Circles of Seven (Dragons in Our Midst, #3) by Bryan Davis

Circles of Seven (Dragons in Our Midst, #3) Reviews

• 
  Nate Philbrick

  Book 3 was so confusing to 14-yr-old me, but boy...it's always been my favorite of the series! Can't believe I hadn't added these yet.
• 
  Sarah

  Still my favorite in this series.
  
  ~~~
  
  2022 Series Review:
  When I first read the Dragons in Our Midst series not long after this book released, it quickly hit my favorites list. The Oracles of Fire series took me a little longer to win me over, but eventually, it joined its predecessor on my top ten (technically sharing a space, as you really can't have one without the other). But time went on, and my growing reading list meant I reread less, and before long, years had passed without my touching these books (except to occasionally take Bookstagram photos). And the question arose: were they as good as I remembered? Other favorites from that time had fallen in favor as I found other stories that I loved more and that rang more true and as I discovered other authors with lovelier writing. Would Dragons in Our Midst and Oracles of Fire hold up?
  
  In October 2021, I decided to find out. And as I delved into the familiar pages, I quickly found myself falling in love again with the story, characters, and themes, all of which were as excellent as I remembered — or, in some cases, better. Maturity on my part meant I could better appreciate certain characters and choices that had frustrated the younger me and that I could more clearly see the spiritual truths Davis weaves into every page of his writing. And books I originally didn't love — mostly Tears of a Dragon, Enoch's Ghost, and The Bones of Makaidos — I found I liked much better this time around because, again, I could better appreciate the themes, particularly the theme of sacrifice that runs so strongly through this series.
  
  It's bit interesting for me to think that in some ways, these books were published at the last possible moment that they could've been really successful, both in- and out-of-story. In-story, the increasing omnipresence of the internet and surveillance and just the increased number of people with cameras on their phones would've made it nearly impossible for the dragons and anthrozils to stay hidden (especially in the case of LITERAL dragons or Bonnie and her wings) — and that's not even starting on the events at the end of Circles of Seven or the merging of Earth and Hell in Oracles of Fire. Those were a Big Deal in the story; they'd be receiving hundreds of times more attention and panic today.
  
  And out-of-story, well, you can't get far into these books without recognizing that Davis isn't exactly subtle with his spiritual themes. Even compared to other books of the time, these books are saturated with Biblical truth, scripture, allegory, and messages — I would argue even more so than some books that were explicitly allegorical. It's even more evident compared to a lot of Christian fiction today, which tends to be much more subtle. But honestly? It's kind of refreshing to read a book that's so in-your-face about these things.
  
  So, do these books hold up? Absolutely. If you've never read them before, pick them up. And if you have read them before, well, don't you think it might be time for a reread?
• 
  Tracey Dyck

  (This was my second or third read.)
  
  Wow, what a book! I remember it being my favorite in the Dragons in Our Midst series, and I think that still holds true. What can I say? I love the symbolism.
  
  I don't think I can do my history with Circles of Seven justice, so we'll settle for a short list of what I loved:
  
  -Billy's growth. He still has a long way to go, and he made some mistakes, but he didn't completely backslide like so many protagonists do! He's actually building on the foundation of character laid in books 1 and 2.
  -Bonnie's faith is beautiful and she's still one of my heroes.
  -Ashley and Walter and foreshadowing. ;) And snark. Walter gets on Ashley's nerves so much right now, but I love how their friendship survives.
  -England!
  -The symbolic, spiritual journey Billy takes through the seven circles is amazing. I feel like I uncover more every time I read it.
  -Morgan makes her entrance and ugh, I hate her.
  -So much set-up for future books!
  -Shiloh is a sweetie.
  -The Ezekiel 37 inspiration at the end was A+++.
  -Prof yells about driving on the wrong side of the road, physically attacks baddies, trips a rude cameraman, and is generally a lovable, wise, genteel fellow through it all. I love him.
  
  And that's about all the coherence I can manage today. *hugs book*
• 
  Marilla Brooke

  By far my favorite book in the series so far! (Ratings of the previous two books have been adjusted to reflect that.) I loved how character development was handled in this book for both preexisting and new characters. The whole situation with Shiloh was also executed really well. My previous issues with writing style aren't so apparent in this book either.
  
  Larry is my new favorite dude.  And I knew I was oddly drawn to Palin for a reason!
• 
  Rachel

  Storyline - Circles of Seven - Billy and Bonnie have to enter the Circles of Seven to find the lost dragons. In the Circles, the are tempted and tried and have to defeat Morgan and Devin. Can they get through the Circles in one piece or will one pay the ultimate price? And what are these demon creatures that are in one of the Circles?
  
  Positive - The characters are honorable and self sacrificial. They fight the evil that is not only coming after the dragons but also the world. The characters grow in faith and trust as they are tempted and tried. Billy has to grow the most to believe in God, his father, and an ancient prophecy that causes much mystery throughout the series until the end. Bonnie caries the most trust and faith and helps her friends, especially Billy, to gain that trust. She also sacrifices herself to save another who had be held captive in one of the books.
  
  Negative - There isn't much negative things in the books.
  
  Writing - Bryan Davis' writing is captivating and his storytelling original. The characters are good and try to do the right thing and the books tell and promote good morals and lessons.The wording and depictions are captivating and imaginative. This is an enjoyable author who is worth the time to read.
  
  Personal Opinion - I find the books entertaining and interesting. The characters develop well over the series and the hummer within the books are funny and not inappropriate (even though Walter burps in at least one book but that is about as bad as the hummer gets). They can get a little strange for my taste once in a while, but when a new Bryan Davis book comes out, I want to read it.
  
• 
  Elissa

  This is an amazing book! It took me awhile to get into it, a lot longer than the first two, but once I finally got into it, once again, it was a stay-up-til-2am kind of book.
  It was wonderful to see Billy finally stepping up to the plate, becoming a man of God, resisting temtation after temptation. Also, this installment in the series is a lot funnier than the first two, I absolutly loved Ashley's supercomputer "Larry" too too funny, my parents probalby thought i was crazed, hearing me laughing my head off in in the back of the house haha! And of course as always, there is always-joking Walter, but this time you get to see a new side of a Walter, a true chivalrous knight. I loved the character of Shiloh, who "has all she really needs". Davis paints the pictures of the circles so vividly, you feel like your walking along side Billy and Bonnie, sitting next to Shiloh in her alley, or locked in Morgan's dungeon. When Morgan is trying to getBonnie or Shiloh for a hostiam, you feel like screaming, when Billy is about to release the "Watchers" You silently screaming "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BILLY!!!!!!!!!"
  When Barlow reports that the eyes in the eighth circle are gleaming, your heart skips a beat, and your reading faster than ever, all the time saying, "oh, Bonnie can't really be dead" yet always know that she is really dead. A wonderful masterpeice of suspense, faith, courage, chivalry, and wit. I cannot wait to read the final installment in the series.
  Again, masterfully done Mr. Davis!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• 
  Matthew Sampson

  In every reread, I uncover layers of meaning I missed the first and second and third times.
• 
  Brooke

  So good.
• 
  Juliette

  We tried this twice and finished it the second time (we borrowed it three times from the library). If it were up to me, we would not finish this series. My son doesn't really care, so if we find something else that's available, we're going in a different direction.
  The problem is that the characters who were so interesting in the first two books, were suddenly flat and boring. I didn't really care what happened to them I mean, Bonnie died and I was like "whatever", usually I would have been in tears
  
• 
  Nikki

  These stories remind me of a combination of so many that I've read over the years, seeming to borrow some of the best parts from things like "Pilgrim's Progress" and "Dante's Inferno". I love that this is a series that incorporates faith with fantasy and delivers it in a way that it makes for good, clean reading even for young adults.
• 
  Ali

  Billy and Bonnie travel into the circles-seven different worlds in the realm of the enemy with different challenges. Their goal is to rescue prisoners. New Table Knights are lurking around every corner, trying to stop them. Will they make it out of the circles alive?
  I really loved this book. I love how Bonnie trusts in God completely. This is one of my favorite books!
• 
  Maya Joelle

  I liked the Arthur stuff and the connections to Joseph of Arimathea. The Circles are super strange, but nothing unexpected for a Bryan Davis book... I just don't know what I think of Bryan Davis books, really. Also this was where he started to play with Biblical characters and prophecies too much for me.
• 
  Ava

  The story continues for our characters through an epic journey. Travels to England and another dimension had us on a wild ride! New characters we are introduced in this story and challenges. Its a good continuation for the adventure!
• 
  Kara

  These books are so slow moving and archaic in dialog. I keep reading because the overall story is interesting. Culturally my brain is yanked between 50s dialog and current life. It’s confusing and annoying.
• 
  Sean Kouma

  One of my favorite books to date!
• 
  Grace

  I have no idea if this is a good book. I loved it as a kid. It’s probably terrible. I can’t tell anymore.
• 
  Daniel Gaul

  In some ways, a reflection of Dante's Inferno; a very unexpected ending!
• 
  Integral

  'Circles of Seven' reminded me of the BBC show 'The Adventures of Merlin'. I really enjoyed the interactions between Walter and Ashley.
• 
  Yakira Goldsberry

  Love this book! It's my favorite in the series. I could read it over and over again. :)
• 
  Kirsten Meacham

  A really amazing book! Held my attention until the very end!
  
• 
  Lindsi McIntyre

  Book three! Book three!
  What can I say?
  The tension keep rising, stakes keep being increased...
• 
  Faith Burnside

  More overtly Christian. Less awkward.
• 
  Abby

  It’s one of my favorite books I advise reading this series.