In this novel Sanderson continues with the witty remarks, clever storytelling, and studied introspection that he has built this series on while still making it easily relatable and entertaining to a Middle Grade audience. This series packs so much experience and learning from average teenage years into Alcatraz's journey. He learns the weight of responsibility, the nature of interpersonal relationships, and the fact that the world is never what it seems or what we would wish it to be. 
 Sanderson is also clearly writing for his older fans as well. Like all good fiction for youths, this is equally enjoyable for adults. The emotional awkwardness is familiar, along with the sense of discovery and the desire to do anything. His asides and references continue to be great Easter eggs that we delight in explaining to our children or seeing them encourage further exploration: from the authorial epithets, to Sanderson's typical chapter introductions, to references to other works. I'm glad he finally cleared up the who killed Asmodean mystery. 
 These are excellent books, and I feel deeply for those who read them when they came out and learned there was no expectation of the fifth book being published. We're eagerly looking forward to completing the series next year.