Alcatraz Versus The Scrivener’s Bones [Dramatized Adaptation]

Alcatraz, Book 2

By: Brandon Sanderson

Narrated by: Alejandro Ruiz, Carolyn Kashner, Christopher Walker, Yasmin Tuazon, Bradley Smith, Eva Wilhelm, Zeke Alton, Chris Genebach, Terence Aselford, Steve Wannall, Ken Jackson, Nathanial Perry, Marni Penning

Length: 5 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

In his second skirmish against the Evil Librarians who rule the world, Alcatraz and his ragtag crew of freedom fighters track Grandpa Smedry to the ancient and mysterious Library of Alexandria. Hushlanders - people who live in the Librarian-controlled lands of Canada, Europe, and the Americas - believe the Library was destroyed long ago. 

Free Kingdomers know the truth: the Library of Alexandria is still around, and it’s one of the most dangerous places on the planet. For it is the home of the scariest Librarians of them all: a secret sect of soul-stealing Scriveners. Can Alcatraz and his friends rescue Grandpa Smedry and make it out of there alive?

Performed by Alejandro Ruiz, Carolyn Kashner, Christopher Walker, Yasmin Tuazon, Bradley Smith, Eva Wilhelm, Zeke Alton, Chris Genebach, Terence Aselford, Steve Wannall, Ken Jackson, Nathanial Perry, Marni Penning.

©2008 Dragonsteel Entertainment, LLC (P)2017 Graphic Audio, LLC

Pleasantly Surprised

After reading all of Sanderson’s other works, including his other two YA series, I finally decided to give Alcatraz a try even though I knew it was aimed at a middle grade audience. Like the master storyteller he is, Brandon once again pulls off an amazing story that is enjoyable no matter your age or reading level.

The book starts out obviously geared toward a younger crowd, but by the end the story shapes up to feel like any other Sanderson story. For older readers, the interesting comedic things Brandon does with narrative help move you through the story while he acclimates the younger audience to the setting, characters, and plot. So that before you know it, you get to the compelling action packed and emotionally driven scenes that make his stories shine. Also, excellent plot twists that are not too obvious and not too obscure.

The performance is top tier, and Graphic Audio really shines when adapting this work. The music and sound effects blend with the story well and the voice actors all are distinct for their characters in both their tone and delivery.

Overall I would highly recommend, even if you’re part of the older crowd that enjoys Sanderson’s works.

Fun

A fun story with interesting 4th wall commentary. I am starting the next one right away.

Fun Book

I enjoyed all of the subtle and not so subtle digs at authors and genres.

Wonderful Experience

Having listened to the original audio book first, this version was just as immersive and entertaining.

Only downside i can think of is: I think there may have been bits of the story excluded from the production such as the epilogue.

good but they removed the final "chapter"

spoiler alert in the book Alcatraz hints that at the end of the book Bastille is going to die. in the original at the end of the book there's a fake chapter with Bastille dying and a thing that says it's bad to read the last chapter first. But this version remove the last chapter completely ruining the joke this is completely unexceptionable you can not just remove part of the book even if it's a bonus chapter

Fun!

This series is my first of Brandon’s own work. After reading his completion of Wheel of Time. What a fun series. For me it’s on par with a Harry Potter type of series. Great for all ages. Would love to see it as a movie or series.