Book Review: Alcatraz Versus the Scrivener's Bones by Brandon Sanderson

Alcatraz Versus the Scrivener's Bones by Brandon Sanderson

Alcatraz Smedry is on a new mission. He's found out that his mother is still alive and working for the Evil Librarian Conspiracy. He's just found out his father may also still be alive. Mr. Smedry is believed to have gone to the Library of Alexandria. Yes, the ancient Egyptian one that burned down, though it really didn't according to this story. It just moved for more space. Alexandria's librarians are undead wraiths who try to get visitors to borrow or read the books there. Anyone who does becomes one of the undead librarians. Why Mr. Smedry went there is unclear, but Alcatraz's grandfather went in search of him without Alcatraz. Alcatraz is supposed to travel to the Free Lands where he will be more or less safe from the evil librarians. Instead, he goes to Alexandria to find his dad and save his grandfather. All the while he is being pursued by a magical monster that wants to get the Translator's Lens from Alcatraz for the evil librarians. Key books have been written in an ancient language that can only be read while wearing the Translator's Lens, so naturally they are very desirable.

The book has the same style as the first volume. The action is fun and light-hearted. The author has lots of commentary about authorship and writing styles and he makes other sly remarks that are quite enjoyable, even for adults. He makes fun of people who read sequels without reading the first book and people who read the last page or two to get the surprise ending before it is time to be there. The book reads quickly (it is a YA novel) and is very enjoyable.

Recommended.

Sample text, about what kind of reader you might be:

You could be a young boy, wanting to read an adventure story. You could be a young girl, investigating the truth of the Librarian Conspiracy. You could be a serial killer who specializes in reading books, then seeking out the authors and murdering them in horrible ways.
(If you happen to fall into that last category, you should know that my name isn't really Alcatraz Smedry, nor is it Brandon Sanderson. My name is really Garth Nix, and you can find me in Australia. Oh, and I insulted your mother once. What're you going to do about it, huh?)