In an alternate version of the United States just after the Revolution, a family moving west faces tragedy when the mother goes into labor as they are trying to ford a flooded stream. The oldest son dies, but not before the newest son is born, making hime the seventh son of a seventh son, which everyone knows means he must have a powerful magical gift. Which indeed he does seem to have, as well as some sort of protection against the bizarre accidents that keep happening to him.[return]The alternate early United States that Card has created is kind of interesting, like the story of George Washington getting beheaded by the British that is told. But the story seemed to fall a bit flat for me, the digressions into politics and religious rhetoric seemed to kill some of the suspense. This may be just what draws some readers in though, if you are a fan of alternate histories be sure to give it a try.