Young Adult

Shatter Me

Background

Published in 2011, “Shatter Me” by Tahereh Mafi follows Juliette Ferrars, as she navigates a dystopian world ruled by the oppressive Reestablishment. Imprisoned for accidentally killing someone, Juliette grapples with her guilt and fears while discovering her powers can be both a curse and a weapon. When she’s released to become a tool for the Reestablishment’s leader, she faces emotional and moral dilemmas, alongside a complicated connection with Adam Kent, her guard and former crush.

Shatter Me
Shatter Me

My Thoughts

This book was recommended to me by a teenaged girl of a family I’ve known for years. We were talking about dystopian books and she mentioned this one. She said she loved the book and even her younger sister popped in saying she was enjoying it. I didn’t understand it was a romance at the time. My wife pulled up the cover and said I should have known while showing me the cover with a young woman in a white dress. Makes sense, I only saw the eye you see on this page when I made the reservation.

I’m not fond of romances. I believe this one makes #4 on this blog and I doubt I had read many others throughout my life. This book was no exception. I would class it firmly with the Twilight series. A grossly overpowered female for no particular reason, who everyone thinks is amazingly beautiful, for no particular reason (we don’t know anything other than her hair is long), and who blunders through the story while whining about her anxieties. Also as a special bonus, she falls in love immediately with the male protagonist who, of course, falls in love immediately with her. It’s ok though, they went to school together years before. Irrespective that they had never spoken, they dreamt of meeting one day. Oh, also in line with the Twilight series, there is a good deal of “mature themes” and sexual wording. In short, I don’t think anyone should read it, but I recognize my bias here. This book wasn’t written for my demographic.

Recommendation

I really didn’t like this book.

Bastille vs the Evil Librarians

Background

Published in 2022, “Bastille vs the Evil Librarians” co-written by Brandon Sanderson and Janci Patterson, the focus shifts to Bastille, the fierce and pragmatic knight from the Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians series. This story takes place after the events of the original series and delves into Bastille’s perspective as she takes on a mission to save Alcatraz and restore order. As Bastille grapples with her responsibilities and insecurities, she must confront the Librarians’ schemes and rally allies to prevent their plans from succeeding.

Bastille vs the Evil Librarians
Bastille vs the Evil Librarians

My Thoughts

As the last of the “Evil Librarian” books, Sanderson and Patterson did a great job in bringing it all together in a neat bow. This series seemed like it was fun to write as again and again the text refers to writing devices, methodologies, and terms in the course of the story. It was a fun read.

Recommendation

Great series. I recommend it for younger readers.

The Dark Talent

Background

Published in 2016, “In The Dark Talent,” fifth book in Brandon Sanderson’s Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians series, Alcatraz Smedry grapples with the consequences of his unique abilities as he faces his most personal and dangerous mission yet. Determined to rescue his father and stop the Evil Librarians’ growing influence, Alcatraz must venture into the Highbrary, the Librarians’ central stronghold. The story explores Alcatraz’s struggle with self-doubt, his evolving understanding of his powers, and the challenges of living up to the expectations placed upon him.

The Dark Talent
The Dark Talent

My Thoughts

Most of the book was very similar to the rest of the series with the exception that it had a very abrupt end. The fifth book was repeatedly touted as the last book in the series and it just ended on a sad note somewhat like the Empire Strikes back. It left the reader wanting more. Unfortunately, for readers who read the “last” book right after it came out, the next book was 8 years in coming. Fortunately for me, that was a couple of years ago and the new last book is available at my library. 🙂

Recommendation

A great fake ending!

The Shattered Lens

Background

Published in 2016, “The Shattered Lens” by Brandon Sanderson is the fourth book in the Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians series. Alcatraz Smedry faces a critical challenge as he works to defend the Free Kingdom city of Tuki Tuki from an impending invasion by the Librarians. With his talent for breaking things and the support of his allies, including Bastille and his extended Smedry family, Alcatraz confronts the Librarians’ advanced weaponry and their attempts to seize control. The story delves into themes of leadership, responsibility, and ingenuity as Alcatraz navigates the complexities of protecting his world while growing into his role as a leader.

The Shattered Lens
The Shattered Lens

My Thoughts

This was a fun read and full of odd one offs and insider humor. I love that! As with the other books in the series, I feel like it would have been more effective if Alcatraz was older. Much of the narrative and actions of the characters feel like they are a few years older at a minimum. Regardless, I’m almost to the end of the series and I’m excited to see where it goes from here.

Recommendation

Fun quick read.

The Knights of Crystallia

Background

Published in 2016, “The Knights of Crystallia” is the third installment in Brandon Sanderson’s Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians series. (It was originally published by Scholastic in October 2009 under the title Alcatraz Versus the Knights of Crystallia. After Sanderson reacquired the rights, Tor Books re-released the novel on April 19, 2016.)

In this adventure, Alcatraz Smedry finally reaches the Free Kingdoms, specifically the city of Crystallia. There, he confronts new challenges, including political intrigue and familial responsibilities, all while continuing his battle against the Evil Librarians. The narrative delves deeper into the Free Kingdoms’ culture and the Smedry family’s unique talents, blending Sanderson’s characteristic humor with action and fantasy elements.

The Knights of Crystallia
The Knights of Crystallia

My Thoughts

The plot thickens as Alcatraz finally visits his home. Like a similar orphan with powers (cough… Potter), he is a big deal in the world unknown to we simple harshlanders (muggles). But enough on that.

Alcatraz is a fun character and continues to build into his eventual epic self. I worry it is moving a little too fast in terms of what he can do and his comfort level given we are on book 3 of 5. (E.g. The ease in assuming the leadership status and the power in his “Talent”. Sanderson has had a history of over inflating his heroes toward the end of the series. Several even made it to god status (“little g”, to borrow from Starlord’s father Ego.) I also feel the series would benefit from him being a little older in this book, though I’m assuming Sanderson is trying to stave off the relationship with Bastille as keeping them young keeps their relationship more the in puppy love status.

Regardless, it’s been an enjoyable ride thus far and I’m looking forward to the next book.

Recommendation

A great quick read.

The Scrivener’s Bones

Background

Published in 2008 and republished in 2016, “The Scrivener’s Bones” is the second installment in Brandon Sanderson’s Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians series. In this sequel, young Alcatraz Smedry continues his battle against the nefarious Librarians, venturing into the mysterious Library of Alexandria to rescue his father and grandfather.

The Scrivener's Bones
The Scrivener’s Bones

My Thoughts

The series continues with the whimsy and humor appropriate to a writer not afraid to poke fun at the craft. Sanderson keeps his dialog surprisingly light as tragedies and trauma unfold in the plot. Young Alcatraz’s character continues on the hero’s journey seeing his first real experiences in leadership as he develops into that role.

Recommendation

It was a fun read.

Alcatraz vs the Evil Librarians

Background

Published in 2007, “Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians”, is the first book in Brandon Sanderson’s Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians series. Readers are introduced to Alcatraz Smedry, an ordinary 13-year-old boy with a knack for breaking things—until he discovers that his “talent” is actually a powerful magical ability. On his birthday, Alcatraz receives a mysterious bag of sand and is plunged into a secret war against the Evil Librarians, a group that controls knowledge and history to maintain their grip on power.

Alcatraz vs the Evil Librarians
Alcatraz vs the Evil Librarians

My Thoughts

This was a fun book was an interesting premise. Much like Pixar films or the world of Harry Potter, this universe is portrayed as along side our own. Sanderson has done a great job of creating a whole new world complete with hidden continents, peoples, technologies, and all of it is being kept from “The Hushlanders” better know as us. The book uses a narration style commenting directly on the literary devices employed through the plot. The result is a fun and whimsical narrative that not only exposes readers to writing methods and terminology but also teaches these concepts directly through its self-aware use and first-person commentary.

Recommendation

I enjoyed it and look forward to the next book in the series.

The Fault in our Stars

Background

Published in 2012, “The Fault in our Stars”, written by John Green, tells of two cancer patients, Hazel Grace Lancaster and Augustus Waters. The two meet at a cancer support group and bond through their shared experiences with illness. Hazel, who has terminal thyroid cancer, and Augustus, who is in remission from osteosarcoma, navigate their emotions through the lens of those who have experienced loss and stand to lose so much more.

The Fault in our Stars
The Fault in our Stars

My Thoughts

My thoughts were all over the place in this. Much of the book reads like pseudo-intellectual nonsense with Hazel’s seemingly constant irritation that someone may have a different thought about life outside of her nihilism. (That, at least, is true to the form of a teenage girl who doesn’t get what she wants.) However, Augustus is a less believable character because he manages to be all things to all people. Beloved by all and even able to bend the evil Van Houton to his will, I felt Augustus had too few human moments and those he had seemed over the top.

The subject matter was interesting as death isn’t a popular subject. More particularly, death by cancer isn’t seen that often in media. This fact likely has something to do with cancer is not a fun topic and can kill a conversation every bit as fast as politics or religion. I can say, with some authority, that cancer sucks! I know relatively little about the support groups and other help out there for cancer survivors other than they exist, but I truly hope they bring people comfort. Perhaps they are as depicted in the book, but I doubt I could find any solace there if they were.

Recommendation

It was engaging but I didn’t really like it.

Defiant

Background

Published in June of 2024, “Defiant” by Brandon Sanderson, is the conclusion to the Skyward series. Having pushed the Superiority back on their heels, Spensa must now confront the ultimate enemy: the ancient, powerful Delvers who threaten all sentient life. With her friends and allies by her side, she battles not only external forces but also her own inner demons. As the final showdown approaches, Spensa learns more about herself and is forced to face enemies on multiple fronts.

Defiant
Defiant

My Thoughts

I was pleasantly surprised that Spensa was dialed back from her overpowered state. Yes, she still saved the day and so on but pulling the delver out of her seemed to level the playing field a little bit. Given that it is written toward younger readers, it can be forgiven for it’s glossing over an entire galaxy’s worth of people, logistics and so on. However, I did enjoy the ending. All and all, it was a fun series if you are willing to suspend a bit of reality.

Recommendation

It is worth the time to read.

Cytonic

Background

Published in 2021, “Cytonic” by Brandon Sanderson, is the third installment in the Skyward series. The story follows Spensa Nightshade as she ventures into the Nowhere, a different dimension where she seeks to uncover the secrets of the Delvers, the ancient and powerful entities threatening all living things in the galaxy. As Spensa navigates this uncharted territory, she encounters new allies and adversaries, confronts her deepest fears, and comes to grips with her own identity and power.

Cytonic
Cytonic

My Thoughts

I didn’t quite enjoy this book as much as the last. Spensa is becoming more and more powerful and I worry where this will take us. Also, the self realization of M-Bot brings to light a thousand questions, which weren’t quite addressed in the narrative. However, I did like the surprise return of one of the past characters. Still, it has good writing and I enjoyed the book.

Recommendation

It was worth the time.