An angry teen, a desperate mother, a missing father, and a shadow lurking in the background. Things were going from bad to worse for Nick and his family. Tempted to run away after yet another argument with his mom, Nick receives a handwritten, leather-bound copy of an old book—a family legend passed down to him from his great grandfather. The book, called Dragon Seed, leads Nick deep into his family's history and introduces him to another angry young man who lived in the shadows (the shadows of the tombs). Like Nick, you'll be shocked to discover where he fits in this story of epic proportions!
This page-turning, young adult fiction story invites older children and teens into the real-life struggles of Nick. But it also ushers them into an imaginative exploration of the life of the young man Jesus saved as he wandered through the tombs. Best-selling author Marty Machowski uses both stories to introduce the reality of spiritual warfare and how its shadows affect and change us.
Machowski, a trusted teacher for children of all ages, presents a thoroughly biblical view of spiritual warfare that emphasizes the importance of humility and dangers of pride. Middle-schoolers Teens will be drawn to the story of Nick and his struggles and will learn, as they read, to also identify the shadows in their own life and turn from them. While the biblical teaching is evident throughout the narrative of Dragon Seed, Machowski also includes a twelve-lesson Bible study at the end of the book to help teens ground their understanding of spiritual warfare on biblical principles. Dragon Seed is made up of two distinct parts. The first part, 24 chapters, is a fun-to-read, dramatic fiction story; the second part is a 12-lesson Bible study that explores the deeper spiritual themes from the story.
Youth pastors, leaders, Sunday school teachers, and parents will also want to explore with teens the small group study at the end of the book with its unique take on spiritual warfare that emphasizes the biblical theme of humility. This is a perfect book to read effectively as an individual or with a group to discuss together the implications of Nick's struggles for their lives.
"Dragon Seed unmasks and disarms the pride that so easily takes root in the heart. In the tradition of Lewis's The Screwtape Letters, Machowski retells the ancient saga of our defeated Enemy, through one family's spiritual battle. Between the page-turning plot and thought-provoking studies, teens and their parents will find much to discuss. It's divine truth through good story—one might even say, diabolically good."
Champ Thornton, Author of The Radical Book for Kids
"In Dragon Seed, Marty Machowski pulls back the curtain to give us a creative and sobering look at the 'cosmic powers and spiritual forces of evil.' While the story is aimed at teenagers, adults would do well to reflect on its pages and the insidious nature of pride. I hope that readers young and old will pick up a copy of Dragon Seed to help them prayerfully consider the pride at work in their own hearts and give thanks to the One who ransomed those stony hearts."
John Perritt, Resource Coordinator at Reformed Youth Ministries; author of Your Days Are Numbered and What Would Judas Do?
"I gave my ten-year-old daughter a copy of Dragon Seed. Her mother caught her up an hour and a half past her bedtime still read;ing. When asked 'Why are you still up?' she replied, 'I couldn't put it down! I wanted to find out what happens next.' Need I say more? Dragon Seed captivated my daughter's imagination, as I'm sure it will with your own children. In a day and age where Christian allegories are uncommon, Marty Machowski's Dragon Seed is a very welcome addition to our library. If you have a teen who shows you attitude, disrespect, and disregard, then Dragon Seed will be a help you and your kid. We all need help with fighting pride and cultivating humility. So read Marty's book along with your teen, so you can deal with the roots of pride taking over your own heart!"
Deepak Reju, Pastor of Biblical Counseling and Family Ministry, Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington, DC; author of On Guard: Preventing and Responding to Child Abuse at Church and Preparing for Fatherhood
"I recently read Dragon Seed together with three of my grandsons, Daniel (12), Silas (13), and Matthew (14). Through this fascinating story, the boys gained a renewed understanding of the gospel and the horror of pride. I strongly recommend Dragon Seed for teens and young adults."
William Farley, Author of Gospel Powered Parenting
"My two boys and I loved Dragon Seed. Our imaginations and hearts have been stirred by its distinct message so creatively wrapped in a great story. It has led to significant conversations about the awful;ness of rebellion against God and the dangers of letting the 'seed' take root in our hearts. Parents, don't hesitate! Read this together with your adolescent . . . indeed, Nick's struggles are familiar to all of us."
Barry Joslin, Professor of Christian Theology, Boyce College, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY
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Dragon Seed by Marty Machowski is an expertly written novel telling the story of the origin and spread of pride through the life and eyes of an ordinary modern family. Nick Freeman, a rebellious and spirited teenager, is emotionally unstable and devastated by the loss of his father. Unsure of how to channel his emotion and insecurities he constantly argues and deliberately disobeys his tired mother who desperately tries to keep her son in line. As the story progresses Nick’s soul becomes an intense battlefield of light versus dark, but as he reads his family’s history and discovers hidden truths will he be able to win out against his personal demons or are the roots of the dragon seed polluting Nick’s heart already too far gone to be removed? This captivating novel of the battle of good versus evil in real life will leave you wondering what’s next and will open your mind to the battles of the spiritual realm. I enjoyed the ensuing conflicts in the lives of the characters in both the Freemans’ history and current timeline struggles.
Dragon Seed by Marty Machowski is an expertly written novel telling the story of the origin and spread of pride through the life and eyes of an ordinary modern family. Nick Freeman, a rebellious and spirited teenager, is emotionally unstable and devastated by the loss of his father. Unsure of how to channel his emotion and insecurities he constantly argues and deliberately disobeys his tired mother who desperately tries to keep her son in line. As the story progresses Nick’s soul becomes an intense battlefield of light versus dark, but as he reads his family’s history and discovers hidden truths will he be able to win out against his personal demons or are the roots of the dragon seed polluting Nick’s heart already too far gone to be removed? This captivating novel of the battle of good versus evil in real life will leave you wondering what’s next and will open your mind to the battles of the spiritual realm. I enjoyed the ensuing conflicts in the lives of the characters in both the Freemans’ history and current timeline struggles.
A master story-teller, Marty Machowski, weaves a story that will keep teenagers engaged throughout the entire Dragon Seed book. With his imaginative method for retelling the story of Jesus and the young man who wandered through the tombs from Matthew 8:28-34, Marty teaches teenagers about spiritual warfare. About the Book: Dragon Seed is a story about Nick, an angry teenager, whose father is missing and whose mother is desperate. After another argument with his mother as Nick is contemplating running away when he receives a handwritten, leather-bound copy of an old book that contains the story of a family legend passed down from his grandfather to him. The book, Dragon Seeds, tells Nick the story of another angry young man who lived in the shadows of the tombs. How does Nick fit into this story of epic proportions?
A master story-teller, Marty Machowski, weaves a story that will keep teenagers engaged throughout the entire Dragon Seed book. With his imaginative method for retelling the story of Jesus and the young man who wandered through the tombs from Matthew 8:28-34, Marty teaches teenagers about spiritual warfare. About the Book: Dragon Seed is a story about Nick, an angry teenager, whose father is missing and whose mother is desperate. After another argument with his mother as Nick is contemplating running away when he receives a handwritten, leather-bound copy of an old book that contains the story of a family legend passed down from his grandfather to him. The book, Dragon Seeds, tells Nick the story of another angry young man who lived in the shadows of the tombs. How does Nick fit into this story of epic proportions?
I completely enjoyed this takes. Nick is making bad choices. He doesn't like much of anything in his life and he isn't handling it well. His mother is having difficulty rising her children since their father is gone. Mainly because of their heritage, she has the most issues with Nick. Giving him the family legend to read she prays will help him. I loved the imagery in the book. The shadows that the grandmother sees and recognizes at the beginning is really attention getting. The fact that it was set in a time period that is relatable while there is a story within the story was wonderful. The author did a great job with that. The way the story is written is an intriguing look at how Satan may have fallen. It certainly makes you think! Nick gets pulled into the family story and I enjoyed 'reading over his shoulder' and experiencing that. It was a 5/5 for me. I would recommend for preteens and adults alike. I have a feeling if you read this more than once, you will see something new each time. Can't wait to read more from this author.
I completely enjoyed this takes. Nick is making bad choices. He doesn't like much of anything in his life and he isn't handling it well. His mother is having difficulty rising her children since their father is gone. Mainly because of their heritage, she has the most issues with Nick. Giving him the family legend to read she prays will help him. I loved the imagery in the book. The shadows that the grandmother sees and recognizes at the beginning is really attention getting. The fact that it was set in a time period that is relatable while there is a story within the story was wonderful. The author did a great job with that. The way the story is written is an intriguing look at how Satan may have fallen. It certainly makes you think! Nick gets pulled into the family story and I enjoyed 'reading over his shoulder' and experiencing that. It was a 5/5 for me. I would recommend for preteens and adults alike. I have a feeling if you read this more than once, you will see something new each time. Can't wait to read more from this author.
Dragon Seed is a book that can grab hold of your teen or tween and teach them the truth's of God's word and the battle against evil, on their terms. This was a quick read for me - a couple days, but both my boys read the book in about a day. Both reported that they liked it and get a lot out of it. During the tween and teen years, there is such a struggle for our children and for us as parents. This book is an allegoric story that will give them a different perspective of that battle. The battle is real, even though, sometimes we think it more than a spiritual one. Dragon Seed points out the spiritual complexities very clearly. The characters were very typical and real to, as a mother of teens and pre-teens. I felt like the story was very believable. So often our children are tempted by events and people around them. This story shows how both are fighting for our children's attention. Not only did this book take a deeper look at the child who is making the wrong choice, but the one who seems in the right, but still making spiteful or prideful choices. So often, we see the child who is doing the wrong things as worse than the child who is seeming to do the right thing, but who is struggling with pride in their heart. I highly recommend this book for parents and children to read. It can lead to a great deal of important conversations. I look forward to reading the next one, that I suspect will be out in the near future!
Dragon Seed is a book that can grab hold of your teen or tween and teach them the truth's of God's word and the battle against evil, on their terms. This was a quick read for me - a couple days, but both my boys read the book in about a day. Both reported that they liked it and get a lot out of it. During the tween and teen years, there is such a struggle for our children and for us as parents. This book is an allegoric story that will give them a different perspective of that battle. The battle is real, even though, sometimes we think it more than a spiritual one. Dragon Seed points out the spiritual complexities very clearly. The characters were very typical and real to, as a mother of teens and pre-teens. I felt like the story was very believable. So often our children are tempted by events and people around them. This story shows how both are fighting for our children's attention. Not only did this book take a deeper look at the child who is making the wrong choice, but the one who seems in the right, but still making spiteful or prideful choices. So often, we see the child who is doing the wrong things as worse than the child who is seeming to do the right thing, but who is struggling with pride in their heart. I highly recommend this book for parents and children to read. It can lead to a great deal of important conversations. I look forward to reading the next one, that I suspect will be out in the near future!
Allegories make fine teaching tools. Many Christian authors have used them in the past to communicate truth. Machowski has created an allegory to help young people understand the mutiny of the angels against God and the spread of evil in the world. He used the imagery of the dragon in Revelation to create the allegory. Readers are invited to use their imagination to see what might have happened centuries ago and what may be behind the actions of many today. I really like this allegory. It is the story of the rebellion of Satan and his ongoing work told in an entertaining and thoughtful way. Machowski has kept close to the biblical account, something I greatly appreciate. His imagining how Satan may tempt people to evil today is very thought provoking. I like how the allegory is framed in a modern day story. A rebellious teen is given the allegory to read and it captures his heart. That framework adds to the impact of the allegory. We see the truths of the allegory in action. Machowski has also included twelve devotions at the end of the book. They are great lessons on the truths portrayed in the allegory. There are good questions at the end of each devotion too. I highly recommend this book to children and adults alike. Parents would have a good time reading it with their children and discussing the questions with the devotions.
Allegories make fine teaching tools. Many Christian authors have used them in the past to communicate truth. Machowski has created an allegory to help young people understand the mutiny of the angels against God and the spread of evil in the world. He used the imagery of the dragon in Revelation to create the allegory. Readers are invited to use their imagination to see what might have happened centuries ago and what may be behind the actions of many today. I really like this allegory. It is the story of the rebellion of Satan and his ongoing work told in an entertaining and thoughtful way. Machowski has kept close to the biblical account, something I greatly appreciate. His imagining how Satan may tempt people to evil today is very thought provoking. I like how the allegory is framed in a modern day story. A rebellious teen is given the allegory to read and it captures his heart. That framework adds to the impact of the allegory. We see the truths of the allegory in action. Machowski has also included twelve devotions at the end of the book. They are great lessons on the truths portrayed in the allegory. There are good questions at the end of each devotion too. I highly recommend this book to children and adults alike. Parents would have a good time reading it with their children and discussing the questions with the devotions.