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isabellarobinson7's review against another edition
4.0
Rating: 4 stars
I was absolutely stunned when I heard Sanderson say in a recent interview that Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians is his least successful series (honestly, I would have expected The Reckoners trilogy to fill this spot because, though I've only read the first book, it isn't the best). This is seriously the closest any book has ever come to matching the combination of humour, action, wit, and pure creativity of the Percy Jackson series, which I love partially due to nostalgic reasons. I read this Alcatraz bind up over the course of a month, and it was a perfect palette cleanser between the more intense books. I would recommend this series to anyone and everyone.
I was absolutely stunned when I heard Sanderson say in a recent interview that Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians is his least successful series (honestly, I would have expected The Reckoners trilogy to fill this spot because, though I've only read the first book, it isn't the best). This is seriously the closest any book has ever come to matching the combination of humour, action, wit, and pure creativity of the Percy Jackson series, which I love partially due to nostalgic reasons. I read this Alcatraz bind up over the course of a month, and it was a perfect palette cleanser between the more intense books. I would recommend this series to anyone and everyone.
bear_miya90's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rainiro's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
flaviaaalouise's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't really know what to expect going into this series but I really ended up liking it.
molokov's review
5.0
This collection of 4 books is a breath of fresh air to me - light, silly, funny, snarky, and yet presents a very well developed world with an ongoing plot of intrigue spanning the series. Given that this is my introduction to Brandon Sanderson, I'm hoping that if I ever get around to reading his more serious fantasy works, I'll be able to make the transition and won't miss the humour that this series has. Highly recommended, and suitable for teens too!
eecee's review against another edition
4.0
A fun read, interesting and has the usual Sanderson uniqueness! Spent the whole four books waiting for Alcatraz to do something to prove he's as awful as he's been saying for four books, was a bit disappointed and felt like I'd invested too much into the books, as this thread wasn't followed through.
chaosqueen's review
5.0
Ok so I've read the entire series so far, and am highly anticipating the final book.
rebeccajane's review
4.0
Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians: Four stars.
This book was so funny and fun in general. Brandon Sanderson took everything we thought we knew about storytelling and threw it out the window.
Alcatraz Versus the Scrivener's Bones: Four stars.
This book just got straight into it, and I loved the whole Library of Alexandria plot line. Once again the writing was extremely clever and hilarious.
Alcatraz Versus the Knights of Crystallia: Four stars.
While this one was a bit slower getting into, I thoroughly enjoyed myself by the end, and continued to be amused by Sanderson's humour.
Alcatraz Versus the Shattered Lens: Four stars.
This instalment was really intense, and I love where the story is going and all the development that happened with Alcatraz and the plot itself.
This book was so funny and fun in general. Brandon Sanderson took everything we thought we knew about storytelling and threw it out the window.
Alcatraz Versus the Scrivener's Bones: Four stars.
This book just got straight into it, and I loved the whole Library of Alexandria plot line. Once again the writing was extremely clever and hilarious.
Alcatraz Versus the Knights of Crystallia: Four stars.
While this one was a bit slower getting into, I thoroughly enjoyed myself by the end, and continued to be amused by Sanderson's humour.
Alcatraz Versus the Shattered Lens: Four stars.
This instalment was really intense, and I love where the story is going and all the development that happened with Alcatraz and the plot itself.
novelbloglover's review
3.0
Book Review
Title: The Complete Alcatraz
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Paranormal/Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Rating: ***
Review: The Complete Alcatraz collects the whole series of Brandon Sanderson young adult novels including Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians, Alcatraz Versus the Scrivener’s Bones, Alcatraz Versus the Knights of Crystallia and Alcatraz Versus the Shattered Lens.
These novels follow the adventures of the 13 year old boy Alcatraz Smedry and his discovery of who he really is along with the truth behind the false facade that is the world we know.
The series is narrated in the first person by the protagonist and self professed unreliable narrator who not only discusses the parts of this tale but also speaks directly to the reader. This is the highlight of the novel, the smart and savvy Alcatraz manages to entertain from the word go with a self-depreciating humour and a style all his own. Told in the past tense, he even goes so far as to poke holes in his own story and offers a commentary on his life and the lessons he’s learned since – he even pokes fun at authors and their foibles. To top it all he admits that he lies, paints himself as “not a nice person” and throws red herrings in here and there. This is not only hugely refreshing but also quite unique, it works brilliantly as in a YA setting.
Sanderson’s prose really shines and not a single time does he dumb things down for the younger audience, it’s simply beautifully written and so comfortable and engaging its pretty much impossible to resist. This includes a light-hearted, off-the-wall humour that is very similar to the talented Jasper Fforde, it’s got that same disarming craziness that is so entertaining and often just plain daft. But it’s a daftness that you laugh along with rather than shake your head at and this permeates much of the plot.
While on the subject of the plot, while each book is it’s own self-contained story there is also a series long arc stretching through each of the volumes which rewards the reader. Each story is also pretty fast paced too and so well thought out, before you know it you’ve read the whole thing.
Sanderson proves himself to be an even better writer than I imagined, not only can he create such vibrant characters but he does so with a fresh and irresistible style, I’d recommend this to adults both young and old alike.
Title: The Complete Alcatraz
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Paranormal/Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Rating: ***
Review: The Complete Alcatraz collects the whole series of Brandon Sanderson young adult novels including Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians, Alcatraz Versus the Scrivener’s Bones, Alcatraz Versus the Knights of Crystallia and Alcatraz Versus the Shattered Lens.
These novels follow the adventures of the 13 year old boy Alcatraz Smedry and his discovery of who he really is along with the truth behind the false facade that is the world we know.
The series is narrated in the first person by the protagonist and self professed unreliable narrator who not only discusses the parts of this tale but also speaks directly to the reader. This is the highlight of the novel, the smart and savvy Alcatraz manages to entertain from the word go with a self-depreciating humour and a style all his own. Told in the past tense, he even goes so far as to poke holes in his own story and offers a commentary on his life and the lessons he’s learned since – he even pokes fun at authors and their foibles. To top it all he admits that he lies, paints himself as “not a nice person” and throws red herrings in here and there. This is not only hugely refreshing but also quite unique, it works brilliantly as in a YA setting.
Sanderson’s prose really shines and not a single time does he dumb things down for the younger audience, it’s simply beautifully written and so comfortable and engaging its pretty much impossible to resist. This includes a light-hearted, off-the-wall humour that is very similar to the talented Jasper Fforde, it’s got that same disarming craziness that is so entertaining and often just plain daft. But it’s a daftness that you laugh along with rather than shake your head at and this permeates much of the plot.
While on the subject of the plot, while each book is it’s own self-contained story there is also a series long arc stretching through each of the volumes which rewards the reader. Each story is also pretty fast paced too and so well thought out, before you know it you’ve read the whole thing.
Sanderson proves himself to be an even better writer than I imagined, not only can he create such vibrant characters but he does so with a fresh and irresistible style, I’d recommend this to adults both young and old alike.
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