Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians (published in 2007) - a juvenile fiction novel by Brandon Sanderson

Brandon Sanderson is a an American Fantasy writer currently based in Utah. He has a degree in creative writing from Brigham Young University and is currently one of the most exciting science fiction writers around. Nominated for the prestigious John. W. Campbell Award for science fiction twice, he also served on the staff of Leading Edge, a semi-professional speculative fiction magazine. His first novel was Elantris which was well received, followed by the “Mistborn” series which propelled him to great heights. He has since then established himself with the Alcatraz series and many short stories. Harriet McDougall, the widow of Robert Jordan asked Brandon to complete Jordan's famed “Wheel of Time” series. At present Sanderson lives in Provo, Utah and is an instructor at the Brigham Young University.
Never get misled by the title, for this book is about a boy of specials talents inhabiting the world of the evil librarians. Well, librarians are book lovers nemesis, as they patiently wait to get you out of their lair. But jokes apart Alcatraz Smedry, the hero takes you in to that alter universe of magic talents. This book is targeted towards a teenager, but big kids over forty would also definitely enjoy this.
Alcatraz Smedry, is a lanky teenager who is an orphan, yanked in and out of foster homes. He is cursed with the amazing power of klutziness and tends to break, no wreck, anything in the vicinity. So no home will ever hold him or have him. In-spite of this Alcatraz accepts his way in life with humor. But on his thirteenth birthday, things begin to hit the roof. He gets a bag of sand from his biological father and even as he ponders the mysterious present it is stolen by some shady characters. As he tries to calm himself in the kitchen it catches fire and is razed down. Shocked by this, his chef foster mom gives him up and Alcatraz is back in the orphanage ready to be shot by the case worker (yes it happens).



He is visited by his grandfather Leavenworth Smedry who tells him that he belongs to a strange land of magic called the free kingdoms and he possess the amazing talent for destruction. After this shock revelation, he meets his real family, Bastille and cousins, Quentin and Singsing. The whole group are the Occulators each possessing a magical talent, Grandpa's is “coming late”. He comes late for pain, destruction, he is even late for death and therefore indestructible. Occulators are talented beings saving the world from the evil force of the librarians and the key to defeat them now is to retrieve the “bag of birthday sand” stolen from Alcatraz. Alcatraz accepts the job of rescuing the “Sands of Rashid” by infiltrating the lair of the librarians with his yellow and red tinted “Tracker Lenses”. Along with his cousins, mother and grandfather he does it with much aplomb and laughter.
Bryan Sanderson proves once again why he is one of the most talented writers around. His imagination is wonderful in making this magical world work. It is not the run of the mill, wand swishing, incantation muttering magic, its the funny bone tickling talents thats on display. Tickling the story does, with the infectious wit spread across the pages and the whole story works even to the heights of folly. From the realms of the Hushpeople i.e non magical people I can only admire Bryan's talents for weaving a story.
A warning though, you may better position somebody to pry your fingers off this book, because you might never give it up the peaceful way.

Warbreaker (published in 2009) - A fantasy novel by Brandon Sanderson

Brandon Sanderson is a an American Fantasy writer currently based in Utah. He has a degree in creative writing from Brigham Young University and is currently one of the most exciting science fiction writers around. Nominated for the prestigious John. W. Campbell Award for science fiction twice, he also served on the staff of Leading Edge, a semi-professional speculative fiction magazine. His first novel was Elantris which was well received followed by the “Mistborn” series which propelled him to great heights. His has since then established himself with the Alcatraz series and many short stories. Harriet McDougall, the widow of Robert Jordan to complete his famed “Wheel of Time” series. At present Sanderson lives in Provo, Utah and is an instructor at the Brigham Young University.
Bryan Sanderson unveils the plot just like a fantasy game where Gods vie for their place with mercenaries, heroes, princesses and other sword-bearers. It introduces the concept of magic called Biochromancy which involves “using breath and drawing upon the color in everyday objects, all manner of miracles and mischief can be accomplished." Everybody is born with one breath which can be bartered, sold to gain favors just as you accumulate life in your game. So as you accumulate more breaths your magical ability grows and after each threshold a “heightening” occurs conferring the holder miraculous powers. Some accumulate thousands of breaths thus becoming God like denizens themselves. These powers are life giving wonderworks and also make the accumulator ageless. This concept of accumulation of breaths is the cause of rift between the god's of Hallendren and Idris.



Sanderson weaves the tale of the two ideologies drawn from a single premise. Hallendren's Gods approve the accumulation and selling of breaths even by force. The God kings of Hallendrens even kill for the breaths and many poor people sell theirs as a means of survival. Hallendren is the place where Awakener's roam the streets in turn guarded by the Awakened corpses. The original King moves away from these mercenaries and establishes a peaceful kingdom of Idris across the mountains where magic is for everyone even though its in moderation. This socialistic situation makes Idris relatively poorer and much less colorful as the magic is spread over compared to the colorful Hallendren where a powerful individual can heighten the magical capability to new levels.
Since Idris controls the mountainous trade routes, Hallendren start sabre rattling which forces the king of Idris to revisit an old treaty to bring about peace. He plans to send his less favored younger daughter, the spoilt Siri to be the bride of Susebron, God King of Hallendren. Her sister Vivienna who was brought up for this very role feels the guilt, and follows Siri to rescue her from the clutches of evil. The God Kings are the “Returned”, the men who die a heroic death and are sent back as ageless magical beings. Siri is warned to be subservient and not to look in to the eyes of her husband.
In this conundrum lives Lightsong, another returned who makes light of his godly status. He makes jokes of his ability and is often curious about his heroic before-life and death. Siri and Vivienna come to the realization that the god kings of Hallendren are just pampered souls, but the real power lies with the priests. Vivienna discovers the plot to stir the rebellion in Idris and is constantly watched by “Vasher” whose sword has a deadly secret. As layers of treachery, threats and trouble are peeled off, each of the characters grow, Siri gains the political savvy, Lightsong his secret and Vivienna and Vasher their purpose in life with broadening of their horizons.
Sanderson unravels the plot in many layers and builds up the intrigue and suspense to dizzying new levels. Each character builds up the tempo of the story and the ending is just mind-boggling. You just turn the pages astounded at the level of his imagination. If you are a fantasy addict, the Warbreaker is a must read and if you are not it is a nice place to start.

Elantris (published in 2005) - A fantasy novel by Brandon Sanderson

Brandon Sanderson is a an American Fantasy writer currently based in Utah. He has a degree in creative writing from Brigham Young University and is currently one of the most exciting science fiction writers around. Nominated for the prestigious John. W. Campbell Award for science fiction twice, he also served on the staff of Leading Edge, a semi-professional speculative fiction magazine. His first novel was Elantris which was well received followed by the “Mistborn” series which propelled him to great heights. His has since then established himself with the Alcatraz series and many short stories. Harriet McDougall, the widow of Robert Jordan to complete his famed “Wheel of Time” series. At present Sanderson lives in Provo, Utah and is an instructor at the Brigham Young University.
Elantris is a world of the god's chosen people. The transformation or the Shaod picks any one from the Arnelonian nation and makes them that magical being capable of healing and amazing supernatural powers. The Elantrian's have misty white hair and the power of the AonDor makes them shine with a luminescence of the celestial bodies. The very stones of Elantris would glow, making it the true city of the gods. The 5 cities, the largest among them being Kae, around Elantris flourished under its patronage. Elantrian's never were concerned about being the revered deities and encouraged all forms of worship, especially the peaceful sect of Shu-Korath.



The books opens with the darkness where Elantris was destroyed and the Elantrians confined to its dark ghost like walls as mere corpses who would not be blessed even with the release of death. The now dreaded Shaod which makes a living man wretched, inflames and increases every pain and injury. To this world of the living dead, the much popular Raoden, the prince of Kae is thrown in as the Shaod comes up on him. His father, Iaodon masks his condition by declaring him dead and holding a funeral. Raoden's political bride Princess Sarene of Teod arrive and the marital contract binds her to the imperial household as a daughter. Sarene, a strong willed women senses something amiss about the sudden disappearance of the prince and starts to investigate the royal household and the tumultuous political situation of Kae. After the collapse of Elantris Kae has been in political turmoil for a decade with the mercenary merchants gripping the political favors with their money. The peasants and others suffer the yoke of slavery and poverty, creating a a class with simmering rage.
Compounding the troubles for Kae, the Shu-Dereth sect controlling the east under the despot Wyrn Wulfand sends in the Drakhor Monk Hrathen with a ultimatum, convert and surrender to the Shu-Dereth religion or face annihilation. Arnelon and Teod are the two nations resisting the tyrannical rule of the Wyrn and Sarene faces the complex situation of finding allies to withstand Iaodon and Hrathen. Slowly but surely she finds friends of Raoden and her kinsman who help her thwart the evil designs of Hrathen. Raoden on the other hand immerses himself in to the redemption of the Elantrians. He learns the ancient power which binds the Aons and the land and brings the living dead of the Elantris to fight their condition.
Hrathen and Sarene strive to outsmart each other, ultimately their purpose is to unite with Raoden. The book pulsates with the raw energy of its characters and is definitely a page turner. The book is a visual treat as Bryan Sanderson brings the images alive as a motion picture. You can feel the wretchedness of doom and the triumph of battle in every word. Sometimes you do feel Raoden having it too easy and Sarene, being the stereotypical strong but beautiful woman by his side, but the strength of the idea and pace of the novel makes it a best seller.

The Ivory Tower (published in 1917) - A book by Henry James, posthumously published

Henry James was one of the greatest literary figures of the 19th century and his works are considered mini masterpieces of the time. He was born in New York City into a wealthy and intellectual family. Young James was tutored in the many learning centers of Europe and also studied at the Harvard Law School for some time. But he liked his literary pursuits to the study of law. James preferred living in Europe than in America and even renounced his American Citizenship for its refusal to enter in to World War I. He was a regular contributor to literary magazines and started his first novel “Watch and Ward” in his early twenties. His masterpieces like “Daisy Miller” and “Portrait of a Lady” quickly followed. His protagonist are complex individuals battling personal and provincial prejudices and many a time bring about the complexities of American and European lives. Henry James died at the age of 65 and his ashes are interred at Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The Ivory Tower is an unfinished novel by Henry james about the unbridled greed and heavy costs money brings to the lives of men. It is brooding tale of the gilded age plutocrats who amassed a large fortune at the cost of others and are at last dying with squabbles around them. Rosanna Gaw, daughter of a wealthy financier Abel Gaw persuades her fathers estranged and dying partner to extend a welcome to his nephew from Europe. She had caused a rift between Betterman and his nephew, Gray a long time ago and wants to rectify the wrongs.



Rosanna gives Gray as he arrives, a letter from her soon fading father which details the business dealings between him and Betterman and the cause of their feud. Gray refuses to read the letter and puts it in a miniature ivory tower replica for future reference. Another two characters, Haughty Vint and Celia Fox arrive on the scene with villainous intentions. Vint is friends with Gray and has saved his life in the Alps. Cissy Fox intends to marry Gray for his fortune in-spite of never setting her eyes on him. She and Vint are possibly lovers and they discuss the money inherited by Gray and Rosanna. Soon Gaw and Betterman die and Gray inherits a large fortune. He enlists an unscrupulous Vint to manage it and renews his acquaintance with Cissy much to the chagrin of Rosanna. But at this point the novel breaks off never to be finished. But extensive notes left by James suggest a possible betrayal by Vint who is then magnanimously forgiven by Gray. It also hints the realization of the blackness of this ill gotten wealth by Gray and his reunion with Rosanna.
In-spite of its incomplete nature this book was a great success among the public and the critics. It may be a little jaded for the 21st century with its criticism of capitalism and ill gotten wealth. It seems that for all his ravings against large amount of money, Henry James had received a large advance for this novel from Scribners, his publisher. Overall an interesting book with good characterization.

The Outcry (published in 1911) - A light comedy by Henry James

Henry James was one of the greatest literary figures of the 19th century and his works are considered mini masterpieces of the time. He was born in New York City into a wealthy and intellectual family. Young James was tutored in the many learning centers of Europe and also studied at the Harvard Law School for some time. But he liked his literary pursuits to the study of law. James preferred living in Europe than in America and even renounced his American Citizenship for its refusal to enter in to World War I. He was a regular contributor to literary magazines and started his first novel “Watch and Ward” in his early twenties. His masterpieces like “Daisy Miller” and “Portrait of a Lady” quickly followed. His protagonist are complex individuals battling personal and provincial prejudices and many a time bring about the complexities of American and European lives. Henry James died at the age of 65 and his ashes are interred at Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The Outcry is a humorous novel by Henry James about the collection of art by the wealthy irrespective of their knowledge and taste. This novel was intended as a play and therefore one can find the dialogues are more prominent than the background with better banter between the characters.
Lord Theign plans to sell his paintings to Breckenridge Bender, a wealthy American Magnate who plans to collect art from across the world. Theign's elder daughter has amassed large debts by gambling and he needs money immediately to cover these costs. Bender arrives and asks for the portrait of Duchess of Waterbridge by Joshua Reynolds which Theign is loath to part. Another common fixture is Lady Sandgate who hopes to find a buyer in Bender of her great grand mother's portrait by Lawrence.



Lord John, a wealthy but slimy aristocrat is smitten by Lady Grace and plans to win her hand by smoothening out the debts. Lord Theign and his elder daughter are very much inclined to the match, but Grace declines as she feels John to be a lazy cunning man. To this convoluted scene Harry Crimble, a journalist cum art critic arrive to meet the perceptive Grace to view all the paintings at the hall. Soon he finds that the little known Morretto which Bender wants to buy is a real Mantavano who would command a higher price. He ventures his guess to Theign who is skeptical and agrees reluctantly for a expert viewing. Crimble also is against the selling of Britain's historical artefact's to the money bags of the new world.
He kicks up a storm about the sale in the British papers which sure rises to be a national thunderstorm. But Bender is only mildly amused and plans to buy if it is for sale. Lady Grace fights with Lord Theign about her rejecting of Lord John's proposal and stays with Lady Sandgate. John on the other hand hopes to make some money by brokering a deal between Bender and Theign. Grace and Crimble meanwhile realize their attraction for each other and seal it with a kiss. Theign is furious and asks Amy Sandgate for help. Slowly all things come to a clear verdict as Theign realizes the dirty game played by John. Crimble is vindicated as Theign agrees to donate the painting to the British Gallery. He persuades Lady Sandgate to do the same and marries her for her part.
This novel again takes up Henry James pet project of the clashes between the Old World Europe and the Young brash America. The trophy acquisitions were frowned upon by James and the book created a mild furore. The book compared to his other works is very short and humorous. So it is a much interesting fast paced story even thought he ending is pretty tame.

The Whole Family (published in 1908) - A collaborative novel, with one written by Henry James

Henry James was one of the greatest literary figures of the 19th century and his works are considered mini masterpieces of the time. He was born in New York City into a wealthy and intellectual family. Young James was tutored in the many learning centers of Europe and also studied at the Harvard Law School for some time. But he liked his literary pursuits to the study of law. James preferred living in Europe than in America and even renounced his American Citizenship for its refusal to enter in to World War I. He was a regular contributor to literary magazines and started his first novel “Watch and Ward” in his early twenties. His masterpieces like “Daisy Miller” and “Portrait of a Lady” quickly followed. His protagonist are complex individuals battling personal and provincial prejudices and many a time bring about the complexities of American and European lives. Henry James died at the age of 65 and his ashes are interred at Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The old adage “too many cooks spoil the broth” is a very apt signature line for this novel, The Whole family. It is a collaborative effort by twelve authors and is the brain child of William Howell. It was carried out under the direction of Harper Bazaar editor, Elizabeth Jordan. Apart from Howell the only other novelist of repute who participated in this effort was Henry James. Howell wanted to write a great novel about the effect of an engagement and marriage on the lives of different members of the family. This light hearted venture became a interplay of emotions and relationships with a black sheep of the family.



Howell starts the novel with the Talbert family who own the family business “silver plate works” which churns out mundane household items. Talbert's college educated daughter, Peggy Talbert joins the family after finishing the education and is promptly engaged to a Harry Goward. Harry is a weak person and somewhat unsuited for Peggy.
After this, the next author Mary Freeman careens off the novel from the intended path by introducing a sexually aware aunt. Howell had intended the twelve authors to explore the effect of Peggy's engagement in twelve different members of the family. The aunt was supposed to be a benevolent old maid. But Freeman gave her a bohemian touch and the aunt was a colorful attractive minx to whom Peggy's intended would be attracted to. The aunt encourages this dalliance and whole hell breaks loose.
Then the subsequent authors had to contend with the aunts effect on Peggy and other members of the family. So the confusion is much evident as each author grapples with sexuality and relationships. At last the loose ends are tied up, the aunt is exiled to New York city and the fiancée is sent packing. Peggy finds a soul mate in the staid Professor Stillman Dane. They sail for Europe for their honeymoon along with Peggy's brother Charles and his wife Lorraine.
This broth is a disaster from the word go. The characters suffer as they are constrained by the layout given to the authors. The imagination of the writers never work here and this novel feels like a amateur effort. A tame insipid ending does not help the story at all. There is no excitement and verve a novel should offer. It is better you pass this hotchpotch.

The Sense of the Past (published in 1917) - A posthumous novel by Henry James

Henry James was one of the greatest literary figures of the 19th century and his works are considered mini masterpieces of the time. He was born in New York City into a wealthy and intellectual family. Young James was tutored in the many learning centers of Europe and also studied at the Harvard Law School for some time. But he liked his literary pursuits to the study of law. James preferred living in Europe than in America and even renounced his American Citizenship for its refusal to enter in to World War I. He was a regular contributor to literary magazines and started his first novel “Watch and Ward” in his early twenties. His masterpieces like “Daisy Miller” and “Portrait of a Lady” quickly followed. His protagonist are complex individuals battling personal and provincial prejudices and many a time bring about the complexities of American and European lives. Henry James died at the age of 65 and his ashes are interred at Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The Sense of the Past is a sweet comedy where a young American travels across time to find his ancestors. This novel was published posthumously and was largely left unfinished by the author. A large break between time and errors in aligning the characters dent the image of this book. Ralph Penderel is a history buff and his treatise on how to read history when published suitably impresses a long lost relative. So Ralph is bequeathed a old London house by the relative after his death. Ralph travels to London to view the house which is now his. As he wanders across the rooms he fonds certain disturbances. This disturbances are the break in the time line and the house has the ability to transport anybody to another time zone.



Ralph meets his ancestor who has his own name and is vastly intrigued. He meets the US ambassador at the embassy to ask for help and returns to this house. But soon he is transported to the old 19th century England where his ancestors had lived. Henry James abandons this book at this stage and carried on with life. Towards his early seventies he revived this book to escape the horrors of World War I. But many feel that as a old man he did not have the energy and the technical prowess to tie the loose ends and start the novel from 1900. Instead the book makes a quantum leap to circa 1914 where Ralph is leading the life of his ancestors.
Ralph lives in 1914 england and is engaged to a woman called Molly Modmore. But he soon is attracted to her sister Nan who has a slimy suitor Cantopher Bland. As the name suggest Bland is as Bland can get and Nan soon gets entangled with Ralph. Ralph also has to contend with their fearsome brother and mother. Here the novel breaks off completely as James would be in his death bed. Extensive notes reveal that Nan gets to know that Ralph actually belongs to the 20th century and sacrifices her own happiness to return him to his own time-line. He reunites with his old flame Aurora Coyne and lives on.
This book even though unfinished held a special fascination for the readers and was well received. It was also made in to a play and would have had the approval of Henry james. A good book to enjoy.