Nana Visitor Books

Seventh Son is an excellent read and a great intro to the Alvin Maker Saga. Orson Scott Card weaves a great tale full of mystery and magic placed in the era of America's western expansion.

In this tale several of the most important characters of the saga are introduced and developed. They are likeable and believable as is the alternate history that Card develops throughout the tale. Many of the characters are based on actual historical figures but their role in the tale is purely fictional.

A fantastic read and a wonderful story. Seventh Son and the whole Alvin Maker Saga are a must read for Card fans.

Orson Scott Card has always been one of my favorite authors and this series is no exception. Seventh Son is the first of the Alvin Maker series, a tale set in a colonial America where magic is real and history went somewhat differently. Alvin is the seventh son of a seventh son which means he was born to be something special and powerful. The book is hard to put down and captivates you from beginning to end.

My only big complaint about the Alvin Maker series came about this past rereading of it. My copies of the Alvin Maker series are all suffering from being read so many times. This last reread made realize how often religion plays a part. Perhaps in the past I somehow overlooked it, though I'm not sure how. Every few pages is mentioning, questioning or referencing some form of spiritual entity. I'm not uncomfortable reading about religion, but when I look forward to reading a fun alternate-history fiction saga, I'd prefer it with slightly less preaching in it.

I have to disagree with the reviewers who found Seventh Son too slow an opening to the unique and endearing Alvin Maker series. I couldn't put it down. I found Card's take on the frontiersy speech patterns of pioneers easy to accept and loved the way it kept me anchored in the story, even thorough long narrative passages. The characters are exceptionally well developed, deep, and human - but this is no surprise, given that Card's greatest strength out of all his many literary talents is the creation of wholly believable, real characters.

As I progressed through the rest of the series, I was delighted to see characters taking unexpected turns and changing in ways that were definitely not in keeping with cliche. Seventh Son is a very fine opening to a very fine series, worth reading for any fan of fantasy or historical fiction.

THE BEST THING ABOUT THE SEVENTH SON IS THAT THERE ARE 5 MORE BOOKS TO CARRY ON THE WONDERFULLY TOLD STORY.

ALTHOUGH DELIGHTFULLY FANCIFULL IN ITS ALTERNATE AMERICA HISTORICAL APPROACH, IT IS THOUGHT-PROVOKING AND STIR SOME DEEP CHORDS IN THE SENSITIVE READER.

I'LL HAVE TO QUIT NOW, BEFORE I USE MORE ADVERBS!

This novel begins the journey of a young boy living in the colonial era of the United States. His life is filled with hexes, charms, and religion, all depicted in a real world Earth. This is my favorite of the series; saying this, the rest of the series falls short of the great world Card creates. While this novel is a great read, do not go out and buy the whole series, and it does decline from what it could have been.

The story opens as Benjamin Sisko and his son Jake arrive at Sisko's new assignment on Deep Space Nine. Sisko is ambivelent about his new Star Fleet posting and what greets him at the station does not encourage him to stay. The Cardassians had stripped both the planet and station of everything of worth before their departure. As the DS9 crew began to assemble and attempt to restore order to the situation each was struck by the enormity of the problem(s) that faced them. Then, depending on your point of view, either the Celestral Temple (Bajoran heaven) or a stable wormhole was discovered near the station. Whatever it was called it was a pathway to the Gamma quadrant, a short cut that would place Bajor at the crossroads of major traderoutes. It would also make Bajor a highly coveted prize that many civilizations would be willing to fight over.

If this story sounds familiar it is because this is a novelization of the first episode of DS9. It follows the televised episode quite faithfully but also provides lots of background information and goes into much deeper into what each character is thinking during the action than is possible in a television program. For fans of the series it is great to get these backstories and for those new to the series who may have missed to pilot episode this provides the basic premises of the series.

Of all the recent novelisations I've read recently this one is one of the best. Beyond being a faithful adaptation of the pilot of Deep Space Nine, it actually bothers to give good descriptions and character insights / motivations. My one suggestion is to start with chapter 2. Although the pilot does actually start 3 years in the past with the Borg attack, the first chapter stalls the rest of the story. There is enough referral to the backstory that the first chapter really isn't needed in the book. I dare you future readers to start the book with chapter 2.

Deep Space Nine #1 "Emissary" brings forth the beginning of Star Trek's best and most controversial series to the franchise. I say controversial in that at times, this series whether when it was airing or on DVD and in print it seems to be treated as the red headed stepchild of Star Trek. This doesn't matter though, because in the end, the very principles that make up Star Trek Deep Space Nine; its character conflicts and its dealing with certain aspects not dealt with on the other series ultimately makes it the most beloved by the fans that have stuck with it.

For several years now, when Pocket Books and Paramount have needed an author to novelize a script for one of the movies or television episodes, J.M. Dillard has been the "go to" author for most of them and she has performed brilliantly in every effort. "Emissary" was her third novelization and one of her best. She perfectly captured the characterizations at this pivotal time in the series, the beginning.

As with all of her other novelizations, she does an outstanding and commendable job of not only bringing to print what was on screen but adding personal thoughts to and "between the scenes on screen" scenes.

Of course, beyond the great amount of praise and credit for J.M. Dillard for this novelization there is an even higher amount of accolades due to Michael Piller for the teleplay and basic story being written by himself and Rick Berman.

The cover art for "Emissary" is right on for this particular novel as it displays an entire cast picture which at the time of this novelizations release was very helpful.

The premise:

"Emissary" is of course the novelization of Star Trek Deep Space Nine's pilot episode. Here is where we meet the characters that will take us, the fans, through the entire gamut of emotions for several years to come.

Commander Benjamin Sisko who has been stationed on Earth since the tragic events of Wolf 359 in which his ship, the USS Saratoga, where he was serving on as first officer, participated in the defense of Earth from the Borg. As with most starships on that dreadful day, the Saratoga was destroyed and Sisko was able to escape with his son Jake, but his wife, Jennifer lost her life. As any man would, he's been suffering that loss since that day. As he has accepted the command of Deep Space Nine, he's also considering leaving Starfleet.

With that catalyst in mind, "Emissary" begins with Commander Sisko's arrival and the arrival of the rest of the cast to include introductions to Major Kira Nerys, Odo and Quark. Sisko also has a fateful meeting with Kai Opaka, the Bajoran spiritual leader.

What follows from there is nothing less than the best pilot episode of all of the series and one of J.M. Dillard's best novelizations. I highly recommend this novelization for your Star Trek collection. {ssintrepid}

This author is unquestionably the best at novelizing episodes or movies. The same author has done many Star Trek novelizations, and they've all been fine jobs. This one is no different; I admit that it's been a while since I saw the episode, but this certainly FEELS faithful to what I remember. The characters certainly come across well, and the storyline seems essentially unchanged.

Great novelization of the pilot episode. It's really interesting hearing what Sisko's thinking. It more or less sticks to the episode's storyline and shows all the characters at their black-and-white first season best. Dax is cool, tranquil, and brilliant. Bashir is naïve but well-meaning. Kira's snappy, snarly, and tough. Sisko is grief-stricken but in command. Odo is surly and grumpy, but compassionate. Quark is - well, Quark! And, O'Brien first goes head to head with the Cardassian computer. ("This is no computer! This is my archenemy!") :) {And just a funny note - look at the cover. Everyone's combadges are on the wrong sides - the picture is backwards!}

Dull, mormon wish fulfillment just fantasy. Card may have come up with some clever and complex science fiction, but he has also accomplished some terribly turgid fantasy. A suggestion and loaned from a friend, the stinking rotter. :)

The scope of the Tales of Alvin Maker series greatly expands with this book. New characters and places, as well as much deeper insights into the political landscape of the [imaginary] time make this story so much more than the telling of a special child growing up in Vigor Church. Characters familiar to us from our own world history play a much larger role in this book, with William Henry Harisson and Napoleon having the most impact. As with 'Seventh Son', Card relies heavily on vernacular from "Ol-timey America" to emphasize and bring to life his characters. This also influences the naming of geographical features like rivers and mountains (with the Big Muddy being referred to as the Mizzipy). Some reviewers have complained about this, saying they get tripped up over the vocab, but IMHO it works great and adds life to the story.

One very noticeable difference between this book and the previous one is the escalation in the amount of and the explicit nature of violence. OSC has a gift of being able to portray feelings and emotion in a powerful way, as well as being able to paint extremely vivid pictures with his words. A couple of scenes in this book (especially revolving around Mike Fink and Measure) are very graphic and brutal. Some of this material may not be appropriate for young or sensitive readers. This book is definitely more mature and darker than any other OSC books I've read (Ender and Homecoming series). Just a warning.

'Red Prophet' opens up by telling the story of the Shining Man that appears in 'Seventh Son', who is known in this book as Lolla-Wossiky, Tenskwa-Tawa, or simply The Prophet. In fact, the first quarter of this book has an overlapping timeline with the first book, telling of broader events occurring while the more personal events of Alvin growing up are happening. The story eventually catches up to where 'Seventh Son' ends, with Alvin setting of to apprentice as a blacksmith. Instead of that, he and his brother Measure find themselves captives of some pretty evil Reds hired by the even more evil William Henry Harisson. The majority of the book follows Alvin as he learns more about his abilities and about Red-magic from a powerful new character named Ta-Kumsaw. Meanwhile, grand events are taking shape that will lead to a major confrontation between the Reds and the Whites that could shatter hope for a peaceful future.

All in all, this book does a great deal to progress the overall theme of the series, with Alvin undergoing much maturing, and the world around him being shaped by many powerful forces. Can't wait to read the rest of the series.

I love the concept of an alternate American History that the author uses. The story is amazing and I can't wait to see how it unfolds.

Red Prophet picks up where Seventh Son left off and shouldn't be read without previously reading the latter. Set in fictional colonial America, this is the land of alternate history where Americans have "knacks" or ability to do specific and limited magical acts.

There are various sub-plots throughout Red Prophet that include Napoleon, Andrew Jackson, and the infamous William Henry Harrison. Most of the story continues the story of Alvin, a seventh son of a seventh son who has peculiar powers and is befriended by the famous Indian leader, Tecumseh.

I felt this was the strongest book of the series and really separated itself from the rest of the pack. There are lots of elements going on and they all work. It's an exciting page-turner with a brisk pace and lots of action. It's a coming of age story where Alvin is learning to find himself and his abilities. It intelligently looks at American Indian's oppression by white colonial Americans. It has political intrigue elements wrapped up and brought together in the WHH and Napoleon sub plots. It also intelligently uses alternative history in a clever and satisfying way and at times is very dark and heartbreaking.

The sequels are worth reading (well at least the next two) but unfortunately don't achieve the same level as Red Prophet. It's a shame that you must read Seventh Son (although not a bad read at all) to really understand this properly because this book could of reached a much larger audience if it was a stand-alone.

This book was nominated for a Hugo and a Nebula award in 89'. It didn't win either, losing to Cyteen by C.J. Cherryh in the Hugo and Falling Free by Bujold (also nominated for a Hugo) in the Nebula. I haven't read Cyteen but this book was far superior to Falling Free in my opinion in what was an overall below average year for the awards.

Also I noticed a new reissue of the paperback coming to Amazon in August. Of course they jacked up the price to RIDICULUOS 14.95 list price, and seem to be discontinuing the mass-market version (only 5 left as of this review). Almost as appalling is the new cover art which is not only ugly, but is inappropriate for the mood of this book (compare it to the old version) and really is aimed at the "young adult" crowd which is limiting for a book like this.

Bottom Line: Card at his best here in what I believe is his 3rd best book after Ender's Game and Speaker For The Dead. Worth reading at least the first 3 of this series.

More of a continuation of Seventh Son than a sequel it actually begins some time before the first book ended. The story starts at a meeting between Andrew Jackson and William
Henry Harris, talking about the removal of Red (or Indians) from newly acquired lands in the West. From there the story follows two Red brothers; one is Lolla-Wossiky, who starts out as a nearly insane and eventually becomes a great spiritual leader advocating peaceful co-existence with white settlers. The other is strong warrior Ta-Kumsaw who wants to lead the Reds in revolt against the expanding white men with the help of the French and Napoleon Bonapart. In the middle is young Alvin Miller, the Maker. Alvin is still learning how to use his magic for good, and has a bad feeling about helping Ta-Kumsaw in rising against his own, but helps none the less because he knows the Reds cause is right, if not the means.

I must be honest I didn't like this book as well as I did "Seventh Son". First it was a lot bigger in scope, which I understand was the idea, but I liked the last books focus on Alvin and his private war with The Unmaker. Also I didn't like the attitude Scott had against white people spoiling everything they touch. I know this was a prevalent attitude that the Native Americans had (and some still do), but I thought that the sentiment was taken too far, and made me uncomfortable while reading "Red Prophet". Also the battle scenes are barely described in any detail; not the massacre at Prophetown or the battle at Detroit.

I did like the characterizations of the people involved though. They all rang true, especially Ta-Kumsaw. Alvin is a sweet young kid with powers he doesn't understand, and that seemed real as well.

All in all, I just didn't care for this book. I hope you'll enjoy it more than I did.

In this third book of the Alvin Maker series, we see Alvin grow into a man. Comparatively, the first two books took place over a shorter time span and put more effort into developing the fascinating world Card has created. In PRENTICE ALVIN, there is much more emphasis on character development and maturation. Characters really come into their own in this book as well as develop some very intriguing relationships among themselves. Interactions between Alvin, Peggy, Arthur Stuart, Makepeace Smith, and others make this book a joy to read and gives you a depth of understanding of those characters that make them come to life.

The bulk of the book describes events that happen during Alvin's apprenticeship to the blacksmith of Hatrack River. The Unmaker returns to hound and molest Alvin, and a few characters from the first two books are brought back and built up. Cavil Planter is a new a very interesting character that has disillusioned himself into thinking that he is doing to work of the Lord while committing heinous crimes. Central to the story is the introduction of the pickanniny mimic Arthur Stuart, who will undoubtedly have far-reaching consequences for the rest of the series.

The book is fast and entertaining, with the same great characters you love and a couple more that are sure to please. I can't wait to read the next installment!

Yet more boring mormon wish-fulfillment fantasy. In this arena, David Gemmell he is not. If that is what you are after, then by all means get it, otherwise something like The Jerusalem Man will be much more appealing. You could, however, use them as a cure for insomnia, or sever lack of schmaltz.

After the interruption andAlvin's kidnapping in the Red Prophet, this book picks up with Alvin learning his trade and turning into the man he is destined to be. We follow Alvin as he grows up and befriends the people of Hatrock.

Again he battles the Unmaker and fights to build the world that he saw in with the Red Prophet. Peggy continues to watch Alvin from a far and she herself grows into the woman that Alvin will turn to in and love.

This book starts the story of Alvin the Maker. This is where the boy turns into the man he will be and brushes the soot from his face to see the future he will be creating.

I originally read this several years ago, but decided to re-read this when I got the new book in the series. This book was very good, both as the continuing story of Alvin Maker as well as the new story in this book with Arthur Staurt.

I really enjoyed the new depth to some of the characters that were introduced in previous books, but were more central to the story in this book. Also, the new characters, such as Arthur Stuart and Mock Berry were very good as well. The only thing I didn't like about this book was there is a point where Alvin has to do something very difficult, and while it is a very clever solution to the problem at hand, it seems like there was a much easier solution available that was not even mentioned. But that was just a minor problem, and didn't detract much from a great story.

If you've read Seventh Son and Red Prophet, you should definitely continue the story with this book.

Alvin has begun his "prenticeship" and though he comes to Hattrack river mostly to speak to the girl, Peggy, who, as a torch, had the ability to show him his futures and is likely the only person who can help him figure out how to be a real Maker, she flees before he even arrives.

This is a split story for most of the duration, flickering from Alvin on one side, to Peggy on the other, and converging near the end. Alvin's apprenticeship is very interesting, but it is Peggy's story I'm really starting to enjoy more. Peggy is a torch - someone with the knack to see futures in the heartfires of folk, and her own future is intertwined with Alvin's. But when she sees that her own future is a loveless one if she waits for Alvin to arrive, she does the unthinkable - she runs away, to find a way to at least have love for Alvin, if not love from him. Her determination to thwart her own gifts of futuresight is a joy to read, and her strength of character - somewhat rare for female characters in a lot of fantasy works - is a nice change. Very enjoyable.

So is where the tale ends, with a bit more magic than usual, and a set-up for the next story that I'm glad I didn't have to wait years for - like all the other folk who've been reading this series since book one.

'Nathan

I love Star Trek in all it's various incarnations, and I have to admit...I love making fun of Trekkies (who doesn't...really?). I loved the first movie for the focus on the extreme fandom (makes me feel just a little less geeky)...but this movie is even better for the great balance. It shows the funny and bizarre side of extreme fandom, but it also shows the the human side of being Trekkies - and what happens when you're a fan in a war torn country.

While not as side-splittingly funny as the first one, it can be argued that this is a better movie because of the way it highlights the Trek fandom throughout the world. The chapter on the Trekkies from Serbia is simply heartbreaking, and makes you realize how lucky we are to have all that we have.

I knew that this movie was going to be my new favorite when it highlighted the Star Trek tribute bands (you'll love No Kill I). However, for me, the best part of this DVD, are the EXTRAS. Included are FAN MADE TREK MOVIES. Get the popcorn ready, because this will entertain you for hours on end!

If you watched the first movie for the humor (let's face it, it really was hysterical), you'll love this movie too...the extras are really priceless. However, if you wanted a little more from the first film - a more balanced view - this sequel definitely delivers.

Trekkie is an insult and is akin to nerd or geek. Trekker is a more respectable term to apply to one who is a Star Trek fan. So I'm surprised that the sequel to "Trekkies", a film that took a certain amount of pleasure in debasing Star Trek fans for their obsession, didn't call their next film "Trekkers" a film that takes a little more care in their treatment of these sweet but kinda' crazy enthusiasts.

In the first film, Denise Crosby, explored the unusual relationship Star Trek fans have with the show and subsequently with the actors from the series. The result is one very funny movie that shows people not only obsessing over the realistic nature of their Star Trek costumes, but other fans who would turn their cars into shuttle crafts or their dental offices into the bridge of the Starship Enterprise. In the squeal the goals seem two fold, the filmmakers want to explore Star Trek fans around the globe and show that their obsession can also be a positive thing. The best part about this squeal however is its nod to the original movie. We catch up with some of the more memorable interviewees from the first "Trekkies". We learn that space shuttle van just disappeared one day and that it's owner, though still a huge fan, has other things on his plate...like his new wife. It's a pleasure to hear him laugh at his own fixation. Other past fans are highlighted as well and all are show in a much more positive light. The clips from Europe, Australia, South America, etc. are interesting but get a little monotonous as the film progresses. The extras actually seem a little more compelling as some clips explore the extremes a few fans go to. I also liked watching the two fan films, which are also included on the DVD. They're not very good, but the sheer joy that went into them is exhilarating.

This documentary trumps the first one in a major way by ignoring the main Star Trek actors. We don't have the millionth interview with Uhuru telling her Martin Luther King story and we don't have to watch the cast of the original series looking sicker and sicker (Rest in Peace Bones and Scotty) but we do still have the "Star Trek=World Peace" argument, but surprisingly less noxious as the Yugoslavian Trekkies talk about Star Trek as their relief from the rampant nationalism that led to some of the worst genocides of the 1990s.

The international Trekkies are delightful. The addition of Filk music (don't ask) and fan-made movies are great. And the kid from the first movie is there, supremely embarrassed by his screen presence in the first movie but ready and willing to make more gaffs (when he's not apologizing for the first movie mistakes) but he's definitely more entertaining in the second movie sitting next to his wife and wondering how he could have been so obnoxious at 17. (We all were. We all were. Just most of us didn't have a camera crew filming us.)

Like the first one, the main strengths come from the fact that these people are funny in their own right (and most of them know that they are funny) and the director never condescends to them. There are slow parts but they don't impede the movie.

Second to last note - the erotic poetry is worth the purchase price alone. It's hilarious.

Last Note - those Star Trek theme bands rock. I'm not talking about the filk singers (eh, never my thing) but the San Diego based bands whose lyrics might be silly but they play some solid sets.

The first "Trekkies" film managed to dig up some rather odd characters to give the average person an idea of what makes up a fan of "Star Trek" and all of its offspring. It gave us a cross-dressing dude who explains and performs a little "filk" for everyone. We were introduced to the lady in Arkansas who was made famous by attending Whitewater scandal jury duty in her Starfleet uniform and, alas, who could forget Gabriel Koerner. He was perhaps the uber-geek out of the whole bunch. The film also showed how the fans are very involved in their communities and world.

More of the same is offered up in "Trekkies 2," though this one was a little more emotional than the first. Denise Crosby bounces across the globe in search of more Trek fans. Once again we visit some pretty strange folks, but we are also shown how something as simple as "Star Trek" can have so much meaning to a group of people when Crosby goes to Serbia. Those people were so touched and amazed at how the characters in "Star Trek" lived amongst each other in relative peace even though they were pretty much all from different races, religions, etc. It was heartwarming to listen to these people talk about how their newfound freedom took on a special meaning through "Star Trek." I also noticed that out of all of people in this film, the Serbians seemed to be the least to play "dress up" as their favorite characters, holding more to the ideals of "Trek" and not so much the whiz-bangs and Klingons of it all.

There's one fellow who converts his house into a replica of the Enterprise. We get a better and perhaps more disturbing look into the world of "Filk" music and some of the bands in that genre. We also get a few nice clips featuring stars of the later "Trek" series and how many of their fans reacted to meeting them, funny letters, tattoos, etc.

The most fun part of this flick was when we get to look back on some of the more popular characters from the original film. We catch up with the guy who dresses his dog up in "Trek" costumes. We see Whitewater juror Barbara Adams interact with a group of people who question her about her motives for dressing up in a Starfleet uniform for court, and one individual gets pretty rough with her. Finally, we get to catch up with Gabriel Koerner, and learn that he is married, has steady work as a digital model builder for such shows as the new "Battlestar Galactica" and seems to have stepped back from, just a little, his love for "Trek."

In the end, if you enjoyed the original "Trekkies," you'll like this second helping. It might go overboard with a few of the fans, especially with the "Filk" singers, but we are shown that most Trekkies, Trekkers, etc. are primarily good folks with very big hearts(and many have graduate degrees).

Some folks collect baseball cards, some collect CDs, these folks just love their "Trek." Is that so wrong?

After loving Trekkies I, we ordered Trekkies 2, an obviously PC response to fan backlash from the hilarious portrayal of Trek fans in Trekkies I. Trekkies 2 is a yawn...slow and boring with very few colorful fans other than updates on megafans featured in Trekkies I.

This book dates from the end of season 2, so if you're a fan, it won't tell you much about The X-Files that you don't already know.  But the real point of the book is that the synopsis of each episode jumps off into a medium-long article discussing the science and history surrounding an issue or two in that episode.  There's a load of cool stuff in this book, on subjects like chromosomes, forensic science, hypnosis, various folklores, the CIA, the circus, and what might happen when you get shot in the head.  It's all interesting and fun to read, and will take you right back to how exciting it was when the show was just getting started. I only wish Ms. Genge had written similar books covering the other seasons!

This aduio book was so well writen that I thought I was in an episode myself.

If you are looking for a book that explains the X-files, it certainly will dissappoint you. It is not a book about the serie itself, but about the things that makes the creators of the show write every ep. But if you are the curious type (like me), you will be glad to know about alien histories, strange beliefs, and so forth. Even thought I bought it expecting a deeper involvement with the serie, it came to be an interesting book.

I purchased this book knowing what was it was: an episode by episode examination of the bizarre phenomana that is present in each X-File. If you are interested to know how much of The X Files is real and how much is fake, this is definately worth the price. There is another book that exists (I believe it is The Science of The X Files, or a similar such title) that does not even come close to how absorbing, entertaining, and informative The Unofficial Guide is. If you are looking for an episode guide, find it elsewhere. The central theme of this book is The X Files in the real world, and if you are at all interested, buying this book will be well worth the price.

I expected total coverage of things about the show, but the book was mainly about strange true things that the show is based upon (ie. the episode about the eng twins is true). I recommend this to readers who enjoy reading background info. The book became boring at times and the writing wasn't that great. The portrayal was not as anywhere as good as the show itself. For real philes this isn't a must buy.

It's getting colse to the end and I don't want it to end. Great book.

Card spends two thirds of the book exchanging banter between characters, none of which advance plot or advance character development. We then end up with Alvin waiting around in jail (again) and an impending courtcase (again). Oh woe the day Verily Cooper was introduced so Card could stick his books into a court case to explain what he wants to tell us.

I loved the 1st 3 books, was okay with the 4th book (but only okay), and this book made me angry. And this book did little, if anything, to advance the overall story arc of The Tales Of Alvin Maker.

Incomprehensible. I am an absolute fan of Orson Scott Card, anything he writes I will pick up to read. But this book stopped me cold. Based on the premise of the book, knack's that are almost magical, I should have loved it. But the quality of the prose plummeted in this book. I just didn't' get it

I originally read this when it first came out, then re-read the series when I got the new book (The Crystal City) for Christmas. This one was not as good as the other books in this series.

The story started off very slow, with a lot of nonsense about Arthur Staurt and Audobon (who could have been left out of the book completely) and birds. While this was explained somwhat at the end of the book, it was still too much and too slow. The book does get better near the end, but by that time, there has been too much junk preceeding it to make it seem worthwhile. The dialogue between Denmark and Gullah Joe is particularly boring and painful to read.

I give this book three stars only because of the characters, which are still great, and the ongoing story of Alvin's quest to build the Crystal City, but it wasn't a great story on its own. If you've read the other books in the series, this one is worth reading just to continue the story, but just barely. I hope the next book can return to the great stories from the previous books, if not, then I hope it will at least be the last in this series.

I would have given this book an additional star if it wasn't for the terrible art on the cover. I was embarrassed to read this novel in public. The marketing for this series really cheapens the writing. My friends laugh at me when I show them these books, then insist they are good. I would never buy such an ugly book in hardcover. Get with the times, TOR.

I'm not exactly certain what to make of "Alvin Journeyman". While Orson Scott Card remains among our best writers of science fiction and fantasy, his excellent reputation rests more on his critically acclaimed novels devoted to Ender Wiggin, of which the most notable example remains "Ender's Game". In his "Alvin Marker" series, Card offers an intriguing historical fantasy about an alternative historical United States set in the early 19th Century, in a setting that is replete with some unexpected "facts" such as continued British rule of the Southeastern United States and Napoleonic France's domination over virtually all of Europe well into the 1820s. In this latest installment, "Alvin Journeyman", Card uses some rather overt references to Afro-American slavery in putting his main protagonist, Alvin Marker, in jeopardy, and compares and contrasts Alvin's trials and tribulations with the relative success being enjoyed by his mendacious younger brother Calvin at Napoleon's imperial court. While Card's storytelling rises quite often to the occasion, those who seek his finest work will have to go elsewhere, most notably to the best novels devoted to Ender Wiggin.

This novel was an interesting story to the Alvin Maker series. I did enjoy the story and the adventures that Card told but I felt that this story was a stopping point-a temporary detour as he regrouped. I felt that this tale was an attempt to finish the story he started and gather the characters he needed to reach the Crystal City.

This is a very important book in the series. It introduces characters that I feel are going to be fundamental to the conclusion of the Alvin Maker series. If have been enjoying this gift from Card, you need to pick this book up and struggle through the slight lulls and finish this one.

The positive: Affable characters, fast moving, easy to read.
The negative: Uninteresting plot.

Although slightly better than the previous book in this series, Card still doesn't manage to recreate the magic of the first two. In this book, the bulk of the tale is involved in Alvin facing trial for being wrongly accused of theft. Many characters are introduced based on characters created in an AOL chatroom by Card's fans and this book gives the impression much of it was written to coddle those fans and feature their characters. Not an entire waste of time but don't go into this series thinking each of the books will be as entertaining as the others.

I originally read this several years ago, and re-read it recently after getting the new book in the series. As I read this series as a whole, I am staring to notice that the individual stories form each book (The war in Red Prophet, the story of Arthur Stuart in Prentice Alvin, and the trial in this book) and the new characters that keep coming along, are starting to overshadow the overall story of Alvin's quest to build the Crystal City.

This book started a little slowly, so I thought it might not have been as interesting as the previous books in the series, as often happens once you get this deep into a series. But with the introduction of Verily Cooper and Alvin's trial, the book really picks up the pace. I look forward to re-reading the next book (Heartfire) followed by the The Crystal City, which will hopefully conclude the series.

If you've enjoyed the other books in this series, you probably won't be disappointed by this one.

The Alvin Maker series starts off with a unique and fascinating alternate history of a world where people have "knacks" which allow them to do what would be considered "magic" to most of us. Alvin's knack is "making" and the first two books explained his world and shaped his character through some interesting and unique experiences.

The third book signalled the beginning of a decline in the series as Card moves toward his favored story of a main male character (Alvin) who is supposedly noble and good above all else. The third book is saved by an interesting and appropriate storyline about slavery but the same cannot be said of the fourth.

Unfortunately, in the fourth book, he makes the Alvin behave so stupidly as a means of attempting to martyr him that the reader soon loses respect for the main character. There is honor in self-sacrifice but not in someone who thinks that covering up the lies and misdeeds of others is a form of "good". Doesn't Card ever think it might be interesting to explore the theme of fostering positive character growth in others by having their lies and misdeeds dealt with directly by the person who they have harmed? I'm not talking about Rambo-type behavior but the fact that the Ender's series, the Homecoming series, and now the Alvin Maker series have pathetic men who believe bad decisions make them strong and noble is getting tiresome.

The worst part isn't the retread of the same old story but the fact that this story simply goes on and on and seems to have very little point other than to drag poor undeserving Alvin through the muck and have him sit by and do diddly about it. This is not only uninteresting for the reader but actively annoying.

Other reviewers have pointed out that this book brings together a cast of characters that will eventually serve a purpose in future novels in the series. I believe that those characters could have been brought in through a much less drawn-out and tedious storyline. Essentially, a few chapters of a novel which continues the move toward building the Crystal City (Alvin's ultimate goal as outlined in The Red Prophet) should have done it rather than subjecting us to no less than 3 separate liars accusing Alvin of various misdeeds and us having to suffer through excruciating details.

I decided after reading this book that this would be absolutely the last series of Card's novels I'd ever read. He's an excellent writer but he needs to tighten up his writing and get a new character or two. Ender, Nafai and Alvin are all just too similarly spineless.

Gorgeously-written tale of a mixed-bag of Southern characters whose lives cross paths in a manner which was, in my opinion, not fully believable, especially towards the end. I mean, you really have to stretch your imagination to believe such racial harmony as protrayed in the novel could actually have occurred in the years the story was set. Not likely. I also had a hard time buying the philosophical leanings of so many of these uneducated Southern folks, black or white. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed the descriptive content, colloquial language, and overall pace of the novel--it's not boring or tedious, just a bit unrealistic.

This novel is full of people on the outside of society in the 1950s South: the black orphan, the daughter of the town's whore, the old lesbian couple, the witch who lives in the woods, the white boy raised by a black woman after his mother has a stroke giving birth to him.

All of these characters meet throughout the story. They pair up and fall in love, discover the truth about their parents, tempt fate and death, and accidentally get pregnant.

A lot happens in this novel, but I didn't feel like it really came together. There were connections, some unusual, between characters, such as the relationship between Val's aunt and Joleb's priest. However, there was no unifying "Aha!" moment in the book when everything clicked. I felt like the author tried too hard to link everyone, but it didn't quite work out. Furthermore, I thought the mystical elements, such as the dreams and Joody's abilities, were out of place in a book that otherwise was grounded in realism. This book simply went in too many directions to keep my interest.

This excellent first novel was written in 1999, but is set in the '50s in rural Mississippi. The setting and characters feel so genuine that it's hard to believe that Ms. Haynes didn't live through the times herself. She must have listened well to her mother and grandmother who did. Blacks and whites live on opposite sides of the track in Petal, Mississippi, but their paths cross because of common human longings for love and family. The characters names let you know that you're in for something special--Even Grade, named after a phrase in a goodbye note; Valuable Korner, named after a real estate sign; Joody Two Son (understandably misspelled as Judy Tucson by Grade until he learns the story of her name) and Canaan Mosely, a 50ish African-American janitor/philosopher. In my mind, this book fell somewhere between Toni Morrison and William Faulkner in terms of scope, language and story--special territory. Highly recommended to lovers of language interested in life in the deep South, race relations and the yearnings of ordinary people.

I wasn't completely put off by Melinda Haynes' 'Mother of Pearl', but neither was I completely satisfied. I have debated with myself if I should award two or three stars, and I decided on three stars, because there are some well developed characters in this strange story. The reader will sometimes get the feeling that the author is trying too hard making this story the story of the century, and I am not sure this book deserves it.

Perhaps it is just me, but there were parts I had to skim. I had trouble understanding what the whole thing was about, and I felt too many things were left unsaid. It is not that a story needs to be pinned out, but too much symbolism and too many unsaid things makes one confusing story. And I was confused at times. And it is not like the plot is so unusual that you'll HAVE to make it that difficult to read.

All that said, the plot was good, and the book well written for the most parts. It is about the girl Valuable, growing up with her grandmother in a little town in Mississippi in the 1950'es. Due to coincidence (or is it?) Valuable make friends with black 'witch' Joody TwoSun, who lives by the Creek. Through this 'friendship', she also meets Joody's lover, Even Grade, his friend Canaan and Canaan's woman-friend Grace. There is also Valuable's boyfriend Jackson, and the troubled teenager Joleb. All of them has a voice in the story, and it is not always pleasant what they'll have to say. There is much drama in the story, most of it circling around Valuable and Jackson's relationship and around Even Grade, and his thoughts on life, him having grown up as an orphan. The racial problems in the South in the 1950'es and 60'es are touched upon, but it it not this story's main plotline, although it lures in the back of your mind while reading.

It took me a long time to plow through this one, and I am torn between recommending it or not!

This review refers to "Mother of Pearl" by Melinda Haynes...

I have read and reviewed several books from Oprah's Book Club", this is the first I found so captivating. The characters and the story were so engaging and refreshingly different, that the read was very out of the ordinary.

The setting is the small town of Petal,Mississippi during the early 1950's. The town's population divided by racial lines, and the denizens, and main characters of the story,both white and black, and although leading very different lives, are, due to happenstance, about to find much in common.

I loved the very real, yet unique characters and the way they talked, and the way we were privvy to what was going on in their heads. The language really seemed to add a great deal to this Southern story.Even the names given to these interesting people are unique and original.The side stories of how they came by their names add fun facts as well. Names like Joody Two Sun, Canaan Mosley, Neva Moore(this name always made me think of a line from Poe's "The Raven";'nevermore')and Valuble Korner and Even Grade, the two characters who's stories bring together an eclectic group. Val and Even meet through a mutual acquaintance.Joody Two Sun. A witchy women with powers to "read" a person. She is camped with her fire and stones by the river, and seems to possess magical and mystical qualities. Both the 15 year old, pregnant Val and the 27 year old Even, strangers to each other, are drawn to Joody for different reasons, and soon the friends of both become involved with each other as the story unfolds.

Although the story basically revolves around Val and Even's circumstances, there are other sub-plots woven through that may at first seem unrelated to any of the events, but are knitted together finely. I thoroughly enjoyed the read, although at times it seemed to jump around quite a bit. But once you get used to the style of Haynes, you can just enjoy the happenings in Petal. There's a little something of everything here. Drama, Humor, Romance, Adventure.

Recommended for those looking for something refreshingly different, yet quite engaging...Enjoy.....Laurie