(3) YA The remnants of human civilization are on planet Detritus, trapped there for generations, fighting the extraterrestrial Krell. Spensa defies the stigma of her father's cowardice in battle and aspires to be a fighter pilot. In a well-paced, energetic space-action novel, Spensa learns to fly and fight and discovers that there's more to her father's death than anyone realized.

Reviewer: Ariel Baker-Gibbs

(4) YA Reckoners series. Using the parallel reality theories introduced in Firefight, this third volume sets up both the cause of and potential resolution to the supervillain tyranny that is the series premise, as resistance leader David fights to stop his superpowered mentor-gone-evil. The series is by now convoluted, and long-winded logistical exposition adds little, but the cinematic sensibility and larger-than-life stakes will hold readers' attention.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Hayley Lazo. In this fifth and final (if we're to believe narrator Alcatraz) installment, Alcatraz plans to infiltrate the Highbrary and sidetrack his father's disastrous schemes. Plans go awry with the arrival of the evil Librarian Biblioden. As in previous volumes, the narrative is rife with bizarre situations, thrilling seat-of-the-pants action, and metafictional musings; the ending will set readers back on their heels.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2017

(3) YA Reckoners series. In a devastated near-future America, David and his fellow resistance fighters stand against another Epic (once-human supervillain): Regalia, who rules a submerged NYC. Further exploring the Epics' origins, limits, and potential for redemption, this sequel to Steelheart complicates the dichotomy of good humans versus evil Epics and shifts David's motivation from revenge to reconciliation, deepening his character amid multiple inventive action sequences.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross

(4) YA When the Calamity gives some people superpowers, no heroes arise, only power-mad villains. Ten years later, Jonah buys his way into a group of human resistance fighters with information about how to kill the seemingly invincible Chicago tyrant Steelheart. Despite trite interpersonal dynamics, the epic scale of conflict and savvy subversion of superhero tropes give readers much to ponder and enjoy.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross

(3) YA Illustrated by Ben McSweeney. In this alternate U.S. (the United Isles), Rithmatists fight two-dimensional attackers by drawing chalk lines (helpfully diagrammed throughout the novel). Joel, a chalkmaker, was not selected as a Rithmatist, but as Rithmatic students go missing, his prodigious understanding equips him to help uncover and stop a mysterious threat. Both fantasy and adventure, this is a refreshing take on the magical-school trope.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(2) 4-6 Alcatraz Smedry returns for the fourth book in the metafictionally inclined series, here sneaking into Mokia to rally the Knights of Crystallia against a Librarian siege. Besides trying to make everything boring, the Librarians want to keep Alcatraz's father from giving Smedry talents to everyone. Charismatic characters hold everything together while the plot unfolds, with goofy randomness streamlining into compelling narration.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2011

(2) 4-6 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.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2009

(2) 4-6 Alcatraz (Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians) tracks his missing grandfather to the Library of Alexandria. In addition to his magic Talent (breaking things), he has his uncle and cousin on his side. Against them stand the Scrivener's Bones, an extra-evil librarian sect. Sanderson balances absurdity, action, and character growth, also going to town with narrative games and accessible metafictive whimsy.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2008

(2) 4-6 On his thirteenth birthday, orphan Alcatraz Smedry receives a bag of sand. In short order he's visited by his long-lost grandfather and some evil librarians. Sanderson gleefully deconstructs his fictional world, including Alcatraz's self-conscious narration. For all its self-aware preciosity, this still stands as a happily action-packed romp, with just the right amount of repartee and a cliffhanger ending.

Reviewer: Vicky Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2008