REVIEW: Alcatraz and The Scrivener's Bones (Alcatraz #2) by Brandon Sanderson

Another day, another Brandon Sanderson story – though this time definitely not one that falls into the “epic” category. For those who don’t know, Sanderson’s Alcatraz series follows the adventures of a young boy (Alcatraz Smedry) who discovers he has the ability to use specially crafted lenses (an Occulator) and discovers the truth about the world, including the evil Librarians.

Sound a bit strange? Well it certainly is different from typical books of this ilk.

The story is told in the first person in the guise of “memoirs”, and there is a  distinct feel of “stream of consciousness” to it. The narrative dives around all over the place (often pausing for a completely unrelated section before returning from whence it came). A lot of the time you feel as though you really are reading the scribblings of a teenage boy just trying to get everything down on paper.

However this is not the way it is due to a lack of skill, quite the opposite. Everything Sanderson does with the material is well thought out and planned with care, so while it appears to be haphazard and poorly written, it in fact only looks like that to the casual observer.

Sanderson has pitched this series more towards young adults and, for that reason, it lacks some of the complexity and the deep storytelling which has become his hallmark. The story itself is rather entertaining and the characters, whilst mostly quite shallow, are endearing enough for you to be genuinely interested in what is happening to them. Nothing happens that is particularly unusual for this type of story but that doesn’t mean it is boring.

The real skill in all Sanderson's creations is his ability to create, and run with, magic “systems”. Alcatraz is no exception; with a very interesting system based on mundane everyday items (glasses and lens) that somehow seems perfectly believable and, in fact, you find yourself wondering how no-one else has thought of this before.

This is book two of a planned pentalogy (four of the five have been written so far) and hence you end the story with significantly more questions that you have answers for. But that is often the case with the fantasy genre, very few books are standalone and there is always a sense of a sweeping arc somewhere in the background that you are only vaguely aware of. These arcs tend to be made up of little pockets of story bound together, almost like the Star Trek DS9 series which tended to have a weekly adventure (always completed) which was also a piece in a much larger jigsaw puzzle.

Overall this is slightly out of the ordinary but only really in the style. Essentially it is an easy reading and perfectly enjoyable young adult tale. It won’t tax your mind or pull at your emotions, but it pretty much does what it promises to from the start.

Verdict: 3.5 stars out of 5

Till next time,

DT

A Butterfly finds its wings

​​It was with great pleasure and no small amount of pride that I was lucky enough to attend a very special and moving event recently. The Mayor and Mayoress of Burnley City Council were on hand to cut the ribbon and formally open the brand new Butterfly Suite at Burnley General Hospital. 

For those of you who don’t know, the Butterfly Suite is a custom-built private birthing suite for those pregnancies that unfortunately do not go as planned. It is the companion of the existing Serenity Suite, which is where the Friends of Serenity charity that I am so keen to promote and be involved in takes its name. It has been nearly 2 years in the making and the sense of pride at it being opened was immense.

Since my friends Jo and Mark lost their unborn son Luke to Trisomy 13 they have been working tirelessly to create a lasting legacy and turn such a negative situation into something positive which will benefit those who unfortunately find themselves in similar scenarios. I am honoured to be a ​Trustee of the charity and most of you will be aware of the challenges that I undertake each month to try and help raise funds and awareness (if not then links to my Many Silly Adventures and Just Giving pages are here, and in the sidebar). 

Back to the opening, it was so rewarding to see the funds that have been raised being put to such a fantastic use and providing an, unfortunately, much needed resource.  Hopefully you will agree that the new facility looks amazing and will provide some comfort for those who sadly have to make use of it.​​​

There is regrettably so much more to do; the Charity continues to make Memory Boxes for those families that are unfortunate enough to need them and there is the ongoing maintenance and upkeep of the two suites. 

My adventures continue a week on Saturday (4th) with the Manchester Spartan Sprint; please have a look at the sites above and if you can spare anything then it will be more gratefully received than you can believe. We can only survive on people's goodwill and, so far, the support has been overwhleming so thank you for everything

One final bit of good news related to this (and I hope they won't mind me putting it on here) but Mark and Jo welcomed a little brother for Luke into the world a week or so ago. Little Toby is apparently doing great and it is testament to Mark and Jo's courage and persistence that he is here. I know he'll be proud when he finds out how much good has been done in the name of his big brother and I'm humbled to be able to contribute in some small way.

Till next time,

DT

REVIEW: Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell AND Perfect State by Brandon Sanderson (Novellas)

As everyone who has read my book review will know, I’m a bit of a fan of Brandon Sanderson. Since reading Mistborn #1 in, basically, one night about 3 years ago I’ve been attempting to get through everything he has ever written, or at least published. I’m a bit behind due to far too many alternative reading (and other) commitments but I’m getting there.

Recently we saw the e-book release of two of Brandon’s short novellas; one Cosmere based (Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell) and one set in a matrix-style artificial world (Perfect State). Two very different specimens, yet with similar results.

Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell

Immediately we are transported to a world that has many elements which readers will be familiar with when it comes to Sanderson’s work.

There is always some kind of well thought out magic system or paranormal activity. In this case “Shadows” which react violently to sudden movement, fire and blood. We find an unlikely hero, in this case the eponymous bar owner, Silence, and there is always the feeling lurking at the back of the mind that there is something much bigger and cleverer going on that Sanderson hasn’t felt the need to explain yet!

Set in a more remote location than, say the sprawling expanse of Luthadrel or the vast city of Elantris, this has a more rough-and-ready feel to it. Being a novella this is only ever likely to be a snapshot of an idea that could blossom, so we have to expect slightly less in the way of character 

development and a very “singular” plot – it is not easy to weave strands together in a tight space.

But Shadow still manages to intrigue and suggest in a way that leaves you feeling slightly disappointed at the end that there is not more to come – in a very similar way to Legion did when I first read that.

The story is detailed enough to keep you reading without leading you too obviously along a easy-to-spot linear route while the characters are rounded sufficiently for you to begin to care about them and their destinations.

Overall this was typically Sanderson and typically Cosmere – plenty to keep you entertained on a simple level but with grand hints and overtones that this could grow into a very interesting and complex many-headed monster.

Perfect State

Those fans of the matrix will immediately see the similarities between the billion dollar franchise and Sanderson’s latest creation. There are multiple states, each one completely different and each one presided over by a “Live Born” – who is really a brain in a box somewhere “else”. An entity called the Wode presides over this existence, but what is their purpose?

Sounding relatively familiar so far? Once again though Sanderson manages to take an idea that has already been seen before, and improve it beyond all recognition.

Our protagonist is the God-Emperor Kai, who has ruled his particular “state” since before he can remember. Having conquered everywhere and mastered everything he mainly spends his time fighting with his nemesis, a fellow Live Born who appears to have  a grudge against Kai and won’t rest.

Except the Wode has determined that it is time for Kai to procreate. He must meet his Live Born equal, a woman from another state who is mistress of all she surveys. There will be sparks, but Kai just wants to get back to his nice cosy state and continue living the life he knows.

This is a cracking read from start to finish – the humour is sharp and clean and the story cracks along nicely with a neat little twist at the end.

Despite only consisting of about four characters you feel there is enough depth and attention to detail to go beyond a simple novella. The long and the short of this is that I was exceptionally disappointed to find this at an end. There is scope for a whole series of books here and you once again feel that the surface has barely been scratched.

Overall this is a great departure from Sanderson’s typical fare, particularly the move away from 

magic-and-swords-fantasy. It proves his flexibility and also proves that what he turns his hand to, you will get a great story, fantastic characters and plenty to keep you entertained.

Sanderson really does have a gift, a gift for creating worlds and filling them with intriguing stories and fascinating people. Even in the fantastical genre he inhabits there is still a sense of wonder and 

delight in everything of his I read. Hopefully he'll be writing plenty more in the future, I'll just have to find the time to make sure I keep up!!

Till next time,

DT