4.8* On Sanderson scale.
Once again I find myself at odds with trying to rate Sanderson's books. I think the reason the Alcatraz books in particular are so difficult is because they are written for a younger audience. I haven't read many middle grade stories, well not since I was in middle grade, so it's difficult. However, I'm enjoying these as a 20+ year old, so think that lets them deserve quite a high rating.

First things first, I enjoyed this book. I think I found myself laughing out loud more in this book versus the other two and I feel like I'm connecting with Alcatraz a lot more as he writes and tells his story.

What I really love about this, is that Alcatraz teases something then uses misdirection (ie. crapaflapnasti fish sticks) to distract you so that when the surprise comes, you are indeed surprised. I thought reading a Middle Grade novel that I'd be more likely to catch the surprises before they happened but I find I'm much more caught up in the story than I believed possible and because of that, I miss the clues. Ergo, by the time I get to the end, I realize my mistake (no thanks to Alcatraz pointing out that I have made the mistake) and am surprised. It's great.

I've also found that though I want to skip ahead or take a peak at the next page or chapter or the pictures a few pages ahead, every time I think about doing so I just see Alcatraz glaring at me and shaking his head in annoyance. He's honestly the most powerful motivator I've ever had not to skip ahead in a book.

One thing I'm not sure about is the promises he makes. It's an autobiography, so he often mentions things offhand at one point and then says "more on that later". He does this a lot. The thing is, there are so many of these that I don't remember them all unless he actually does bring it up again and reminds me where and when he said it. I think on my next reread it would be interesting to note all of these promises and write them down and then see if he does fulfil all the little promises. Though being a *cough*Sanderson*cough* novel, I have no doubt that he does.

Speaking of promises leads me in to my next point. I said this in regards to The Stormlight Archives (Words of Radiance to be exact), but it rings true for even Alcatraz. As a writer, he knows how his readers think. For example, as I said above, Alcatraz makes a lot of promises. Then, a little while later in the book he mentions this exact thing. For me, reading these books, that shows just how well he knows his readers, what they're thinking when they're thinking it, and at just the right moment, he gives what they're asking for or what they need.

Finally, I don't even know if I can compare this book to the others. They're all very different in the stories, yet the same in the writing and attitudes of the book. He's consistent but adds new twists (or new non-twists even) that make each book different and exciting.

I've also shared more quotes from this book on social media and with my family than any other book. So that's saying something right there.

Alcatraz Versus the Knights of Crystallia - Likewise Book Reviews

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