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The Fall of the Readers

(The Forbidden Library #4)

Django Wexler (Goodreads Author)

4.20 · Rating details · 697 ratings · 75 reviews

The final book in the exciting fantasy adventure series featuring a strong heroine who grows from reader to leader in a world where magic is contained and controlled through books.

When Alice defeated her uncle Geryon and declared war on the totalitarian ways of the Old Readers, she knew she would have a hard fight ahead. What she didn’t anticipate was how ruthless the Old ...more

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Hardcover, 358 pages

Published December 5th 2017 by Kathy Dawson Books

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Start your review of The Fall of the Readers (The Forbidden Library, #4)

Dec 26, 2017 Django Wexler rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author)

I hope everyone enjoys this one. It's been amazing finally bringing the series to the end I thought up years ago! ...more

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Apr 20, 2017 Rob rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-2017, own, author-male, fantasy

Executive Summary: A good ending to the series, but I didn't like it as much as The Palace of Glass.

Full Review
I read very little Young Adult, and absolutely no Middle Grade. I'm not the target demographic by any means. I really like Django Wexler though, so I decided to pick up The Forbidden Library from the library a few years back.

By the time The Palace of Glass came out I was really enjoying the series and bought all the books. I was late in coming to fantasy, not really reading very muc Executive Summary: A good ending to the series, but I didn't like it as much as The Palace of Glass.

Full Review
I read very little Young Adult, and absolutely no Middle Grade. I'm not the target demographic by any means. I really like Django Wexler though, so I decided to pick up The Forbidden Library from the library a few years back.

By the time The Palace of Glass came out I was really enjoying the series and bought all the books. I was late in coming to fantasy, not really reading very much of it until college. If there had been more books like this when I was growing up, I probably would have been more interested.

I really like the world building and the magic system. As someone who loves books, the idea of magical books has always appealed to me. This series combines elements I've read or seen in other books and games, but done so in a unique way as to not feel derivative.

Over the four books, Mr. Wexler did a really good job of telling a stand alone story, while building up to a bigger narrative. The characters and creatures are a lot of fun, and Alice is a great protagonist. I've always been more of a dog person than a cat person, but I know Django has cats and that really shows in the way he writes them in this series.

All of the past books have had an element of seriousness to them, but this one seemed to have the most of all. I found that weighed it down a bit compared to past books, where it was always just a fun, light read.

Don't get me wrong, this was still a fun read I just thought it was a bit slow in places. I think he did a really good job with wrapping everything up. I feel like he could tell more stories set in the world, but there isn't a need to do so.

Overall this is a really fun series and I'm glad I decided to pick it up. I still prefer his Shadow Campaign series to this one (where I'm much more the target audience), with The Infernal Battalion coming out next month and finishing that series, I'm interested in seeing what he does next. Whatever it is, I'm sure it will be good. ...more

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May 31, 2016 Sana marked it as need

Shelves: fantasy, shawty-so-bad

GIVE IT TO ME!

I want so much Isaac and Alice it's not even normal. (view spoiler)

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Nov 27, 2017 Mogsy (MMOGC) rated it really liked it

Shelves: magic, fantasy, arcs-and-galleys, review-copy, middle-grade, books-about-books

4.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2017/12/04/...

Django Wexler’s outstanding Middle Grade series The Forbidden Library comes full circle in The Fall of the Readers, the concluding volume of this richly dark and enchanting adventure through the magical world of books. So far we’ve seen the young protagonist Alice through some very harrowing times, following her as she visits new worlds and encounters their strange and whimsical inhabitants—some of whom turn out to be al 4.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2017/12/04/...

Django Wexler’s outstanding Middle Grade series The Forbidden Library comes full circle in The Fall of the Readers, the concluding volume of this richly dark and enchanting adventure through the magical world of books. So far we’ve seen the young protagonist Alice through some very harrowing times, following her as she visits new worlds and encounters their strange and whimsical inhabitants—some of whom turn out to be allies, while others reveal themselves to be fiendish and dangerous enemies.

But now, Alice is about to face her biggest challenge. If you’re not caught up with this series yet, please be aware that this review may contain spoilers for the previous three books, because The Fall of the Readers is definitely not meant to be read on its own. This fourth and final installment wraps up a saga that has been long in the making. It all began with the disappearance of Alice’s father which landed her in the care of her uncle Geryon, a crotchety old man who actually turned out to be a member of a ruthless organization of sorcerers known as the Readers. To her shock, Alice discovered that she has the same magical powers that allow her to enter the world of certain books, enabling her to subdue and bind the nasty creatures locked within to harness their special abilities. Although she agreed to study as Geryon’s apprentice, it soon became clear that her uncle may have had something to do with her father’s disappearance. Stricken, Alice decided to strike back, but in doing so, she also incurred the wrath of the older and more powerful Readers who are now targeting her and her friends in retribution.

Desperate for a way to safeguard those she cares about, Alice decides to turn to the powerful cat-like entity known as Ending for a way to defeat the old Readers once and for all. The mysterious Labyrinthine reveals that in fact there is a way—but Alice probably won’t like it. The plan will involve great risk to our protagonist and her friends, as well as all the otherworldly creatures they’ve agreed to protect. But with the old Readers’ attacks growing more frequent, Alice knows it’s only a matter of time before her defenses will fall, and since surrender is not an option, it is better to take the chance and hope for success. Better to go down fighting than to sit and watch as the enemy destroys you little by little over time.

This being the last book, there is a distinct sense of urgency to the story which keeps any digressions and mini side-plots to a minimum. In every aspect that counts though, Wexler comes through with flying colors, conceding no ground in areas like character and story development. The Fall of the Readers basically thrives on its plot, the book’s greatest strength proving to be its ability to make you want to turning the pages and never put it down. As a result, this was a lightning quick read for me, but it’s important to note that the pacing still remained well-balanced and appropriate for the different events of the story.

But the most amazing thing about this book is Alice. Not only is she a heroine you want to root for, she’s also one you’d definitely want on your side. She’s smart, brave, and strong. She’s an amazing friend and role model, as well as a leader who takes charge. But because she’s young and still learning a lot about the burdens of responsibility, the pressure of so many lives depending on her can sometimes lead her to make rash decisions. This book sees Alice growing up fast, having to learn to deal with the consequences of her mistakes, but instead of growing more jaded with her failures, she simply becomes even more determined.

Because the story itself is so streamlined though, this does leave little room for other characters to play much of a role. But ultimately this might not even be an issue, given the way we’ve been made to care so much about Alice, thus conveying the understanding that this series has always been about her journey, and now only she—and she alone—can see it through to the end. My only disappointment in this is the fact that we got to see much less of favorites like Isaac and Ashes the talking cat. Still, I believe Wexler was fully aware of this, because he also made sure to make the most out the scenes between Alice and Isaac, continuing to develop their friendship and perhaps nudge it towards something more, and yes, thankfully we still get plenty of Ashes’ epic snark!

Of course, the world-building was also fantastic, and what impressed me was seeing how all the elements of the world finally came together in this climactic conclusion. There was a big twist near the end that I wish I could have said I saw coming, since I pride myself on paying attention to the details, but the truth is, the author was imply very clever and subtle in his foreshadowing and hint dropping.

Like all good endings, The Fall of the Readers managed to unite the various themes and elements from the previous books, gradually building tension and momentum until events culminate in an epic showdown. This novel has everything you want in a finale, from excitement and suspense to tenderness and heartbreak. I think fans of the series, no matter how old you are, will be very happy at how things play out. I know I am! The Forbidden Library is another winner from Django Wexler, a series of magical and endearing books that I would not hesitate recommending to children and adults alike. ...more

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Feb 20, 2019 Bart rated it liked it

Shelves: 2019-read

Actual rating: 3.50

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Aug 24, 2017 Fi's Journey rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, children-middle-grade, 4_star-read

I really enjoy this series and this one was just as fun as the first three. The ending was just right.

What I liked the best were the original creations from the author like 'portal books', 'prison books' etc., the creatures from other 'portal books', the labyrinthine's and the forbidden library itself with all the cats in there.

I adored Ashes the talking cat the best as he has a feisty character and I thought Alice was becoming a bit more mature in this book.

Overall I enjoyed it and recommend ...more

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Mar 04, 2018 Becky B rated it really liked it

Shelves: adventure, library-librarian-books, fantasy, middle-grade-ficiton

Alice made her decision in the last book and now she and those allied with her are paying for it. The Old Readers are relentless in their attacks on Ending's library. For now Ending, Alice, and the other apprentices have been able to hold them off, but it is becoming increasingly clear that it is just a matter of time before they do break through. And their revenge against Alice and others will not be pretty. Ending provides Alice with one alternative to facing the ongoing onslaughts, but it is ...more

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Feb 17, 2019 Tnkw01 rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy-alternative

A wonderful children fantasy that, as an old man, I loved a lot. It had a great plot twist and a very satisfying ending. I'm sad it's over. ...more

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May 26, 2017 Adam Hoffman rated it it was amazing

This review is from an advanced reading copy given freely and without obligation (my thanks to the publisher and author).

Where to start! I do not want to give ANY spoilers as we are still a few months from the official release date and I don't want to give anything away. Book 4 provides a satisfying finish (not a spoiler that this is the presumptive finale as stated on the cover and description). If you've read books 1-3 it's an obvious go out and buy and read. If you haven't, go grab books 1-3! This review is from an advanced reading copy given freely and without obligation (my thanks to the publisher and author).

Where to start! I do not want to give ANY spoilers as we are still a few months from the official release date and I don't want to give anything away. Book 4 provides a satisfying finish (not a spoiler that this is the presumptive finale as stated on the cover and description). If you've read books 1-3 it's an obvious go out and buy and read. If you haven't, go grab books 1-3!

I can certainly see opportunities for the author to flesh, or even "drag" the series out. Actually I was slightly surprised how quickly Alice ascends and finishes the series. Certainly there were opportunities for the author to tell more stories about Alice and the other Readers (and apprentice readers in particular). I think I would have enjoyed learning a bit more about the world and adventures therein before wrapping things up here in book 4.

I am reviewing this about 4 weeks post-reading, for better or worse. While it is not as fresh in my mind, it also gives me time to reflect. Sadly I can't say this series excited me as much as, say, Alcatraz and the Evil Librarians (also for younger readers) - but Sanderson is some pretty tough competition! In comparison to Alcatraz, since I bring it up, it is a bit more honest in its storytelling and characters are willing to be ruthless to one another, even our heroine if necessary and there are casualties in the series and that continues in book 4.

Wexler has done a good job of foreshadowing, and we do have some pretty big climatic surprises revealed in this book. I take that back, not big, MAJOR. The foreshadowing is more obvious in retrospect (of course!) I really think he did a good job of not being overly obvious because I was certainly surprised and I'm often trying to puzzle out things. It's really not so much fun when it's spoon-fed to you, and it isn't here, at least for the big plot points. Still it's great that they are developed and not sprung without back-story. Very well done, particularly for a young adult book where authors usually go to far in the foreshadowing leaving too few surprises to excite readers (and Readers). While it is the finale, and the finish is satisfying it does leave you wanting for more. I don't mean that in a bad way, plot points are tied up but it leaves room for the imagination on where the world could go next as the author has said this is his finale, and I do like that. Sometimes books can end so utterly completely that it's unsatisfying (i.e. everyone dies, the end; everyone lives happily ever after, the end) I appreciate the maturity of leaving some things to the imagination.

In summary, Readers of the series, your wait will be rewarded. Points you've been waiting to be wrapped up will come together and we get a great conclusion.

I look forward to the next series that Wexler has recently announced in this genre, and even more anxiously await the finale to his Shadow Campaigns (for adult readers)!

...more

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Apr 11, 2019 Marc *Dark Reader of the Woods* rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, middle-grade

There's no percentage in hanging about; it's time to promote the heck out of this original middle-grade fantasy series.

As a parent, I would happily recommend this series to my children, when they are at an appropriate reading level. As a reader, I loved it. (I like to pretend that I am 'pre-screening' books for my kids eventual consumption, but you all know that this is a front for my own enjoyment). What's not to love? We have clever, young female protagonist who is full of grit, who struggles ...more

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Jan 14, 2018 John rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: children-ya, sf-fantasy

Decent conclusion to the series. As previously, my only cavil is that books here are pretty much used as furniture--they only serve as convenient plot devices and seldom if ever do you see anyone actually reading. Still, a diverting fantasy, fairly logical in construction and featuring lots of truly scary creatures.

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Oct 31, 2016 Denise Spicer rated it it was amazing

This 358 page book gives us a great ending to this fantastic series. The author does a wonderful job of leading us through his plot with nicely drawn characters in intriguing settings. Surprise Twist!!! I highly recommend the entire series.

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Jan 13, 2017 A. Frost marked it as to-read

THERE'S ANOTHER BOOK? I THOUGHT THIS WAS A TRILOGY OMIGOD I'M SO EXCITED NOW!!! ...more

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Jun 14, 2018 Maša rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2018, gender-done-properly, sf-fantasy, my-reviews, children-s, rfantasy-bingo-2018

In the last installment of the series, our heroes are betrayed and have to rush to save the world!

I like how the protagonist seem real, and how Alice grows more determined and focused after hardships and mistakes - I am really over moaning protagonists that overthink every little thing. I want to feel inspired by book people, not have them reflect my own failings! But I digress..

There is much at stake here bit it doesn't feel that way - in a book of 200 pages, you can't convey the context so go ...more

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Mar 09, 2020 Heather-Lin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: series-is-wrapped, made-me-laugh, great-rep, ethics-activism, friendship, about-books-bookstores-bookworms, made-me-awwww, middle-grade

Lovely, just lovely. Everything that I wanted from this series, with an incredibly satisfying conclusion.

I'm excited to read more by this author, hoping he writes adult as well as he writes middle grade :)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.75 Stars, rounded up

***

GR Personal Rating System:
5 ~ LOVED
4 ~ ENJOYED
3 ~ LIKED
2 ~ MEH
1 ~ NOPE ...more

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Jul 05, 2019 Nicole Luiken rated it really liked it

Shelves: juvenile-middle-grade, sf-fantasy

A strong heroine and an inventive world. Lots of action and magic.

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Oct 17, 2019 Suzanne Maley rated it really liked it

I love a book conclusion that really surprises me.

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Oct 24, 2018 Steen Nielsen rated it it was amazing

What to say?

This is good, really good :)

I absolutely love the reader system and all the worlds that they can move through!

I think the tests in the grand labyrinth were a bit underwhelming, but the reveal later in the book more then made up for that.

Ashe the cat is pretty funny

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Jul 04, 2018 Mark Buxton rated it it was amazing

My name is Alice, and the fate of the world rests on my shoulders. I successfully imprisoned Geryon, but the other Readers are laying siege on me. I can't let them continue their cruelty toward magical creatures and the labyrinthine. Ending says she will help me if I take control of the Great Binding that holds a powerful prisoner. She says I must enter a labyrinth created by all the Readers that is protected by many formidable guardians. I don't know what will happen once I complete the quest, ...more

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Dec 13, 2018 Cherie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: young-adult, kids

This volume is so full of action and emotion that I felt like I was holding my breath through the whole of it. It picks up just a few weeks after where the last volume left off, and it hits the ground running with the Old Readers lobbing attack after attack at Alice and her crew.

With lives at stake, and no time to think, Alice has to scramble to figure out a way to defeat the Old Readers. She has to push herself to the absolute limits physically, emotionally, and magically. She experiences loss, ...more

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Feb 11, 2015 Travis rated it it was amazing

What a fun, whimsical, and entertaining conclusion to the Forbidden Library Quartet!!!! I discovered Django Wexler about 3 1/2 years ago when I stumbled upon 2 books, The Forbidden Library and The Thousand Names. I started with the Forbidden Library and man did it ever impress me for being a middle grade. It had an easy to follow story, a wonderfully crafted world that any book lover would want to be a part of, and also a colorful ensemble of characters. Here we are with the Fall of the Readers ...more

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Dec 23, 2017 Quinn rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, young-adult

I was holding back from reading it because I didn't want it to end - I wanted to read more about the different worlds and its inhabitants that Wexler's dreamt up and the adventures Alice and the gang gets up to.

But all good things comes to and end, I suppose, and it was a good one.

(view spoiler) ...more

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Jan 17, 2018 Paige Canetto rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: any fantasy lover over the age of 10

Okay, this series was amazing. Between the great female protagonists (yes, there's more than one), the amazing and unique world building, the multitude of challenges and obstacles, both to be fought, reasoned with, or outsmarted, and not knowing how it was going to end, this series was a masterpiece. I did see a couple of the main plot twists coming, (view spoiler) ...more

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May 07, 2019 issieee rated it it was amazing

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Nov 18, 2019 Jennifer Hill rated it it was amazing

I listened to this book in audio book. The final book of the series brings Alice to an end. She trapped Geryon in the book, the other readers have been storming the library trying to take over and Ending has sent her to the Grand Labyrinth to get to the prisoner. Alice takes most of her friends with her and they battle to the labyrinth through many trials. Once there things take a turn and Alice was betrayed by the labyrinthine. What will happen to the world and who exactly is Alice?

Alice is sti ...more

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Feb 17, 2020 Rachel Meyer rated it really liked it

Shelves: childrens-books, 2020-reads, fantasy

There were many twists and turns in this book leading to an ultimately happy ending to the series. I could barely put it down and enjoyed it from beginning to end. I don't remember the beginning of the series very well, but I thought this was a satisfying ending.

In this book, Alice has to learn to take responsibility for the other apprentices and magical creatures under her care. But on the way she also learns that she doesn't have to do everything herself, which I think is a good thing to remin ...more

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Jan 09, 2018 meeners rated it liked it

Shelves: fantasy, middle-grade, magic-libraries

probably a satisfying conclusion to readers who are really into The-Entire-Universe-Is-In-Danger-And-Everyone-And-Everything-Is-In-Mortal-Peril-type stories, but not really my cuppa these days; there are only so many battles and heroics and betrayals and leveling ups i can take before my mind starts to wander. the entire universe doesn't always have to be at stake for a story to feel urgent and important, as long as whatever's at stake is urgent and important to its characters....no?

on a relate ...more

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Mar 10, 2018 Thomas Ray rated it it was amazing

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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May 21, 2018 Rick Stuckwisch rated it it was amazing

This was a strong finish to a fun series. I've enjoyed the whole thing, but this conclusion really took it to the next level. Well done. And a genuinely sweet, happy ending. I read the series to my older teens, and we didn't find it childish, silly, or too simplistic. Nevertheless, it would be a good choice for grade school, middle school, or junior high readers or listeners. Not lots of things to appeal to a child's imagination. ...more

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Jul 20, 2018 Alex rated it really liked it

Shelves: inventory

Great read, love the series. The ending was fun and you know that when you make a deal with a cat, even if it's a labyrinth you are not making the deal that you thought you were making. I would love to have a book about what happens next. How people are handling the change and if Alice's efforts are making a difference.

Good ending to a series sixth grade on up who have read the rest and want to see how it all ends. ...more

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About Django Wexler

Django Wexler

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Django Wexler graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh with degrees in creative writing and computer science, and worked for the university in artificial intelligence research. Eventually he migrated to Microsoft in Seattle, where he now lives with two cats and a teetering mountain of books. When not planning Shadow Campaigns, he wrangles computers, paints tiny soldiers, and plays g ...more