I really enjoyed this. It was many years ago when I first read this and I wasn't sure my opinion would be the same. Overall it was.
A lot of fantasy some chase and intrigue and a dash of light comedy and good action. The pace is busy from beginning to end. I was quickly drawn into the characters and their predicaments. They are easy to connect to. My favorite characters are the enigma Mr. Hamilton and Walter who is an amazing best friend on many levels. Some prophecies spoken in the the time of Merlin and King Arthur mix with modern setting. And how it plays out is fantastic. I am eager to read the next book in the series!

Billy's nickname at school is "dragon breath," and with good reason - his breath is really hot! He doesn't understand why until his parents tell him that his father is a full dragon and he is a half-dragon. He's not at all happy that they've kept this from him his entire life, but he's forced to deal with it when he's attacked by his principal. His father tells him the tale of King Arthur and Merlin and how dragon slayers almost wiped out all of his kind, and how and why he is now a human. He also shares with him a prophecy that is going to end up reshaping Billy's life. He meets the new girl in school, Bonnie, and discovers that she, too, is a half-dragon, although she has known for years, so at least he's not alone.

This was a good middle grade blend of fantasy and Christian fiction. This book does a good job of blending dragon tales with Christian teachings, without overdoing it. I liked the kids and thought the way they acted was pretty much the way most young teens act in real life. The blending of all of this with the Arthurian legend was a good move on the author's part. I thought it added a great layer to the story.

The only problem I had with this book was the level of violence against the kids. I thought it was a bit graphic for a book targeted at a younger audience.

All in all, I enjoyed this book and look forward to continuing the series.

4.5/5 stars.

*** I would like to thank NetGalley, AMG Publishers, Living Ink Books, and Bryan Davis for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is the first book in a middle grade series. It would appeal to both male and female fantasy fans.

This book sets itself apart from others by including Christian faith - that is something I don't encounter often, and imagine has a larger audience than assumed. The book is also fantasy -- in my experience, finding a fantasy/sci-fi book that isn't at odds with ones' faith can be a challenge, especially for books geared at middle-grade/YA readers. The plot is pretty interesting, and I've been a sucker for dragons since elementary school. I think this is a good selection for those exploring different genres, those who love fantasty/sci-fi, or those looking for wholesome books for younger readers. The length isn't too much and the writing style isn't overly complicated or too simple.

I really enjoyed this Christian fantasy story. I found the characters realistic and relatable, and the religious overtones not too overbearing. The plot kept me hooked, and interested enough to pick up the sequel. Great book!