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A review by author_lisa
Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians by Brandon Sanderson
2.0
I do not think that Brandon Sanderson is the author for me. My feelings about his novels range from boring to annoying, including the uber famous Mistborn and the shit-show that is Steelheart. I think that his ideas are really good, but the way he executes those ideas is not so good, in my opinion. I find most of his characters to be quite unlikable, even and perhaps especially the ones who the reader is most definitely supposed to like. I also tend to separate the politics and character of the author from said author's work, but the fact that I don't care for his work combined with the mutterings I have heard claiming that Sanderson is a homophobe....well, suffice it to say that I am really, really put off by Brandon Sanderson. Simply not my cup of tea.
To give an actual review of this specific book, I do want to say that I think that this book could be enjoyable for boys between the ages of 10 and 15 or so. I know that other people enjoy this book too, but I honestly don't understand how or why. Think of the most annoying, melodramatic, self-indulgent whiny brat of a kid, and that's the main character. I get why the kid is that way, but it doesn't make him any less annoying, and it doesn't make me want to read about him. Also, the world Sanderson created is a little too ridiculous for me and much better suited to a child in elementary or middle school.
Don't get me wrong, I read a lot of books aimed towards middle grade readers, but I think that any well-written book will appeal to many people outside of its target audience. In fact, a well-written middle grade book will offer nuances to adult readers that many children won't pick up on. I just don't think that this particular middle grade novel is well-written nor that it has any real depth to offer. I also think that it is a prime example of authors stretching books into a series so that they can get more money. This is not a proper book. In other words, it doesn't really have a conclusion, it ends with the main character being whisked away by his grandpa on another adventure. It also barely started any hope of character growth for Alcatraz, which in my opinion, should have been a little more well-developed if it wants to call itself a complete book. If anyone reading this, loves this book, please explain to me why you love it, because I just don't get it. No matter what age the target audience is, I expect more from my books, and this simply did not deliver.
To give an actual review of this specific book, I do want to say that I think that this book could be enjoyable for boys between the ages of 10 and 15 or so. I know that other people enjoy this book too, but I honestly don't understand how or why. Think of the most annoying, melodramatic, self-indulgent whiny brat of a kid, and that's the main character. I get why the kid is that way, but it doesn't make him any less annoying, and it doesn't make me want to read about him. Also, the world Sanderson created is a little too ridiculous for me and much better suited to a child in elementary or middle school.
Don't get me wrong, I read a lot of books aimed towards middle grade readers, but I think that any well-written book will appeal to many people outside of its target audience. In fact, a well-written middle grade book will offer nuances to adult readers that many children won't pick up on. I just don't think that this particular middle grade novel is well-written nor that it has any real depth to offer. I also think that it is a prime example of authors stretching books into a series so that they can get more money. This is not a proper book. In other words, it doesn't really have a conclusion, it ends with the main character being whisked away by his grandpa on another adventure. It also barely started any hope of character growth for Alcatraz, which in my opinion, should have been a little more well-developed if it wants to call itself a complete book. If anyone reading this, loves this book, please explain to me why you love it, because I just don't get it. No matter what age the target audience is, I expect more from my books, and this simply did not deliver.