The main character in DANIEL SCRATCH: A STORY OF WITCHKIND by Don Jones is a solitary boy from an unusual family who has been told never to reveal his real surname. That’s not the only thing odd about Daniel’s life. At 13 years old, he’s also been living alone in a big house on the outskirts of town since he was 10, once his abusive father died and his mom was wrapped in iron chains and taken away by white-jacketed Proctors as if insane. Though some puzzles are answered as the story continues to unfold, logical questions may initially arise for the reader, like: is there no such thing as Child Protective Services or some other similar organization which would not allow any 10 year old to remain without adult supervision for years? And even the ones that are not adequately addressed don’t necessarily hamper a story inherently more supernatural than realistic, where elf-sized creatures known as brownies can sense the boy’s need and come to care for him until the next stage of his journey begins. And what a journey it is.
Accompanied by an ancient family book passed on to him by his ghost of a great-great grandmother, plus the mysterious reddish, diamond-shaped medallion he’s just received after being “Tested,” Daniel finds himself led to The Tower of Endings where he discovers ageless Kirmin, who is meant to educate Daniel about his long-foretold connection to witchkind’s Axes of Power. In other words, his destiny. This is a fate that promises not only potent paranormal abilities, but also the grave responsibility of wisely wielding such potential influence upon events in the outer world. Most fascinating is one of the novel’s underlying themes regarding problems in need of fixing not always being only what they, on the surface, appear. Also fascinating are the energies of the Archons. Rich in clans, spells, and dragons, a corrupt council, a legacy and an inevitable choice, this is a tale for which a subsequent sequel or series would be most welcome.
Vibrating with the ancient, mystical images known as runes and awash in complex moral questions, DANIEL SCRATCH: A Story of Witchkind by Don Jones gives readers much to ponder as it thoroughly enchants.
~C.S. Holmes for IndieReader