Genre: Contemporary Fantasy

Author: Bryan Davis

ISBN: 0899571722  

The following review was contributed by:  E.Dian Moore &  To read more about Dian Moore’s reviews click HERE: To read Dian's Interview With the Author Click Here

Dragons, computers and alternate worlds, oh my! 

Though touted as a young-adult fantasy book, Circles of Seven is also intriguing, sophisticated fare for adults. Circles is third in a series (Book 4 due later this year) designed to inspire readers to seek out lives of virtue, faith and courage while discovering and using their natural talents and strengths, regardless of circumstances.

Combining the modern world of technology with the fantastical world of dragons and a dollop of medieval influence, Circles weaves a tapestry of spellbinding storytelling. This unique, ongoing tale of two part-dragon teenagers, their families, sidekicks and mentors soon carves a niche on the bookshelf. With Book 3, the stakes are raised, as the tasks the young heroes must complete require each to use accumulated wisdom, truths, faith and bravery to then succeed to the next level, much like a video game.

Bonnie Silver and Billy Bannister, a girl who has known of her dragoness for some time, and a boy who is still struggling with the newfound identity, have abilities unique to them – but which complement each other. Bonnie can fly and Billy breathes fire. The duo must pass successfully through each evil circle to gain entrance into the last circle that is the prison for captives of the diabolic mistress of this alternate world.

Billy is the center of attention in Book 3, and it’s not his breathing abilities he must draw upon. His mission requires the use of the understanding, skills and wisdom he has accumulated from the two preceding books to complete his assignment. He and Bonnie must enter into an alternative reality, a dimension of evil consisting of seven worlds of increasing darkness, and rescue those under the wicked control of a powerful, deceitful sorceress.

The growing relationship between Billy and Bonnie adds a layer of chivalry and perhaps the first budding of love that young adults all over the world experience, and when Bonnie is critically injured, Billy must decide: save her, or save the prisoners.

Meanwhile, the technological-savvy sidekicks, a talking computer and two teenage girls, add more fantasy and peaks the imagination to explore “what if” enough of the right kind of technology could break through a veil and have an effect on an alternative reality.

Though Circles is good read on its own I recommend reading the first two books in this series in order to keep up with who is who and understand what being part-dragon means.

Davis is to be admired for illustrating through engaging characters, fascinating storylines and world-building how it is possible to still be whole once a person emerges from the darkness evil begets.

Engaging in suspense filled with colorful, imaginative worlds with likeable heroes in seemingly unsolvable predicaments, Davis has mastered the epic journey and provides readers a fantasy that celebrates God’s power. The characters are each on their own path to building faith in the Creator, and the plot line serves as a good device to illustrate how hard it can be to put one’s trust in God once a situation seems hopeless; but better yet, how trusting God can strengthen one’s own character.

Other books in this series include:

Book 1: Raising Dragons

Book 2: The Candlestone

Book 4: Tears of a Dragon (Due out in fall of 2005)