What do you think?
Search for the Astral Dragon
This fast-paced YA space opera (reminiscent of Star Wars) follows a strong female protagonist, Megan, on an interplanetary search for her mother. On her journey, Megan witnesses the horrors of child trafficking and slavery and joins with a group of other teens to fight against corrupt systems and stand up for the vulnerable.
Full of unusual characters and daring escapes, Search for the Astral Dragon draws readers into a world of snarky spaceship computer systems, a variety of different sentient species, spaceship tech, and magical elements. Megan is smart and quick-thinking, competent with spacecraft technology, and a person of strong character who’s experiences give readers difficult questions to consider.
Themes:
What is Justice?
Slavery
Violence
Full of unusual characters and daring escapes, Search for the Astral Dragon draws readers into a world of snarky spaceship computer systems, a variety of different sentient species, spaceship tech, and magical elements. Megan is smart and quick-thinking, competent with spacecraft technology, and a person of strong character who’s experiences give readers difficult questions to consider.
Themes:
What is Justice?
Slavery
Violence
Audio CD
Published May 7, 2022
About the author
Bryan Davis
82 books1,041 followersBryan Davis is the author several speculative-fiction series, including Dragons in Our Midst, Oracles of Fire, Children of the Bard, Dragons of Camelot, The Reapers Trilogy, The Time Echoes Trilogy, Tales of Starlight, Dragons of Starlight, the Oculus Gate, Not So Famous Dog Tales, Astral Alliance, and Wanted: Superheroes.
Bryan and his wife, Susie, have homeschooled their four girls and three boys.
Bryan was born in 1958 and grew up in the eastern U.S. From the time he taught himself how to read before school age, through his seminary years and beyond, he has demonstrated a passion for the written word, reading and writing in many disciplines and genres, including fantasy, theology, fiction, devotionals, poetry, and humor.
Bryan and his wife, Susie, have homeschooled their four girls and three boys.
Bryan was born in 1958 and grew up in the eastern U.S. From the time he taught himself how to read before school age, through his seminary years and beyond, he has demonstrated a passion for the written word, reading and writing in many disciplines and genres, including fantasy, theology, fiction, devotionals, poetry, and humor.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 4, 2022
I’d been waiting to read this book ever since Bryan Davis announced it on his blog, and after several years of anticipation, Davis did not disappoint!
The things I liked: Many times, Davis has mentioned that Search for the Astral Dragon hails back to his Dragons in Our Midst series, and while the storyline and characters are all completely different, the story does have sort of the same feel as Davis’s original series.
I greatly enjoyed the fact that all of the characters in the story are different from a lot of the other characters that Davis has created. Megan is a force to be reckoned with in her own right with an iron will that’s very admirable. Crystal is one of my favorite characters, with her just overall weird personality.
The worlds that Davis created are simple enough not to be overwhelming and easy to picture in the mind, which is a relief, since I tend to steer away from science fiction due to its over-intricacy and heaviness in the technical terms and such. The magic and tech together made the series feel a little more like Star Wars, so I think many Star Wars fans would find it enjoyable.
And of course, I love the action scenes. Davis has the ability to suck the reader into every action scene he writes (Like Reapers. Boy, that book packs a solid punch!). I always get lost in the story once the pace picks up and sweeps me away.
Things I didn’t like:
The beginning was a tad too slow for my taste. I struggled a bit to get into it, especially the entire chapter where Megan is fixing the ship. (It may be interesting for sci-fi lovers, but it just wasn’t for me.)
The whole scene where she’s cremating the ship’s crew. I just found it odd. But other than that, I have no complaints for the book.
Overall, Search for the Astral Dragon is an entertaining and action-packed read perfect for fans of Star Wars or science-fiction with a little fantasy.
NOTE: I received a complimentary copy from the author for review purposes only. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The things I liked: Many times, Davis has mentioned that Search for the Astral Dragon hails back to his Dragons in Our Midst series, and while the storyline and characters are all completely different, the story does have sort of the same feel as Davis’s original series.
I greatly enjoyed the fact that all of the characters in the story are different from a lot of the other characters that Davis has created. Megan is a force to be reckoned with in her own right with an iron will that’s very admirable. Crystal is one of my favorite characters, with her just overall weird personality.
The worlds that Davis created are simple enough not to be overwhelming and easy to picture in the mind, which is a relief, since I tend to steer away from science fiction due to its over-intricacy and heaviness in the technical terms and such. The magic and tech together made the series feel a little more like Star Wars, so I think many Star Wars fans would find it enjoyable.
And of course, I love the action scenes. Davis has the ability to suck the reader into every action scene he writes (Like Reapers. Boy, that book packs a solid punch!). I always get lost in the story once the pace picks up and sweeps me away.
Things I didn’t like:
The beginning was a tad too slow for my taste. I struggled a bit to get into it, especially the entire chapter where Megan is fixing the ship. (It may be interesting for sci-fi lovers, but it just wasn’t for me.)
The whole scene where she’s cremating the ship’s crew. I just found it odd. But other than that, I have no complaints for the book.
Overall, Search for the Astral Dragon is an entertaining and action-packed read perfect for fans of Star Wars or science-fiction with a little fantasy.
NOTE: I received a complimentary copy from the author for review purposes only. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 5, 2022
At some point, I'm going to make a Bryan Davis books bingo card. You know the meme — there's some series and authors where you'll always find the same threads, no matter the specific story. That's not a bad thing in the case of Bryan Davis's books — after all, one thing I like about Davis is that his books have a way of getting a bit weird, and it's nice to simultaneously be ready to be surprised and know just what you can expect. That's as true of Search for the Astral Dragon as it is of any Davis novel.
So, what are you getting in Search for the Astral Dragon? On one hand, you have a sci-fi adventure featuring some classic Davis elements: protagonists who are genuinely seeking to do the right thing, a mix of science and fantastical elements (though with the emphasis on the science side of things this time around), strong family bonds (both found and blood), snarky AI, an exciting plot, and a mix of genuinely evil villains and questionable antagonists who flip from ally to enemy and keep you on your toes. (Davis does a particularly good job striking a balance of antagonists here, rather than having all of them be clearly evil or having a lot of gritty greys like some authors tend to these days.)
And on the other hand, you have some new elements. This is first time Davis has taken his stories to space, and he does an excellent job of it. The space travel and space combat elements felt believable, and we have a nice variety of planets and beings living on these planets. You can tell when you encounter Davis's aliens that his origins are in fantasy, especially with regard to the Willow Winds and silver jays, but that's not a bad thing at all. (I will say that I had trouble differentiating or, to some degree, picturing the other alien races, whose names I can't currently remember . . . but that may also be a me problem.)
Character-wise, we have a spunky, determined lead in Megan Willis, along with a colorful cast of companions and antagonists. I liked Megan as a protagonist; she feels fairly different from most of Davis's other leads, and she's a good mix of smart and sensitive. Of the rest of the characters, my favorite was probably Perdanthus, though I'm not sure I could put my finger on why if you asked.
A common theme in many of Davis's books is the tension between justice and mercy, and that's particularly evident in Search for the Astral Dragon. Megan struggles with this question throughout the story as she comes up over and over against the idea of an "acceptable sacrifice" for the "greater good" and the question of whether or not to take a life in order to prevent future harm to other lives. Weighty topics for a young teenager, but Davis handles it well.
Readers should be aware that Davis is not one to shy away from showing evil for what it is. A major plot element in this story is the trafficking of human children, and another villain is suggested to have been experimenting on kids. Davis doesn't go into graphic detail, but neither does he sugarcoat things. It's present; it's a problem; the heroes are trying to stop it.
All in all, Search for the Astral Dragon is an excellent read whether you're a long-time Bryan Davis fan or a sci-fi lover who's just looking for a new adventure and has never even heard of Davis. I imagine I'll be happy to reread this, and I look forward to continuing the series!
So, what are you getting in Search for the Astral Dragon? On one hand, you have a sci-fi adventure featuring some classic Davis elements: protagonists who are genuinely seeking to do the right thing, a mix of science and fantastical elements (though with the emphasis on the science side of things this time around), strong family bonds (both found and blood), snarky AI, an exciting plot, and a mix of genuinely evil villains and questionable antagonists who flip from ally to enemy and keep you on your toes. (Davis does a particularly good job striking a balance of antagonists here, rather than having all of them be clearly evil or having a lot of gritty greys like some authors tend to these days.)
And on the other hand, you have some new elements. This is first time Davis has taken his stories to space, and he does an excellent job of it. The space travel and space combat elements felt believable, and we have a nice variety of planets and beings living on these planets. You can tell when you encounter Davis's aliens that his origins are in fantasy, especially with regard to the Willow Winds and silver jays, but that's not a bad thing at all. (I will say that I had trouble differentiating or, to some degree, picturing the other alien races, whose names I can't currently remember . . . but that may also be a me problem.)
Character-wise, we have a spunky, determined lead in Megan Willis, along with a colorful cast of companions and antagonists. I liked Megan as a protagonist; she feels fairly different from most of Davis's other leads, and she's a good mix of smart and sensitive. Of the rest of the characters, my favorite was probably Perdanthus, though I'm not sure I could put my finger on why if you asked.
A common theme in many of Davis's books is the tension between justice and mercy, and that's particularly evident in Search for the Astral Dragon. Megan struggles with this question throughout the story as she comes up over and over against the idea of an "acceptable sacrifice" for the "greater good" and the question of whether or not to take a life in order to prevent future harm to other lives. Weighty topics for a young teenager, but Davis handles it well.
Readers should be aware that Davis is not one to shy away from showing evil for what it is. A major plot element in this story is the trafficking of human children, and another villain is suggested to have been experimenting on kids. Davis doesn't go into graphic detail, but neither does he sugarcoat things. It's present; it's a problem; the heroes are trying to stop it.
All in all, Search for the Astral Dragon is an excellent read whether you're a long-time Bryan Davis fan or a sci-fi lover who's just looking for a new adventure and has never even heard of Davis. I imagine I'll be happy to reread this, and I look forward to continuing the series!
June 14, 2022
…” This morning might hold my last chance to escape execution.” What? Ok, that has my attention. Megan Willis is a strong, determined soul, caught in an impossible situation. She is willing to do what it takes to be reunited with her mother.
She has seen horrors, not even grownups have witnessed. (Like trafficking of human children, and villains that are doing experiments on kids. It was not a graphic discussion, just mentioned.) Megan races against time, because today could be her last.
The stakes are high, Megan is forced to make hard choices in doing what she believes is right. Things have changed and shift into high gear facing challenge, after crazy challenge. I appreciated how the author showed this young one’s inner struggle with “kill or be killed.” Life was a gift. Does there have to be killing? Could things be handled another way? Do the ends justify the means for the greater good?
The author is brilliant and imaginative as he does a beautiful job of taking readers on a fast-paced adventure that has themes of compassion, forgiveness, family, and shows how they are learning what is right and/or wrong for themselves. I like what the author said about love, and strong family bonds with people God puts in our path and those connected to us by blood. I enjoyed how Megan learns about real love, …” Real love sacrifices. It shows mercy. It heals. “
There is a plethora of evil villains out to get Megan and her team. They can’t run away from them fast enough. I could visualize the Star Wars/Star Trek feel of this space opera, I mean going places they’ve never been before, and meeting all types of creatures with a variety of languages being spoken. I adored the authors’ well-timed humor in some heavy situations. It was fun to see kids could just be kids when they had a chance to. I loved seeing this story played out through children and what they learned & watched their parents do. They don’t do everything exactly as their parents would, because they see things differently now that they had to make hard choices.
This is a wonderful, fascinating, absorbing summer read. It’s a fun escape and one that would work well for your next book club pick. I hardly noticed how long this book was, I was caught up in the adventure, and couldn’t put it down.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher/NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/
She has seen horrors, not even grownups have witnessed. (Like trafficking of human children, and villains that are doing experiments on kids. It was not a graphic discussion, just mentioned.) Megan races against time, because today could be her last.
The stakes are high, Megan is forced to make hard choices in doing what she believes is right. Things have changed and shift into high gear facing challenge, after crazy challenge. I appreciated how the author showed this young one’s inner struggle with “kill or be killed.” Life was a gift. Does there have to be killing? Could things be handled another way? Do the ends justify the means for the greater good?
The author is brilliant and imaginative as he does a beautiful job of taking readers on a fast-paced adventure that has themes of compassion, forgiveness, family, and shows how they are learning what is right and/or wrong for themselves. I like what the author said about love, and strong family bonds with people God puts in our path and those connected to us by blood. I enjoyed how Megan learns about real love, …” Real love sacrifices. It shows mercy. It heals. “
There is a plethora of evil villains out to get Megan and her team. They can’t run away from them fast enough. I could visualize the Star Wars/Star Trek feel of this space opera, I mean going places they’ve never been before, and meeting all types of creatures with a variety of languages being spoken. I adored the authors’ well-timed humor in some heavy situations. It was fun to see kids could just be kids when they had a chance to. I loved seeing this story played out through children and what they learned & watched their parents do. They don’t do everything exactly as their parents would, because they see things differently now that they had to make hard choices.
This is a wonderful, fascinating, absorbing summer read. It’s a fun escape and one that would work well for your next book club pick. I hardly noticed how long this book was, I was caught up in the adventure, and couldn’t put it down.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher/NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/
March 25, 2022
A Young Adult novel that has themes of Star Wars and other science fiction novels that is full of action and adventure.
Search for the Astral Dragon follows a young girl, Megan, who is on a search across the planets to find her mother. While searching for her mother, Megan witnesses horrors throughout the planets causing her to join with a group of teens to fight and become a voice for those in need. Together they will race to help each other and those around them before it is too late.
I wanted to like this book, I really did, but I had a really hard time getting into it and staying engaged with the characters and story. I have read others by Bryan Davis and enjoyed them but for some reason couldn’t get into this one. Even though I had trouble getting into this one I do think it is a good one for young readers that are big into science fiction and fantasy type novels. Megan is an intriguing protagonist, if the story had been a little quicker picking up speed to get me engaged, I would have been more likely to keep reading. While it wasn’t the right fit for me, I do believe young readers will enjoy this clean read, which is something I think is important with so many books incorporating mature content while still aimed at a young audience.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.
Search for the Astral Dragon follows a young girl, Megan, who is on a search across the planets to find her mother. While searching for her mother, Megan witnesses horrors throughout the planets causing her to join with a group of teens to fight and become a voice for those in need. Together they will race to help each other and those around them before it is too late.
I wanted to like this book, I really did, but I had a really hard time getting into it and staying engaged with the characters and story. I have read others by Bryan Davis and enjoyed them but for some reason couldn’t get into this one. Even though I had trouble getting into this one I do think it is a good one for young readers that are big into science fiction and fantasy type novels. Megan is an intriguing protagonist, if the story had been a little quicker picking up speed to get me engaged, I would have been more likely to keep reading. While it wasn’t the right fit for me, I do believe young readers will enjoy this clean read, which is something I think is important with so many books incorporating mature content while still aimed at a young audience.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.
March 7, 2025
There are a lot of good things about this book - likable characters with clear motives, cool world-building, interesting aliens, a fast-moving pace, decent prose, noble values, and high stakes. I wasn’t super comfortable with the mystical, New Age-y spiritual slant in a book labeled Christian fantasy, though. The humor was also a miss for me (too close to dad joke territory), and the plot veers into melodrama with action that isn’t always believable (think Hardy Boys-type plot devices). But that’s an adult perspective and this is a book for kids, who are far less likely to notice or mind such things (I still love The Hardy Boys, full disclosure). I will say it’s pretty violent and there are a lot of deaths - bad guys, good guys, and even kids - for a middle grades book, and some pretty heavy issues like slavery, torture, and murder. But it definitely holds the attention, keeps the pages turning and readers rooting for the protagonists, and provides food for thought (though it’s sometimes heavy-handed in that department).
Audiobook note: The narrator consistently uses a very peppy, singsong inflection for the dialogue at entirely inappropriate times, like when the voice should be subdued by grief, sharp with anger, raspy with pain, sullen, hopeless, etc. It significantly changes the tone of the book and makes the characters seem 2-dimensional, shallow, and callous.
Audiobook note: The narrator consistently uses a very peppy, singsong inflection for the dialogue at entirely inappropriate times, like when the voice should be subdued by grief, sharp with anger, raspy with pain, sullen, hopeless, etc. It significantly changes the tone of the book and makes the characters seem 2-dimensional, shallow, and callous.
May 26, 2022
Remarkable! The intricate plot, unyielding peril, courageous protagonist, faithful and peculiar friends, and the advanced technology and weaponry are all elements that readers love in Bryan Davis' books. He adds all that and more to this new and fantastical book! But it's the battle that defines this story and sets it apart from the others.
"Life is a gift that must be protected," Megan was told. Yet, it seems that around every turn the decision to kill or give mercy presents itself. Are the lives of the villains who are harming children worth protecting, too?
Megan's struggle is real and heartfelt. She makes both good and bad decisions in the midst of pressing danger and formidable foes, feeling the weight of her decisions tugging her in entirely different directions.
Despite her inner turmoil and longings, Megan keeps an outward focus. Will she and her friends fight their way to a victory?
Bryan Davis understands the art of making stories impact the reader's heart - and that's exactly what he's done in Search for the Astral Dragon. I am definitely looking forward to book 2!
"Life is a gift that must be protected," Megan was told. Yet, it seems that around every turn the decision to kill or give mercy presents itself. Are the lives of the villains who are harming children worth protecting, too?
Megan's struggle is real and heartfelt. She makes both good and bad decisions in the midst of pressing danger and formidable foes, feeling the weight of her decisions tugging her in entirely different directions.
Despite her inner turmoil and longings, Megan keeps an outward focus. Will she and her friends fight their way to a victory?
Bryan Davis understands the art of making stories impact the reader's heart - and that's exactly what he's done in Search for the Astral Dragon. I am definitely looking forward to book 2!
May 30, 2022
Bryan Davis's latest book, Search for the Astral Dragon, is a heart-pounding, emotionally intense story suitable for middle-grade readers and older. Megan Willas spent her childhood helping her parents pursue freedom and justice--or so she thought. Now enslaved on a space freighter, she still clings to hope that her mother will find and free her.
The themes of this book strongly reminded me of the author's earlier Dragons of Starlight books; freedom, hope, and the value of all human life. At the same time, it has a vivid, unique setting with nonhuman aliens, memorable characters, and an intriguing plot.
I heartily recommend this book for sci-fi fans, avid readers, and anyone looking for a good read.
The themes of this book strongly reminded me of the author's earlier Dragons of Starlight books; freedom, hope, and the value of all human life. At the same time, it has a vivid, unique setting with nonhuman aliens, memorable characters, and an intriguing plot.
I heartily recommend this book for sci-fi fans, avid readers, and anyone looking for a good read.
May 19, 2022
I loved this book! Usually when a book has a "strong female lead", the author tries to make that character untouchable. That's not the case here. Megan is strong, not because she's invincible, but because she keeps getting up when she gets knocked down. Another thing I love about Megan is that she makes hard decisions because she believes they are the right thing to do, even though she knows it will probably make her life more difficult in the long run. I want more characters like Megan!
https://www.amazon.com/Search-Astral-...
https://www.amazon.com/Search-Astral-...
November 29, 2022
i read this book and i have never been more amazed with anything its a great book about a girl named megan who helps stop the child slavery and unlike a lot of other stories with a strong female lead she isn't untouchable and hse does get hurt but what she does is get back up when others beat her down and i have also never read a book like this where you actully might cry please try it out its awsome
August 25, 2022
I love this book! Its the best you have yet, when you think the book is almost over, another twist comes into place! Megan isn't my favorite character actually, its Oliver. I cant wait for the second book, and I only rate 5 stars to the best of the best books. It would be cool if you made another series based off the whole life of Oliver (Kind of like dragons in our midst and reapers) Thank you
January 15, 2024
A wild ride. With deep characters, a twisting plot, and stunning writing, it causes your heart to both rejoice and weep.
I was hesitant to try this story, because I generally don't care for fantasy/sci-fi, but it blew me away.
The author explores a deep topic, with no easy answer, in a meaningful way.
CWs: Some crude language/humour
Mentions of suicide
Child trafficking
Assault
I was hesitant to try this story, because I generally don't care for fantasy/sci-fi, but it blew me away.
The author explores a deep topic, with no easy answer, in a meaningful way.
CWs: Some crude language/humour
Mentions of suicide
Child trafficking
Assault
February 25, 2023
Another enjoyable read for readers of all ages, like almost all of Mr. Davis's fiction.
I am usually more of a fan of Davis's fantasy style but a sci Fi was a welcome edition.
Perdantus the jay is a very fan character among a well rounded cast.
I am usually more of a fan of Davis's fantasy style but a sci Fi was a welcome edition.
Perdantus the jay is a very fan character among a well rounded cast.
July 19, 2023
What an adventure! Can't wait to see what happens next!
December 30, 2022
amazing
It made me so happy to read this again lol 😆 Bryan Davis dose such a amazing job on his books and I’m eagerly awaiting the next book I have several theories about what might happen between Megan and Oliver 😁 it’s kind of obvious I think they like each other even though Oliver is a little younger than Megan. Read this book it is amazing!
It made me so happy to read this again lol 😆 Bryan Davis dose such a amazing job on his books and I’m eagerly awaiting the next book I have several theories about what might happen between Megan and Oliver 😁 it’s kind of obvious I think they like each other even though Oliver is a little younger than Megan. Read this book it is amazing!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews