"Using the lore and the folk-magic of the men and women who settled North America, Orson Scott Card has created an alternate world where magic work...
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reviews
Feb 25, 2009
Robin
rated it: 
Like this whole series, it has continuity issues, which Card treats cavalierly in the acknowledgments, but the central story itself is more compelling, though I found it frustrating that the story picked up so long after the previous book without allowing us to see the culmination of storylines that were left hanging and I as a reader had invested in. Having Alvin only with Arthur Stuart through most of the novel and other core characters appearing so late and some minimally is also frustrating.
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Jan 18, 2012
Anthony
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I can honestly say that it is a fair and worthy addition to The Chronicles of Alvin Maker. Good plot, plenty of action. Of course, not everything is resolved and several new problems are introduced; you definitely know you're in the midst of an open-ended series. Unlike Robert Jordan, though, Card still has a handle on how his universe works and manages to introduce interesting secondary characters without taking the focus away from Alvin, Peggy, Arthur Stuart and Calvin. It helps that Card allo
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Feb 04, 2011
Kathy
rated it: 
The sixth, in the fantasy series, Tales of Alvin Maker, Alvin finally discovers the truth about building the Crystal City and of the maker that exists in all of us.
In many ways, this is a sweet end to this series but the way in which Card leaves us is frustrating with all the new questions he's left: what nasty mischief will Jim Bowie get up to, will Calvin ever get over himself, do the reds get to hang onto everything west of the how long does the Crystal City last...please, at least More...
In many ways, this is a sweet end to this series but the way in which Card leaves us is frustrating with all the new questions he's left: what nasty mischief will Jim Bowie get up to, will Calvin ever get over himself, do the reds get to hang onto everything west of the how long does the Crystal City last...please, at least More...
Sep 08, 2010
John
rated it: 
The Alvin Maker series is a marvelously clever, folk-magical alternate history of North America, in which the author creates a fit forum for the brilliant, preachy, clever, and morally neurotic characters that seem to be his specialty. I think his take on famous historical characters is often marvelous, as is his frequent twisting and borrowing of details from his Mormon tradition.
Despite this general admiration, I must say that this is clearly the weakest of the series and not just More...
Despite this general admiration, I must say that this is clearly the weakest of the series and not just More...
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Jul 30, 2011
Stuart
rated it: 
The sixth of the Alvin Maker tales of Orson Scott Card, this one has Alvin leading a mis-matched group of castoffs, including freed and escaped slaves, unwanted French and Spanish settlers and others in a trek from New Orleans (known as New Barcelona) to the Crystal City, which he at long last starts to build, with help from his friend Abraham Lincoln. There is also a sidetrack into Mexico with Steve Austin and Jim Bowie, featuring Alvin’s ne’er-do-well brother Calvin.
It’s been a few years since More...
It’s been a few years since More...
Jul 30, 2010
Doug
rated it:
Many years ago my brother Rob suggested that I read the Alvin Maker series. I never did get into it much until recently, and I'm glad I did. They were every bit as good as he said, and I enjoyed them very much.
Card is, as always, a very good story teller. In this particular book, I had wished to hear more from Taleswapper, rather than just a cameo. But, the story was good, and vaguely paralleled the exodus by Moses. We learned more about Alvin and Peggy's relationship, their cha More...
Card is, as always, a very good story teller. In this particular book, I had wished to hear more from Taleswapper, rather than just a cameo. But, the story was good, and vaguely paralleled the exodus by Moses. We learned more about Alvin and Peggy's relationship, their cha More...
Mar 07, 2011
Vivian
rated it:
Although I am hoping there will be another book to finish up all the loose ends, I enjoyed all the books in this series. However, this seems to be a theme: while Card's characters are engaging and well-realized (is it possible to be in love with a character in a book?!), the story veers off into uninteresting paths which detract from the whole. Other reviewers have mentioned the unresolved plot points from book to book, as well as characters which disappear (after we have engaged with them), and
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Dec 05, 2010
Mike
rated it:
I went straight from no. 4 in the series to Crystal City, and remained baffled until well into the "last" of the series. I even went back to check the author's listing- there seemed to be a book missing. New characters like Abe Lincoln appeared, there was a rescue of Blacks from a riverboat, Alvin's first child died, etc. Speaking for the series in general, nice prose, and although Card is prone to pontification, some of his observations on people are spot-on and beautifully written (o
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Sep 05, 2009
Joy
rated it:
Last of the Alvin Maker series. Alvin isn't going to like it when he learns why his wife sent him to Nueva Barcelona, Card's fantasy equivalent of New Orleans. But he turns things to fit his own path, and only in the nick of time. THE CRYSTAL CITY has elements of Moses and Spartacus, but without the grandeur. Hats off to young Arthur and to Abe Lincoln, who save the story with their vitality of spirit.
After the wonderful first book of this series, SEVENTH SON, I was disappointed in t More...
After the wonderful first book of this series, SEVENTH SON, I was disappointed in t More...
Aug 08, 2011
Dan
rated it:
Ever since I started this series and realized that it wasn't finished. And that it's been 7 years since the last installment and that Orson Scott Card isn't dead, I've been mildly upset. But I listened to each book anyway and enjoyed them. I was pleasantly surprised that this book actually had a resolved ending. The series could end here and I would be content. The only loose string is Peggy's torchy vision of Alvin's future death when Calvin comes back around. I for one can be contented w
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Nov 15, 2009
Dani
rated it:
Blah. That's all this book was. The baby from Heartfire is dead (don't worry its not a spoiler, you'll find out on the 1st or 2nd page anyway) and yet we've giving no reason to care. The readers aren't there for the actual birth or even for the struggle after it. Verily and Fink are gone, but we don't know why. by this book Card has made it impossible for me to care. Oh no some character I didn't know dies and its supposed to be upsetting. But it never comes off that way. It's a story that is la
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Jun 27, 2010
Werner
rated it:
Throughout most of the preceding books of the series, Alvin's ultimate goal has been to understand how he's supposed to bring into being the "Crystal City" he saw in the vision he had as a child. Here, the pieces of that puzzle will fall into place, bringing the series to a satisfying ending point, though not a tidy HEA to wrap everything up with a neat bow --in this world (and in our real one! :-)), Card makes clear, life and its challenges are an ongoing story.
One of my More...
One of my More...
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Oct 31, 2011
Jennifer
rated it:
Imagine my great disappointment to find that this series of 7 books ends with this one, book 6. OSC needs to write the last one for me. So I was a little frustrated! Alvin makes some good progress towards getting his crystal city built. It seems a let down that he's carried his golden plow for 3 books now and then all it does is plow a furrow and strike a well to found the city. At least this ends with some happiness for Alvin & Peggy. It could be worse. Now I need a completed 7 book seri
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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...
Jul 30, 2011
Scott
rated it:
This 6th book in the Alvin Maker series begins with Alvin in Neuva Barcelona (New Orleans) where he continues his work against slavery and the building of the Crystal City.
The parallels between the Crystal City and the bible are obvious. The scene where Alvin and his brother-in-law, Arthur Stuart build a crystal bridge, allowing others to seemingly walk on water brought shivers o my skin. While I enjoyed the obvious biblical parallels, Card frequently refers to the bible stories and I More...
The parallels between the Crystal City and the bible are obvious. The scene where Alvin and his brother-in-law, Arthur Stuart build a crystal bridge, allowing others to seemingly walk on water brought shivers o my skin. While I enjoyed the obvious biblical parallels, Card frequently refers to the bible stories and I More...
Aug 16, 2009
Fred D
rated it:
Conclusion of the Alvin Maker Series (maybe). I'm actually really torn as to whether to give this book 5 stars or not. There were parts I really loved, and others not so much. I found the book a little preachy, though I suppose one could say that about a lot of Card's books. I usually don't mind it though, but this time it bugged me. I also saw the parallels between the events of this book and the events of Joseph Smith's life more clearly than the previous books in the series. For example, the
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May 10, 2007
Ellie
rated it:
The end of the Alvin Maker series (I think; maybe another is planned?). The whole store got more and more Mormon as time went on, and it became obvious that Alvin was a fantasy world version of Joseph Smith (apparently even the name Alvin comes from Smith’s history; Alvin Smith was Joseph’s brother who died). That said, there are still a lot of interesting aspects to the book. Unfortunately this is the worst of the series. It starts after a number of years break from the last book, but it doesn’
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Dec 07, 2010
David
rated it:
Ah, the Tales of Alvin Maker. I love this series and I hope that it continues. But, even if it ends here, it is a marvelous tale of an America that could have been.
This is the only 'historical fiction' . . . that I've read [thus far], and there's a lot of it out there these days. I like it.
Alvin Maker and his tales will always have me as a reader. --From A Reader's Journal, by d r melbie.
This is the only 'historical fiction' . . . that I've read [thus far], and there's a lot of it out there these days. I like it.
Alvin Maker and his tales will always have me as a reader. --From A Reader's Journal, by d r melbie.
Jun 28, 2008
Becky
rated it:
The series of Alvin Maker is an awesome series, I love it. I read the last one first because it was on sale but went back and bought the first 5 at full price and read them all because it was so good. Orson Scott brings us into a world of an alternate history, where all the characters are the same but play different roles, (eg. Abe Lincoln, Napoleon...) every person has a knack or a skill and Alvin is the seventh son of a seventh son and he has a greatest skill of all he is a maker. it's such a
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Jan 22, 2009
Tim
rated it:
I've read the series - in each of the six, there are plenty of observations of human nature that give one pause and a reason to reflect. Another great set for those who like the idea of ruminating on what would a slightly to significant different America look like, while humans in this imagined scenario still faced with all the struggles and choices we deal with.
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Jan 05, 2009
Memesmith
rated it:
Great conclusion to the series.
I don't recall which book it was, but it was said of Alvin's brother: He was the life of the party, unless being so would show someone else to be a buffoon in which case, he would remain silent rather than embarrass them. (So people stopped inviting buffoons to the parties they invited him to.) Interesting cocktail party image.
I don't recall which book it was, but it was said of Alvin's brother: He was the life of the party, unless being so would show someone else to be a buffoon in which case, he would remain silent rather than embarrass them. (So people stopped inviting buffoons to the parties they invited him to.) Interesting cocktail party image.
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Feb 18, 2008
Ellabella
rated it:
I liked it. A lot. Good concepts, good ideas, good questions. Good story too, not least of all by any means. But I strongly feel that the story itself got lost somehow in the telling. Perhaps Card is a bit like Peggy- he ended up knowing too much and eventually got lost in it, not knowing what to tell. Too many stories in him. Not enough time in the world. I know he turned out to be more than a little like Alvin himself. He saw the vision clearly, first of all, and felt the making of it
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Jun 18, 2011
This was a good series. A little disappointed with the ending. Seemed like there were some unresolved issues and i wanted more story on how Alvin and peggy made out. Course i was glad there wasn't more because I thought something bad was sure to happen. I would rather have it stop short than end how I dreaded it would. So funny how he uses his LDS religion as source material for his stories.
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.
Aug 27, 2009
Ellen
rated it:
I'm always surprised by this series -- I'm never anxious to read the next book in the series, but then I read it and really enjoy it. I've said this before and I'll said it again: I disagree with OSC very very strongly on some pretty points of philosophy and morality, but man, can he tell a story.
Jul 29, 2009
Ron
rated it:
The three's a gift for finishing the series . . . kind of.
Card had mercy on us. It's easy to detect in the telling of The Crystal City where Card jumped over enough time and material to have written another novel between Heartfire and this book. Thankfully, he didn't.
As I said before, the less you know about Card's religious beliefs, the more you'll enjoy this series (unless, of course, you share those beliefs).
Card had mercy on us. It's easy to detect in the telling of The Crystal City where Card jumped over enough time and material to have written another novel between Heartfire and this book. Thankfully, he didn't.
As I said before, the less you know about Card's religious beliefs, the more you'll enjoy this series (unless, of course, you share those beliefs).
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Aug 27, 2010
Patty
rated it:
This is the 6th book in the series about Alvin Maker. I read the others years ago and found them very good and thought provoking. I wasn't quite as empresses with this one, especially if he ends the series here. I have also read several other OSC books and have really enjoyed them.
Feb 06, 2011
Shivering William
rated it:
Phew. I thought this series may have bitten the dust, but this latest installment was exciting, was packed with high stakes and beautiful insights into life, and it left me with a strong hunger for the final book.
It's been a long, trying ride, Mr. Card, but looking back, I appreciate every moment of it.
It's been a long, trying ride, Mr. Card, but looking back, I appreciate every moment of it.
Feb 01, 2011
Juli
rated it:
The odd numbered books in this series are definitely my favorite, but the series as a whole is definitely worth reading, including this sixth one. The Alvin Maker books are a great combination of fun and entertainment, but at the same time being meaningful and interesting.
Sep 22, 2008
Chad
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Wow, what a great book. It started out really slow and many of the characters I liked from the last book were not in the book at the begining, and it seemed like it jumped years from where the last one left off. But wow, what a good ending (even though it leaves it wide open for another story).
The LDS in me really liked the fact that the Crystal City was really a representation of either Kirtland or Salt Lake City. The Crystal Palace is the Temple, which was really cool. The st More...
The LDS in me really liked the fact that the Crystal City was really a representation of either Kirtland or Salt Lake City. The Crystal Palace is the Temple, which was really cool. The st More...
