships Beyond Romance: Siblings (Tales of Starlight) (Hannah)

Hello everyone, and welcome back to the ongoing Relationships Beyond Romance series!  Just a couple of days ago, I completed Camp NaNoWriMo, and what an amazing month of writing it was!  For those of you who are unfamiliar, National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo for short, is an event in November that encourages people to write a 50,000 word first draft in one month.  The idea is to push past all of the doubts and fears that keep us from writing, and just enjoy writing for its own sake.  In April and July, they do "Camp NaNoWriMo," which is focused on the writing community, and the craft of writing in general.  I will talk more about NaNoWriMo in my next Personal Notes post, but for now, back to Relationships Beyond Romance.  If you missed the first few posts, here is a short recap:

1) Overt Friendships are friendships between non-related people that are characterized by positive interactions.

2) Covert Friendships also involve non-related people who genuinely care about each other, but to outsiders, the interactions between the two do not appear friendly because the characters consistently tease each other, compete with each other, or in some other way act unkindly to each other.

3) Parent-Child relationships are the first and most powerful, because they can prepare a child for a bright future or leave deep emotional scars.

4) Siblings have unique relationships.  Although every situation is different, the defining characteristic here is family.  Siblings generally don't choose each other, like friends do.  Whether through birth, marriage, adoption, or other circumstances, siblings are linked together forever through the special bond of family.

Part Five: Siblings (Again!)

As I mentioned last time, this post is going to cover Frederick, Adrian, and Jason Masters from Bryan Davis' Tales of Starlight series.  Mr. Davis was kind enough to do an interview on this blog, and I have also reviewed some of his other books, including the Dragons in our Midst saga and the Dragons of Starlight series.  He truly is an amazing Christian author.

Tales of Starlight  and Dragons of Starlight are two series that follow the Masters brothers Frederick, Adrian, and Jason, as they join the illegal Underground Gateway, intent on freeing the human slaves that toil under the dragons' tyrannical rule on the far-away planet of Starlight.

In the Dragons of Starlight series for young adults, teenaged Jason took a job as a bodyguard for the governor and ended up getting swept into the Underground Gateway. Unsure whether to believe the stories of human slavery, he was forced into his quest as his entire life came crashing down around him.  Follow this link if you would like to read my synopsis and review of the series.

The Tales of Starlight series is technically classified as "adult."  It followed Adrian Masters, who had been involved in the Underground Gateway from the beginning.  Eager to free the slaves and find his older brother Frederick, Adrian did not share Jason's reservations.  He risked everything to travel to Starlight and bring the captives home.

Accompanying him was the master swordswoman Marcelle.  Emotionally scarred after a strange man tried to take advantage of her mother and left her dead in the woods, Marcelle swore she would never be helpless again.  As a noblewoman, she had access to the very best teachers, and soon became one of the most skilled swordfighters in the province.  Like Adrian, she was determined to destroy the tyranny of the dragons on Starlight, and accompanied him to that strange and dangerous planet.

Adrian was not pleased with his assigned companion.  She was a formidable fighter, but in his opinion, used her strength in situations where she should use her head.  He hoped to learn the dragons' weaknesses and overthrow them once and for all, but Marcelle could not abide the abuse the dragons performed.  She would charge ahead to defend the slaves.  The conflict between his strategy and her passion caused much of the trouble in the first book.

After finishing the Dragons of Starlight series, I came to love Tales of Starlight as well because it expanded the story.  Unlike Dragons in our Midst and its sequels, which added to the story by adding more adventures, Tales of Starlight improved Dragons of Starlight by showing the actions of characters who were important, but in the background.  For example, in Starlighter, Dragons of Starlight book #1, we experience the story through Jason's eyes.  However, in Masters and Slayers, Tales of Starlight book #1, we get to see how Adrian, Marcelle, and others manipulate the situation around Jason in order to bring about their own goals.

If you are interested in reading this series, these are the books it contains:
#1: Masters and Slayers
#2: Third Starlighter
#3: Exodus Rising

Although Tales of Starlight would suffice as a standalone series, it becomes much more rich and beautiful with the addition of the Dragons of Starlight series.  They were both written for the same general audience (YA), but since Tales of Starlight focuses on adult (not teenaged) characters, by standard convention it is classified as an adult book.  I would recommend both series for adults and teens.

However, since the stories are intertwined, it can be a bit difficult to figure out which order to read them.  As I said in my review of Dragons of Starlight, I would suggest completing Dragons of Starlight before reading Tales of Starlight, just because it is easier to follow each series on its own without trying to juggle everything that is happening.  Alternatively, if you are willing to read both series at once in order to gain a more thorough understanding of all facets of the story, this is the author's recommended reading order.

Starlighter (Dragons of Starlight book #1)

Masters & Slayers (Tales of Starlight book #1)

Warrior (Dragons of Starlight book #2)

The Third Starlighter (Tales of Starlight book #2)

Diviner (Dragons of Starlight book #3)

Liberator (Dragons of Starlight book #4)

Exodus Rising (Tales of Starlight book #3)

These two series aren't just telling one big story about lots of characters.  The link that makes them so compelling comes from the bond of brotherhood between Frederick, Adrian, and Jason.  Frederick, the oldest, became involved with the Underground Gateway almost immediately.  He succeeded in finding a portal to the other world, and left a special message for Adrian which was locked by a genetic code.

After Frederick's disappearance, Adrian, the middle child, and his father, Edison Masters, devoted themselves to finding Frederick and helping him succeed in his dream of freeing the captives and bringing them home.  Adrian spent his first book, Masters and Slayers, looking for Frederick while on Starlight.  Like his brother, Adrian left a message behind for Jason.

Unlike the rest of his family, Jason, the youngest, was not so optimistic about the Underground Gateway.  From his perspective, this organization had destroyed his father's credibility and respect, had stolen his brother Frederick, and now had lured away Adrian as well.  Since there was no proof that Starlight, the dragons, and the slaves even existed, Jason lacked the passion his brothers and father shared.  Nevertheless, when he found Adrian's message, he resolved to find his brothers and help in any way he could, despite his misgivings.  Of course, once he reached Starlight and found the proof he needed, he fully embraced the family legacy and devoted himself to ending the tyranny of the dragons.

The Masters brothers were very different, and although Frederick and Adrian worked together well, Jason did not share their optimism.  His pragmatic, skeptical outlook often brought him into conflict with them.  However, they never let their differences cloud their love for each other, and as they faced the most dangerous mission of their lives, they were able to come together and accomplish what they never could have done alone.

Thanks for reading!  Do you like stories that focus on many characters to give an overall bigger picture?  In this series, now that I have covered friends, parents, and siblings, what are some other important relationships you would like me to write about?  Let us know in the comments!

~ Hannah


If you would like to read the other posts in this series, check out...
Part 1: Overt Friendships
Part 2: Covert Friendships
Part 3: Parent-Child Relationships
Part 4: Siblings
Part 5: Siblings (Again!)

Part 6: Mentors
Part 7: Partners and Companions


Attributions
Starlighter: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51VQmoUjOXL._SX322_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

Masters and Slayers: http://www.daviscrossing.com/imgs/bryan_davis_masters_slayers.jpg
Third Starlighter: http://www.daviscrossing.com/imgs/bryan_davis_third_starlighter1.jpg
Exodus Rising: https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51%2BkiqEwF8L._AC_UL320_SR214,320_.jpg

Relationships Beyond Romance: Parent-Child Relationships

Welcome back!  Father's Day was not too long ago, which means it was the perfect opportunity for me to tie in the next installment in my Relationships Beyond Romance series!  If you missed the first two, here is a short recap:

1) Overt Friendships are friendships between non-related people that are characterized by positive interactions.

2) Covert Friendships also involve non-related people who genuinely care about each other, but to outsiders, the interactions between the two do not appear friendly because the characters consistently tease each other, compete with each other, or in some other way act unkindly to each other.

This brings us back to our next installment:

Part Three: Parent-Child Relationships

Parents have a unique and critical responsibility.  According to Proverbs 22:6, parents must "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it."  Ephesians 6:4 says, "And you fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."  Likewise, children also have the responsibility to respect their parents.  Ephesians 6:1-2a says "Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right, honor your father and mother..."  As you can see, parents are very important.  Sadly, as flawed human beings, parents sometimes fail, leaving behind broken and hurting children.  

However, there is hope.  No parent on earth can be perfect, but where parents might fail, God never will.  In Romans 8:16-17, the Bible says this:

"The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

and if children, then heirs - heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed

we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together."

Because parents are so important, they should never be forgotten in fiction.  They are responsible for their children's formative years, which will affect the children for the rest of their lives.  Loving, devoted parents will prepare their children for the future.  In Bryan Davis' Raising Dragons, Jared Bannister and his wife Marilyn raise their son Billy to be a God-fearing, honorable teenager.  When Billy began to discover his special powers and the secret behind his genetics, his parents supported him and taught him everything he needed to know.  Billy respected their wisdom, and they proved they were more than worthy of it.  The strong, steady relationship between Billy and his parents was an important part of the Dragonsin our Midst series.

However, in contrast, Bonnie Silver/Connor suffered much at the hands of her father.  Her mother, Irene, was a devout Christian and loving parent who helped Bonnie hide the "deformity" that distinguished her from everyone else.  Irene's husband, Dr. Connor, discovered Irene's true identity, and soon he became preoccupied with testing his wife and child to discover the hidden dragon genes.  Bonnie grew up as her father's lab rat, and her only solace was her mother.  But when Irene was murdered, Bonnie ran away from home.  She spent the rest of her childhood moving from foster home to foster home, until she met Billy, and was later reunited with her father.  The emotional scars he left changed her, and it took many years for her to recover.

If you would like to read more about our families, Laura wrote about the miracle of her dad's heart, and her loving family.  Liz shared the story of how her parents met, and also told an uplifting story of the struggles her mother has gone through for the sake of her family.

Good parents are a true blessing.  If your parents love you and look out for your best interests, be sure to let them know how much they mean to you.  If your parents have failed you in some way, remember: God is the Heavenly Father who loves you more than any person ever could.  He is the only one you really need.  Find refuge in Him, and He will make you whole.

What are some of your favorite parent-child relationships in fiction?  How have your parents made you who you are?  If you are a writer, how have your main character's parents affected him or her, and what is their friendship like?  Let us know in the comments!

~Hannah

If you would like to read the other posts in this series, check out...
Part 1: Overt Friendships
Part 2: Covert Friendships
Part 3: Parent-Child Relationships
Part 4: Siblings
Part 5: Siblings (Again!)

Part 6: Mentors
Part 7: Partners and Companions

Attributions:

Raising Dragons: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51beBHlsTcL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg
Eye of the Oracle: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/514pzU828EL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

Interview with Bryan Davis

For those of you who are unfamiliar with our blog, we try to schedule regular author interviews to publish on Fridays.  Bryan Davis has written more than twenty fantasy books for adult and young adult readers, in addition to several other non-fiction works.  He has kindly agreed to take the time to answer some questions about himself and his writing.

What is something you would like your readers to know about you?

I am the father of seven children, who are all now adults. I was a computer professional for 20 years before becoming a full-time writer for the past 14 years.

What prompted you to start writing?

About 22 years ago, I decided to write a story with my children as a way to get them excited about writing. I would write a chapter and ask them to give me ideas for the next chapter. The story became their story as well as mine, and their passion for creativity grew. The process worked quite well. In fact, one of my daughters is a traditionally published, award-winning author.

The process worked so well that it infused a passion in me to write. Since the story had such a profound effect on my children, maybe my stories could make an impact on the world. That thought propelled me to begin a writing career.

Why did you choose to write fantasy?

I had a dream one night about a boy who could breathe fire. My eldest son and I took that idea and expanded it into the premise for the story that became Raising Dragons.

Experience has shown me that fantasy is able to reach to the heart with more depth and lasting influence than other genres. That fact gave me reason to continue writing fantasy.

What advice would you share with an aspiring writer?

Have patience. Many new writers want to get to the “good stuff” too quickly, that is, without developing characters and the story world. Also, they are sometimes unwilling to do the hard work to learn the craft. Even after 22 years of writing, I am still learning. I believe my writing is much better now than it was in my earlier books.

Also, I recommend learning skills from writers you like. If you are interested in my tips, I suggest that you read the tips on my writing blog – www.theauthorschair.com.

You are currently a prolific writer with over 25 books published across several genres. Which book or series of books has been your favorite so far?

“Favorite” is a difficult measure. All of my books have unique qualities that stand out. Yet, the books that hold special places in my heart are those that readers most often select as the ones that helped them through difficult times or drew them closer to God. That series would be Oracles of Fire, especially book #1, Eye of the Oracle, and book #4, The Bones of Makaidos.

Many of your books feature strong Christian themes, and emphasize important virtues such as chivalry, faith, and sacrifice. How does your personal faith drive your writing?

My faith isn’t sequestered in a compartment. It infuses every aspect of my life. So having heroic characters who show important qualities of faith is natural to me. These are the attributes I want in myself and my children, so providing examples makes sense.

In many of your fantasy series, you focus on a very large and ever-expanding cast of characters, and you often use several point-of-view characters for one story. Why did you choose to do this?  Are there any special difficulties associated with this approach?

Since the Dragons in our Midst story world expanded to 12 novels, the experiences of the original characters naturally expanded with it. They visited new places and met new people. With so many characters, I often had to show the point-of-view (POV) of someone other than the main character in order to provide background or show what was going on behind the main story arc, because one of the main characters wasn’t there to see the back story.

This method can be difficult, because the writer always needs to show the relevance of the back-story POV scenes, that is, how does this action relate to the main story? How will the other story arcs merge with the main one? Keeping all of this in mind and executing it effectively can be quite difficult.

Your newest series is the Reapers trilogy. What was your inspiration for it?

The dystopian genre has enjoyed a lot of popularity lately – The Hunger Games, Divergent, and others. The ones I read were dissatisfying, because they seemed hopeless, darkness with little to no light at the end.

I like the dark and gritty nature of the genre, but I want hope and more than a glimmer of light. My response to that need is the ongoing Reapers Trilogy. It is dark, but it provides light as the heroic characters strive to help those shrouded in darkness.

And finally, no visit to Lands Uncharted is complete without Top 3s! Please give us a Top 3 list in the category of your choice.

Top 3 themes, morals, or messages

#1 – Selfless sacrifice

#2 – Forgiveness (Mercy)

#3 – Choosing integrity, virtue, honor, etc, over personal gain 

If you would like to learn more about Bryan Davis, there are several resources.

- On this blog, I have reviewed his Dragons in our Midst, Oracles of Fire, and Children of the Bard series, as well as his Dragons of Starlight series.

- Bryan Davis' writing blog can be found here.

- Follow him on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/BryanDavis.Fans

- He can be found here on Twitter: @BryanDavisAuth

- All of his books can be purchased here.

This is a list of his fantasy series:

• Dragons in our Midst series
1. Raising Dragons
2. The Candlestone
3. Circles of Seven
4. Tears of a Dragon
• Oracles of Fire series
1. Eye of the Oracle
2. Enoch's Ghost
3. The Last of the Nephilim
4. The Bones of Makaidos
• Children of the Bard series
1. Song of the Ovulum
2. From the Mouth of Elijah
3. The Seventh Door
4. Omega Dragon
• Dragons of Starlight series
1. Starlighter
2. Warrior
3. Diviner
4. Liberator
• Tales of Starlight series
1. Masters and Slayers
2. The Third Starlighter
3. Exodus Rising
• Echoes from the Edge series
1. Beyond the Reflection's Edge
2. Eternity's Edge
3. Nightmare's Edge
• Reapers Trilogy
1. Reapers
2. Beyond the Gateway

It has been such a blessing to have Mr. Davis on our blog!  Strong Christian authors who consistently produce quality YA fantasy are rare, and we greatly appreciate them here on Lands Uncharted.  Thanks so much for reading!

~ Hannah

Attributions

Raising Dragons: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51beBHlsTcL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg
Eye of the Oracle: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/514pzU828EL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

Reapers: https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81YYduAJK4L.jpg

Dragons of Starlight (Hannah)

It's my turn for What We're Reading again, and I believe I am falling into a rut.  This is my third series review in a row that deals with dragons.  But who doesn't like dragons?  This week's series, the Dragons of Starlight series, is for those of you who love action, adventure, and high fantasy, but don't prioritize romance.

For years, tales of dragons

from another world kidnapping and enslaving humans

have been circulating in Jason Master's world, while for a slave girl

named Koren, the stories of a human world seem pure myth.  Together,

these two teens will need to bridge two planets in order to overthrow

the draconian threat and bring the lost slaves home.

When Jason finds a cryptic message from his missing brother, he must uncover the web of lies surrounding the governor of Major Four, the human world, and the draconic masters of the distant planet Starlight.  Framed for a crime he didn't commit, he is forced to escape through the dungeons in search of the portal.  Along the way, he gains some important allies: and old man whose seemingly-crazy ranting turns out to be very wise, a childhood friend with magical powers, and even one of his greatest rivals.  But he has no idea what he will be facing once he reaches Starlight...

Koren, a slave girl on Starlight, serves the great dragon Arxad and his family with three other slaves.  Working from dawn until dusk, sweltering in the torturous heat and falling asleep every night exhausted, she dreams of a coveted Promotion.  Nevertheless, she does her best to live according to the Code, and often puts herself in danger to help those less fortunate than she is.  She soon discovers she is a Starlighter, a rare woman with great powers which can help or doom her and the other humans on Starlight.  Meanwhile, a mysterious prophecy regarding the black dragon egg begins to be fulfilled.  A new threat arises, one that could shake the foundations of Major Four and Starlight alike, and spell disaster for both dragons and humans... and it chooses Koren as its personal representative.

This is a Christian, young adult, high and portal fantasy series.  Its author, Bryan Davis, is one of my favorites, and I have already reviewed another one of his sets.  Unlike most other dragon books I have read, this series portrays most of them as evil, a welcome change, actually.  

The setting is highly unique and memorable.  It is an interesting blend of modern and medieval elements.  The main characters mainly fight with swords, wear armor and tunics, and engage in other common medieval-style activities, but the main city of Mesolantrum is ruled by a governor, there are complex genetic locks, and wealthy and upper class citizens have access to advanced technology such as photo guns and video recordings.  

In typical Bryan Davis style, he masterfully weaves a large cast of well-rounded and lovable characters into a complex and satisfying narrative.  Jason, the chivalrous warrior, Elyssa, the highly perceptive Diviner, and the conflicted Starlighter Koren, torn between her friends' safety and her goal to rescue the humans of Starlight, drive the story down its many unexpected twists and turns.  They receive help from Tibalt, a "crazy old man" that only seemed crazy to hide his great wisdom, experience, and adventurousness, Jason's older brother Adrian, the master swordfighter and spunky noblewoman Marcelle, and even some sympathetic dragons torn between family, country, and what they know is right.  Other characters, such as Governor Prescott, his son Randall, the mysterious Drexel, the dragon tyrant Magnar, and the dragon in the black egg and his servant, Zena, add danger, mystery, and conflict.  If the long character list is intimidating, have no fear - Mr. Davis introduces each one uniquely and memorably, and they all fit organically into the story over the course of four books.

This series is complete, and is fantastic as a standalone story, but Mr. Davis also wrote another series that takes place alongside this one.  It is called Tales of Starlight.  I will review that one next time I do a What We're Reading post, but I couldn't not mention it in this post.  It follows Jason's older brother Adrian and his rival-turned-ally Marcelle, and is labeled as an adult book.  This is only because the characters are adults.  It also deals with slightly more mature topics, but it is completely appropriate and understandable for anyone who enjoyed the Dragons of Starlight series.  Tales of Starlight is also completely standalone.  Either series could be fully read, enjoyed, and understood without any knowledge of the other.

The books in the Dragons of Starlight series are:

#1: Starlighter

#2: Warrior

#3: Diviner

#4: Liberator

If you are also interested in reading the Tales of Starlight series alongside the Dragons of Starlight, I would suggest completing Dragons of Starlight and then reading Tales of Starlight, just because it is easier to follow each series on its own without trying to juggle everything that is happening.  Alternatively, if you are willing to read both series at once in order to gain a more thorough understanding of all facets of the story, this is the author's recommended reading order.

Starlighter (Dragons of Starlight book #1)

Masters & Slayers (Tales of Starlight book #1)

Warrior (Dragons of Starlight book #2)

The Third Starlighter (Tales of Starlight book #2)

Diviner (Dragons of Starlight book #3)

Liberator (Dragons of Starlight book #4)

Exodus Rising (Tales of Starlight book #3)

Do complex series like this one intrigue you and draw you into the story world, or get too confusing to follow?  Do you like the variety of books we review?  We tend to hover around the young adult and fantasy genres, but within those areas, our choices are quite different.  Are there any particular areas you would like us to review more?  Is there any particular information you would like us to include in the books we review?  (For example, the levels of romance, violence, or spirituality; the specific type of fantasy; etc.)  Let us know in the comments!

~ Hannah

If you would like to see more dragons, or books with dragons, check out the posts below:

The "Dragon" Books by Bryan Davis, reviewed by me

Laura's Top 3 Mythical Creatures, which includes dragons

My Top 3 Fantasy Creatures post, which includes a particular dragon: the leviathan

The Wings of Fire series I reviewed, which features dragons

My post on what makes a great fantasy world, using the Wings of Fire series as an example

A great Beauty and the Beast retelling Elizabeth suggested, which includes the Dragon Lord as the "beast" character

Attributions:

Starlighter: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51VQmoUjOXL._SX322_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

Warrior: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51EjmNFVhdL._SX322_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

Diviner: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51cEZZZ%2BLHL._SX327_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

Liberator: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/519WTkVNvoL._SX331_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

The "Dragon" Books (Hannah)

Dragons in our Midst, Oracles of Fire, and Children of the Bard series 

By Bryan Davis

  

Of course, these are not the only books with dragons, nor are they the only books I have read that contain dragons.  However, since it is a set of twelve books in three separate but connected series, I just call them the "Dragon Books" for convenience.  If you are a fan of Christian low, urban, or portal fantasy, or if you just love dragons in general, I would wholeheartedly suggest these books.  I would mostly put them in the fantasy adventure/action genre, but there is a just a slight bit of romance, as well as mystery and the supernatural, presented in a Biblically consistent way.  On top of all of that, they are filled with the Christian message of salvation, and some of the most prominent themes are faith, redemption, sacrifice, and how God uses the weak to accomplish mighty things in His Name. They run 400-600 pages a piece, and there are twelve books total, so you will be reading them for a while.  I absolutely devoured them, and they are still to this day my very favorite books.  They were written for young adult/new adult age groups, but my dad thoroughly enjoyed them as well. 

As you can probably guess from the title, dragons feature heavily in these books.  Dragons in our Midst, the first series written, introduces Billy Bannister, a high school student with great instincts and bad breath.  He meets a girl named Bonnie, who always seems to wear a backpack.  Over the course of the first book, he comes to discover that they are both descended from dragons, which were transformed into humans many years ago.  Billy, with his fire breath and sense of danger, and Bonnie, a girl with dragon wings, are aided by the hilarious Walter and wise Professor Hamilton as they try to stay one step ahead of the Dragon Slayers, protect their friends and family, and ultimately rescue all of dragonkind.

Oracles of Fire is a prequel/sequel series that straddles the events of Dragons in our Midst.  The first book, Eye of the Oracle, gives the history of the dragons from Noah’s Ark to King Arthur, how they came to be in human form, and introduces two new main characters: Elam, the son of Shem, and Mara, an oracle of fire, who has the power to create and control fire.  The second, third, and fourth books are sequels to Dragons in our Midst, and follow Billy, Bonnie, Walter, the brilliant Ashley, Elam, Mara (under a new name), and several of the dragons as they journey across many different dimensions, from Earth to the seven circles of Hades to the doorstep of Heaven itself in a desperate battle to ward off the dark forces that are trying to overthrow God’s sovereign rule.

Children of the Bard takes place 15 years after the end of Oracles of Fire, following Matt and Lauren, twin children of Billy and Bonnie.  In a world now hostile to the newly revealed dragons, they struggle to avoid detection by the evil powers that seek to use them for their own nefarious purposes.  They team up with old friends and family, as well as new allies to fight some of the most formidable opponents they have ever faced.

The three series are finally complete, with the release of Children of the Bard #4, Omega Dragon, just recently.  I have to admit, I have not quite finished the Children of the Bard series, but, judging by how much I have loved all of the books so far, I would not hesitate to recommend these to anyone who is willing to give them a try. 

The only thing I would warn you about is the complexity.  Davis is a brilliant author, and he writes very well, but the story does get very complex and juggles many, many characters.  I did not have a problem following them, and most people I know who have read them have also not had too much trouble, but they are certainly not good for reading a little at a time or over a long period of time.  There is too much going on and you will lose track if you are not paying attention. I created a family tree while I was reading, which helped tremendously. (I would suggest you make one, and also make a chart of all of the various names of the characters.  Most change their name at least once, and it can be a little difficult to follow.)  Also, read them in written order.  I started with the prequel, and it killed a lot of the mystery of Dragons in our Midst for me. That said, I have reread this series at least twice, and it becomes almost better in hindsight. 

Here is the list of all of the books in written order:

Dragons in our Midst #1: Raising Dragons

Dragons in our Midst #2: The Candlestone

Dragons in our Midst #3: Circles of Seven

Dragons in our Midst #4: Tears of a Dragon

Oracles of Fire #1: Eye of the Oracle

Oracles of Fire #2: Enoch’s Ghost

Oracles of Fire #3: Last of the Nephilim

Oracles of Fire #4: The Bones of Makaidos

Children of the Bard #1: Song of the Ovulum

Children of the Bard #2: From the Mouth of Elijah

Children of the Bard #3: The Seventh Door

Children of the Bard #4: Omega Dragon

You can find all of the author's books here.

Thanks so much for reading!  I love this series and I hope you enjoy it as well.  If you do decide to read it, and you have questions or would like something explained, I would love to help answer any questions you may have!

~ Hannah

Attributions:

Raising Dragons: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51beBHlsTcL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

Eye of the Oracle: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/514pzU828EL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

Song of the Ovulum: http://s.cdon.com/media-dynamic/images/product/book/book/image1/song_of_the_ovulum-davis_bryan-13674248-frntl.jpg