Alcatraz Versus the Knights of Crystallia (Alcatraz, #3)

<p>When Alcatraz and Grandpa Smedry make a pilgrimage to the Free Kingdom city of Crystallia, the Smedry home base, Alcatraz is shocked to see that he is, in fact, a legend. When he was a baby he was stolen by the Evil Librarians, and his mother, a Librarian herself, was behind the whole scheme. Now, with his estranged father, who is acting indeed strange, Bastille, who has been stripped of her armor, and Grandpa Smedry, who is, as always, late to everything (that's his Talent), Alcatraz tries to save a city under siege. From who? Why, the Librarians of course! <p></p><h3>VOYA</h3><p>Alcatraz, Grandpa Smedry, Bastille, and the rest of their group are aboard the Hawkwind, headed for Nalhalla in the Free Kingdoms when an explosion rocks them from the skies. Exciting as that event is, the information they are given after their rescue begins the real adventure. A sect of Librarians has approached the Council of Kings to sign a peace treaty. The Librarians are asking for the kingdom of Moika, and in return, they will agree to stop the fighting. Certain that there is something evil lurking behind the offer, Alcatraz begins investigating. After seeing his Librarian mother disappear into the Royal Archives (not a library!), Alcatraz becomes even more alarmed. Finding out who is behind which plot&#151;and why they are doing it&#151;is a tall order, and Alcatraz worries he will not be able to deliver. Will he disappoint his fans, Grandpa Smedry, and himself? Or is he actually the hero he claims he could not possible be? This reviewer absolutely agrees with Alcatraz's admonishments not to read this third book first. Information about occulators, family ties and talents, and why Librarians are Evil has been established and are not really repeated. Luckily the prequels are quick reads, and catching up takes no time at all. Offbeat humor, a budding romance, plenty of magic, creative world building, smart references to science fiction luminaries, clever word play, and good action scenes make this one a strong choice for young teen boys and adult fans of the SF genre. Reviewer&#58; Stacey Hayman</p>