Alcatraz Versus the Knights of Crystallia (Alcatraz Series #3) by Brandon Sanderson

VOYA

Alcatraz, Grandpa Smedry, Bastille, and the rest of their group are aboard the Hawkwind, headed for Nalhalla in the Free Kingdoms when an explosion rocks them from the skies. Exciting as that event is, the information they are given after their rescue begins the real adventure. A sect of Librarians has approached the Council of Kings to sign a peace treaty. The Librarians are asking for the kingdom of Moika, and in return, they will agree to stop the fighting. Certain that there is something evil lurking behind the offer, Alcatraz begins investigating. After seeing his Librarian mother disappear into the Royal Archives (not a library!), Alcatraz becomes even more alarmed. Finding out who is behind which plot—and why they are doing it—is a tall order, and Alcatraz worries he will not be able to deliver. Will he disappoint his fans, Grandpa Smedry, and himself? Or is he actually the hero he claims he could not possible be? This reviewer absolutely agrees with Alcatraz's admonishments not to read this third book first. Information about occulators, family ties and talents, and why Librarians are Evil has been established and are not really repeated. Luckily the prequels are quick reads, and catching up takes no time at all. Offbeat humor, a budding romance, plenty of magic, creative world building, smart references to science fiction luminaries, clever word play, and good action scenes make this one a strong choice for young teen boys and adult fans of the SF genre. Reviewer: Stacey Hayman\

Children's Literature

In this third volume of the adventures of Alcatraz Smedry, the thirteen-year-old is off to the Free Kingdom city of Crystallia. There he discovers he is a legend: "Alcatraz the Lost." Raised in the Hushlands (our world) by foster parents, back in his homeland he learns he is the hero of such fantasy novels as Alcatraz Smedry and the Mechanic's Wrench—a sly dig at Harry Potter, of course, and an example of the offbeat humor in this light-hearted fantasy adventure series. But fame alone (and it turns out to have its downside) is not enough to solve the problems Alcatraz faces, which include a plan by the evil Librarians to acquire the Free Kingdom of Mokia and his friend Bastille's loss of her knighthood. Luckily, Alcatraz can draw on his special Smedry Talent—the ability to break things—as well as the Talents of other Smedrys, such as his grandfather's ability to be late for everything and Folsom Smedry's ability to dance so badly it amounts to a battle tactic. Alcatraz's mysterious Librarian mother turns up and steals an important book, which foreshadows further amusing adventures for our hero. It is best to have read the first two books in this series before this one, but fans will enjoy every silly moment. Reviewer: Paula Rohrlick

School Library Journal

Gr 6–8—Fresh from his victorious campaign in Alcatraz Versus the Scrivener's Bones (Scholastic, 2008), Alcatraz anticipates a triumphal return to his ancestral home. However, all is not well there. A deputation of Librarians, led by the fearsome She Who Cannot Be Named, is demanding that the realm of Mokia be handed over as a concession for ending their longstanding war, and Alcatraz suspects that the delegation is part of a more sinister Librarian scheme. Meanwhile, his friend and ally, Bastille, is facing disgrace as a result of their previous adventures and has lost her title of full Knight of Crystallia. Something is seriously amiss in Crystallia as well. With the help of a "recovering" Librarian and a hero-worshipping Prince, Alcatraz and Bastille must try to uncover the plot before the Librarian brute squad gets them all. As in his earlier adventures, Alcatraz frequently "breaks page" to address readers with side comments, instructions, and, occasionally, complaints and insults. Character relationships depend heavily on the previous books, although good and evil roles are less rigidly defined this time around. Alcatraz's changing perception of his parents is particularly interesting. He begins to sense love from the Librarian mother he has feared and hated, even as he grows concerned that his father may pose an unexpected threat to the Kingdoms. The rather complicated plot can be challenging to follow, and plenty of threads are left dangling for yet another sequel. Beneath the wild humor, there are surprisingly subtle messages about responsibility and courage.—Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL

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