The fourth and final book in the fabulously funny Alcatraz Smedry series!
Alcatraz Smedry is on a mission to save the day! In his final adventur... read full description
reviews
Apr 24, 2011
Becky
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The fourth book in the Alcatraz Smedry series, this book claims to wrap everything up. Unfortunately, it's hard to follow because the author is a smart-aleck and distracts from the story flow with random injections of supposedly humorous tangents. Reading at least the first book might clarify some confusing elements. It seems that Alcatraz has the recently-harnessed talent of breaking things with his mind. All Smedrys have a strange talent, and the Librarians (who seem to be people from everyday
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Feb 18, 2011
Kiirsi
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I finished this book nearly a week ago and I'm still laughing. I LOVE these Alcatraz books!! They are so hysterically funny. And smart. And clever. Brandon Sanderson is a genius. I particularly loved the chapter titles in this book--hilarious! The plot was fun and exciting, and the new Smedry talent was great. (I never can figure out what a new talent will be or--when it's introduced--how in the world this talent can possibly be a GOOD thing. But it is, every time, in such a clever and
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Dec 30, 2010
Libby
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Ahh Alcatraz, such refreshing humor after several dark books. I have a 12 year old friend who passes on his Alcatraz books after he has finished them. Apparently, I appreciate the same bizarre humor as he does: sarcastic side notes by the narrator, absurdly numbered chapters, and clever critique on the art of writing. The disappointing thing is that Sanderson's cleverest writing is lost on his intended audience. Few fifth and sixth graders could catch the genius of chapter Act V, Scene III
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Dec 26, 2010
Fen
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If you haven't read these books already, well... go out and buy them! Right now! Or surf over to your favorite online bookseller and buy them! Seriously, you won't be sorry.
I love this series. There's a reason the first book is the one I immediately recommend to people asking advice on books to read... and sure, they're billed as Young Adult novels, but don't let that fool you into thinking they're only for kids. Also, I don't believe I've run across books more deserving of being More...
I love this series. There's a reason the first book is the one I immediately recommend to people asking advice on books to read... and sure, they're billed as Young Adult novels, but don't let that fool you into thinking they're only for kids. Also, I don't believe I've run across books more deserving of being More...
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Dec 16, 2010
Emily Michelle
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I absolutely adore this series and I think this book is the best one so far. There was a lot more action than in the last book, as Alcatraz sneaks into a besieged Mokian city in order to force his protectors to join the Mokians' defense. We get a lot of answers about what Al's parents are up to and see certain events that have been vaguely alluded to throughout the whole series (though not as many as we might like), we get to see Alcatraz mature and really step up to bat (although don't expect a
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Nov 05, 2011
Brad
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My feelings about this book are about the same as the earlier 3 books. Still not my favorite series by Sanderson, but lots of fun and an interesting premise. The story is not quite as awesome as books 1 and 2. I still think that this would be a great read-aloud with kids.
The cover is still ugly as sin, and I laughed when Sanderson (or Alcatraz?) made fun of the cover of book 2. Kaz says, "I prefer the part where we flew up into space." "We should have done that in More...
The cover is still ugly as sin, and I laughed when Sanderson (or Alcatraz?) made fun of the cover of book 2. Kaz says, "I prefer the part where we flew up into space." "We should have done that in More...
Jun 16, 2011
Emily
rated it:
Yet another hilarious installment of Alcatraz's adventures. We're getting a better picture of how this whole world works, and Alcatraz's (and Mr. Sanderson's) self-aware snarkiness and groan-worthy puns are at an all-time high. Literary allusions this time to The Princess Bride, MacBeth, and the Emperor's New Clothes, among many others. And he still manages to sneak in those IMPORTANT MESSAGES for readers, as well. Like "People change too. In fact, they're always changing. We like to
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Jan 05, 2012
05matttheww
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this book main problem is these people cold the librarians these people work in libraries. the rule the world by telling us lies. those are the librarians.
This book takes place in the 2000's in africa this story could be done in years earlier then the 2000's.
the main character is the protagonist he is about 13 not that tall and where a green jacket and he can work on his self of steam. the antagonist is his mother she is one of the leaders of the Liberians she wheres More...
Feb 01, 2011
Kim (magicsandwiches)
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It's open war with the librarians (LIE-brarians!), but when Alcatraz travels to the island of Mokia to stave off an assault, he meets his mother and has a very interesting conversation which changes everything. What if the librarians are right and Alcatraz's family is wrong? Is this just another conspiracy?
The first half of the book is completely brilliant. The wacky humor, the silly talents, and the wordplay are all top-notch. The Shakespeare chapter alone makes it worth reading! More...
The first half of the book is completely brilliant. The wacky humor, the silly talents, and the wordplay are all top-notch. The Shakespeare chapter alone makes it worth reading! More...
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Feb 28, 2011
Brenda
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Why I read it: 4th in a series
The Plot: The boy with all the wrong Talents has a lot to prove and, as always, little time in which to do it. In this final adventure, Alcatraz faces an army of librarians--and their giant librarian robots--as they battle to win the kingdom of Mokia.
The Characters: Alcatraz seems to grow up a bit in this book, and as a narrator he is very likable and fun. Throughout the series, though, I've never really been able to connect with any of the characters to More...
The Plot: The boy with all the wrong Talents has a lot to prove and, as always, little time in which to do it. In this final adventure, Alcatraz faces an army of librarians--and their giant librarian robots--as they battle to win the kingdom of Mokia.
The Characters: Alcatraz seems to grow up a bit in this book, and as a narrator he is very likable and fun. Throughout the series, though, I've never really been able to connect with any of the characters to More...
Feb 21, 2011
Joe
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Although not quite as good as the other three books in the series, I still found myself chuckling quite a bit through most of the book and laughing hysterically in a few places. My personal favorites? Chapter 24601 and the WoT reference to "who killed Asmodean" - luckily for me, I wasn't taking a drink from my Pepsi at that point or I would have been snorting soda all over the book! The humor did seem more forced in this book as compared to the the others, and the ending left somethi
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Feb 20, 2011
Mindy
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Love the series. I really do. But this book. This book is just pushing it a little too far for me. In the previous books he has stated that the books are real and he's writing them now after they've happened. For some reason in this book his characters including himself are commenting on the writing while it's happening. It just bugs me. Love his continual commentary on philosophy. His constant play on words. I also really liked his brief description of religion and how it all comes do
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Jan 23, 2011
Loraine
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I have to admit, this is my favorite thing that Sanderson writes. Sure, Mistborn was great. The WoT books he's been working on are fabulous. I tried the Way of Kings and haven't been able to make my way through it, yet (probably because I've been reading everything else...). But Alcatraz is my favorite!
This one was no exception. I love the plot twists and the little doses of reality (being a King really can suck, after all). And the "Who Killed Asmodean?" tidbit was just hila More...
This one was no exception. I love the plot twists and the little doses of reality (being a King really can suck, after all). And the "Who Killed Asmodean?" tidbit was just hila More...
Dec 29, 2010
Eric
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This was my least favorite of the Alcatraz books. It was still funny and quirky, but I didn't really like the "stoopid" version of Alcatraz. It didn't seem as funny as the others (still funny, just a little short of the bar that was set by the other books.) !Spoiler alert! Also, I didn't like that it left the ending so unresolved. I felt like it was the worst ending of all the books, and it's supposed to be the last one (at least for some time). I just felt Like Sanderson could h
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Dec 18, 2010
~Megan~
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Aw, I wish this wasn't the last book! It was good. And the ending was very fitting to the Alcatraz books. The whole thing seemed a bit rushed to me, but that could be because I was standing in the book store trying to read it quickly because I wanted to finish it. I would buy it, but I don't feel like donating to the Alcatraz Smedry Wildlife Fund right now. :-) You know, Brandon Sanderson's writing style for these books feels kind of like Patrick McManus to me. They're both so funny and random..
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Nov 17, 2010
Elizabeth
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Alcatraz is back and purposefully putting himself into the line of fire in order to help another kingdom. He's beginning to get a handle on how to manipulate not only his own talent, but also the talents of his relatives. Along the way he discovers more about what both his parents are really up to.
I borrowed this ARC from the teen librarian where I work as I'm always eager to see what is new with Alcatraz. He's up to the usual tricks of changing chapter heads, talking directly to the r More...
I borrowed this ARC from the teen librarian where I work as I'm always eager to see what is new with Alcatraz. He's up to the usual tricks of changing chapter heads, talking directly to the r More...
Nov 05, 2011
Andrea
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The fourth and allegedly final book in the Alcatraz Smedry saga by Brandon Sanderson is true to form. He maintains his wit, sarcasim, and playful homage to all books fantasy. In addition he continues the action adventure and romantic tension of the earlier books. His chapter headings are hilarious, especially chapter NCC 1701. I am sorry this is the last one, I felt that he left undone some of the main themes. I think if he gave Alcatraz a bit of a rest he could come back refreshed. Whatever
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Jun 22, 2011
Alex
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Hey. Hey you! Come here. Are you alone? No librarians nearby, right? Yes, librarians. You heard me right. Okay, good. Yes, librarians are evil. They’re an unstoppable cult that has pulled the wool over everyone’s eyes for a long time. Everything you think you know isn’t the way it is. Don’t believe me? Then be sure to check out the first three volumes of Alcatraz Smedry’s incredible biography – Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians, Alcatraz Versus the Scrivener’s Bones, and Alcatraz V
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Jun 30, 2011
Bryan457
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WARNING, Evil Librarians, do not read this book! It will make your head explode. That stoopid boy, Alcatraz Smedry, has discovered a weakness in you; the one where if you find an ordered list (such as numbered chapters in a book) that is nonconsecutive and illogical, it makes your head explode. Here is an example, hopefully enough to give you the idea without making a mess. These are the numbers for the first few chapters: Chapter 2, Chapter 6, Chapter pi (as in 3.14), Chapter 4 1/2, Chapter 42,
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Dec 22, 2010
Patrick
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I liked this the best of the series so far, but my memory of some of the past books, especially #3, is very fuzzy. Also, it’s 4 stars for me, but likely only 3 stars for YA readers.
That is because not much actually happens in the book—Alcatraz’s internal monologuing plays a bigger, more important role in the plot. I enjoyed both the more serious thinking and the random asides more than before. There are also more jokes than normal that will fly right over the head of younger rea More...
That is because not much actually happens in the book—Alcatraz’s internal monologuing plays a bigger, more important role in the plot. I enjoyed both the more serious thinking and the random asides more than before. There are also more jokes than normal that will fly right over the head of younger rea More...
Dec 22, 2010
Cathy
rated it:
Great, as usual. Sanderson writes witty guy-snark for junior high and older kids, and adults, male and female, that is also non-so-secretly smart. Lots of laughs, a few clever ideas, several big growing-up moments and exploding teddy bears.
I say it on every review for the series, these books are perfect for reluctant readers. The tongue-in-cheek disregard for Librarians and the powers of order would appeal to most kids, and the humor is anywhere from a quick chuckle to laugh out lou More...
I say it on every review for the series, these books are perfect for reluctant readers. The tongue-in-cheek disregard for Librarians and the powers of order would appeal to most kids, and the humor is anywhere from a quick chuckle to laugh out lou More...
Jul 14, 2011
Sara ♥
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FINALLY!!! We know who killed Asmodean!!!! YAY!!!! Oh, wait. Wrong series. Crap.
This is the fourth book in the Alcatraz series. I HOPE there's going to be ONE more, because the story really isn't finished yet... <spoiler>Oh, and Bastille is in a FREAKING COMA!!!!!!</spoiler> But apparently his publisher has only okay'd 4 books so far... EEK! So, SCHOLASTIC PRESS, get your BUTTS into gear, and tell Brandon here to write another book, pronto!!!!
As for More...
This is the fourth book in the Alcatraz series. I HOPE there's going to be ONE more, because the story really isn't finished yet... <spoiler>Oh, and Bastille is in a FREAKING COMA!!!!!!</spoiler> But apparently his publisher has only okay'd 4 books so far... EEK! So, SCHOLASTIC PRESS, get your BUTTS into gear, and tell Brandon here to write another book, pronto!!!!
As for More...
Nov 08, 2010
Erin
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Brandon Sanderson comes back with another great Alcatraz book. I was able to take it to a book signing in Cincinnati for his continuation of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time Series, Towers of Midnight and got it signed. Mr. Sanderson said it was the first non-paperback ARC he's seen "in the wild"- yay! I really do recomend all adult fantasy fans to read this series if they like Sanderson. It's too good to miss. Anyway, I was a little bit less enthused about the third book, as I didn't
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Aug 13, 2011
Kbord
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OK, can I just say that this book was hilarious to the point of someone asking me what I was laughing about so much? I even followed some of the instructions! And I'm so glad I remember Hamlet.
As usual, this Alcatraz book was difficult to put down and kept me up late into the night to finish it because I was "almost done" or just wanted to read "one more chapter." I do hope there will be another book--much is implied at the end, but it would still be nice to see i More...
As usual, this Alcatraz book was difficult to put down and kept me up late into the night to finish it because I was "almost done" or just wanted to read "one more chapter." I do hope there will be another book--much is implied at the end, but it would still be nice to see i More...
May 21, 2011
melissa1lbr
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Things I Liked:
Once again, the humor in this series does not disappoint. Alcatraz is filled with silliness and ridiculousity that rivals anything I've ever read. He takes his diversions to the point of embarrassment, even while you have to laugh at the sometimes dreadful puns. The story is also fun for sci-fi lovers and those invested in the Smedrys' stories. Definitely a go-to book for reluctant tween boys who love a good laugh, tongue-in-cheek humor, and a bit of sci-fi action. Here More...
Once again, the humor in this series does not disappoint. Alcatraz is filled with silliness and ridiculousity that rivals anything I've ever read. He takes his diversions to the point of embarrassment, even while you have to laugh at the sometimes dreadful puns. The story is also fun for sci-fi lovers and those invested in the Smedrys' stories. Definitely a go-to book for reluctant tween boys who love a good laugh, tongue-in-cheek humor, and a bit of sci-fi action. Here More...
Dec 26, 2010
Andrew
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This book would be three stars if it was the last book in the series, and five stars if there's another coming out. Since I don't know, I rated it four. Apparently, neither does brandon sanderson. The ending seemed like it was desperately juggling the two possibilities by keeping it at a cliff hanger but telling what would generally happen just in case. Aside from the end, it was really well done as I expected (Sanderson is my favorite author). There was silly talents, funny jokes, an intricate
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Jan 11, 2011
Sarah
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Don't even tell me this is the last book. Seriously, Sanderson? You couldn't be arsed to tear yourself away from the Wheel of Time series to give your own series a proper ending? Ugh. Which is a shame, since the fourth book is where Alcatraz grows up and learns that being in a war means making horrible decisions beyond your control and people die without you wanting them to and all the wartime issues geeks like me want in their fantasy. And then he rushed the hell out of the last two chapters an
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Dec 30, 2011
Matt
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I had to get to page 100 before I felt there was the semblance of a plot to the book. Furthermore, development of the series' overall plot didn't come until the end of the book. Additionally, the slap-stick humor that characterizes the first 3 books becomes more distracting than distinctive in this one--if possible even more over-the-top. And yet, I never got so bored or so irritated that I stopped reading. In fact, I actually enjoyed the last half of the book. As is typical with his other
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Apr 26, 2011
Lindsay
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Bad: I found Brandon's humor in this book to be very distracting from the plot. It was only relevant & interesting a few times. I also didn't like how Alcatraz never seemed to know what he was doing. It made for a lot of skimming b/c it was so boring between action scenes. Also, I thought this was going to be the last book in the series and apparently it isn't so that frustrated me as well.
Good: At some of the narrative I found myself thinking deeply, which I really like so tha More...
Good: At some of the narrative I found myself thinking deeply, which I really like so tha More...
Aug 29, 2011
MarsianMan
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Alcatraz is at his most Smedry when he decides to take a spa vacation in Moka, a land about to be completely conquered by the Librarians!
Another excellent and fast paced novel. I have not laughed out loud so much when reading a book in quite a while. Simply an excellent book, young adult or not.
I cannot wait for the next book to come out (and I seriously hope that novel will NOT be the last in the series as written in the books).
Another excellent and fast paced novel. I have not laughed out loud so much when reading a book in quite a while. Simply an excellent book, young adult or not.
I cannot wait for the next book to come out (and I seriously hope that novel will NOT be the last in the series as written in the books).
