Jim's Books

Alcatraz Versus the Knights of Crystallia

Brandon Sanderson

Alcatraz Versus the Knights of Crystallia
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ISBN: 9781444006704

Description

Alcatraz Smedry has made it to the Free Kingdoms. Unfortunately, so have the evil Librarians - including his mother. Now all Alcatraz has to do is find a traitor among the Knights of Crystallia, try to be friends with his very unfriendly father, save one of the last bastions of the Free Kingdoms from the enemy, and get his friend Bastille reinstated as a real knight. No pressure!

Reviewed on 31st October 2012

Alcatraz Smedry's third appearance is something of a departure from the repetitive plots of the first two books, while maintaining the irreverent humour of the author's chosen style of narrative.

Alcatraz finally gets to visit the Free Lands - his home, free from librarian control - but arrives just in time to fall straight into another librarian plot. The twist of course is that this time he's the defender not the infiltrator.

The story introduces us to a lot more detail about the world of the stories, and we learn a good deal more about several characters' backgrounds. The difference in plot certainly seems to make up for the now-slightly-grating style (though again I imagine taking a longer break between reading the instalments would probably negate this).

It's a nice adventure and by this point in the ongoing story Sanderson is clearly starting to set things up for the end of the series. A good read for adults and children alike, and better than book two in my opinion. I'm now going to follow my own advice and wait before reading book four.

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