Alcatraz Versus the Knights of Crystallia

I was very excited to start Alcatraz Versus The Knights Of Crystallia. I should have read the title more carefully. It gives the reader a very large hint of what Alcatraz faces in this book. I thought it referred to his support of his friend Bastille. I was wrong as was made clear by the end of the novel.

This book gave readers more information about the mysteries of the Librarian conspiracy. It also provided more information about Alcatraz's family history that was hinted at in the previous novel,Alcatraz Versus The Scrivener's Bones. Some of the jokes are getting tired which some of the diehard fans think defines the difference between real fans and casual fans. Some of us just think the author needed more ideas. The conflict between Alcatraz and both his parents looks like it is being established for later books.

The first two books did a great job of managing action, mystery, and foreshadowing. This book seemed to drop more chunks of story background, but the action was less smooth. While Bastille was allowed to redeem herself at the end, her character lacked definition for most of the third novel.

I am still looking forward to reading Alcatraz Versus The Shattered Lens. According to reviews I have read, there are supposed to be more plot solutions for interested readers. However, there are criticisms similar to ones I have made about the third book. There also does not seem to be a resolution with Scholastic regarding the last book.

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