Calamity comes out with guns blazing–literally. Skip the backstory and never mind adding many new characters, this third book in the series is mainly about action and wrap-up. There are multiple high-octane action scenes with Marvel Movie-style battles and author Sanderson is focused on getting to the end. This book did feel rushed, especially the last explanations and conclusion. True, not all books need a tight bow on them, but the reader had the feeling that the resolution details were skimmed over, perhaps to not break momentum or because the author was in a hurry.
However, that said, Calamity still wraps up a solid young adult series and fills a huge hole in the young adult demographic. It has good banter, no love triangles, and is a great guy (or girl) read. Even though the author seemed anxious to end the book (and it was somewhat abrupt), he couldn’t resist sticking his toe in the door and keeping it ajar so that somewhere in the future another Reckoner book could come to life. Not his best work, but this one is still a page turner and an exciting read; Sanderson’s books are always a pleasure.
Content Analysis:
Profanity/Language: 16 mild obscenities; 1 derogatory name;1 scatological word; 1 anatomical term.
Violence/Gore: Throughout the book there are references to deaths, etc. in the first two books of the series (non-detailed); extended fight scene humans v. drones with injury with blood, description of blood deliberately spread around, shooting, destruction of property; creep lab scene with descriptions of body parts in jars; threats of harm/death; characters come upon a city that has been completely destroyed, massive deaths assumed; character kills another with superpowers; extended scene in which humans and individuals with superpowers battle using powers and guns–many deaths, blood mentioned, destruction of property, sever injury (descriptions mostly brief); character gathers a sample of blood and flesh; characters report that they had to kill two people, no details; extended multi-page scene in which human and individual with superpowers fight be hitting, shooting, etc. resulting in a graphic death (1 sentence description);multi-chapter fight scene among individuals using guys, explosives, superpowers resulting in serious injury, deaths (~ to Marvel superhero violence); fight with a superhuman being using explosive, powers, etc.
Sex/Nudity: Male and female kiss upon multiple, separate occasions; humorous, brief discussion(s) about kissing; male notices a female’s physique and finds her attractive; reference to getting laid; characters embrace.
Mature Subject Matter:
Death, mass destruction and death, theft, ethics.
Alcohol / Drug Use:
Incidental mentions of smoking and drinking alcohol.
