Alcatraz vs the Evil Librarians (Alcatraz, Book #1)
The Scrivener’s Bones (Alcatraz, Book #2)
The Knights of Crystallia (Alcatraz, Book #3)
The Shattered Lens (Alcatraz, Book #4)
The Dark Talent (Alcatraz, Book #5)
Bastille vs. the Evil Librarians (Alcatraz, Book #6)
By: Brandon Sanderson
My Rating: FIVE out of FIVE stars
Best for: 12 and up

We’ve only been waiting 15 years. Nbd.

Well, Alcatraz is a wrap. Book 6 came out and I had it finished in less than 24 hours.

Already a fan? Here’s what you want to know:

Am I happy? Will you like it? Will it fix our book-five broken hearts? Was it fitting capstone to 15 years of goofy fun that endeared us to Alcatraz, Bastille, and the whole Smedry crew?

Yes, yes, yes, and yes. Absolutely. I loved Bastille’s POV–especially because we finally got to see Bastille is really and truly a 13-year-old girl underneath all her layers of awesomeness.

So? What are you waiting for?! Go read it!

New to Alcatraz? This part’s for you:

From the author’s forward of Alcatraz vs the Evil Librarians:

I am not a good person. My purpose is to show you the truth about me, and to prove that I am not the hero that everyone says I am. In the Hushlands — those Librarian-controlled nations such as the United States, Canada, and England—this book will be published as a work of fantasy. Do not be fooled! This is no work of fiction, nor is my name really Brandon Sanderson. I know the events of my life may seem wondrous and mysterious. I will do my best to explain them, but please remember that my purpose is not to entertain you. My purpose it to open your eyes to the truth. This is my story—the story of a selfish, contemptible fool. The story of a coward. The story of Alcatraz Smedry.

You guys are going to love this.

If you and your kids aren’t fans of Alcatraz and all his Talents, is only because you haven’t read about him yet.

It’s the story of Alcatraz Smedry, a 13-year-old boy who has bounced from foster home to foster home his whole life because he’s followed by bad luck: Alcatraz breaks anything he touches.

Literally.

Toys. Doors. Kitchens. Houses. Nothing is safe. And Alcatraz leads a sad, lonely life.

Until…

Alcatraz learns his not cursed–he’s talented. In fact, he’s the most talented Smedry to ever live–and nothing in his life is as it seems. He is thrown into a world of good guys with crazy powers like breaking things, being late, tripping with style, waking up ugly, and being really a really bad dancer. The bad guys live among us in disguise, right under our noses, working very hard to convince us they deserve our trust–all the while planning for world domination. They are…the LIBRARIANS!!!. Be afraid. Be very afraid!

And you thought the library was a safe place.

Puns, jokes, clever characters, snappy dialogue, an outstanding and exciting plot. Hidden messages. Breaking the 4th dimension. Laugh out loud fun. Give them to your kids. Read them to your kids. Read them yourself.

If you like audio books, the performance and quality is outstanding. They kept my entire family captivated and laughing for hours. Shout-out to voice actor Ramon De Ocampo–I can’t imagine anyone one else getting the goofy-ness just right. Perfect for summer road trips. Suzy Jackson (who also does Sanderson’s Skyward series) gave voice to Bastille in book 6, and she did a wonderful job as well.

Seriously, these are the most fun, creative, family friendly stories your going to find. I can’t recommend them enough.

I am a little bummed for all the new comers. Brandon Sanderson long-conned us all for over decade with the Alcatraz series. It was long announced and expected that book 5 would be the end, and when book 5 ended, it was…difficult. (You’ll see when you get there.) You might image the joy we all found when we discovered the note from Bastille after the book 5 end notes/author’s acknowledgements announcing there would actually be a book six, and SHE would right it instead Alcatraz! Super cool! It was like discovering an unexpected end credits scene at the end of a Marvel movie! Sadly, that cat’s out of the bag as you clearly now know the series includes 6 books, not 5. So I’m bummed that future readers won’t get to experience the surprise.

There are no content issues with the Alcatraz series. They are excellent for young and old alike. Independent readers will probably be able to enjoy them the most around age 12, but read them to your kids as soon as their attention span can accommodate a sub 300 page book.

Get your copy here

Happy Reading!