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The Forbidden Library #4
The Fall of the Readers
In this thrilling conclusion to Alice's adventures in The Forbidden Library she must lead her band of friends, magical beings, and creatures against the collected might of the Old Readers—perfect for fans of Story Thieves, Inkheart, Coraline, and Harry Potter.
When Alice defeated her uncle Geryon and declared war on the totalitarian ways of the Old Readers, she knew she would have a hard fight ahead. What she didn't anticipate was the ruthlessness of the Old Reader—who can control magic and enter worlds through books. All the creatures she promised to liberate and protect are being threatened, and slowly all of Alice's defenses are being worn away. So when Ending (the giant cat-like creature who guards the magical labyrinth in Geryon's library) hints at a dangerous final solution, Alice jumps at the chance, no matter the cost to her life. She and her friends—a fire sprite, Ashes the cat, and the other apprentice Readers she met...
When Alice defeated her uncle Geryon and declared war on the totalitarian ways of the Old Readers, she knew she would have a hard fight ahead. What she didn't anticipate was the ruthlessness of the Old Reader—who can control magic and enter worlds through books. All the creatures she promised to liberate and protect are being threatened, and slowly all of Alice's defenses are being worn away. So when Ending (the giant cat-like creature who guards the magical labyrinth in Geryon's library) hints at a dangerous final solution, Alice jumps at the chance, no matter the cost to her life. She and her friends—a fire sprite, Ashes the cat, and the other apprentice Readers she met...
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 5, 2017
53 people are currently reading
1846 people want to read
About the author
Django Wexler
52 books3,739 followersDjango Wexler graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh with degrees in creative writing and computer science, and worked for the university in artificial intelligence research. Eventually he migrated to Microsoft in Seattle, where he now lives with two cats and a teetering mountain of books. When not planning Shadow Campaigns, he wrangles computers, paints tiny soldiers, and plays games of all sorts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
December 26, 2017
I hope everyone enjoys this one. It's been amazing finally bringing the series to the end I thought up years ago!
February 6, 2022
There's no percentage in hanging about; it's time to promote the heck out of this original middle-grade fantasy series.
As a parent, I would happily recommend this series to my children, when they are at an appropriate reading level. As a reader, I loved it. (I like to pretend that I am 'pre-screening' books for my kids eventual consumption, but you all know that this is a front for my own enjoyment). What's not to love? We have clever, young female protagonist who is full of grit, who struggles and makes mistakes but doesn't let anything stop her from trying to reach her goals; a unique magical setting and original fantastic creatures; exciting action sequences; great writing with a vocabulary that will enhance your children's literacy. The series is succinct, telling a good story within a manageable number of volumes.
This final volume on its own is great too, and absolutely delivers on all fronts. I liked how it finally brought the broad human world into the series' events, which until now have been limited to the Readers' hidden magical spaces. We got to see some creepy new creatures. It wrapped up the series with a very satisfying outcome.
Seriously, I can't get over how much I like Alice as a character. She is an embodiment of 12-year old strength and wisdom. When a giant bird with flaming laser eyes attacks, does she get scared? No! She leaps up and breaks it's *-ing neck! Don't mess with this girl, for real.
As a parent, I would happily recommend this series to my children, when they are at an appropriate reading level. As a reader, I loved it. (I like to pretend that I am 'pre-screening' books for my kids eventual consumption, but you all know that this is a front for my own enjoyment). What's not to love? We have clever, young female protagonist who is full of grit, who struggles and makes mistakes but doesn't let anything stop her from trying to reach her goals; a unique magical setting and original fantastic creatures; exciting action sequences; great writing with a vocabulary that will enhance your children's literacy. The series is succinct, telling a good story within a manageable number of volumes.
This final volume on its own is great too, and absolutely delivers on all fronts. I liked how it finally brought the broad human world into the series' events, which until now have been limited to the Readers' hidden magical spaces. We got to see some creepy new creatures. It wrapped up the series with a very satisfying outcome.
Seriously, I can't get over how much I like Alice as a character. She is an embodiment of 12-year old strength and wisdom. When a giant bird with flaming laser eyes attacks, does she get scared? No! She leaps up and breaks it's *-ing neck! Don't mess with this girl, for real.
December 11, 2017
Executive Summary: A good ending to the series, but I didn't like it as much as The Palace of Glass.
Full Review
I read very little Young Adult, and absolutely no Middle Grade. I'm not the target demographic by any means. I really like Django Wexler though, so I decided to pick up The Forbidden Library from the library a few years back.
By the time The Palace of Glass came out I was really enjoying the series and bought all the books. I was late in coming to fantasy, not really reading very much of it until college. If there had been more books like this when I was growing up, I probably would have been more interested.
I really like the world building and the magic system. As someone who loves books, the idea of magical books has always appealed to me. This series combines elements I've read or seen in other books and games, but done so in a unique way as to not feel derivative.
Over the four books, Mr. Wexler did a really good job of telling a stand alone story, while building up to a bigger narrative. The characters and creatures are a lot of fun, and Alice is a great protagonist. I've always been more of a dog person than a cat person, but I know Django has cats and that really shows in the way he writes them in this series.
All of the past books have had an element of seriousness to them, but this one seemed to have the most of all. I found that weighed it down a bit compared to past books, where it was always just a fun, light read.
Don't get me wrong, this was still a fun read I just thought it was a bit slow in places. I think he did a really good job with wrapping everything up. I feel like he could tell more stories set in the world, but there isn't a need to do so.
Overall this is a really fun series and I'm glad I decided to pick it up. I still prefer his Shadow Campaign series to this one (where I'm much more the target audience), with The Infernal Battalion coming out next month and finishing that series, I'm interested in seeing what he does next. Whatever it is, I'm sure it will be good.
Full Review
I read very little Young Adult, and absolutely no Middle Grade. I'm not the target demographic by any means. I really like Django Wexler though, so I decided to pick up The Forbidden Library from the library a few years back.
By the time The Palace of Glass came out I was really enjoying the series and bought all the books. I was late in coming to fantasy, not really reading very much of it until college. If there had been more books like this when I was growing up, I probably would have been more interested.
I really like the world building and the magic system. As someone who loves books, the idea of magical books has always appealed to me. This series combines elements I've read or seen in other books and games, but done so in a unique way as to not feel derivative.
Over the four books, Mr. Wexler did a really good job of telling a stand alone story, while building up to a bigger narrative. The characters and creatures are a lot of fun, and Alice is a great protagonist. I've always been more of a dog person than a cat person, but I know Django has cats and that really shows in the way he writes them in this series.
All of the past books have had an element of seriousness to them, but this one seemed to have the most of all. I found that weighed it down a bit compared to past books, where it was always just a fun, light read.
Don't get me wrong, this was still a fun read I just thought it was a bit slow in places. I think he did a really good job with wrapping everything up. I feel like he could tell more stories set in the world, but there isn't a need to do so.
Overall this is a really fun series and I'm glad I decided to pick it up. I still prefer his Shadow Campaign series to this one (where I'm much more the target audience), with The Infernal Battalion coming out next month and finishing that series, I'm interested in seeing what he does next. Whatever it is, I'm sure it will be good.
need
April 7, 2017GIVE IT TO ME!
I want so much Isaac and Alice it's not even normal.
I want so much Isaac and Alice it's not even normal.
December 5, 2017
4.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2017/12/04/...
Django Wexler’s outstanding Middle Grade series The Forbidden Library comes full circle in The Fall of the Readers, the concluding volume of this richly dark and enchanting adventure through the magical world of books. So far we’ve seen the young protagonist Alice through some very harrowing times, following her as she visits new worlds and encounters their strange and whimsical inhabitants—some of whom turn out to be allies, while others reveal themselves to be fiendish and dangerous enemies.
But now, Alice is about to face her biggest challenge. If you’re not caught up with this series yet, please be aware that this review may contain spoilers for the previous three books, because The Fall of the Readers is definitely not meant to be read on its own. This fourth and final installment wraps up a saga that has been long in the making. It all began with the disappearance of Alice’s father which landed her in the care of her uncle Geryon, a crotchety old man who actually turned out to be a member of a ruthless organization of sorcerers known as the Readers. To her shock, Alice discovered that she has the same magical powers that allow her to enter the world of certain books, enabling her to subdue and bind the nasty creatures locked within to harness their special abilities. Although she agreed to study as Geryon’s apprentice, it soon became clear that her uncle may have had something to do with her father’s disappearance. Stricken, Alice decided to strike back, but in doing so, she also incurred the wrath of the older and more powerful Readers who are now targeting her and her friends in retribution.
Desperate for a way to safeguard those she cares about, Alice decides to turn to the powerful cat-like entity known as Ending for a way to defeat the old Readers once and for all. The mysterious Labyrinthine reveals that in fact there is a way—but Alice probably won’t like it. The plan will involve great risk to our protagonist and her friends, as well as all the otherworldly creatures they’ve agreed to protect. But with the old Readers’ attacks growing more frequent, Alice knows it’s only a matter of time before her defenses will fall, and since surrender is not an option, it is better to take the chance and hope for success. Better to go down fighting than to sit and watch as the enemy destroys you little by little over time.
This being the last book, there is a distinct sense of urgency to the story which keeps any digressions and mini side-plots to a minimum. In every aspect that counts though, Wexler comes through with flying colors, conceding no ground in areas like character and story development. The Fall of the Readers basically thrives on its plot, the book’s greatest strength proving to be its ability to make you want to turning the pages and never put it down. As a result, this was a lightning quick read for me, but it’s important to note that the pacing still remained well-balanced and appropriate for the different events of the story.
But the most amazing thing about this book is Alice. Not only is she a heroine you want to root for, she’s also one you’d definitely want on your side. She’s smart, brave, and strong. She’s an amazing friend and role model, as well as a leader who takes charge. But because she’s young and still learning a lot about the burdens of responsibility, the pressure of so many lives depending on her can sometimes lead her to make rash decisions. This book sees Alice growing up fast, having to learn to deal with the consequences of her mistakes, but instead of growing more jaded with her failures, she simply becomes even more determined.
Because the story itself is so streamlined though, this does leave little room for other characters to play much of a role. But ultimately this might not even be an issue, given the way we’ve been made to care so much about Alice, thus conveying the understanding that this series has always been about her journey, and now only she—and she alone—can see it through to the end. My only disappointment in this is the fact that we got to see much less of favorites like Isaac and Ashes the talking cat. Still, I believe Wexler was fully aware of this, because he also made sure to make the most out the scenes between Alice and Isaac, continuing to develop their friendship and perhaps nudge it towards something more, and yes, thankfully we still get plenty of Ashes’ epic snark!
Of course, the world-building was also fantastic, and what impressed me was seeing how all the elements of the world finally came together in this climactic conclusion. There was a big twist near the end that I wish I could have said I saw coming, since I pride myself on paying attention to the details, but the truth is, the author was imply very clever and subtle in his foreshadowing and hint dropping.
Like all good endings, The Fall of the Readers managed to unite the various themes and elements from the previous books, gradually building tension and momentum until events culminate in an epic showdown. This novel has everything you want in a finale, from excitement and suspense to tenderness and heartbreak. I think fans of the series, no matter how old you are, will be very happy at how things play out. I know I am! The Forbidden Library is another winner from Django Wexler, a series of magical and endearing books that I would not hesitate recommending to children and adults alike.
Django Wexler’s outstanding Middle Grade series The Forbidden Library comes full circle in The Fall of the Readers, the concluding volume of this richly dark and enchanting adventure through the magical world of books. So far we’ve seen the young protagonist Alice through some very harrowing times, following her as she visits new worlds and encounters their strange and whimsical inhabitants—some of whom turn out to be allies, while others reveal themselves to be fiendish and dangerous enemies.
But now, Alice is about to face her biggest challenge. If you’re not caught up with this series yet, please be aware that this review may contain spoilers for the previous three books, because The Fall of the Readers is definitely not meant to be read on its own. This fourth and final installment wraps up a saga that has been long in the making. It all began with the disappearance of Alice’s father which landed her in the care of her uncle Geryon, a crotchety old man who actually turned out to be a member of a ruthless organization of sorcerers known as the Readers. To her shock, Alice discovered that she has the same magical powers that allow her to enter the world of certain books, enabling her to subdue and bind the nasty creatures locked within to harness their special abilities. Although she agreed to study as Geryon’s apprentice, it soon became clear that her uncle may have had something to do with her father’s disappearance. Stricken, Alice decided to strike back, but in doing so, she also incurred the wrath of the older and more powerful Readers who are now targeting her and her friends in retribution.
Desperate for a way to safeguard those she cares about, Alice decides to turn to the powerful cat-like entity known as Ending for a way to defeat the old Readers once and for all. The mysterious Labyrinthine reveals that in fact there is a way—but Alice probably won’t like it. The plan will involve great risk to our protagonist and her friends, as well as all the otherworldly creatures they’ve agreed to protect. But with the old Readers’ attacks growing more frequent, Alice knows it’s only a matter of time before her defenses will fall, and since surrender is not an option, it is better to take the chance and hope for success. Better to go down fighting than to sit and watch as the enemy destroys you little by little over time.
This being the last book, there is a distinct sense of urgency to the story which keeps any digressions and mini side-plots to a minimum. In every aspect that counts though, Wexler comes through with flying colors, conceding no ground in areas like character and story development. The Fall of the Readers basically thrives on its plot, the book’s greatest strength proving to be its ability to make you want to turning the pages and never put it down. As a result, this was a lightning quick read for me, but it’s important to note that the pacing still remained well-balanced and appropriate for the different events of the story.
But the most amazing thing about this book is Alice. Not only is she a heroine you want to root for, she’s also one you’d definitely want on your side. She’s smart, brave, and strong. She’s an amazing friend and role model, as well as a leader who takes charge. But because she’s young and still learning a lot about the burdens of responsibility, the pressure of so many lives depending on her can sometimes lead her to make rash decisions. This book sees Alice growing up fast, having to learn to deal with the consequences of her mistakes, but instead of growing more jaded with her failures, she simply becomes even more determined.
Because the story itself is so streamlined though, this does leave little room for other characters to play much of a role. But ultimately this might not even be an issue, given the way we’ve been made to care so much about Alice, thus conveying the understanding that this series has always been about her journey, and now only she—and she alone—can see it through to the end. My only disappointment in this is the fact that we got to see much less of favorites like Isaac and Ashes the talking cat. Still, I believe Wexler was fully aware of this, because he also made sure to make the most out the scenes between Alice and Isaac, continuing to develop their friendship and perhaps nudge it towards something more, and yes, thankfully we still get plenty of Ashes’ epic snark!
Of course, the world-building was also fantastic, and what impressed me was seeing how all the elements of the world finally came together in this climactic conclusion. There was a big twist near the end that I wish I could have said I saw coming, since I pride myself on paying attention to the details, but the truth is, the author was imply very clever and subtle in his foreshadowing and hint dropping.
Like all good endings, The Fall of the Readers managed to unite the various themes and elements from the previous books, gradually building tension and momentum until events culminate in an epic showdown. This novel has everything you want in a finale, from excitement and suspense to tenderness and heartbreak. I think fans of the series, no matter how old you are, will be very happy at how things play out. I know I am! The Forbidden Library is another winner from Django Wexler, a series of magical and endearing books that I would not hesitate recommending to children and adults alike.
January 12, 2018
Moram da priznam da sam možda imao nerealno velika očekivanja od završetka ovog serijala ali u svoju odbranu kažem da su prethodne tri jedne od mojih omiljenih (dark) YA knjiga.
Kako da objasnim, knjiga je odlično napisana, likovi su stalno opasnim situacijama ali se ponašaju onako kako bi od njih očekivali. Niko nije savršen, grške se dešvaju i priča nas drži u neizvesnosti tokom većeg dela. Ali meni lično knjiga jednostavno nije odisala da se dešava nešto epsko, iako se dešava, da vidimo finalnu rezoluciju. Plus nema se osećaj da su glavni likovi stvarno u opasnosti da stradaju ko u prethodnim delovima a i kraj je nekako suviše... fin. Lep.
Odnosno oću da kažem da knjiga nije dovoljno mračna i da dosta odskače u odnosu na prethodne knjige i ta mi je najviše smetalo.
Sem tona sve ostalo je bilo odlično i služi kao fin završetak serijala koji treba pročitati. Naročito oni malo mlađi :)
Cheers.
Kako da objasnim, knjiga je odlično napisana, likovi su stalno opasnim situacijama ali se ponašaju onako kako bi od njih očekivali. Niko nije savršen, grške se dešvaju i priča nas drži u neizvesnosti tokom većeg dela. Ali meni lično knjiga jednostavno nije odisala da se dešava nešto epsko, iako se dešava, da vidimo finalnu rezoluciju. Plus nema se osećaj da su glavni likovi stvarno u opasnosti da stradaju ko u prethodnim delovima a i kraj je nekako suviše... fin. Lep.
Odnosno oću da kažem da knjiga nije dovoljno mračna i da dosta odskače u odnosu na prethodne knjige i ta mi je najviše smetalo.
Sem tona sve ostalo je bilo odlično i služi kao fin završetak serijala koji treba pročitati. Naročito oni malo mlađi :)
Cheers.
October 30, 2019
Actual rating: 3.50
May 4, 2025
In the acknowledgments, Wexler says he first told his agent: “I wrote something strange, what do you think it is?"
I’m so glad he wrote something strange, and his agent saw how wonderful it was. This series has been so unique and full of unusual creatures. I’m a little sad to be ending it.
But, if it had to end, this was a very satisfying end to amazing series. This series feels like the perfect length, which is quite a feat. This book resolved a lot of plot points and moral quandaries that had occurred in the previous books—and I truly mean A LOT. I’m so impressed by Wexler’s ability to pull it all together AND give us some good plot twists.
I love all the unique chapter titles, especially chapter one “Midnight Snack”. That’s such a great way to start the book.
Favorite quotes:
“Pirates had not featured heavily in Alice's education so she felt obliged to concede the point.”
“Maybe that's wisdom, seeing things that are obvious.”
“‘Have you ever seen a cheese slicer?’
None of them had, of course. There was a brief digres- sion while Alice explained the need for slicing cheese, and then a somewhat longer one while she explained the concept of cheese for Flicker.”
“If, before I knew about magic, I'd seen girl turn into a dinosaur and back, I'd have been... probably fascinated. But I'd know I ought to be terrified anyway.”
“Her punch was unscientific but delivered with enthusiasm, slamming the black centipede across the corridor.”
“‘If you ask me,’ the cat said, ‘friends ought to keep you out of situations where you need saving.’”
"They were pretty friendly, for dancing skeletons.”
“under the lambent silver gaze, she felt no fear.”
Favorite character: Cyan. A boat dog? Where can I get one?
I’m so glad he wrote something strange, and his agent saw how wonderful it was. This series has been so unique and full of unusual creatures. I’m a little sad to be ending it.
But, if it had to end, this was a very satisfying end to amazing series. This series feels like the perfect length, which is quite a feat. This book resolved a lot of plot points and moral quandaries that had occurred in the previous books—and I truly mean A LOT. I’m so impressed by Wexler’s ability to pull it all together AND give us some good plot twists.
I love all the unique chapter titles, especially chapter one “Midnight Snack”. That’s such a great way to start the book.
Favorite quotes:
“Pirates had not featured heavily in Alice's education so she felt obliged to concede the point.”
“Maybe that's wisdom, seeing things that are obvious.”
“‘Have you ever seen a cheese slicer?’
None of them had, of course. There was a brief digres- sion while Alice explained the need for slicing cheese, and then a somewhat longer one while she explained the concept of cheese for Flicker.”
“If, before I knew about magic, I'd seen girl turn into a dinosaur and back, I'd have been... probably fascinated. But I'd know I ought to be terrified anyway.”
“Her punch was unscientific but delivered with enthusiasm, slamming the black centipede across the corridor.”
“‘If you ask me,’ the cat said, ‘friends ought to keep you out of situations where you need saving.’”
"They were pretty friendly, for dancing skeletons.”
“under the lambent silver gaze, she felt no fear.”
Favorite character: Cyan. A boat dog? Where can I get one?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2022
3.5 rounded down. The ending of this one was a great way to wrap-up this installment and also conclude the whole series. I would've rated it higher, but the first 3/4 of this book was a little too action-heavy. (I'm sure younger readers would love that, though!)
May 25, 2018
I really enjoy this series and this one was just as fun as the first three. The ending was just right.
What I liked the best were the original creations from the author like 'portal books', 'prison books' etc., the creatures from other 'portal books', the labyrinthine's and the forbidden library itself with all the cats in there.
I adored Ashes the talking cat the best as he has a feisty character and I thought Alice was becoming a bit more mature in this book.
Overall I enjoyed it and recommend it to anyone who loves books, fantasy, magic and adventure!
What I liked the best were the original creations from the author like 'portal books', 'prison books' etc., the creatures from other 'portal books', the labyrinthine's and the forbidden library itself with all the cats in there.
I adored Ashes the talking cat the best as he has a feisty character and I thought Alice was becoming a bit more mature in this book.
Overall I enjoyed it and recommend it to anyone who loves books, fantasy, magic and adventure!
March 5, 2018
Alice made her decision in the last book and now she and those allied with her are paying for it. The Old Readers are relentless in their attacks on Ending's library. For now Ending, Alice, and the other apprentices have been able to hold them off, but it is becoming increasingly clear that it is just a matter of time before they do break through. And their revenge against Alice and others will not be pretty. Ending provides Alice with one alternative to facing the ongoing onslaughts, but it is not in any way guaranteed to work and will likely cost Alice's life. Feeling the pressure of all the lives under her care, Alice decides to try it and ventures off on her greatest adventure yet.
This book has not one, but two twists. The first I suspected would come, afterall, hints have been dropped. (Sorry, no details, this is going to be vague because it is a better read that way.) The second twist I did not see coming and was a little stroke of genius by Wexler. Alice must address some really hard questions in this one and is starting to feel the pressure of being The One. But her friends are spectacular. Everyone needs friends like Alice has. Friends to say hard things to you, to give you hugs when you need them, and to make you a net of moonstone whenever needed. The true friendship in this, and the way the battle between selfishness and love plays out in the broader world make this the best book in the series. That is not an easy feat for the end of a series. Way to go Wexler.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. Some fantasy violence that results in a few deaths (nothing gory on page) and injuries (but thanks to magical abilities, most of those are quickly taken care of).
This book has not one, but two twists. The first I suspected would come, afterall, hints have been dropped. (Sorry, no details, this is going to be vague because it is a better read that way.) The second twist I did not see coming and was a little stroke of genius by Wexler. Alice must address some really hard questions in this one and is starting to feel the pressure of being The One. But her friends are spectacular. Everyone needs friends like Alice has. Friends to say hard things to you, to give you hugs when you need them, and to make you a net of moonstone whenever needed. The true friendship in this, and the way the battle between selfishness and love plays out in the broader world make this the best book in the series. That is not an easy feat for the end of a series. Way to go Wexler.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. Some fantasy violence that results in a few deaths (nothing gory on page) and injuries (but thanks to magical abilities, most of those are quickly taken care of).
February 18, 2019
A wonderful children fantasy that, as an old man, I loved a lot. It had a great plot twist and a very satisfying ending. I'm sad it's over.
June 29, 2017
This review is from an advanced reading copy given freely and without obligation (my thanks to the publisher and author).
Where to start! I do not want to give ANY spoilers as we are still a few months from the official release date and I don't want to give anything away. Book 4 provides a satisfying finish (not a spoiler that this is the presumptive finale as stated on the cover and description). If you've read books 1-3 it's an obvious go out and buy and read. If you haven't, go grab books 1-3!
I can certainly see opportunities for the author to flesh, or even "drag" the series out. Actually I was slightly surprised how quickly Alice ascends and finishes the series. Certainly there were opportunities for the author to tell more stories about Alice and the other Readers (and apprentice readers in particular). I think I would have enjoyed learning a bit more about the world and adventures therein before wrapping things up here in book 4.
I am reviewing this about 4 weeks post-reading, for better or worse. While it is not as fresh in my mind, it also gives me time to reflect. Sadly I can't say this series excited me as much as, say, Alcatraz and the Evil Librarians (also for younger readers) - but Sanderson is some pretty tough competition! In comparison to Alcatraz, since I bring it up, it is a bit more honest in its storytelling and characters are willing to be ruthless to one another, even our heroine if necessary and there are casualties in the series and that continues in book 4.
Wexler has done a good job of foreshadowing, and we do have some pretty big climatic surprises revealed in this book. I take that back, not big, MAJOR. The foreshadowing is more obvious in retrospect (of course!) I really think he did a good job of not being overly obvious because I was certainly surprised and I'm often trying to puzzle out things. It's really not so much fun when it's spoon-fed to you, and it isn't here, at least for the big plot points. Still it's great that they are developed and not sprung without back-story. Very well done, particularly for a young adult book where authors usually go to far in the foreshadowing leaving too few surprises to excite readers (and Readers). While it is the finale, and the finish is satisfying it does leave you wanting for more. I don't mean that in a bad way, plot points are tied up but it leaves room for the imagination on where the world could go next as the author has said this is his finale, and I do like that. Sometimes books can end so utterly completely that it's unsatisfying (i.e. everyone dies, the end; everyone lives happily ever after, the end) I appreciate the maturity of leaving some things to the imagination.
In summary, Readers of the series, your wait will be rewarded. Points you've been waiting to be wrapped up will come together and we get a great conclusion.
I look forward to the next series that Wexler has recently announced in this genre, and even more anxiously await the finale to his Shadow Campaigns (for adult readers)!
Where to start! I do not want to give ANY spoilers as we are still a few months from the official release date and I don't want to give anything away. Book 4 provides a satisfying finish (not a spoiler that this is the presumptive finale as stated on the cover and description). If you've read books 1-3 it's an obvious go out and buy and read. If you haven't, go grab books 1-3!
I can certainly see opportunities for the author to flesh, or even "drag" the series out. Actually I was slightly surprised how quickly Alice ascends and finishes the series. Certainly there were opportunities for the author to tell more stories about Alice and the other Readers (and apprentice readers in particular). I think I would have enjoyed learning a bit more about the world and adventures therein before wrapping things up here in book 4.
I am reviewing this about 4 weeks post-reading, for better or worse. While it is not as fresh in my mind, it also gives me time to reflect. Sadly I can't say this series excited me as much as, say, Alcatraz and the Evil Librarians (also for younger readers) - but Sanderson is some pretty tough competition! In comparison to Alcatraz, since I bring it up, it is a bit more honest in its storytelling and characters are willing to be ruthless to one another, even our heroine if necessary and there are casualties in the series and that continues in book 4.
Wexler has done a good job of foreshadowing, and we do have some pretty big climatic surprises revealed in this book. I take that back, not big, MAJOR. The foreshadowing is more obvious in retrospect (of course!) I really think he did a good job of not being overly obvious because I was certainly surprised and I'm often trying to puzzle out things. It's really not so much fun when it's spoon-fed to you, and it isn't here, at least for the big plot points. Still it's great that they are developed and not sprung without back-story. Very well done, particularly for a young adult book where authors usually go to far in the foreshadowing leaving too few surprises to excite readers (and Readers). While it is the finale, and the finish is satisfying it does leave you wanting for more. I don't mean that in a bad way, plot points are tied up but it leaves room for the imagination on where the world could go next as the author has said this is his finale, and I do like that. Sometimes books can end so utterly completely that it's unsatisfying (i.e. everyone dies, the end; everyone lives happily ever after, the end) I appreciate the maturity of leaving some things to the imagination.
In summary, Readers of the series, your wait will be rewarded. Points you've been waiting to be wrapped up will come together and we get a great conclusion.
I look forward to the next series that Wexler has recently announced in this genre, and even more anxiously await the finale to his Shadow Campaigns (for adult readers)!
January 15, 2018
Decent conclusion to the series. As previously, my only cavil is that books here are pretty much used as furniture--they only serve as convenient plot devices and seldom if ever do you see anyone actually reading. Still, a diverting fantasy, fairly logical in construction and featuring lots of truly scary creatures.
January 4, 2018
This 358 page book gives us a great ending to this fantastic series. The author does a wonderful job of leading us through his plot with nicely drawn characters in intriguing settings. Surprise Twist!!! I highly recommend the entire series.
Want to read
January 14, 2017THERE'S ANOTHER BOOK? I THOUGHT THIS WAS A TRILOGY OMIGOD I'M SO EXCITED NOW!!!
June 14, 2018
In the last installment of the series, our heroes are betrayed and have to rush to save the world!
I like how the protagonist seem real, and how Alice grows more determined and focused after hardships and mistakes - I am really over moaning protagonists that overthink every little thing. I want to feel inspired by book people, not have them reflect my own failings! But I digress..
There is much at stake here bit it doesn't feel that way - in a book of 200 pages, you can't convey the context so good. A pity! Also, I felt Alice was never in real danger, and deus-ex-machina dissappointed me, to be honest.
All in all, I *really* enjoyed the series, a solid 4 from me for the whole: intriguing world, good characterization, nice plotting, and sensible page-count. Probably going to grab Wexler's other works when the opportunity arises, even though he wrote it's mostly in "doorstop" (thick books) category.
I like how the protagonist seem real, and how Alice grows more determined and focused after hardships and mistakes - I am really over moaning protagonists that overthink every little thing. I want to feel inspired by book people, not have them reflect my own failings! But I digress..
There is much at stake here bit it doesn't feel that way - in a book of 200 pages, you can't convey the context so good. A pity! Also, I felt Alice was never in real danger, and deus-ex-machina dissappointed me, to be honest.
All in all, I *really* enjoyed the series, a solid 4 from me for the whole: intriguing world, good characterization, nice plotting, and sensible page-count. Probably going to grab Wexler's other works when the opportunity arises, even though he wrote it's mostly in "doorstop" (thick books) category.
March 10, 2020
Lovely, just lovely. Everything that I wanted from this series, with an incredibly satisfying conclusion.
I'm excited to read more by this author, hoping he writes adult as well as he writes middle grade :)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.75 Stars, rounded up
***
GR Personal Rating System:
5 ~ LOVED
4 ~ ENJOYED
3 ~ LIKED
2 ~ MEH
1 ~ NOPE
I'm excited to read more by this author, hoping he writes adult as well as he writes middle grade :)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.75 Stars, rounded up
***
GR Personal Rating System:
5 ~ LOVED
4 ~ ENJOYED
3 ~ LIKED
2 ~ MEH
1 ~ NOPE
July 6, 2019
A strong heroine and an inventive world. Lots of action and magic.
October 17, 2019
I love a book conclusion that really surprises me.
October 24, 2018
What to say?
This is good, really good :)
I absolutely love the reader system and all the worlds that they can move through!
I think the tests in the grand labyrinth were a bit underwhelming, but the reveal later in the book more then made up for that.
Ashe the cat is pretty funny
This is good, really good :)
I absolutely love the reader system and all the worlds that they can move through!
I think the tests in the grand labyrinth were a bit underwhelming, but the reveal later in the book more then made up for that.
Ashe the cat is pretty funny
August 30, 2023
I really enjoyed the story. What a wonderful journey. Ashes had my heart ❤️
December 28, 2022
Well that was a little weird...
Wouldn't the world be a better place if dogs actually could turn into furry boats? Yeah. Water fountain included.
Welcome aboard the USS Woof. Brings a new meaning to emBARKING.
heh.
Wouldn't the world be a better place if dogs actually could turn into furry boats? Yeah. Water fountain included.
Welcome aboard the USS Woof. Brings a new meaning to emBARKING.
heh.
September 10, 2025
boy what the hell boy
unsatisfying conclusion rife with problems. sigh.
firstly we are just doing way way way too much. there are like 3 different main antagonists yet none of the battles against them are sufficiently fulfilling because there's just not enough time to properly deal with 3 main antagonists! it's ONE book!! choose ONE main fight!! example: we keep mentioning the guardian of the gate and how surely it'll be something really strong. turns out the book is running out of time SO BAD that this guardian, appointed to guard literally the most important thing in this universe,
the stakes are so completely manufactured now that I just cannot care. the anchor of this series was alice trying to find her father and now we've lost the plot so completely that he ends up this was alice's entire driving purpose in the first 2 and a half books and yet she's just... over it??? it gets to a point. it gets to a goddamn point. the blurb is like "will alice be able to give up the person she holds dearest" and if you've read ANYYY of the goddamn series you would obviously be like oh her father! but NOPE not her father she's forgotten about him it's actually ok? stupid stupid garbage.
it's also not clever anymore. forget what made the first 2 books good (the unique solutions to defeating antagonists), let's just uhhh alice you're the strongest person ever for secret reasons so just lock in. and every single time she just locks in a teeny tiny bit harder and discovers more power nobody realized she had. the first two books, especially the first, were smart. this is nothing. why would I want to watch the protagonist bulldoze through antagonists how is that fulfilling or interesting in any way?
the ending is trying sooo hard to be the keepers like omg unfortunately you have not made me care about these characters you cannot emotionally win me over with the keepers ass ending if I don't give a fuck. I cared about her finding her father for 3 books and look what you did with that huh! why should I be invested anymore!!
this just reads like a completely different book from the rest of the series. and I happened to LIKE the rest of the series. the rest of the series was GOOD.
nail in the coffin: all that work for a twist I called in the end of book 1. bye
unsatisfying conclusion rife with problems. sigh.
firstly we are just doing way way way too much. there are like 3 different main antagonists yet none of the battles against them are sufficiently fulfilling because there's just not enough time to properly deal with 3 main antagonists! it's ONE book!! choose ONE main fight!! example: we keep mentioning the guardian of the gate and how surely it'll be something really strong. turns out the book is running out of time SO BAD that this guardian, appointed to guard literally the most important thing in this universe,
the stakes are so completely manufactured now that I just cannot care. the anchor of this series was alice trying to find her father and now we've lost the plot so completely that he ends up this was alice's entire driving purpose in the first 2 and a half books and yet she's just... over it??? it gets to a point. it gets to a goddamn point. the blurb is like "will alice be able to give up the person she holds dearest" and if you've read ANYYY of the goddamn series you would obviously be like oh her father! but NOPE not her father she's forgotten about him it's actually ok? stupid stupid garbage.
it's also not clever anymore. forget what made the first 2 books good (the unique solutions to defeating antagonists), let's just uhhh alice you're the strongest person ever for secret reasons so just lock in. and every single time she just locks in a teeny tiny bit harder and discovers more power nobody realized she had. the first two books, especially the first, were smart. this is nothing. why would I want to watch the protagonist bulldoze through antagonists how is that fulfilling or interesting in any way?
the ending is trying sooo hard to be the keepers like omg unfortunately you have not made me care about these characters you cannot emotionally win me over with the keepers ass ending if I don't give a fuck. I cared about her finding her father for 3 books and look what you did with that huh! why should I be invested anymore!!
this just reads like a completely different book from the rest of the series. and I happened to LIKE the rest of the series. the rest of the series was GOOD.
nail in the coffin: all that work for a twist I called in the end of book 1. bye
December 26, 2025
A satisfying conclusion to a solid series.
Once upon a time, something powerful, eldritch, and with a whole lot of tentacles came into our world. She is called The First. She was the mother of monsters, or, at least, the mother of the labyrinthine. She came into our world; she had children with the creatures of this world; and these children did enormous destruction. They treated people as playthings.
Wizards of old, called Readers, bound them and used their magic to become monstrous. They treated people as things. They horded the magic, causing enormous damage to the worlds.
Alice was born into this world and has spent this series trying to make it better. She took the fight to the Readers. Aided by one of the labyrinthine, she had a lot of victories.
It's dangerous to trust monsters.
I rolled my eyes a few times. The dragon balking, thinking Alice Should Have A Choice in Her Destiny just didn't make sense. It's never explained why the dragon cared so much for this one future person in all the world, and why specifically he'd care about giving her a choice in whether or not to play this particular role.
I really liked the twists on the Campbellion Hero's Journey. Alice is a Chosen One in all sorts of ways. She fights lots of threshold guardians. The twist is that when she wins, she gets their magic. Like a literalization of learning from books: she can become a fish, a dinosaur, a tree, a swarm, or any characteristic of these creatures she chooses. She goes into other worlds and comes back with gifts again and again. She meets the goddess.
I did really like the ending. Sometimes tentacled eldritch beasties can be kind. Hail the Flying Spaghetti Monster! And the book ends with the real work before the characters -- rebuilding the world.
Once upon a time, something powerful, eldritch, and with a whole lot of tentacles came into our world. She is called The First. She was the mother of monsters, or, at least, the mother of the labyrinthine. She came into our world; she had children with the creatures of this world; and these children did enormous destruction. They treated people as playthings.
Wizards of old, called Readers, bound them and used their magic to become monstrous. They treated people as things. They horded the magic, causing enormous damage to the worlds.
Alice was born into this world and has spent this series trying to make it better. She took the fight to the Readers. Aided by one of the labyrinthine, she had a lot of victories.
It's dangerous to trust monsters.
I rolled my eyes a few times. The dragon balking, thinking Alice Should Have A Choice in Her Destiny just didn't make sense. It's never explained why the dragon cared so much for this one future person in all the world, and why specifically he'd care about giving her a choice in whether or not to play this particular role.
I really liked the twists on the Campbellion Hero's Journey. Alice is a Chosen One in all sorts of ways. She fights lots of threshold guardians. The twist is that when she wins, she gets their magic. Like a literalization of learning from books: she can become a fish, a dinosaur, a tree, a swarm, or any characteristic of these creatures she chooses. She goes into other worlds and comes back with gifts again and again. She meets the goddess.
I did really like the ending. Sometimes tentacled eldritch beasties can be kind. Hail the Flying Spaghetti Monster! And the book ends with the real work before the characters -- rebuilding the world.
July 4, 2018
My name is Alice, and the fate of the world rests on my shoulders. I successfully imprisoned Geryon, but the other Readers are laying siege on me. I can't let them continue their cruelty toward magical creatures and the labyrinthine. Ending says she will help me if I take control of the Great Binding that holds a powerful prisoner. She says I must enter a labyrinth created by all the Readers that is protected by many formidable guardians. I don't know what will happen once I complete the quest, but I trust Ending and I will be able to make things right. However, Geryon and the Dragon have warned me the labyrinthine cannot be trusted, despite the fact Ending has always helped me and supported me in the past. I wasn't ready for the truths to be revealed, but I probably should have seen the signs.
You need to read the whole series; it will be worth your while! Alice's quest completed the first half of this book, but Part Two was much more interesting. The "truths" mentioned above added creative complications to the whole situation and explained all of Alice's unique abilities. She was the most admirable character due to her empathy for others and her desire to make things right. She wanted to keep her friends safe, so she needed to learn how to share dangerous tasks. All of the creatures trusted Alice and rallied around her. She owned all of her decisions, since her desire for revenge against Geryon led to disastrous consequences. Ending was a cat-like creature in charge of guarding the library. Her power was clear from the beginning, but the author included details throughout the plot that questioned her motives and true self. This created an underlying conflict that continued through the whole series. I found these books by randomly choosing the first one on-line, but I can highly recommend the series to lovers of fantasy and magic.
You need to read the whole series; it will be worth your while! Alice's quest completed the first half of this book, but Part Two was much more interesting. The "truths" mentioned above added creative complications to the whole situation and explained all of Alice's unique abilities. She was the most admirable character due to her empathy for others and her desire to make things right. She wanted to keep her friends safe, so she needed to learn how to share dangerous tasks. All of the creatures trusted Alice and rallied around her. She owned all of her decisions, since her desire for revenge against Geryon led to disastrous consequences. Ending was a cat-like creature in charge of guarding the library. Her power was clear from the beginning, but the author included details throughout the plot that questioned her motives and true self. This created an underlying conflict that continued through the whole series. I found these books by randomly choosing the first one on-line, but I can highly recommend the series to lovers of fantasy and magic.
November 28, 2025
I have mixed feelings about this book.... It was engaging similar to the first and second in the series and I was happy that Ashes had a bigger role in this one again. I think the conclusion of the overall story was handled better than what I was initially expecting and there were some twists I didn't see coming. I'm glad that Alice got a happy ending with Isaac and Ashes in the end but there were still major points that didn't sit right with me.
Characters
Both the main characters Alice and Isaac developed better in this final book. Isaac really came out of his shell and Alice has a better understanding of the world around her with her new friends.
Ending got screwed and it felt out of character for her considering her role throughout the series thus far. I was also disappointed when the Dragon didn't do anything again except to come in at the last second and suddenly have all the answers.
Liked
Ashes had a better role in this book than the previous one and I was happy that there was more involvement from Isaac as well. By about halfway through, I genuinely couldn't tell how the story was going to end and was kept guessing until the last couple of chapters. It picked up right where the third book ended and was easy to follow with known characters and had twists at interesting spots.
Didn’t Like
I would have preferred this be the third book in the series and have the fourth book be the stories of them putting the world back together. A hundred years is a long time and I think it would have been more interesting to see Alice grow with her powers over that time rather than screw Ending over and have the Dragon come at the literal last minute to vaguely wrap up loop holes from the second and third books.
Characters
Both the main characters Alice and Isaac developed better in this final book. Isaac really came out of his shell and Alice has a better understanding of the world around her with her new friends.
Ending got screwed and it felt out of character for her considering her role throughout the series thus far. I was also disappointed when the Dragon didn't do anything again except to come in at the last second and suddenly have all the answers.
Liked
Ashes had a better role in this book than the previous one and I was happy that there was more involvement from Isaac as well. By about halfway through, I genuinely couldn't tell how the story was going to end and was kept guessing until the last couple of chapters. It picked up right where the third book ended and was easy to follow with known characters and had twists at interesting spots.
Didn’t Like
I would have preferred this be the third book in the series and have the fourth book be the stories of them putting the world back together. A hundred years is a long time and I think it would have been more interesting to see Alice grow with her powers over that time rather than screw Ending over and have the Dragon come at the literal last minute to vaguely wrap up loop holes from the second and third books.
December 14, 2018
This volume is so full of action and emotion that I felt like I was holding my breath through the whole of it. It picks up just a few weeks after where the last volume left off, and it hits the ground running with the Old Readers lobbing attack after attack at Alice and her crew.
With lives at stake, and no time to think, Alice has to scramble to figure out a way to defeat the Old Readers. She has to push herself to the absolute limits physically, emotionally, and magically. She experiences loss, guilt, and betrayal. She comes to learn who she is, and where she stands as a person and a Reader. All the while having to push through to the end game.
Also... Holy crap that plot twist! I should have seen it coming, but I was so captivated by the story that I was totally floored.
There was a point where I got a little worried because felt the author was really stretching things with Alice’s powers. She’s naturally gifted and an advanced Reader for her minimal tutelage. Okay. But to be able to accomplish what she did in this volume just wasn’t believable after a certain point. But then the author backtracked and explained in a much later chapter where Alice’s power boost came from, and everything was rectified.
This is the strongest of the series, and what a way to end it!
With lives at stake, and no time to think, Alice has to scramble to figure out a way to defeat the Old Readers. She has to push herself to the absolute limits physically, emotionally, and magically. She experiences loss, guilt, and betrayal. She comes to learn who she is, and where she stands as a person and a Reader. All the while having to push through to the end game.
Also... Holy crap that plot twist! I should have seen it coming, but I was so captivated by the story that I was totally floored.
There was a point where I got a little worried because felt the author was really stretching things with Alice’s powers. She’s naturally gifted and an advanced Reader for her minimal tutelage. Okay. But to be able to accomplish what she did in this volume just wasn’t believable after a certain point. But then the author backtracked and explained in a much later chapter where Alice’s power boost came from, and everything was rectified.
This is the strongest of the series, and what a way to end it!
December 12, 2017
What a fun, whimsical, and entertaining conclusion to the Forbidden Library Quartet!!!! I discovered Django Wexler about 3 1/2 years ago when I stumbled upon 2 books, The Forbidden Library and The Thousand Names. I started with the Forbidden Library and man did it ever impress me for being a middle grade. It had an easy to follow story, a wonderfully crafted world that any book lover would want to be a part of, and also a colorful ensemble of characters. Here we are with the Fall of the Readers and Wexler does everything in his power to create a satisfying conclusion and man does he deliver. From the very first page it was action packed, we had a couple plot twists, we also had maybe a slight window to carry on with the story, but if not I am satisfied either way. I highly recommend this series to anyone. I believe this series is very underrated and would like to see it soar and be loved by more people. 5 out of 5 stars to the entire series. Now the wait continues for the finale of the Shadow Campaign series but not too much longer now.
October 19, 2024
I enjoyed the series. It's been around a year since i read the third book, but a lot of it came back. Ashes of course is my favourite character. I'm not super big on romance, so I preferred the lighter touch in this book. I saw negative reviews where people wanted more. This is probably more of a 4 star book, but might as well go 5 to not hurt the author's rating.
Alice really had too easy of a time. I was a bit let down by the "judgment" trial she faced. But I think it was because it's a kid's book. There's actually fairly little action in this book compared to previous ones. Considering her opponents are all the most powerful readers in the world and all the most powerful labyrinthians in the world, you'd think she would have a tough journey ahead of her. I think my favourite non-ashes scene is when alice is stranded in the middle of nowhere with no money, shoes, or food. she contemplates that she'd be freaking out a few years earlier, but now it's just a minor inconvenience.
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