Readers of Bryan Davis’s previous books will devour this fast-paced read following the thrilling adventures featuring new characters.

Thank you to Tyndale House Publishers (Tyndale Kids), NetGalley, and Bryan Davis for the complementary eARC of this novel. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Hawk is an apprentice to an evil shopkeeper who is making illegal bargains with dragons and the evil and scheming Lady Morgan. Sabina has been living with the kindhearted dragon, Legossi, for a few years, but is convinced by Morgan’s people that she needs to come live with her. Once there, she and Hawk begin to see things are not what they seem. They must work together with the Merlin and the dragons to stop a war between the humans and the dragons that Lady Morgan is trying to force on King Arthur.

I thoroughly enjoyed this middle grade Christian Fantasy book. Bryan Davis knows how to write a book that will keep the attention of a middle grade student. The story moves at a quick pace as to keep a young reader’s attention. I love that it is fantasy, but yet is full of faith. This was the first book I have read from this author, and while it not completely take me out of the reading experience, I believe reading the earlier books set in this world would have enhanced my understanding of the setting and the characters. It is good for kids that the story moves fast but there are some points that it almost moves too fast. One last minor critique is that some might complain that the faith content comes across a tad on the preachy side. All of the main characters of the book, both humans and dragons, were well written. However, my issues with this book are very minor because as a whole this book kept my attention beginning to end. I was invested in the story from beginning to end and I can not wait to read the next book.

I would recommend this book for readers from 8-12 years of age that like dragon books but don’t want to read books that are contrary to their belief systems. This is a book that parents would definitely not have to worry about their children reading something that is disturbing. I would not recommend this book for children who are sensitive to witches or evil characters or to people who don’t like blatant faith.

#TheSacredScales #NetGalley

This was a strong start to the Dragons of Camelot series, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed about the fantasy genre. The characters had that overall feel that worked with the world that was built. I was glad I got to read this and get into this journey. It was a strong concept for a fantasy adventure and really enjoyed the overall concept and was invested in the characters. Bryan Davis has a strong writing style and was glad I got to start this read.

Dragons in our Midst was one of the iconic series for me growing up. To have modern ordinary(?) teens, dragons, biblical figures, and Arthurian legend all wrapped in a chunky quartet (and then further sequels) blew me away. Although it’s been years since then, Sacred Scales brought the nostalgia back in full force, with Clefspeare and Legossi making early appearances, in addition to finally pulling back the curtain on what exactly led to Merlin’s world-altering advice to the dragons in the late days of Camelot (which had always remained a tantalizing mystery in the first prior series).

This new adventure follows Sabina and Hawk, a young girl raised by dragons and a boy who was almost killed by one, who are swept up in a plot by Lady Morgan to further her crusade against the dragons. Their new friendship is earnest and sweet (if somewhat inexplicably fast to form), and they meet other interesting folks like Sir Barlow who loves rhymes, dragon-hating Sir Devin (another familiar name), and the one and only Merlin.

All that being said, I’m not sure how accessible this book is for new readers. There’s so many names thrown about, and artifacts, that if I weren’t already familiar, I don’t think I’d grasp their significance. Sabina and Hawk are very much swept along by the tide of events about them, rather than pursuing goals of their own. While other books, notably Bones of Makaidos, set a precedent for linking this timeline to biblical history, those benefited from nearly a thousand pages to accomplish the interwoven narrative. Here, references to Noah or Balaam are interjected with little context, and I found it either sudden or confusing. The themes of devotion and faith also seemed rushed, as in very on the nose, in a way I don’t remember it being previously. But then, I’m no longer in the target audience, and young readers may find it instructive rather than abrupt.

If this book catches your interest, I recommend starting with Dragons in our Midst.

The Sacred Scales is the start to a new series, Dragons of Camelot. Faith based that puts good vs evil as its theme.

A Christian Fantasy that mixes the Arthurian legends along with strong elements of Biblical faith. There are authentic characters, nice world building and a plot that was intricately woven...plus it has dragons. Following along with Hawk and Sabrina on this journey to protect the dragons was a story of courage and friendship. I'm looking forward to the next book in series, yes that door is open for a sequel.

This is my first time reading a Bryan Davis book, I've been eyeing them in our church library though. I requested as soon as I saw this on offer on Netgalley. A Christian fantasy that fits right along side of Narnia and geared for middle grade readers. I am much older then that and quite enjoyed the ride and can't wait to introduce my grandsons to this book.

My thanks to Tyndale House for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review.

Bryan Davis's The Sacred Scales is an absolutely riveting fantasy tale of dragons and knights errant. Set in legendary Camelot, you discover there are good and evil dragons, according to this novel. The enchantress Morgan Le Fay has hatched a plot to wipe them all out and two brave children - Hawk and Sabina - are embroiled in the whole affair, as they race against time, trying to stop Morgan Le Fay from achieving her ends. What exactly are her ends, though? Only Morgan and the author know that.

Will Morgan succeed in her nefarious schemes?

There is plenty of action, plot twists and turns to rival a maze, shining nuggets of truth to live by and ponder on, making this book a pleasure to read.

A word of caution, there are some gory descriptions and so I'd recommend this for children above 9+ years.

I'm very, very careful what fantasy novels I read though I love the genre. I asked for this on a whim, never guessing that it'd captivate me so. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

I was given an ARC copy to read, but my opinions are my own.

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

As a child I loved reading fantasy books starting with Enid Blyton and then the Narnia series by C.S. Lewis. When I was offered a chance to read this book I jumped at it. This book is set in Camelot where dragons are part of the land. There is currently a fragile truce between Camelot and the dragons about to be shattered.

Hawk is an apprentice to an unkind master who is secretly working for the Lady Morgan. Sabina was rescued by a dragon and is now needs to go back to live with humans. She becomes Lady Morgan's ward. Hawk and Sabina work together to stop the war on the dragons and foil Lady Morgan's plans with the help of Merlin.

Throughout the book we see a Christian theme. Hawk is a Christian trying to live the Christian life. I love how bible themes are woven throughout the book like how dragons were on the ark. This book reads well, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The reading age is listed as age of 8 - 12 but I think it would depend on the child. I personally would have struggled at 8 but by 11 this would have been a book I would have loved. If a parent and child are reading together then 8 wouldn't be too young.

It reminds me of Narnia as both are fantasy. There is a true good and evil struggle and think lovers of Narnia would love this book. I look forward to reading more in the series and checking out the other series.

The Sacred Scales by Bryan Davis
4 Stars
Book 1 in the Dragons Of Camelot Series

OK Y'ALL I need to read all of Bryan's books, this was so great! As a lover of middle grade books and stories such as Narnia, The Hobbit, LOTR....This reminded me of those type of epic stories! Perfect for middle school kiddos and really people of all ages because I had SO much fun reading this. The ending has me needing the next book ASAP too!

This is a Christian Fantasy with mentions of Jesus as their Lord and savior, praying to God and standing for truth but also has mixed in fantasy elements with Arthurian legends -- like Merlin, King Arthur, dragons...etc. It's a great opportunity to remind those reading it that while the faith in the story is real and powerful, the magical elements are just part of the make-believe world. I loved how Bryan tied all that together as he really invites you in to this fun fantasy world.

We follow Hawk and Sabina as they team up to protect dragons from a sinister plot that threatens their very existence. Lots of wild rides, escapes, riddles, twists - overall a good read with themes of faith, courage, the power of prayer and friendship.

I would recommend this for older middle school kids and up as there are themes of battles, some characters being burned, mentioned of death etc.

🐉 Read If You Like:
- Dragons, danger, and daring rescues
- Faith-filled fantasy adventures
- Arthurian legends and dragon lore
- Stories about standing up for what’s right
- Action stories with strong Christian themes

Thank you to Tyndale Publishers for a copy of this book to honestly read and review. All thoughts are my own.

Fantasy stories are not normally the kind of books I gravitate towards, however my daughter loves them and I'm constantly on the hunt for new books to share with her that might be good and full of truth as well as include her love of fantasy. The Sacred Scales fits the bill! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this mash-up of Sir Arthur's cast of characters in Camelot with dragons and elements of faith. The story focused on good and evil, but also showed kids how to see truth and fight through unbelief in a light hearted way. Even though it was light hearted, this story was packed with truth and I cannot wait to read the next story to see what happens next!

Bryan Davis's *The Sacred Scales* is a captivating middle-grade fantasy that intertwines Arthurian legend with Christian themes. Set in a Camelot where dragons are outlawed, the story follows Hawk, a humble apprentice, and Sabina, a girl raised by dragons, as they uncover a sinister plot by Lady Morgan to eradicate dragons from all realms. Their journey is filled with ancient riddles, magical creatures, and lessons on faith and courage. With appearances by Merlin and other legendary figures, this tale offers a fresh perspective on familiar myths. Ideal for young readers seeking adventure infused with moral depth, it's a commendable addition to Davis's fantasy repertoire.

What an exciting trip through a reimagined King Arthur world, with dragons and faith mixed into the fantasy magic. This is my first Bryan Davis book but I am now hooked and need to know where this trip is headed! I enjoyed how the book seamlessly put faith into the everyday lives of the characters. The setting made a great backdrop for the story to unfold on. It was so easy to see the forest and the caves laying before me as I moved through the book.
The plot pulled me in and kept me interested and the pages flipping. I wanted to keep learning more about this fantastical world and what would happen to 2 spunky and courageous children. The situations they face throughout the book kept everything interesting and engaging.
This book is a great fit for children around 8-12, as long as they can handle some times of higher emotion and loss of family.
Bryan Davis does a masterful job of creating a new twist on an older fantasy tale that will keep readers entertained and engaged. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great fantasy story with faith flowing through all aspects of the book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Good story for kids! Interesting premise for a story-you'll have to find out about the scales when you read the book. :) Set in and around Camelot with humans, dragons, Merlin, King Arthur, and evil women as the book's characters, it's bound to be interesting! I don't love the way the author makes King Arthur look kind of like an idiot, but other than that, it's good.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance e-copy of this book! All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

While Bryan Davis has been on my radar for awhile, this middle grade fantasy is the first of his books that I've read. The plot kept my interest, but I struggled with how he tried to link the King Arthur legends and the early days of the world in Genesis. I also found myself cringing whenever one of the characters pointed out a "faith fail." There wasn't room for nuance that let characters doubt even as they believed, something Jesus honors with the father who said, "I believe, help my unbelief."

I won't necessarily be recommending this book widely, but I do see a subset of Christian 8-12 years olds who will enjoy it.

This book was interesting and fills a need for more middle grade fantasy titles. However, I do not think it would be a particularly popular title with our patrons, so I don't think I will be purchasing it.

What a great Arthurian adventure for kids 8-12

Bryan Davis has done it again. He has woven adventure, dragons, and the power of Faith into a story that kids will enjoy and parents will be thankful for.

Hawk and Sabine are at their essence kids, which makes them both relatable and inspiring as they face the situations before them.

I can’t wait for more of the Dragons of Camelot series.

I couldn't finish it. Didn't quite make it halfway. I think the idea sounds interesting but was not impressed with the writing. Not one i'd recommend.

What an exciting ride! Even though I don’t usually read fantasy besides Narnia and LOTR, I couldn’t resist this book because of its fascinating premise and gorgeous cover. How could I pass up a wholesome fantasy in Camelot? I enjoyed this story’s setting, interesting plot, and likable characters.

This is definitely best for middle school grade kids or older - not just because of some advanced vocabulary, but because of the discernment and maturity needed. There are some very dark moments in the book (e.g., someone is burned alive; a witch threatens to skin someone alive). There is also a mix of dragons and Arthurian legend with Biblical stories that may confuse younger children. Christian parents may wish to have clarifying conversations with their kids around some aspects of the story.

Even though this wasn’t quite a five-star read for me due to a few small inconsistencies and a few places where the writing didn’t feel as strong, it’s still a great read. I could see myself reading this to my kids when they’re older, and perhaps this will be a new hit in Christian fantasy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers for the free eARC. I post this receive with my honest opinions. This review will be cross-posted to Amazon, Goodreads, and Instagram by the time of the book’s publication.