Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians (Alcatraz, #1)

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Aaron Toponce This book is probably a bit rough around the edges, compared to the other books in the series. Then again, this is the first book also, so it may be t…moreThis book is probably a bit rough around the edges, compared to the other books in the series. Then again, this is the first book also, so it may be that Sanderson is figuring out his style with the series as a whole.

Personally, I really enjoyed it. The magic system are "talents" that a Smedry family member has. When you read about each individual talent, it's quirky, and strange, and just down right awkward. But, Brandon Sanderson does an amazing job incorporating the talent into situations, where you can think "Wow, that actually would work".

The series is written as a first-person autobiography from the PoV of Alcatraz Smedry himself. Alcatraz explains that he's writing under the pseudonym of Brandon Sanderson, to confuse the librarians, but he's the real author. Each chapter begins with Alcatraz babbling about some random topic for a few paragraphs, before telling the story. This can get jarring at times, until you see a pattern. Each beginning chapter babbling actually is foreshadowing for what will happen in the chapter itself, and each babble has an overall theme that gets flushed out in the end of the book. It's rather creative, IMO.

The language style is written for younger audiences, however, so I would recommend reading it to your kids, if you have them. Otherwise, you mind find the book slightly childish. Regardless, it's still very good. There is romance, humor (very good clean humor), conflict, politics, and just good story telling.

Personally, I highly recommend it.(less)
Silver - Have a great day, you're loved This book is about a boy names Alcatraz Smedry who breaks almost anything he touches. He's a foster child who's never known his parents, and all he ge…moreThis book is about a boy names Alcatraz Smedry who breaks almost anything he touches. He's a foster child who's never known his parents, and all he gets from them is his name and a bag of sand on his 13th birthday. This bag of sand leads to talking dinosaurs, a fighting friend with a deadly handbag, a crazy grandpa, and evil librarians who want to rule the world. It sounds ridiculous, and it is, and that's why it's such a great book! I can't ever stop laughing when I read it.(less)
Reader Skip to the last page and find out!
Karis Because he saw her footprints for so long with the tracker lens.

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