The Sacred Scales
The Sacred Scales by Bryan Davis is book one in a middle grade fantasy series titled Dragons of Camelot. Set in the Middle Ages and the legendary lore of King Arthur, Lady Morgan, and Merlin, Hawk and Sabina must do what they can to save the dragons from total destruction. In Davis’s Camelot fantasy there are dragons who are evil - Goliath, and those who are good - Legossi, Clefspeare, and Hartanna to name a few. These dragons have been present since before the flood of Noah. The first female dragon - Shachar, died prior to the flood but her special luminescence scales have been discovered, but one scale is missing - reducing the power imbued in her remains.
Hawk, an apprentice to a man named Andrew who is often cruel and oppressive, is in possession of the missing scale believing it to be a fake and using it as a plate to cover the scares on his back. Hawk came into the care of Andrew after the destruction of his village and the death of his father by a dragon. His mother is working in another village and Hawk is apprenticed to Andrew to help cover his personal care. Andrew, however, is a shrewd businessman who will do what he can to swindle others, and especially the dragons who are willing to do work for a fee. In the opening of the story, he uses Hawk to his advantage as he schemes with Lady Morgan against the dragon Clefspeare. However, it doesn’t end well for Andrew when he is later killed by Clefspeare for his deception and his attempt to kill Sabina.
Sabina is an orphaned girl whose parents were also killed by Goliath when her village was destroyed. Sabina has since lived in the forest under the care and protection of Legossi. However, when Lady Morgan hears of this girl in the forest she sends Sir Barlow to recover her. Unlike Sir Devin and Gareth who work for Lady Morgan, Sir Barlow is an honest and loyal knight who cares for and protects the children even though he does take Sabina to Lady Morgan at the request of Legossi who wants Sabina to be reintroduced to the human world. It isn’t long before the children and Merlin realize that Lady Morgan is a witch and she attempts to put Sabina under a potion and successfully does so to King Arthur and Andrew.
Sabina is also an unusual character as she has a glowing ability about her. She must wear a special rubillite ring to diminish the glow. She also has the ability to summon fire by the use of her hands and mind, which she does to protect herself and Hawk at one point in the story. Other fantastical elements include that she is believed to have dragon traits and human traits that make the glowing and fire possible. Sabina is trying to help save the dragons, but also discover a bit of who she is.
Ultimately, the key points of the story line revolve around Lady Morgan trying to manipulate others so that she can destroy the dragons, complete the remains of Shachar, and gain access to the dragons afterlife in order to destroy them once and for all or so seems to be her goal. In book one of this series, the children and Merlin manage to stop her first attempt in destroying the friendly dragons and manage to bind Goliath who is slowly dying after a curse is placed on him from causing Sabina to bleed.
Key quotes/ mentions:
Hawk stands firm in disobeying Andrew in order to obey the truth of Biblical scripture. “I can’t lie, especially if it would cheat our customers. I follow the Lord Christ, and he’ll take care of me” (5).
“The first Arramos died in the great flood, and Satan inhabited his body, also taking his name. Ever since, Satan has been able to appear as a dragon whenever it suits him” (13). In this fantasy world, Arramos was the first male dragon and mate to Shachar, the first female dragon.
Hawk and Sabina have a conversation about faith in chapter 6. Sabina is questioning who she is and what her abilities may mean. Hawk says to her, “‘Listen, you are not cursed. Magic is of the devil, and it has no power over us who believe in the Lord Christ. He protects all of his followers. And, besides, why would glowing skin be a curse? It’s beautiful’” (47). They also talk about “faith fails” and whenever someone shows a lack of faith, Hawk’s family would call it a faith fail. Throughout the rest of the story, whenever Hawk or Sabina show a lack of faith, they call it out as a faith fail and continue on their quest courageously.
Merlin believes Morgan to actually be “a wraith who is more dead than alive” (49).
Shachar is able to speak to the children through the scale that Hawk has. Through this scale there seems to be a portal open and she can relay information to Hawk that she hears from the hidden placement of scales. Towards the end of the story, the portal closes and the children are unable to hear from her anymore.
In a conversation with Shachar, Hawk learns that the dragons take human shape in the afterlife. Hawk asks Shachar, “‘Why would God want that to happen to you?’” She replies, “‘I do not know, but I have learned to accept whatever God decrees or allows and try to thrive in spite of any difficulties that arise. It makes no sense to drain energy by complaining or waste time in stubborn idleness’” (126).
Another aspect of this book and series that sets it apart from other fantasy novels regarding dragons or King Arthur’s Camelot is the infusion of scripture throughout. Obviously taking some creative liberty to put dragons on Noah’s ark and adding them to stories of Nimrod and the Garden of Eden, Davis also weaves in the truth of Christ and characters who are learning to strengthen their faith in the LORD through all circumstances they face. Early in the story, Hawk refuses to lie and cheat in business for Andrew because of his faith in Christ. Sabina has lived so long with a dragon that she doesn’t quite know the faith that Hawk has, so he shares it with her and she later accepts Jesus Christ and calls on the LORD for help and guidance, which is provided to her. While there are occult practices from Lady Morgan and her sister Elaine, Merlin does not practice the same and makes clear distinctions to the children about natural means provided by the LORD and the dark arts used by the witches.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and I think it will greatly appeal to young fantasy readers and those in particular who love dragons. However, I will confess that the first third of the book is rather slow, so you may have to encourage your reader to keep going. As the first in the series, Davis has to do much work to lay the foundation for the world and the characters, so the slowness is to be expected. Nevertheless, with great themes that reflect scriptural truth and characters who are courageous and loyal, there is much to like about this story, and I look forward to reviewing book two for you before the end of summer.
