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brinnet's review against another edition
4.0
My reading of this series was interrupted by the unexpected arrival of various library books I had requested. As it turns out, the writer also took quite a break before writing this book, so I felt I was well cared for in easing back into this series at book 4.
The series continues right along, with a little more self-awareness (the book even introduces a character who is a novelist, which occasionally resulted in my being taken out of the story to reflect on the parallels). However, I enjoyed this book and am picking up Book 5, not because of momentum, but because I want to know what happens with Alvin.
To be continued...
The series continues right along, with a little more self-awareness (the book even introduces a character who is a novelist, which occasionally resulted in my being taken out of the story to reflect on the parallels). However, I enjoyed this book and am picking up Book 5, not because of momentum, but because I want to know what happens with Alvin.
To be continued...
kbelcher1992's review against another edition
3.0
Lot of deep questions in the undertones of the book. I really enjoyed and as per usual am not disappointed by Orson Scott Card.
giantarms's review against another edition
1.0
LOOK WE CAN MAKE LAWS AND SIT IN COURTS AND TALK A LOT REALLY MAGIC AND WONDER AND ALL THAT IS IRRELEVANT IN A FANTASY NOVEL
So help me I don't know why I'm still reading this mess.
You should know that this is book four. I read a third of the way through book five before I realized I'd skipped a book. I can totally summarize the whole of what happens in this book:
Alvin's accused of junk and then is acquitted.
The end. 300 pages later.
Orson, I know you're bigheaded and people will buy your books no matter what I say, but why is the farther along in a series you get, the more we end up with talking heads? Preachy talking heads. OHNOESFATE
So help me I don't know why I'm still reading this mess.
You should know that this is book four. I read a third of the way through book five before I realized I'd skipped a book. I can totally summarize the whole of what happens in this book:
Alvin's accused of junk and then is acquitted.
The end. 300 pages later.
Orson, I know you're bigheaded and people will buy your books no matter what I say, but why is the farther along in a series you get, the more we end up with talking heads? Preachy talking heads. OHNOESFATE
rbriese7's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
elden's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the allusion to the Lord of the rings. When I read it I had to think about it for a bit but it was the only thing that fit.
darusha's review against another edition
3.0
There is a lot about this series to like, but I fear that the more books in it I read the less I'm finding those likeable aspects. At this point, it feels very much like the characters are being thrown into random trials for the sake of plot, rather than simply living their extraordinary lives like they were in the first books.
That being said, I'm sucked in now, and need to see what happens, so I'll doubtlessly finish the series.
That being said, I'm sucked in now, and need to see what happens, so I'll doubtlessly finish the series.
jungle_catfish's review against another edition
4.0
This series is really hitting the spot right now.
drtlovesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This review is for a second (or third) read in Jan 2021.
What it's about: Having secured his journeyman status from his former master, Alvin Smith travels back to his home and tries to teach the people there how to join him as a Maker. But all too soon, he finds himself heading out to try to avoid rumors that threaten to raise up the people of Vigor Church against him.
These journeys find him back in Hatrack River, where he is arrested on charges of theft from his former master. And all too soon, powerful enemies from beyond his usual sphere have sent agents to prevent Alvin from walking free on this earth - or even from walking at all.
But Peggy the torch is still looking out for Alvin, and she will be joined by powerful allies who align to help Alvin in his time of need.
Meanwhile, Alvin's younger brother, Calvin, continues to nurture his rage at his older brother. He roams the world, seeking to learn how he can take away the Crystal City from Alvin once it has been built, so he can shatter it and show his brother who is truly the stronger man. And when he is finally ready to return to America, it is with the malice in his heart stoked higher than ever.
What I thought: This is a long book, and a big chunk of it is about Alvin being in jail and on trial. But there are a few other strands of story going on that help to keep things moving along. And the writing is quite enjoyable, particularly when Card twists and turns things to create some unexpected moments based on the fiction he's created, as well as on real world historical events.
Why I rated it like I did: It's a good story, Brant.
What it's about: Having secured his journeyman status from his former master, Alvin Smith travels back to his home and tries to teach the people there how to join him as a Maker. But all too soon, he finds himself heading out to try to avoid rumors that threaten to raise up the people of Vigor Church against him.
These journeys find him back in Hatrack River, where he is arrested on charges of theft from his former master. And all too soon, powerful enemies from beyond his usual sphere have sent agents to prevent Alvin from walking free on this earth - or even from walking at all.
But Peggy the torch is still looking out for Alvin, and she will be joined by powerful allies who align to help Alvin in his time of need.
Meanwhile, Alvin's younger brother, Calvin, continues to nurture his rage at his older brother. He roams the world, seeking to learn how he can take away the Crystal City from Alvin once it has been built, so he can shatter it and show his brother who is truly the stronger man. And when he is finally ready to return to America, it is with the malice in his heart stoked higher than ever.
What I thought: This is a long book, and a big chunk of it is about Alvin being in jail and on trial. But there are a few other strands of story going on that help to keep things moving along. And the writing is quite enjoyable, particularly when Card twists and turns things to create some unexpected moments based on the fiction he's created, as well as on real world historical events.
Why I rated it like I did: It's a good story, Brant.
jpv0's review against another edition
3.0
This time around Alvin is on trial. Not even kidding. Most of the book is taken up by Alvin going back to stand trial for 'stealing' the golden plow from Makepeace. It's actually a surprisingly decently plot and we get a lot more worldbuilding, including two different viewpoints in Europe. In one, we have a lawyer with a knack of his own who wants to learn from Alvin and looks to be a new main character. In the other, Alvin's brother Calvin's adventures in France, meeting Napoleon.
Unfortunately, it seems like we've spent yet another book just spinning in place. Alvin continues to plan on building his Crystal City and training new Makers... but he's not getting to either any time soon. At the very end, he does manage tomarry Peggy and meet up with the Prophet again, but it feels only to set up the next sequel.
Characterwise, I do like Verily. It's interesting to see how someone with a powerful knack akin to Alvin's, but that grew up in a land where such a thing is supposed to be a death sentence. Likewise, I think Calvin's story is interesting. He has such a completely different view of the world from Alvin and doesn't even seem to realize it. He's not a particularly good person and seems to be okay with that. It makes him feel a little more real than Alvin ever did.
All together, I think I'm done with the series for the time being. It's not flat out a bad series, but I feel like there are better books I could be reading first.
Unfortunately, it seems like we've spent yet another book just spinning in place. Alvin continues to plan on building his Crystal City and training new Makers... but he's not getting to either any time soon. At the very end, he does manage to
Characterwise, I do like Verily. It's interesting to see how someone with a powerful knack akin to Alvin's, but that grew up in a land where such a thing is supposed to be a death sentence. Likewise, I think Calvin's story is interesting. He has such a completely different view of the world from Alvin and doesn't even seem to realize it. He's not a particularly good person and seems to be okay with that. It makes him feel a little more real than Alvin ever did.
All together, I think I'm done with the series for the time being. It's not flat out a bad series, but I feel like there are better books I could be reading first.