By Dylan West© 2025 Pickle Jar Press
ISBN-13: 979-8985983166
Kindle version; file size 2.7 MB
Paperback, 521 pages.
Scribes Emerge is the third book in the Scribes trilogy, and continues the story of Mallory, Rain, and Boxer, the Scribes foretold in the Book of Books, and Leah, their devoted cohort. The adventures and trials they began in book one (Scribes’ Descent) and continued in book two (Scribes Aflame) evolve, presenting ever increasing challenges as they work together to carry out their fated mission. Along the way, they collect allies, and enemies as well.
There’s plenty of action and drama, as well as character development, to be found in these pages. While the Scribes face off against those who would stop the prophecy’s fulfillment, the three young leaders—and Mallory, in particular—prefer to solve things through logic and reason. Their success depends on haste and cooperation (no spoilers!), but they also aren’t going to let anyone stand in their way. Watching the young Mallory (and the others as well) grow as they face off with the presented trials was a joy.
As in the prior books, author Dylan West’s imaginative underground universe comes alive. The unique environment creates unusual obstacles, which the young Scribes must think their way around or through. Given Mallory’s high intelligence, the solutions devised by her, Rain, and Boxer are sometimes logical, sometimes surprising, and always interesting. Beings in that world are also quite different, as well as intelligent. I love how the author has taken this completely different set of habitats and built entire ecosystems that fit each setting!
Even though the romantic thread between Mallory and the Prince, which was seeded in an earlier book, continues in this volume, West weaves it well, keeping it clean and safe for YA readers. In addition, I was glad to see that the author maintains Mallory’s strong heroine role throughout (even though she does occasionally wish this could have happened to someone else). She’s never dependent on a strong male counterpart to “keep her safe.” Mallory is quite capable of taking care of herself, thank you very much. Bravo! Young readers need more strong female characters like Mallory. In fact, all the young characters in the Scribes series serve as great role models.
Mallory’s unwavering faith that they are following the Protector’s wishes and carrying out His plan fits the Christian fantasy genre quite well. The storyline is cleanly told, and well-suited for a YA audience. Yet, even though I left my youth in the rear-view mirror long ago, I enjoyed it as well. I don’t think you could read Scribes Emerge without having read the first two books, though there is a recap of the earlier storyline at the beginning of this one. If you enjoy faith-based fiction, you’ll want to read these books.