Alcatraz Versus The Scrivener's Bones (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5–9—Alcatraz Smedry is back, and the action is just as nonstop, the librarians are just as evil, and the quips and asides (and outright lies) that the author insists on inflicting upon readers are just as omnipresent. Fortunately for the fans of Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians (Scholastic, 2007), these are all good things. On the run from a Scrivener's Bone, a half-human, half-machine assassin that has been sent to retrieve the Translator's Lenses that Alcatraz stole in the first book, the boy receives word that his father is in mortal danger in the Library of Alexandria. He and a crew of quirky relatives with odd but very useful Talents mount a daring and completely ludicrous rescue. Though some readers may find the author's non sequiturs and frequent interruptions in the narrative off-putting, those who enjoy their fantasy with a healthy dose of slapstick humor will be delighted. Give this novel to fans of Eoin Colfer's "Artemis Fowl" (Hyperion/Miramax) and Catherine Jinks's Cadel Piggott in Evil Genius (Harcourt, 2007). They will appreciate Sanderson's cheerful sarcastic wit and none-too-subtle digs at librarians.—Jane Henriksen Baird, Anchorage Public Library, AK
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Product Description

The Evil Librarians are still up to their antics and it's up to Alcatraz Smedry to put a stop to it! This second book will take Alcatraz and company on an exploration of the Library of Alexandria, which -- despite Librarian rumors -- was never destroyed. It is a mysterious place and everyone knows that it holds dark secrets. Can Alcatraz, with his talent for breaking things, break into this secret world? Or will the Evil Librarians once again prevail?

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press (November 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439925533
• ISBN-13: 978-0439925532
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #259,315 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why are you reading Stephanie Meyer when you can have Alcatraz?, October 14, 2008

By	Karra (Alexandria, VA) - See all my reviews

I have only two issues with Brandon Sanderson. Firstly, he should stop everything else he is doing and write more Alcatraz books. I like his adult fantasy, don't get me wrong, and I'm super excited about his finishing the Wheel of Time, but Alcatraz is better. Waaaay better. Someone with this kind of writing style and sense of humor should be writing young adult books. If you can get that many philosophy jokes into a book designed for 8-11 year olds effectively, and make it so darn funny that 35 year olds are checking for a sequel release date daily, you need to focus on them. These books are just a really really smart guy playing. He's doing the things he can't do with 'real' fiction, and I want MORE of it. It is perfectly designed, magnificently executed, and quite frankly the funniest books I've ever read. (including Christopher Moore- and that's saying a lot) The sequel, although not quite as good as the first book, is still the kind of book you annoy other people endlessly while reading. You MUST read these books.

The only other issue that I have is that the covers for the Paperback Alcatraz vs the Evil Librarians, and The Scrivener's Bones are atrocious. They do not at all represent the nature of the books. As a bookseller who is constantly trying to hand-sell these books, the covers are not helping me. Please get a new illustrator.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More Zany fun with Alcatraz and his crazy family, October 9, 2008

By	Storylover (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews

Brandon Sanderson is one of the bright new lights in the world of epic fantasy--his Mistborn series are among the most exciting fantasies that I have read in years. So I was very enthusiastic when I heard about his young adult series about a young man who has a talent for breaking things. Alcatraz's first adventure was a delightful romp through a world of conspiracies perpetrated upon all of us "Hushlanders" by the evil Librarians. Sounds crazy? Well, it was so crazy that maybe he is right...maybe the librarians are all out to get us.

So I was very happy that the second book, Scrivener's bones has come out to some fanfare. The same Alcatraz is back--but a little more self assured, in more command of his talent. His collection of crazy family members are also back, as is Sanderson's talent for inventing new and original magic systems. The Ocularists are a very interesting take on magic, and one that people who are into these things will really enjoy.

The real star of the show, however, is Sanderson's writing. It is crisp, funny, engaging, and really fun. I found myself turning pages so quickly that I was getting fingerburn. I laughed out loud on multiple occasions, and closed the book pleased that I had taken another trip through some really original locations--flying glass dragon, anyone?

This is not Harry Potter. Alcatraz is simply not as weighty as that young magician. His characters are not as well rounded or complex as those of JKR; however, I don't think that was his intention. He has created a fun alternate universe, a fun new magical system, and now gives us some more depth to this very likeable young character. I would recommend this for younger teen readers, or for people (like me) who are rapidly becoming fanatics about Sanderson's novels.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All Alcatraz Books Are Awesome, October 25, 2008

By	Rebecca J. Carlson "The Highly Unlikely" (Mojave Desert) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have waited all my life for someone to write books like these, books that defy the Law of Conservation of Awesomeness. This law states, basically, that fiction with really awesome and exciting action scenes must have stupid plots, flat characters, and nothing important to say.

Brandon Sanderson's "Alcatraz" series shatters this principle. Sanderson's genius is his ability to draw tension out of thin air. Combine this with the dizzying sophistication of multiple systems of magic use, an evil librarian conspiracy that covers up true world history and geography, quirky characters, and a fresh voice that breaks all the rules of traditional story narration, and you get a book that my husband, three children, and I all fought to be the first one to finish reading. All week you could hear someone snickering at the jokes or moaning at the suspense, with shouts in the background of, "DON'T TELL ME I HAVEN'T READ THAT PART YET!!!"

Alcatraz Smedry, the true author of the book (he publishes under Brandon Sanderson's name to avoid detection by the cult of evil librarians), intermixes his edge-of-your-seat narrative with snarky personal insights into subjects like literary fiction, philosophy, real adults vs. fictional adults, truth in storytelling, and perception vs. reality. This book completely defies gravity as a light, funny, fast paced, and thought-provoking read.