Peggy is a Torch, able to see the fire burning in each person's heart. From the moment of Alvin Maker's birth, when the Unmaker first strove to kil...
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reviews
Jan 03, 2011
Juli
rated it: 
Well, it's consistent, I like the odd numbered books in this series best. This was excellent. While book 4 dragged in places, book 5 had a great pace. The new characters introduced were well developed and added nicely to the story overall. I enjoy that few of Card's characters are all bad - they're complex, as real people are. Some of the characters that disgusted me at the beginning of the story fascinated me by the end. I also loved the imagery used, especially with the slaves and their
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Sep 05, 2009
Joy
rated it: 
5th in the Alvin Maker series. Alvin and his friends travel to New England, renowned for its virtue, and comes up against the New England witch hunters. They twist a natural knack to be seen as Satanic witchery. In the meantime Peggy travels to Camelot, a kingdom ruled by the exiled King of England, where slavery flourishes. Alvin's brother Calvin follows Peggy to see if he can use her against Alvin. All of them confront the looming war, the only path to the destruction of the institution of sla
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Apr 13, 2009
Michael
rated it:
After a rather lackluster entry for the fourth installment, I had high hopes Orson Scott Card's Tales of Alvin Maker would get back on track in book five.
Yes and no.
Yes, the story actually moves the overall plot arc forward a bit. But it also suffers from the same criticism I head of "Alvin Journeyman"--too much time spent philosophizing about the current state of things or having debates that don't really do much in terms of plot progression or character revel More...
Yes and no.
Yes, the story actually moves the overall plot arc forward a bit. But it also suffers from the same criticism I head of "Alvin Journeyman"--too much time spent philosophizing about the current state of things or having debates that don't really do much in terms of plot progression or character revel More...
Jun 21, 2011
Splen
rated it: 
O.S.C. re-imagines an American historical period wherein
various groups of Americans (including Native Americans)
are imaginatively imbued with powers over nature,
a.k.a. 'knacks' and Folk-magic.
I say it is lovely.
<GENRE>
Primarily Fantasy.
Also, Science Fiction -> Alternate History.
I first read and purchased (in Paperback)
the first five volumes of this series
a few months before Volume VI, the final book, was More...
various groups of Americans (including Native Americans)
are imaginatively imbued with powers over nature,
a.k.a. 'knacks' and Folk-magic.
I say it is lovely.
<GENRE>
Primarily Fantasy.
Also, Science Fiction -> Alternate History.
I first read and purchased (in Paperback)
the first five volumes of this series
a few months before Volume VI, the final book, was More...
Jan 17, 2011
Shivering William
rated it:
I could go into the subtleties--the similarities with past books in the series, what sets it apart, is Card repeating himself, does this even move the story forward. But honestly, I'm not sure this book warrants discussion. I honestly think it only deserves two stars, but because it's a cut above the rest of the fantasy out there, I'll give it a break.
But really, I don't think anything changed between this book and the last (besides a few choice moments with Gula Joe), and isn't that More...
But really, I don't think anything changed between this book and the last (besides a few choice moments with Gula Joe), and isn't that More...
Oct 16, 2010
Bjoern
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Apr 08, 2009
http://nhw.livejournal.com/282327.html[return][return]This is the fifth book in a fantasy series where traditional European folk magic is real and working in early nineteenth century America. For the first time, a helpful map shows that New England remains a puritan, law-based protectorate of England (still under Commonwealth rule) with John Quincy Adams in charge and his elderly father John as a senior judge; after the sudden death of his predecessor, William Henry Harrison, Andrew Jackson pres
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May 29, 2010
Werner
rated it:
This fifth volume of the series finds Alvin and Peggy now married, and expecting the birth of their first child, but separated for much of the book by separate missions far apart geographically. His continuing quest for understanding of how to build the "Crystal City" of his vision will take him and his small group of companions to New England, to observe a model human community founded on solidly moral and religious principles. But this is a New England where the Puritan theocracy n
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Oct 02, 2011
Craig
rated it:
I have to say, I really enjoyed this book! I hadn't read a book in this series for at least a year, yet found it incredibly easy to get right back into the groove of it, due to Card's ability to effortlessly weave reminders of important events without it breaking up the story at all. It only took about two chapters before I completely recalled who everyone was and what happened in the last few books. Heartfire seemed way too short, considering the gravity of some of the subjects it was dealin
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Jan 07, 2011
David
rated it:
This series is great. I am finding these books easy to read and the story line is awesome. Of course, I am entering a lot of these reviews many years after the fact so I do not have a good memory of specifics, but I really did enjoy the Alvin Maker stories, my first venture into reading any kind of historical fiction. I recommend these to any fans of historical rewrites. This is a particular interesting one.
Nov 22, 2010
Hilary
rated it:
I have worked my way through this series recently and found that Orson Scott Card remains one of my favorite fantasy writers. If you can get past the cheesy jackets on the Tor paperback editions, they are far higher quality writing than you might expect. The series is a delightfully original twist on possible alternate historical American experiences with a spiritual underpinning. A fun read.
Jan 18, 2010
Ilene
rated it:
Book 5 complete! I love this series. I think the reason why I don't constantly give each book a 5 is because by now I am used to the great characters and story line of the series so I am not as surprised by the great characters, language and story lines.
Don't let the book cover art dissuade from trying out the series. Alvin does not walk around shirtless in the books.
Don't let the book cover art dissuade from trying out the series. Alvin does not walk around shirtless in the books.
Nov 20, 2008
Heather
rated it:
Sadly, the series gets duller and more off-track as it goes along. I've noticed that with Card's longer series. The first book grabs me with a bang, but it gradually goes south from there. The story slows down and he takes way too many side-tracks -- seems like he can't conclude. I'm not very excited about the next one, although it will be the last in the series.
Aug 29, 2011
Derrick
rated it:
A good ending, imo, to the Alvin Maker series. Alvin has gathered a group of people with knacks who believe in the Crystal City like he does. But the book ends as they are setting out. Card does not make the mistake of actually showing the Making of the City, for that will be Heaven on Earth, and no man knows how to accurately write that out.
May 15, 2009
Diane
rated it:
Continues developing the characters from earlier novels, plus it introduces a couple of new ones, and they're all interesting. But structurally this is very similar to the previous novel, with a trial taking up much of the plot. Still, I'm glad to see there's a sixth book I haven't read yet, because this one does not feel like the end of the series.
Jul 15, 2011
Patrick
rated it:
I read a short novella by Orson Scott Card on the birth of the main character, Alvin Smith/Alvin Maker. Loved the idea of an alternate America after the loss of the Revolutionary War and folklore magic. There are six books in there series and I ripped through them. The only bad thing about the books, he ended the series.
Jul 20, 2011
Dan
rated it:
I enjoyed this book more than any other in the series since Seventh Son. I enjoy the courtroom drama Mr. Card cooked up. I'm a little concerned that he insists on dragging as many famous people into his alternate history as possible. Also, the beginnings of reconciliation between Alvin and Calvin is very good to see.
Jul 21, 2010
Doug
rated it:
Excellent story, excellent book. Nothing terribly moving about the book, just a good book with a good story. The parallels to J.S. are humorous and interesting to see, but not a big part of the story. I will read the 6th book too, I have enjoyed the series.
Feb 19, 2009
Lisa
rated it: 
I didn't like this book because I couldn't get into it.
I had to stop reading it.
The characters seem shallow and there is way too much dialog.
Maybe I'll try book #1 and see if there is just as much dialog.
I like books with more description.
I had to stop reading it.
The characters seem shallow and there is way too much dialog.
Maybe I'll try book #1 and see if there is just as much dialog.
I like books with more description.
Jun 24, 2009
Davecon
rated it:
5th book in the Alivin Maker series. Pretty good! All about Alvin going east and getting tangled up with Quill the witch hunter and trying to legally abolish witch trials. Peggy is down south trying to abolish slavery without starting the Civil War.
Jan 19, 2010
Alexander
rated it:
This book seems to spend a lot of time talking about things I really do not care to much about. It does not focus on the characters as much, instead introducing a few that seemed to be scrapped from another story. Altogether very good though.
Mar 31, 2011
Toni
rated it:
Alvin Miller discovers he has incredible powers for creating and shaping things around him.
A recurring and main theme of the books is the conflict between Creators and Destroyers—namely, Making such as Alvin does, and Unmaking that he confronts.
A recurring and main theme of the books is the conflict between Creators and Destroyers—namely, Making such as Alvin does, and Unmaking that he confronts.
Feb 24, 2010
Magila
rated it: 
a stronger two than book #6. some of these later books seemed to be written more for the fans of the series from the beginning. it's cool that osc would do that for the fans, but the others were way better. this like like a 2.5
Mar 17, 2010
Christian
rated it:
Way to crap on your own series, Orson. This book is a blank to me, except that it went beyond boring me--it made me just not care anymore about the entire series. Crystal city? Whatever, man. Good for you if you build it. Or not.
Nov 19, 2008
Andra
rated it:
I enjoyed this book, but not as much as some others in the series. In the first books, comparing Alvin's story with Joseph Smith's life was really fun, but now it's getting a little old.
Jul 27, 2009
Ron
rated it:
Rampant Jordan-ism. If there's a spot on his map, he has to set part of his story there--populated with new characters and challenges--even if it has next to nothing to do with the main story.
It ought to be rated a two, or maybe even one one, except that Card is such an extraordinary storyteller.
Just read and enjoy.
It ought to be rated a two, or maybe even one one, except that Card is such an extraordinary storyteller.
Just read and enjoy.
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Feb 26, 2009
Sara
rated it:
The story is winding down and I still can't figure out how it's going to end. This makes me happy. One book left to go and this book makes you want to read it immediately afterward.
Aug 07, 2009
Stephannestacey
rated it:
Little irritated, and glad in the same sentence. I thought this was the final book and found that it wasn't. Weird pregnancy. Unique look on slavery. Looking forward to reading book 6.
May 06, 2010
Bryan457
rated it:
The train has indeed left the tracks and is wandering around elsewhere. Is it just me or could you just skip this one and not really lose anything in the series?
Mar 16, 2010
Miramira
rated it:
Card really sacrificed storytelling for sermonizing in this book, which is too bad. It's almost as though he ran out of interesting ways to tell Alivn's story back in Prentice Alvin and the rest of the series is less good fiction and more a vehicle from which to tout his Mormon agenda. There is more author intrusion in Heartfire than in any other of the Tales of Alvin Maker so far, most of which is pure bullshit. Some bits of it were still interesting though, and I'm hooked to see how the final
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