Archives: Testimonials

Before I had encountered the works of Bryan Davis, my behavior was fairly typical for that of a student my age. I did what I thought was a good idea at the time, and simply hoped for the best, for I knew that if it went poorly I could always request aid from my parents or another responsible adult. However, my simple and careless attitude changed when I read the first of his books, Raising Dragons. His books spoke of the values of dedication, honesty, righteousness, compassion, responsibility, humility, honor, chivalry, and a host of other ideals that I had only barely considered at the time. His words inspired me to follow the example set by the protagonists of his magnificent tales, causing me to change my life in ways that continue to this very day.

In fact, these changes have been noticed by many of my peers, to the point where many of them know me as “that boy who always holds the door” and “Stevie, the kid who never gets angry or yells at people,” which are names that I have actually been called in the past. Due to his teachings, I have reformed my own behavior so that I can now live a life that reflects the values of honor, integrity, and perseverance, values that are exhibited in various facets of my life ranging from attaining a black belt in Tae Kwon Do in three years to getting separated from my tour group at the zoo when I was in eighth grade because I held the door for the entire crowd that was behind us.

While working to uphold these various ideals can often be difficult, as shown in my prior statement involving the zoo, Mr. Davis’ stories have influenced me to continue carrying out these actions without concern of any inconvenience that it could cause me. These values also have aided me throughout my curricular career, for the perseverance Mr. Davis has shown me kept me working on schoolwork, even when that caused me to work for six consecutive hours three separate times in a week, and made sure that I continued to do my very best work in every assignment.

Additionally, I have been able to benefit in my extracurricular activities as well thanks to his teachings, for the compassion he taught me to show allowed me to both push myself to my personal physical limits for the sake of a theater cast or speech team and to always work to lighten the load of any fellow cast or team members.

Truly, thanks to the influence of Bryan Davis I have become a far better man than I would have been. Through his literature, I have found my own convictions, and have been empowered to follow them.

Dear Mr. Davis,

Your books have saved my life. They really have. I remember when my mom brought back Raising Dragons and The Candlestone. You see, as a kid who grew up with a mom who collected fairies, I became a mythical creature lover as well, but dragons were my favorite, so when I saw the first two books of Dragons In Our Midst, I was excited! … And didn’t read them until two years later! Aren’t I cool? But I finally was bored one day in June and decided to browse my shelf, and still new and unopened sat Raising Dragons. I finally opened that one. And sat on my bed and never left my room until both books were finished twice. I couldn’t stop! I barely got up to go to the bathroom, I was so far deep into this world you had formulated! And I begged and begged my mom to take my to Family Christian Bookstores to buy the rest, and she caved and bought the rest of Dragons In Our Midst. The cycle repeated! All within a week, I had read Dragons In Our Midst at least 3 times with minimal sleep.

I slowed down some for a while until I was able to get to the library across town, and then found that our library didn’t hold Oracles of Fire, but I could order it from another branch- and have it come in the next month. It was killer. But that month flew and I went back and got my hands on them. Guess what happened? I freaked out because questions I didn’t even realize existed from the previous series were answered by Eye of the Oracle! I was extremely happy, I had never expected it, and I had never read such an amazing set of books as I finished Dragons in our Midst and as I continued through Oracles of Fire.

A couple seasons went by, and the books sat proudly by themselves, on their own shelf, I still only owned the first four. But dust collected on everything as I went through the hardest time of my life. When I was thirteen, maybe a year or so after discovering your books, I went through major depression and anxiety, and many suicidal thoughts, and an attempt that had went unnoticed. I had started self inflicting harm, and cried every day and night, feeling so lost, dark, and lonely. And in August that summer, my father betrayed me. He came into my room and molested me. He abused me. And just walked out. Drunk and possibly on drugs. I didn’t have anyone to go to, didn’t have anyone who could listen at 12:30, 1:00 in the morning. So I say and cut my arms and wrists. And cried more in that hour than I ever have in my life. I was terrified, then something tilted my chin.

The books sitting on my shelf, all alone. Bonnie. Billy. Walter. Ashley. Karen. All of them. What would they have done? What would Gabriel have told me right now, sitting behind my bed with a pair of open scissors? And I grabbed my phone and ran. I ran outside in the cold, and I sat in my moms dead car and dialed the police. My dad was arrested, and I was taken to Pine Rest, a Mental Health Hospital here in Michigan, and I was helped. I haven’t cut in three years and my dad still hasn’t seen prison, or my baby sister and I.

But that wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for your books. If it weren’t for me being somewhat connected to each character, and each chapter. I would’ve attempted suicide within a few days, or sat around letting my father to continue to abuse me, and move on to my sister, or cousins. Your books saved me. And indirectly my sister and mother.

So thank you. Thank you so, so much. These books have truly meant the world to me and more.

I’ve also read I Know Why The Angels Dance, and just bawled for hours, loved it! I have recently purchased Eye Of the Oracle and Song of the Ovulum, and hopefully tonight my mother will send out an order for From the Mouth of Elijah tonight!

Again, so many thanks for everything!

Many prayers and blessings (and did I mention thanks?), Jessie M. , 16

Mr. Davis,
I don’t have sufficient words to describe “I Know Why the Angles Dance.” I literally could not put it down and finished it within a few hours. That story was marvelous, breath-taking…more than words can tell. It was just purely beautiful, and I have never read anything like it. As always with your books, I felt as if I was actually there, watching Tabitha radiate her wonderful light to those around her. It is an incredible story, one that I will read again…and again…and share with everyone. Thank you for letting God write through you once again, as the words cut straight to my heart.

Every time I read Bonnie’s writing it takes my breath away, and every time I read about her amazing character it blows my mind. Ever since I started reading your books in second grade, Bonnie has been one of my role models. In the writing it mentioned that some critics said that Bonnie was too “perfect” to be identified with or to be realistic, and I just laughed. I don’t believe that at all! That’s one of the biggest things I love about Bonnie-she struggles with things just like I do, but she also has the faith to overcome them, which is what makes her so inspiring. And she definitely is realistic-I’ve come to know someone who has a character exactly like Bonnie’s; like you said, her character IS the gospel. Anyway…I just wanted t let you know how much I enjoyed that. I was very excited to hear a scene from Perelandra mentioned, because that series is one of my favorites ever. By the way, Bonnie is still by far the best character ever!

Every Christian should read this book. Aside from the literary structure, which is almost flawless, the characters and the faith that Bryan Davis pours into this book are made of eternal things. The character of God is consistent, the faith of a child is both healing and convicting water to the dry, hardened soul of an adult. Let the grace of God melt your spirit back to the clay that He needs it to be, and this book will become more than a story, it will become a representation of God’s grace to a world that desperately needs it. Bryan Davis is an amazingly intellectual person, as well as having a great imagination that makes his other stories shine in the world of fantasy, but this book glows in a different way than his other books; it glows from the faith of a child coming from the heart of a man who both knows God with his mind, and knows God with a deeply personal faith. Get out your tissues, and be ready to wonder at the marvel of the Almighty God, for this book is heart and mind blended together in a way that you will not soon forget. 5 stars Mr. Davis. 🙂

Bonnie was very real to me when I was younger. I started reading “Raising Dragons” when my mother was alive, and about a few months later she died. It was as if Bonnie guided me on how to deal with the situation and situations after that. I even prayed that I’d meet my “Billy” early in life. For some reason I wanted to be just like Bonnie in every way. I really looked up to her. When my “Billy” came, I knew he wasn’t completely sold out for Christ. (He was actually Catholic at the time.) Since I knew Bonnie, I knew what to do for him. Now, he’s a Jesus follower. Mr. Davis, thank you so much for deciding to put Bonnie Sliver into your story. She has helped me in many ways, more than I could have ever imagined when I started reading your series at 14.

How did you ever come up with these ideas! A Dragon in our Midst is now my favorite book series ever! How did you ever come up with these ideas! A Dragon in our Midst is now my favorite book series ever! Bonnie is such a perfect description of me(I think). She’s perfect! Billy is only my dream for a guy half as great as him. Gosh, that book really gives me something to love and cherish. I really don’t know how you come up with these things. I’ve been spreading your book titles around my school, describing it as a Christian battle like Harry Potter. Only better. I even sent in a book title and summary for the 2nd book. It’s my favorite.

Oracles of Fire is really great too. I love how it overlaps with A Dragon in Our Midst. And those poems and ‘Musings of Merlin’. Those are just amazing. I’ve got half of them memorized!

I want to be like Bonnie so much, I just don’t know where to start. I wouldn’t say my life is a mess (I’m in 5th grade) but I have myself a reputation as being tough and self-sufficient. The friends I have aren’t the ones I’d like, and the ones I want kind of ignore me. I just don’t know how to be different than I already am.

PLEASE COME UP WITH MORE BOOKS! ABOUT DRAGONS!

OR KINGS AND QUEENS WITH DRAGONS IN THEM. I LOVE DRAGONS!!!!!!

I’m trying to figure out how to draw them right now. It’s kinda hard, considering you can’t just look outside and see one in your backyard or something.

Mr. Davis,

Thank you so much for writing all of your books. All of your characters have been an inspiration to me.

Bonnie has taught me to be kind and loving, Billy has taught me to stand strong, Walter has taught me that the hardest times call for a good joke,

Timothy and Acacia have taught me the true meaning or sacrifice, Naamah and Kelly have taught me that God forgives anyone who repents no matter how terrible their sins,

Koren has taught me to speak the truth even if it makes me sound crazy, and Nathan has taught me to forgive the seemingly unforgivable. Not to mention your books have brought me on a wonderful roller coaster of adventure and danger without my having to worry about weird non-Christian ideas. These books have changed me for the better.

Thank you again for writing these books. God bless, Katie. Psalm 139: 7-12

I love your books. I think that my favorite series will be Children of the Bard. Song of the Ovulum was absolutely amazing. I can’t wait for the other books. I have read a lot of your books and they are the best ever. Your book Raising Dragons is what got me to start reading my Bible intensively. I hope that you continue to use your books to honor the Almighty God our Father. If I don’t get a chance to meet you in person then I know that I will see you in Heaven where we will worship our Father. Thanks again for the most wonderful books in the world.