Book Review: The Dark Talent (Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians #5) by Brandon Sanderson

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: MG/YA Fantasy
Length: 304 pages
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Publisher: Starscape
Release Date: September 20th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Alcatraz Smedry has successfully defeated the army of Evil Librarians and saved the kingdom of Mokia. Too bad he managed to break the Smedry Talents in the process. Even worse, his father is trying to enact a scheme that could ruin the world, and his friend, Bastille, is in a coma. To revive her, Alcatraz must infiltrate the Highbrary–known as The Library of Congress to Hushlanders–the seat of Evil Librarian power. Without his Talent to draw upon, can Alcatraz figure out a way to save Bastille and defeat the Evil Librarians once and for all?

WHOA.

I really enjoyed this “ending” (there’s a book six that seems to be from Bastille’s POV???). I loved that every aspect felt more intense and there was this impending sense of need surrounding solving the problems before Alcatraz. This took some twists I wasn’t expecting and I liked being blindsided by them.

I still love Alcatraz and his growth throughout. Is acknowledgement of the wrongs around him and his dedication to trying his hardest to make things right. I love this cast and the quirky/funny aspects are still present throughout.

Looking forward to wrapping this series up!

Overall audience notes: