A librarian defector, struggling to overcome a cataloguing addiction, joins the ever-zanier ranks of Alcatraz's allies. Meanwhile, Alcatraz himself gets a taste of fame--and comes out looking not quite so heroic as before. With comical insight into human nature and just enough substance to make it all matter, the plot offers up plenty of action, gadgetry, and metafictional humor.

Gr 6-8 Fresh from his victorious campaign in Alcatraz Versus the Scrivener's Bones (Scholastic, 2008), Alcatraz anticipates a triumphal return to his ancestral home. However, all is not well there. A deputation of Librarians, led by the fearsome She Who Cannot Be Named, is demanding that the realm of Mokia be handed over as a concession for ending their longstanding war, and Alcatraz suspects that the delegation is part of a more sinister Librarian scheme. Meanwhile, his friend and ally, Bastille, is facing disgrace as a result of their previous adventures and has lost her title of full Knight of Crystallia. Something is seriously amiss in Crystallia as well. With the help of a "recovering" Librarian and a hero-worshipping Prince, Alcatraz and Bastille must try to uncover the plot before the Librarian brute squad gets them all. As in his earlier adventures, Alcatraz frequently "breaks page" to address readers with side comments, instructions, and, occasionally, complaints and insults. Character relationships depend heavily on the previous books, although good and evil roles are less rigidly defined this time around. Alcatraz's changing perception of his parents is particularly interesting. He begins to sense love from the Librarian mother he has feared and hated, even as he grows concerned that his father may pose an unexpected threat to the Kingdoms. The rather complicated plot can be challenging to follow, and plenty of threads are left dangling for yet another sequel. Beneath the wild humor, there are surprisingly subtle messages about responsibility and courage. Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL

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 plotùand why they are doing itùis 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 AlcatrazÆs 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.ùStacey Hayman.