The Dark Talent: Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians (Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians, 5) Hardcover – September 6, 2016

****SPOILER****THIS REVIEW IS FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE READ HORRIBLE REVIEWS BUT NEED A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE.Take a deep breath. Turn to the very, very, very last page. No number. It says "do not open until you finish reading the book." Then smile.There are a lot of negative reviews, and weird reviews, but no TRUE reviews, I think (because people are very sensitive about spoilers).My son is 11. He missed the last page, and hated the book. I read it to keep up with him. When he wakes up tomorrow, he will read the last page (the very, very, very last page...after all the common core and recognition and stuff) and smile. And he will hate Brandon, and love him, and look forward to finding out what comes next!

I am a huge fan of Brandon Sanderson. I have read almost all of his books. I feel like I know what he is capable of as an author. Many of his stories are geared towards adults and have appropriate themes for that age group.This book, however, is targeted toward children (middle grade). The ending takes a very abrupt turn toward the morbid, and I don't feel like it is appropriate for children in the target audience. The description was more graphic than it should have been. I was reading these to my 1st grade daughter, but after reading this I'll wait until she is quite a bit older to let her read them.As an adult, I really enjoyed the story. I think Sanderson's idea here was brilliant, especially after reading the fold out at the end and his take on it on his website. The deception goes completely along with the character of Alcatraz. I haven't experienced emotions like this from a book in quite some time. From the lowest lows to a glimmer of hope. I was shocked at the ending, and wouldn't have minded the events that happened IF it had been targeted towards adults, and not toward middle graders.All in all, I feel betrayed. I wanted a great series (which this is) to enjoy with my daughter. With the ending in this book, I can't.

I gave this 4 stars mostly because I'm a huge Brandon Sanderson fan. I've read most, if not all of his works and find them completely original, and immersive. Although Alcatrez and the Evil Librarians is, or was, one of the lighter reads it quickly became a favorite and I was greatly anticipating the 5th book. Well, Alcatrez and his crazy company of talents and family were back in full force, but I've got to be honest, the shocking turn of events and rather abrupt ending to the story were not in keeping with the light hearted story I was used too. My reaction when I got to the end was to look for more...I have the ebook and audio and I thought, OK, that can't be it, it can't possibly end like that. It did. Yes, I did read the last page and I am left wondering if there will be a follow up because the story felt unfinished. That is most likely due to my expectation of a somewhat 'happy' ending in keeping with the previous tone of the other books in the series. I'm still somewhat in shock and will probably revisit just to make sure I didn't miss anything. Don't get me wrong, I've read the author's more epic and brutal works so I'm used to certain harsh realities in those settings. I was not prepared for those realities to invade Alcatrez's world. I'd read it again, I'll probably re-read the series in it's entirety, but this 5th installment - that I waited so long for - was not all I expected. The closest work I can compare it to would be Rick Riordan's Olympus series, but even then you were fairly certain that the hero of the piece would prevail and be mostly alright. I don't know, but this is a bit of a shock. Read it anyway for the imaginative and witty situations and characters, but just know you're not in Oz anymore.

I have loved this series for years, waiting patiently for book 5 to come out, and here it finally was! It arrived and I happily read most of the book in one sitting....only to be assaulted with the brutal ending! I am EXCESSIVELY disappointed. Mr. Sanderson, a brilliant writer to be sure, has seriously dropped the ball here. So disappointed he and the publishers target young readers and then have the climactic ending become so disturbing and inappropriately violent and dark? I know there is still one more book which will likely resolve things in a better way, but that can't change the trauma of reading this ending. I wanted to read this series to my son, but now I will not. So sad to have the series be ruined.

After reading some of the "spoiler" reviews and realizing that this is NOT the final volume, I've revised my opinion somewhat. I still think that the severe dark turn is wholly inconsistent with the silliness and humor in the bulk of the story - like watching a comedian who concludes his act by showing you a video of your parents being caged and set on fire by ISIS.Still, knowing that there's the possibility redemption for the series, I shall reserve final judgment.But know ye this: The ending sucketh remarkably.

The Dark Talent is a sinister ploy by the evil librarians to make us Hushlanders fill our homes with more nonsensical fantasy novels. The author is both a witty genius and (insert word that means master at insulting readers abilities to make sandwiches, while torturing their imaginations, and yet somehow making them enjoy reading such a diabolical book). If you dare venture further into the world of Alcatraz, be prepared to believe everything the coward* says. You have been warned!*and footnotes

I LOVE Brandon Sanderson’s books and the Evil Librarian series has been quite an enjoyable and whimsical story. The ending of this book, however, was terrible. It is bleak, graphic, and disturbing. Quite a tonal change from the first 4 books and you might want to think twice about having younger kids read it. The only redemption from the terrible ending is the promise that there will be another volume.

Bought for my 15 yr old grand daughter and she loved this book and the entire series. They are age appropriate with no strange inappropriate text or concepts

After his valiant (not that he would ever call it that) defence of Mokia, Alcatraz takes the fight to the Librarians by attempting to infiltrate their headquarters the Highbrary, a massive library complex hidden beneath the Library of Congress. Unfortunately, his recent efforts to save Mokia seem to have affected the Smedry talents and the glass that forms the basis of the silimatic ‘technology’ in the Freelands, as well as putting Bastille out of action. This means that in his latest exploit he must rely upon his librarian mother.There has been a considerable gap between this latest Alcatraz novel and the fourth. Such a gap, in fact, that, considering the style of humour that characterises the series, I did wonder if it might be a joke that there was never a fifth book. Written as if Alactraz himself is the author, there is a certain amount of self-mockery from Brandon Sanderson for taking so long over producing the novel. Fortunately, ‘The Dark Talent’ has surfaced and it is every bit as clever and amusing as the previous books in the series, continuing to mock literature and the art of writing.During the gap between the fourth and fifth volumes Alcatraz has discovered the use of footnotes. As they are a bit of a novelty to him, they end up being used frequently throughout the novel and to amusing effect. This is the only real main difference between ‘The Dark Talent’ and the previous novels in terms of style.‘The Dark Talent’ does fulfil several plot elements that the very beginning of the first Alcatraz novel claimed it would. So, yes, as Alcatraz warns continually throughout the series, things don’t all turn out ‘happy ever after’ as such. However, the genius element of these books is in how they play and interact with the reader and this novel, perhaps, does it more so than the others. Without giving too much away, this novel contains hidden content that the reader really needs to read to put things in context.It all makes for a thoroughly entertaining read that appeals on multiple levels.

Its Sanderson, so what can you say. Loved by my youngest son (it was a birthday present). Bring on Rithmatist II.

Well worth a read of the series but absolutely nuts . So totally worth the time money and effort for the pleasure

Loved this. Especially the very last page.

Fantastic book - so funny - watch those penguins!