The Candlestone : Dragons in Our Mist Chronicles Vol.2 (Dragons in Our Midst)

Rating:
Summary: The BEST book of the year.
Review: As it has been said, don't listen to TCIrishLass as is it not possible for her to have read the book and give a review that says it is "evangalizing the devil". This is a good, Christian book with the spotlight on Christ, and things that Christ would be. Such things as honor, chivalry, protecting those weaker than yourself and more. But it also shows how bad other things can be, things like deceit, dishonorable conduct (attacking someone from behind is stressed in the second book.), and pride, among others.

Parents, I would encourage you not just to let your kids read this series, but read it yourself. My parents read it, and are equally impressed.

All in all, this is without a doubt the best book in a LOOOOONG time. I can't wait for the next one! Mr. Davis, keep up the good work!

BookJunkie

Rating:
Summary: Just as good as the first-- if not better!
Review: Bryan Davis yet again creates an awesome book! Fast-paced, exciting, poetic, with just the right mix of sacred and sillyness. This is most definently a Christian book, blending messages of hope and redemption in the midst of the troubles of life. An awesome read for pre-teens/teens who like christian fantasy, or those who just love a marvelous adventure. Bryan Davis should be commended for not leaving the fantasy genre to the pagans, but like other Christian authors before him, taking the time to create another world/reflection not so very different from our own. If you haven't gotten the first book (Raising Dragons), be sure to buy both at once-- you won't want to stop after just one!

Rating:
Summary: Christian Fantasy Novel, Touches Your Heart From The Inside
Review: Hello to all viewers,

Bryan Davis has done another great job in writing The Candlestone. Honestly I would not give it five stars, but I would double it. If your a Christian and like fantasy, then I recommend this book for you. I myself am very speechless about this book, and inside I am saying so many wonderful blessing things about this book. This book really struck my heart! I don't mean it in a bad way, but what I mean is that my heart has really been opened up so much. At this moment I don't feel like my old self, I feel newly refreshed, and wanting to open my life to the world. This would be me going outside my confort zone. There is just so much with God being involved in this book. Half of the book made me wonder what was going to happen next, like something really exciting. Then the other half made me cry with happy tears. The Candlestone has and I mean really touched my faith with God. I actually have stoped reading and then talked to God about stuff, like the book and then I would get straight back to reading it. I love his books so much, please keep up the wonderful work. If you haven't read Raising Dragons, I earge you to read it, and then straight into The Candlestone. The second book is even more difficult to place down. I have grown into a deeper faith with God, just by reading Bryan Davis's books. Thank you for reading my review it gave you some light.

Your Sister in Christ,
Tracy

Rating:
Summary: The Candlestone
Review: I picked out Raising Dragons to read aloud w/my 10 year old son believing all 3 books in the trilogy had already been published. We pre-ordered the second book & waited eagerly for its shipment. We have both enjoyed, been surprised, been in suspense & been thrilled with the adventures of Billy, Bonnie, Walter & the professor. Bryan Davis's prose & poetry flow more smoothly in The Candlestone than in the first book. I commend him for creating heroes & heroines to deal with truly evil bad guys. He identifies the bad as bad & does so with a level of wisdom & sophistication I think his younger audience can appreciate & grow through.



Rating:
Summary: ...
Review: I was really excited after reading "Raising Dragons." It had been a long time since a decent children's fantasy had released by a Christian author... (though around the same time "Dragonspell" by Donita K Paul was released, and it is also fantastic.) Bryan Davis' writing felt fresh and the ideas he presented were new and unlike anything I had read before.

"Candlestone" is a good continuation of the story. While it doesn't feel quite as fresh (because we've already gotten over the shock of something great in "Raising Dragons") Fans of the first one will definately enjoy the second one, while those who didn't like the first won't change their mind after reading this.

I like how it goes into Bonnie's story farther, making her a more central point of the series. In the first one she had a nice roll, but Billy took front and center the majority of the time. Here other characters flesh out better and father define their role in the series.

I really like how the books like the present with the past with a fantasy twist with folklore and legend mingling with it also. The aware parent may wish to clarify with their children that the King Arthur story present in these books are obviously fantasy and hold little baring with the real King Arthur.

Rating:
Summary: Spiritually Brilliant
Review: If you thought Bryan Davis created a masterpiece in the first book, then this book will leave you shaking your head in awe. And I'll tell you many reasons for that in my next review.

In this blurb however, I want to credit Mr. Davis with creating a spiritually marvelous and uplifting novel. Yes, it was a page turner (up until 4:00 and 2:00 am on successive nights), yes the writing gets tighter and the characters deeper. But the biggest impact that The Candlestone had on me was spiritually.

I'm guessing we all have moments in time when we are spiritually at a low ebb. Ironically, Christmas day was one of those low points for me. I was toast. However, during the course of reading The Candlestone I couldn't help but be re-energized by the very same power and Spirit that are the source of strength for young Bonnie, The Professor and Billy.

Yes, the book is far more "Christian" than the previous book, but it turned out great for this old boy that it was so. The reliance of the characters in scripture and on the basic principles of foundational Christian doctrine helped to remind me of the foundations of my own faith. There was enough scripture (without constant Bible references) and enough power in the "imagined" prayers - though I'm sure that large parts of those prayers are prayed every day somewhere by someone - that the prose sparked my own faith and continued to bring my mind back to my Savior and his wonderful love.

Yah. I know it sounds sappy. Kind of odd for a guy who typically likes stuff that has an edgier feel and characters that have rapier wit, but there are certainly some days when truth does far more for the weary soul than just good writing alone. Great job Bryan.

One last comment. There's a lass that left her opinion (which she has the right to do) regarding this book and series being occultic or involving sorcery. I think she missed the point. And in fact, I'm not sure she could have read the entire book with it's references to Christ and still come to that conclusion. I will share that my opinion - as a Christian for 22 years, a youth leader, worship leader, outreach ministry head and children's and adult Sunday school teacher - is that Mr. Davis has done a great job of reshaping a legend and imbuing it with a sense of the scared and supernatural without making it hokey, trite and obvious. Quite refreshing indeed.

But you know what? Don't just believe me, experience The Candlestone yourself and then let me know what time you were up until ;-)

Rating:
Summary: Einsteinishly Brilliant!!!!
Review: This book keeps you excited and asking questions till the end. I showed the series to a friend and he read the first book in two days. If your looking for action or adventure, look no further.

Rating:
Summary: Can't do it justice.
Review: Well, I've taken long enough trying to figure out just how to write a review that does The Candlestone justice. I still can't think of how, so I'll just write it. The Candlestone is a truly awesome book. It was worth every second of anticipation from when I finished Raising Dragons, the first book in the series. Like Raising Dragons, it's simple, fast paced, and has characters younger readers can love, yet more than enough depth, complexity, beautiful imagery and meaning to keep more advanced readers coming back and rereading it.

If you like dragons, legend, mystery, and adventure, if you want to read about characters you can relate to, learn about, and go on adventures with, and if you're looking for a book whose characters and story teaches honor, chivalry, and love for God all at the same time, The Candlestone is all this and so much more.