So why did I pick this book? Well Deathweavers arrived without me knowing so I never picked it up and it was then promptly returned. So I need to put a hold on it again. I blame the librarians. Of the books left on my shelf…..this one didn’t have any more renews left….and it’s an easy read.
Title: Alcatraz Versus the Scrivener’s Bones
Series: Alcatraz Series
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: EU, Modern, No Higher Magic
Synopsis: Alcatraz Smedry is back in the second volume of his autobiography. Lies, death, cliffhangers and overzealous undead librarians of questionable morals. Pretty standard stuff really.
Recommendation: Early teens or moderately skilled readers.
– – Spoilers – –
Another great book by Sanderson. It picks up 3 months after “Evil Librarians” and not much has happened between. Grandpa Smedry and Alcatraz have been on the run but have stayed in the Hushlands (Librarian controlled area, “real world”). Alcatraz is eager to get out of the Hushlands and see everything he never knew existed. Frankly, so am I! However, Grandpa Smedry gets into trouble and they fly off to save him. Pretty typical.
As a whole, there hasn’t much substance so far. It is a small book with large print so there’s not much to space to build substance. I’ve waited a couple of days to write this and it feels like coming off a sugar high. I want to know more about the Free Kingdoms, and the technology and the magic. It’s constantly hinted and teased, but nothing substantial.
However, what this series lacks in substance it more than makes up in sheer entertainment. The “author” lies, misleads, stalls, and is self-deprecating. There are so many cliff hangers they overlap each other.
Alcatraz is a decently written character. Not much to say about him right now. On the other hand Bastille has been fascinating. So much potential. So much foreshadowing. I could see a spin-off series just for her. And I would read it.
Once again I reiterate that I wish this had been around when I was younger. Now, just give me something I can sink my teeth into and I’ll be a happy reader. Sadly that’s it for this review. A little light but at least it’s coming out on time.
Robert
Reading Over The Shoulder 