Three Twins at the Crater School Paperback – 6 May 2021

Chaz Brenchley shows us a Mars that’s deeply alien, sometimes quite frightening, and always beautiful. Steampunk in its aesthetics, nevertheless Three Twins examines the cost of empire, even when the characters accept it as a given. Amid this serious theme and a stark, crimson landscape, he plops a girls’ boarding school. Brenchley’s charming, lyrical prose meets the challenge of describing both the mundane and the surreal in the lives of the many fascinating characters there. And then there are the mysterious merlins. Did I mention the merlins? Quite mysterious. There’s one on the cover, but it’s not the only kind there are. All in all, a rich and rewarding reading experience for children and adults alike.

Very eccentric, very delightful! It took me back to the "Girls' Own Paper" of my childhood, sent across the ocean to Ohio by British relatives. Except this book is beautifully written, not hack work.And Brenchley's Mars is a dangerous, alien place, not a charming British countryside. I hope there will be sequels that show us more of this altered Marscape and its very alien natives.

No, Mars needs plucky British schoolgirls! The kind with quick wits, determination, and courage, ready to cope with any challenges. Whether it’s facing dangerous Martian critters, thwarting nefarious Russians, or plotting to help a classmate in need, the girls of the Crater School can do it all. A delightful romp.

…but without much “punk”. It was also not what I expected at all, but it was wonderfully written, and grabbed me immediately. I cannot recommend this highly enough!

I enjoyed this book immensely. Very readable, engaging story. I hope there are more stories about the Crater School girls.