Seventh Son (Tales of Alvin Maker, #1) in Pick-a-Shelf

Dec 16, 2021 Harold Ogle rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, magic, alternate-universe, supernatural, bard, allegory, folklore

Recommendation: This book is for anyone who likes the idea of a cross between "The Stand" and "The Devil and Daniel Webster."

Critique: I went into this book with pretty much no foreknowledge; all I knew is that it was a celebrated series that I'd always thought I'd eventually get around to reading. So I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Seventh Son is about an alternative-history North America around the turn of the 19th century. Folk magic is real, and the monarchy was never restored in Recommendation: This book is for anyone who likes the idea of a cross between "The Stand" and "The Devil and Daniel Webster."

Critique: I went into this book with pretty much no foreknowledge; all I knew is that it was a celebrated series that I'd always thought I'd eventually get around to reading. So I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Seventh Son is about an alternative-history North America around the turn of the 19th century. Folk magic is real, and the monarchy was never restored in England. These two foundational premises lead to a series of logical consequences that together form an interesting setting in which there never was an American Revolution, Native Americans have a separate nation composed of many tribes, and people have legitimate knacks for doing different things. Alternate universe stories nearly always appeal to me, and this one is well-written. The dialogue and internal monologues are written in a country slang reminiscent of Cooper or Irving, which lends a feel like "The Devil and Daniel Webster," and there are supernatural forces in opposition to each other, using people as pawns in the conflict, which feels like "The Stand."

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Jun 12, 2010 Susan rated it liked it

Shelves: fiction, juvenile, fantasy, young-adult, historical-fiction, series

This is an alternate-history story of colonial-era America, where magic is a normal part of life for many people. The seventh son of a seventh son is supposed to have even more special powers, and it appears that will be the case for Alvin, if he survives the forces that seem determined to kill him.

I really enjoyed getting to know Alvin and his family, as well as Taleswapper. I had some trouble with the portrayal of Christians in the book: either they're naive, like Alvin's mother; or their bel ...more

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Dec 28, 2008 Joanie rated it really liked it

I read this back in high school. It's the only thing I ever read by OSC and I really liked it. I loved the folk magic stuff, being born with a caul, being the 7th son of a 7th son etc. I had no idea at the time I read it about the connections between the book and the life of Mormon leader Joseph Smith, I just thought it was a good story. ...more

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May 22, 2011 Bea rated it really liked it · review of another edition

The story was very interesting to me due to its setting and time with references to Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. The lore that the seventh son of a seventh son is a very specil child is the basis for the book, which starts with Alvin Maker's birth and goes to about age 10. Just as he is starting to learn about his powers and to begin to understand his enemy, the story ends.

My copy did not note that it was the start of a series, so I was pleased to note that my frustration with the ending c ...more

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Nov 14, 2009 Abigail rated it it was amazing

Shelves: seasonal-challenge-fall09, challenge-recommendation, fantasy

Reread this after many years. I forgot how much Orson Scott Card can make me enjoy a genre that I usually avoid... He has such an amazing way with both characters AND plot. Definitely a book worth reading.

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Jul 10, 2008 Lindsay rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, z2007

A delightful fantasy read, the environment is well created and the characters and themes seem to be developing some complexity in the first book of this series.

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