Initial Impressions 1/15/17: 3.5 stars 
 I'm a huge Brandon Sanderson fan so even though I don't read a lot of middle grade, I was interested in trying this series from him for a few reasons! I do read SOME middle grade when it's fantasy. I'm up for trying anything that Sanderson writes. And I stepped out of my comfort zone to read Mistborn because I hadn't really read adult fantasy before that (just YA) so I'm always willing to step out of my comfort zone to try his other books. 
 This book, in a word, was cute. Most MG books that I have read fall into that category but ALCATRAZ had a lot of cutesy moments that weren't greater toward adults reading a middle grade book... and yet it also had some jokes for adults that younger readers likely wouldn't get either. The thing that did et on my nerves as an adult as the constant explanation of how a book is written. The narrator would but in and say something about cliffhangers or writing styles or authors and it was more distracting than cute. I guess it helps teach about certain aspects of writing but as an adult and avid reader, it was a bit too much for me. 
 There were some classic Sanderson moments and lines that really had me giddy! The ending was great and like every Sanderson book, I was ready for more, which I was actually surprised about! I enjoyed the book but I also wasn't super crazy about it. I do want to keep on reading and maybe binge a little because it was so quick and easy and I think it's only going to improve from here!