Synopses & Reviews
Song of the Ovulum is the first book in the Children of the Bard series. The story will take place on two stages and in two time periods. It will begin about fifteen years after the Oracles of Fire series ended, reacquainting readers with familiar characters from the previous series, as well as introducing new ones, particularly, the son and daughter of Billy and Bonnie. The book will also take readers back in time and give some background story that will shed light on mysteries from the previous series, as well as providing crucial information about happenings in the current world. In the previous series, the story established that in preflood times, dragons battled Watchers, fallen angels who sought to dominate the world. Now we go a step further and follow the adventures of Joran and Selah, Methuselah’s teenagers who helped the dragons find and neutralize the Watchers. They become trapped within a strange world that allows them to escape the great flood, but it also keeps them there for centuries in an ageless realm that allows them views of their home world and an occasional opportunity to influence what happens there. This story is told in flashback-style dream sequences in the minds of present-day characters.
The modern-day story takes place fifteen years after Billy and Bonnie helped repel the demonic assault on Heaven in The Bones of Makaidos. Now they and Ashley sit in a maximum security prison where the authorities conduct experiments on them to learn the secrets of long life. Earlier, the world’s acceptance of dragonkind crumbled, and the Enforcers took the twins born to Billy and Bonnie and stole Excalibur, planning to develop a weapon to battle the dragons that are sure to try to liberate their allies. Meanwhile, the kidnapped twins make their way to the prison, unaware of their relationships with each other or their parents, and it is up to them to rescue every prisoner.
Review
Song of the Ovulum is the first book in Bryan Davis's new fantasy series, Children of the Bard, which is a continuation of the story world established by his previous works the Dragon's in our Midst series and Oracles of Fire series. If you haven't read Dragon's in our Midst and Oracles of Fire, I highly recommend you do so in order to fully enjoy this addition.
Now on to my thoughts about Song of the Ovulum ...
Bryan Davis is one of my top favorite authors. Why? Because he writes the most unique stories I've ever read--period. All of Davis' books contain a creative, allegorical take on Biblical figures and events, unheard-of fantasy elements like anthrozils (human/dragon hybrids), and multifaceted plots that go beyond imagination.
This latest adventure, Song of the Ovulum, is no exception. It has Davis' signature blend of heart-stopping action and heart-stirring emotion. All the characters that I love from the two previous series are back. Plus, there are great new characters to meet like Billy & Bonnie's kids, and Listeners Joran and Selah. I was especially moved by Joran as he struggled to forgive the woman who murdered his sister. Through his journey Joran learns that if you keep holding tightly to bitterness, you will find that you are strangling yourself.
Such priceless words of wisdom are another reason why this story is a must read. If you're looking for a book unlike anything you've ever read before, check out Bryan Davis and Song of the Ovulum.
—Angela Bell
Synopsis
It has been fifteen years since Billy and Bonnie Bannister helped repel the demonic assault on Heaven. Now they and Ashley Foley sit in a maximum security prison where the authorities conduct experiments on them to learn the secrets of long life. Earlier, the world’s acceptance of dragonkind crumbled, and the Enforcers took the infant twins born to Billy and Bonnie and stole Excalibur, hoping to develop a weapon to battle the dragons that are sure to try to rescue their allies. All the while, a great secret from the past is being revealed to Bonnie through a dream. Joran and Selah, teenaged children of Methuselah, have been trapped in a strange world for centuries, yet still able to manipulate certain events in our world during that time.
Walter Foley finds the Bannisters’ son and hopes to use his dragon traits to help him rescue the prisoners. In the meantime, an ancient demon locates the Bannisters’ daughter and plans to use her to help him discover the hiding place of the most powerful ovulum in the world and squelch its protective song. With that ovulum in his possession, he will be able to conquer and control both Earth and Second Eden.
The fate of two worlds now rests on the Bannisters’ two teenagers who must use their dragon traits and their innate courage to battle demons, a sorceress, and soldiers in a military compound in order to rescue parents they don’t even know.
Synopsis
Song of the Ovulum, the first book in the Children of the Bard series, is the exciting continuation of the Dragons in our Midst and Oracles of Fire series of books. Taking place fifteen years after the Oracles of Fire series ended, the story ramps up the adventure by setting the forces of Earth against those of Second Eden, a world in an alternate dimension where humans and dragons peacefully coexist. After helping repel the demonic assault on Heaven in The Bones of Makaidos, Billy and Bonnie Bannister and Ashley Foley now sit in a maximum security prison where the authorities conduct experiments on them to learn the secrets of long life. How did the world’s acceptance of dragonkind crumble? What will Walter Foley do to rescue his wife and friends? Read Song of the Ovulum to follow Walter’s quest to find the Bannisters’ lost children and use their dragon talents to break their parents out of jail before an interdimensional war breaks out between Earth and Second Eden.
About the Author
Bryan Davis is the author of the best-selling Dragons in Our Midst and Oracles of Fire series, contemporary/fantasy blends for young people. His book Eye of the Oracle hit number one on the January 2007, Young Adult CBA best-seller list. His book The Bones of Makaidos won the 2010 Clive Staples Award, recognizing the best work in Christian worldview speculative fiction. With the September 2010 release of Masters & Slayers, Bryan has begun his first fantasy series for adults, Tales of Starlight. Bryan is a graduate of the University of Florida (B.S. in Industrial Engineering). 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 theology, fiction, devotionals, poetry, and humor. Bryan continues to further his writing education by attending relevant writing conferences and conventions. Bryan is a craftsman with words and an excellent interviewee on various topics, including his books, young adult fantasy fiction, and creative writing in general. He makes appearances around the country for book signings and for special presentations to enthusiastic young readers and developing young authors in middle schools, high schools, and homeschool groups. Although he is now a full time writer, Bryan was a computer professional for over 20 years. Bryan and his wife, Susie, have homeschooled their four girls and three boys.