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Red Prophet (Tales of Alvin Maker #2)
Come home to the magical America that might have been, and marvel as the tale of Alvin Maker unfolds. The seventh son of a seventh son is a boy of mysterious powers, and he is waking to the mysteries of the land and its own chosen people.
Mass Market Paperback, 320 pages
Published
December 15th 1988
by Tor Books
(first published 1988)
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I liked the first book the Alvin Maker series, Seventh Son well enough for its folksy look at a young alternative America, filled with homespun magic knacks and big families dreaming even bigger of a better life. In Red Prophet, we get to see the flipside of the white man's knackery compared to those of the red man. It's a fascinating portrait of good versus evil, drawn along the fault lines of selfishness, ambition, misplaced good intentions, ignorance, and principle. The characters in the book...more
Feb 16, 2009
Michael
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fantasy,
read-in-2009
In a lot of ways, this feels like the second half of a longer novel that should have been paired with "Seventh Son."
"Seventh Son" establishes the character of Alvin Miller, Jr. and the fact that he's the seventh son of a seventh son. "Red Prophet" expands the alternative history of the universe Card is creating, including a lot of time spent on the politics of the universe. Card also spends some time setting up the rules by which his fantasy will play during the rest of the series (or so I pres...more
"Seventh Son" establishes the character of Alvin Miller, Jr. and the fact that he's the seventh son of a seventh son. "Red Prophet" expands the alternative history of the universe Card is creating, including a lot of time spent on the politics of the universe. Card also spends some time setting up the rules by which his fantasy will play during the rest of the series (or so I pres...more
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Sep 11, 2007
Aaron
rated it
1 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Lovers of "noble savage" cliches
It's a shame that there are so few good alternate history books that I have been able to find. This one, Red Prophet is a prime example. The second part in the popular Alvin Maker series, it explores an alternate early 19th century America in which Oliver Cromwell's Puritanical revolution succeeded in the long run and frontier folk magic works.
So far, so good. I really enjoy the historical details that went into this work, the stories that get slipped in about Benjamin Franklin, George Washing...more
So far, so good. I really enjoy the historical details that went into this work, the stories that get slipped in about Benjamin Franklin, George Washing...more
I had a hard time at the beginning of this book. But once I really got into it a couple of chapters, I really liked it. It's very Fictional History, but has a great story to tell. And for all you LDS readers out there. It's got a lot of BOM stories going on. I thought some of that was funny (even though I don't think he intended it to be).
I'll probably go back and read Seventh Son again because it's been so long. If I'm going to read the series I want to make sure I'm clear on the story line.
I'll probably go back and read Seventh Son again because it's been so long. If I'm going to read the series I want to make sure I'm clear on the story line.
Note: I won't be finishing this series, given the author's homophobic stance - I'm not going to fill his pockets. But these were my thoughts on the book before I knew how horrible a man the author was:
This is the second book in the 'Alvin Maker' series by Orson Scott Card, which began in "Seventh Son." Alvin was prenticed off to a blacksmith, and at the start of this novel, he's on his way when he's ambushed by Reds and stolen away.
Card is writing a very alternate history of North America, with...more
This is the second book in the 'Alvin Maker' series by Orson Scott Card, which began in "Seventh Son." Alvin was prenticed off to a blacksmith, and at the start of this novel, he's on his way when he's ambushed by Reds and stolen away.
Card is writing a very alternate history of North America, with...more
Awww...I was really excited to like this series since the 1st book was pretty great, but this book left me madder than hell. I think one star should reflect that I HATED IT.
One reviewer noted that The Alvin Maker series is a thinly veiled version of Joseph Smith's journey in America. I had heard that Card was a Mormon, but not knowing enough about Mormonism, I had never detected any sort of particular religious connotation in his writing. I was also surprised that a supposedly Christian sect (I...more
One reviewer noted that The Alvin Maker series is a thinly veiled version of Joseph Smith's journey in America. I had heard that Card was a Mormon, but not knowing enough about Mormonism, I had never detected any sort of particular religious connotation in his writing. I was also surprised that a supposedly Christian sect (I...more
I have been on a Card kick lately. Since I began reading the first book in this series to my kids, I promised them I would not read ahead. Well, I never intended reading them more than the first book anyway, so I read this one completely before we finished the first. I missed out on a couple things I needed to know, but all-in-all, it worked out well. It is a very enjoyable book.
Alvin performs a lot more magic in this book and it's much more interesting that way. The reverend Thrower and others...more
Alvin performs a lot more magic in this book and it's much more interesting that way. The reverend Thrower and others...more
This book is so terrible that I cannot fathom how anyone not only finishes it but gives it anything more than 1 star. I love OSC's Ender and Bean series, but this book is poorly written, poorly researched, and poorly edited. Card has admitted that he can't be bothered to keep track of his plots and characters, and so his other series are always overrun with errors and inconsistencies, and his lack of interest in research is apparent in this silly work of "historical"fiction. What historical fict...more
My review from http://grahamchops.blogspot.com/2009/...
(Reviewed the first two books in the series)
This series by Card is another winner. It's an historical fantasy about the Miller family in America, in the early 1800s. To people of the LDS faith, it's clear that the story smacks of Joseph Smith's life in his teens, as Card borrows several anecdotes and elements from Smith's life and tweaks them to fit the Miller family--for example, being visited thrice in the night by a spirit, or surviving a...more
(Reviewed the first two books in the series)
This series by Card is another winner. It's an historical fantasy about the Miller family in America, in the early 1800s. To people of the LDS faith, it's clear that the story smacks of Joseph Smith's life in his teens, as Card borrows several anecdotes and elements from Smith's life and tweaks them to fit the Miller family--for example, being visited thrice in the night by a spirit, or surviving a...more
Read RED PROPHET for Alvin, his growing up, his kindness, and his family. Don't read it for the division between Reds and Whites. In Card's fantasy America, Reds are connected with the land as part of one body. They feel it and it supports them. Whites poison the land wherever they spread. Alvin accompanies Red general Ta-Kumsaw in a war against the Whites, a war which the Red Prophet understands will lead to the best solution possible for all the people living in North America.
Two good elements...more
Two good elements...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
A book review of "Red Prophet" - by Orson Scott Card
Being the generational bi-product of the white and the red peoples (my great great (maybe one more great) grandmother walked the trail of tears- a full blooded Cherokee), this book was particularly startling/heart breaking to me. To see, even if contrived, Cards artists impression as seen through the eyes of the first and birthright citizens of the Americas: "The Red Man", I feel as though I finally understand some of the most hidden longings/p...more
Being the generational bi-product of the white and the red peoples (my great great (maybe one more great) grandmother walked the trail of tears- a full blooded Cherokee), this book was particularly startling/heart breaking to me. To see, even if contrived, Cards artists impression as seen through the eyes of the first and birthright citizens of the Americas: "The Red Man", I feel as though I finally understand some of the most hidden longings/p...more
Sep 24, 2012
Sherri
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Sherri by:
sherri.reid@comcast.net
In book 2 of Tales of Alvin Maker, we find Alvin and his brother Measure captured by Harrison's evil plot to start a war with the Reds (Indians). Harrison captures them so that Alvin's family and neighbors will believe that the Reds captured and killed Alvin and his brother. Once Harrison has convinced Alvin and Measure's family and town of this by using Measure's dead body as evidence, he knows he can start a war with the Reds and kill them all.
Alvin goes with Ta-Kumsaw the great Indian warrior...more
Alvin goes with Ta-Kumsaw the great Indian warrior...more
Red Prophet by Orson Scott Card is the sequel to Card’s 1987 novel Seventh Son. Like Ender’s Shadow, the changed perspective sequel to Card’s masterpiece Ender’s Game, Card demonstrates his great ability to tell a story from more than one vantage and can even expand this re-telling into another book. Red Prophet continues the alternate American history began in Seventh Son and this time largely from the viewpoint of Lalawasike, known to most readers of American history as The Prophet, brother to...more
I love Orson Scott Card's work. I just discovered him a few months ago and have already read 3 of the Alvin Maker Series. These books are a what-if story that presents an alternate history of the early 1800s USA that adds in paranormal gifts and Indian culture. The Red Prophet explores the pain and desperation American Indians faced as the white men conspired to annihilate all the red men. In The Red Prophet they experienced this as a dying of the land. The forests no longer spoke, the ground no...more
I liked this one better than the first book. Probably because the ratio of questions answered to questions asked was higher. Certainly there are still a lot of open questions and story elements that I'm sure will be addressed in the subsequent volumes, but, unlike book 1, this actually felt like a complete story from beginning to end.
This book addresses questions of European/Native America interactions in the fictional American West of the early 1800's. My daughter's librarian said she didn't l...more
This book addresses questions of European/Native America interactions in the fictional American West of the early 1800's. My daughter's librarian said she didn't l...more
I adored Seventh Son, but so far, Red Prophet has yet to catch my attention. It's likely that the horrific stereotyping and bigotry oozing from every page has something to do with it.
Held my attention throughout the story. It lost a star because Card made Lolla-Wosiky an obvious picture of Jesus. I didn't like that part at all. In fact, I thought about just putting it down because of this and the bigotry and racism that Card endorses in this novel, but I finished it and even somewhat enjoyed it.
Why am I such a sucker for this genre? Sigh. I'm obviously not alone or there wouldn't be so much out there to choose from. This sequel to The Seventh Son focuses less on Alvin (although Alvin still shines as brightly) and more on the "Red" way of life. Alvin follows Ta-Kumsaw on his quest to rally native tribes for war against the Americans. Ta-Kumsaw's brother, Tenskwa-Tawa, prophesied that Ta-Kumsaw would live as long as Alvin was with him. Alvin adores Ta-Kumsaw and sees accompanying him as...more
I especially liked Card's more in-depth journey into alternate history in this installment of the series--had to look up some things myself to figure out how the time line differed from the real world. I agree with some other comments, though, that the book felt disjointed between the beginning set-up and the rest of the story that included Alvin. To tell you the truth, I think I was almost more drawn into the story during the part *without* Alvin since the semi-historical characters were so int...more
This was the best book of the Alvin Maker series. I found it interesting, but also, oddly familiar...especially those familiar with the Anti-Nephi-Lehi's.
I love how Orson Scott Card takes history and combines supernatural elements and events into the fabric of our past. Similar to Pastwatch, where paranormal or technological phenomena twist the hinges of what could have been, this book breaks open a folk-lore past of America's narrative.
I love how OSC tapped into the lifestyle of Native Americ...more
I love how Orson Scott Card takes history and combines supernatural elements and events into the fabric of our past. Similar to Pastwatch, where paranormal or technological phenomena twist the hinges of what could have been, this book breaks open a folk-lore past of America's narrative.
I love how OSC tapped into the lifestyle of Native Americ...more
The second installment of this series takes us far away from the Miller family and Alvin to show us background on the two American Indian characters who play a central role. Brothers, one is steeped in liquor - destined to become the Red Prophet. The other watches silently and waits for the time when the land will tell him to lead. I found this sidetrack a little less than interesting, but once we meet back up with Alvin and his family, the story plunges ahead into some really amazing moments. I...more
Apr 19, 2009
Al Tarancón
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fantasia,
mundos-alternativos
A really good book, using America colonization by the pioners and the clash with the "Reds" culture as base, OSC creates an alternative American history, mixing fantasy and real history. I had doubts about starting a new Fantasy saga, even tough ALvin Maker can't be really considered "New". Glad i did it, tough, and i hope i can read all the books before going back to Spain.
Un libro muy bueno, usando la colonizacion de America por parte de los pioneros y el choque con la cultura de los "Rojos" c...more
Un libro muy bueno, usando la colonizacion de America por parte de los pioneros y el choque con la cultura de los "Rojos" c...more
Though some of this sets up the idea of the Crystal City, for the most part it seemed a detour, which so early in the series, made it harder for me to engage, especially when Alvin doesn't make an appearance until the third or fourth chapter. I am discovering it is a common device in fantasy that I find annoying. You become involved with the main characters, and look forward to the next one in the series, only to be put off by characters and situations that you could care less about how ever per...more
Jun 28, 2008
June
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
not sure
Recommended to June by:
Elissa
Shelves:
magic
Parts of this I really enjoyed, other times I put it down and left it for a while. I have a harder time with alternative history fiction. I also wonder how Native Americans would react to it.
I did not expect to like this book, but I enjoyed it very much. I tried reading the series when the first book was released in paperback but could not manage to find interest. Too much folk magic and 'woo' for my taste back then. I picked up Seventh Son on a whim and became interested in the story. I don't know that I'll finish the series but 'Red Prophet' was interesting. I found myself both engaged and slightly repelled by the interweaving of Mormon history into the alternate history of upper...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Oct 06, 2010
Kathy Davie
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
history,
parallel-worlds
I have to keep looking at the cover to remember that this is an Orson Scott Card novel. It's so different from his Ender series. I enjoy reading of Alvin's abilities and the knacks experienced by others in the series. The character interaction is so human and upwarming in spite of the ambitious a##holes and the overly godly. And, besides, I'm having great fun trying to reconcile our frontier American history with Alvin's.
I'm curious if Card solicited help for some of his twisty names; it's cert...more
I'm curious if Card solicited help for some of his twisty names; it's cert...more
The second book in the Alvin Maker series, takes a much darker, mysterious, magical turn. I enjoyed the mystical elements. There is a lot more sadness in this installment as well, and there is some pretty harsh violence in a couple spots, though probably nothing compared to what happened in *real* American history. Even so, the pace and thrills of the story caught me up, as did the development of the main character, Alvin. I burned through this book in two days. I enjoyed the book a lot even tho...more
I am down-rating this compelling book because Card is here promulgating the most blatantly sentimental view of Native Americans that can possibly be. All Indians are 100% in tune with the earth; they ask animals to sacrifice themselves for their food. White settlers kill the land just by walking on it. But, the story works anyway. Alvin Miller, age 10, is folded into Indian life and lore by heroic Native Americans (Tecumsah among others)to further his spiritual development. Alvin's adventures an...more
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Orson Scott Card is the author of the novels Ender's Game, Ender's Shadow, and Speaker for the Dead, which are widely read by adults and younger readers, and are increasingly used in schools.
Besides these and other science fiction novels, Card writes contemporary fantasy (Magic Street, Enchantment, Lost Boys), biblical novels (Stone Tables, Rachel and Leah), the American frontier fantasy series Th...more
More about Orson Scott Card...
Besides these and other science fiction novels, Card writes contemporary fantasy (Magic Street, Enchantment, Lost Boys), biblical novels (Stone Tables, Rachel and Leah), the American frontier fantasy series Th...more
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“Personal humiliation was painful. Humiliation of one's family was much worse. Humiliation of one's social status was agony to bear. But humiliation of one's nation was the most excruciating of human miseries.”
—
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