"Only the truth can slip past watchful dragons."

Past Watchful Dragons is a fascinating blend of allegory and fairytale. Each of the twelve stories included reimagines a tale from the Bible in some new, incredibly interesting and yet wonderfully timeless way. These stories are not only takes on Biblical stories, but many are also inspired by various cultures, from Welsh to Norse, Israeli to Russian to Japanese.

I loved everything about this, including reading each story blind, to see if I could determine which Biblical tale was being retold. And there was a handy guide in the back that allowed me to see if I was correct about which story or character was reimagined in each particular tale, as well as showcasing which culture or cultures served as inspiration. I could see this collection—which is also beautiful as an object—becoming something of a family heirloom. It’s a book made to be shared and discussed and endlessly revisited. And, hopefully, it will help readers approach the stories that inspired this book with fresh eyes, seeing Scripture in a new light.

If you’re someone who also loves diving into stories knowing as little about them as possible, skip the rest of this review. But if you’d like to see which fairytale corresponds to which Biblical story, as well as a few of my favorite quotes from each chapter, continue on.

Chapter 1 - The Loreman, the Star, and the Terrible Word
(The Fall of Lucifer)
"It's a terrible thing to never die."
"All stars sing, but few men, if any, can hear them."
"The word was a song and it was a story that spun through the spaces between and above and below all the stars in the sky."
"The truth is never lost... It's only hidden, tucked away into a dusty corner, and then forgotten, until the time is right."

Chapter 2 - The Magician King
(The Creation and Fall of Man)
"You will die, but you will not be lost forever... One day I will send a man made of both clay and flesh to find you, and he will bring you back home to me."

Chapter 3 - The Dragon’s Queen
(Queen Esther)
"All men must die... But do not forget that today you still live."
"Death will find me, but today I live."
"...for to kill the hopes of men, one must kill the men themselves. "

Chapter 4 - The Tale of Bjorn and the Four Fleeces
(King David/King Solomon)
"The admiration of men fades, but a worthy man does not need it."
"I do not trust my heart."

Chapter 5 - The Sparrow King
(Nebuchadnezzar's Dream)
"For the kings of men are not always as good or as noble or as humble as they should be. When kings become tyrants, it is a sad thing indeed."
"It is easy to ignore the suffering of others when the suffering is far away."

Chapter 6 - The Baron and the Horse Maiden
(Ruth and Naomi)
"That knowledge filled him with something like hope. And hope is far better than Fortune's fickle kiss or Fate's woven threads."

Chapter 7 - The Gatekeeper of Rakuen
(Wisdom that Saves a City from the Book of Ecclesiastes)
"The wise ask for help, especially when they're as weak as Rakuen."

Chapter 8 - The Fox, the Wolf, and the Hound Dog
(The Tower of Babel)
This one felt like one of Aesop's fables. It also brought to mind Animal Farm and The Emperor's New Clothes.
"...foxes live small lives and know far less of the world than they think."
"Never again could the fox be anything but a dumb beast. All his knowledge of the world was forgotten because he had forgotten himself and his master."

Chapter 9 - The Keeper of the Roodtree
(Hannah)
"It was said that these crowns made a ruler wise at heart, and that the scepters made all their laws just and good...it was also said that while the tree stood, the kingdom would also stand."
"...one day a Roodtree would grow in that kingdom that would never die."

Chapter 10 - The Mountain Boy and the Ocean of Fire
(The Life of Jesus)
The feel of this story brought to mind The Neverending Story. My favorite in the collection.
"I've come for the throne of my father."
"I am the king's son, and I will not yield to you or any other."
"Blinking, the prince stepped out into the light, the head of his enemy in one hand, hia father’s golden crown in the other."

Chapter 11 - The Proud Princess and the Reluctant King
(Hosea / the Parable of the Lost Sheep)
"Once more the king called her by name, and when the once-proud princess finally raised her eyes to meet the king's, he saw in them not pride, but love."
"...his queen was worth more in his sight that any other woman in all of Erith. And because he loved her, it must be true."

Chapter 12 - The Story of Wistan and Carreen
(Christ Returning for His Bride)
"Be brave. The journey is perilous but keep my love in your heart and remember."
"Come, my love... Come home and remember."

A wonderful fantasy style book retelling biblical stories. Following the format of fairy tales and ancient myths, Sheffler creates an imaginative take on some familiar Bible stories with heroes, horses, kings, maidens, warriors, and dragons. As with all good retellings, the stories draw you in with their combination of fantasy grounded/inspired by the truth. The lessons and sacrifices are not lost in this fantasy. I also appreciated the author providing scripture references of the stories these retellings were based on in the back of the book so you can easily review the stories and their truths as presented from source (the Bible). I highly recommend this book and believe it would be good for all audiences.

Past Watchful Dragons - Biblical Stories Retold by RJ Sheffler is a clever collection of stories that take place in a fairy tale setting. The collection is a retelling of the Bible. Some are clear but others are deep so the meaning can seem hidden at times. While middle grade children should be able to read these tales independently, a discussion of each chapter with an adult would be an excellent after reading activity.

The stories are well written, intriguing to both child and adult. The colorful illustrations add to the telling of the stories. Also, I loved the quote by CS Lewis at the beginning of the tales. I haven’t read anything exactly like Past Watchful Dragons that take specific Bible stories to retell in this way. I applaud the author’s world building and originality.

This book delivers a stunning and imaginative take on familiar Bible stories. The author's lyrical and enchanting style creates a captivating reading experience, reminiscent of fairy tales and ancient myths. What makes these retellings truly compelling is their ability to be both fantastical and deeply grounded in truth. By weaving biblical themes into a vibrant fantasy landscape, the author offers a clever and engaging way to explore these timeless narratives. A fantastic choice for families! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This book is a beautiful collection of Biblical retellings. I loved the writing style; it is beautiful, poetic, and reminded me of fairy tales and mythologies. I loved the stories themselves as well. They're imaginative and fantastical and best of all, true. I think this book is successful in its goal of stealing past the watchful dragons and showing kids Biblical truths in a fantasy setting. Would highly recommend for families! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!