The Scratchling Trinity: a magical adventure for children ages 9-15

After an engaging start I was increasingly disappointed in the characters, the plot events, and the premises of the fantasy. The very modern, snarkiness that serves Brent in The Lost Diary of Snow White so well is out of place in this book. The Scratchling’s mission is too important to be done tongue in cheek, but treated too superficially to be taken seriously.Boyd Brent’s description of the horrors of a 19th century orphanage sucked me into the story and I was eager to follow the adventures of an apparently plucky and virtuous boy. But the characters rapidly lost my interest. It did not appear to me that the author particularly liked the children he created or knew them very well. He created real children and then turned them into cartoon characters. I almost never find modern culture children very interesting so I was not happy that my orphan became somewhat of a third wheel sidekick to the two moderns who rescued him. Of course fantasy is based on unlikely and impossible premises, but I also want characters that I care about or a storyline that moves me to wonder what will happen next.I didn’t feel much dramatic tension between the opposing forces of good and evil. The good guys rescue people but their own personal virtues and failures don’t enter much into the story. The evil characters are super-strong beings who float and don’t talk—not terribly interesting, just vicious in an offhanded but inevitable way. There is no way to oppose their superhuman strength and perceptive abilities, and yet the children escape by hiding in potato sacks. I found the dilemmas increasingly fantastic and the escapes so quick and easy there was hardly any tension and suspense. Not only did it feel like the author didn’t know the children but he didn’t really care what happened to them. It felt very formulaic. Brent is a good writer and I am so sorry this wasn’t a better vehicle for his gifts.This review was written a few weeks after one quick read so it is based more on impressions than studious attention to details.After reading Scratchlings, I read another Brent book, The Lost Diary of Snow White and unexpectedly loved it. The superciliousness I didn’t like when it impinged on more realistic characters with more authentically perilous dilemmas in Scratchling, was perfectly suited to his treatment of fairy tale characters who even when faced with evil witches, queens or stepmothers, are never really in any danger and are permitted to change their fates and perils by rewriting the “book.” Mr. Brent gave his characters modern angsts and labels perfectly suited to his plot twists. The offhanded modernizing that was annoying in Scratchling was amusing and novel in Diary. That one was a 5 star! Sorry I couldn't give more stars here to a good writer but "I didn't like it," the 2 star label, is unfortunately accurate.

Daughter loves book.

The story was captivating the entire time. Could not put down the book. Can't wait for book 2 to be published!

Excellent

I stumbled across this as something to read with my ten-year-old son, drawn by the cover initially and taking a chance on a new writer. We have raced through it, considering I only get time to read with him a couple of times a week. The premise is really unusual, the characters funny and endearing. We particularly liked Eric and his relationship with Max, which was just heartwarming, especially when Eric comes to 2016. Mr Brent has a real flair for dialogue, which flows naturally and contains lots of humour. My son wanted to write a review for it, so here it is! He would like a Golden Orb of his very own.

gifts!!!

This is a great story with real potential for a sequel. The children are funny and brave and the adventure is ingenious. If you like mystery, time travel and marvels, this could be a good one for you! My 11 year old daughter has really enjoyed it.

The child enjoyed it and enjoys reading!

This is a fabulous idea, something children can really identify with. Heroes you can identify with, adventures, bad guys, magic - my 11 year old enjoyed it very much.

This book will become a classic, I read it from start to finish in one reading, if you like Harry Potter, you won't be disappointed.

Great story, well written, fun that the characters can go back in time and save people. Recommend for children 9 plus.

My nine-year-old daughter is enjoying this book so far. The text is small, and a lot of words per page, so a challenge for a nine-year-old, but she loves it.

Bought as a present for a ten year-old boy - he loved it, and devoured it in two evenings.

Been reading this to the grand kids and they love it, would make a wonderful film.

This was bought for my 11 yr old grandson, but it looks such a good book I want to read it myself!

Daughter happy

Xmas pressie

Grandson loved it,

Just as I thought - an excellent story for my granddaughter

a nice present

Ten year old twins love book

Looks like a great story, my son has it in his pile of reads for the new year.

Thids book got my grandson age 11 reading again instead of on tablet all day