Alvin Journeyman

by Orson Scott Card

Book Overview

Alvin is a Maker, the first to be born in a century. Now a grown man and a journeyman smith, Alvin has returned to his family in the town of Vigor Church. He will share in their isolation, work as a blacksmith, and try to teach anyone who wishes to learn the knack of being a Maker. For Alvin has had a vision of the Crystal City he will build, and he knows that he cannot build it alone. But he has left behind in Hatrack River enemies as well as true...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312850530
• ISBN13: 9780312850531
• Release Date: September 1995
• Publisher: Tor Books
• Length: 381 Pages
• Weight: 1.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.4" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

The weakest book in the series so far, but someone had to be!

This book is still great. I really loved his brothers adventure in this book, and I wished the had focused on that more. The story is a bit slow, but has some great moments to bring it up to speed. I found myself not excited when reading this, but after I put the book down, I started wondering what was going to happen next, and found myself diving back into the book. Fun read, and look forward to seeing where Alvin takes the story next.

A great read by fantasy's greatest author.

Orson Scott Card has weaved has creative magic throughout the Alvin Maker series, and he has done so again with a book that is not only a fine story, but fine literature as well.

Another Great Addition

OSC continues to develop the characters very vividly in this fourth installment of the Alvin Maker series. Alvin's growth into manhood and out of angry adolescence brings a new aspect of Alvin into view. A departure from the same character base is refreshing and hopefully will bring more character development in future installments.I'd say that the book is excellent and is a must read for all those who have followed the series. OSC continues in his masterful character development. The only thing preventing me from giving this book the 5 stars is my ability to put down the book for later reading...perhaps it is because I have been reading too many books recently.

The whole Alvin Maker series comprises Card'sbest work

These books are some of Card's best work. In my opinion they are better books than his more famous Ender series. They do for North America what The Lord of the Rings did for England - they create a new mythology for a geographical area (although in this case the mythology is also an alternate history). Card weaves an invented fantasy universe with American folklore of all kinds, from native tribal religion to European superstition and sorcery. Alvin, a young immigrant, is born under a host of omens and signs. He is the seventh son of a seventh son, and becomes intertwined with the destiny of the American frontier. He finds that he is the most important figure in the battle against that which he calls the Unmaker. Throughout the course of the book he attempts to quell the tide of entropy by "making" things. He unites people of many races, and tries to bind humanity together as he becomes increasingly aware of the spirit around him that ties everything - the land, the people, and the unfolding of history - together

A must-read for anyone!

This series is the most well written and entertaining works I've ever come across. Card brilliantly ties American history to this delightful tale of an endearing man with unusual powers. As we watch Alvin grow from a child exploring his own powers to a grown man sharing his "knack" with others, you find yourself unable to pause without knowing what is next for Alvin

The story grows in interest and wonder

I cannot recommend this book and series enough. My wife turned me on to the series and I am eagerly awaiting all future installments. Alvin seems destined for greatness, but like all great men, considers himself "just a normal man". I can't wait to see how he and the Indians of this alternate U.S. build his glorious city. This story also is terrific in how it shows the love/hate relationship between Alvin and Peggy, and how she had to voluntarily lose him in order to find him and their relationship together.