Scan barcode
margyly's review against another edition
5.0
If you enjoy the Ender series, be sure to read the Alvin Maker series.
robotcommander's review against another edition
2.0
If you ever wanted to read a book where a naked man "teaches" his golden plow to plow inside a burning forge this is the book for you.
hagbard_celine's review against another edition
3.0
I'll keep reading the series, but boyo, I've got some bones to pick with this volume. Including:
1. When a black character is a non-native english speaker, DO NOT WRITE THEIR INNER MONOLOGUE IN STEREOTYPED BROKEN ENGLISH. Jesus christ. We meet an African princess-turned-runaway slave, and she is barely fluent in her own thoughts. Goddamn.
2. Mormons writing about physical attraction as a component of love – predictably goofy. "He saw her, he shivered, he imagined her face, he imagined being her devoted husband" or whatever.
3. Not super-interested in Card's depiction of slavery & its horrors. Almost everything we see of slavery is through white eyes.
4. How big is a plow? Portable? Weird.
1. When a black character is a non-native english speaker, DO NOT WRITE THEIR INNER MONOLOGUE IN STEREOTYPED BROKEN ENGLISH. Jesus christ. We meet an African princess-turned-runaway slave, and she is barely fluent in her own thoughts. Goddamn.
2. Mormons writing about physical attraction as a component of love – predictably goofy. "He saw her, he shivered, he imagined her face, he imagined being her devoted husband" or whatever.
3. Not super-interested in Card's depiction of slavery & its horrors. Almost everything we see of slavery is through white eyes.
4. How big is a plow? Portable? Weird.
benlundns's review against another edition
4.0
I don't know what it is about this series, but it's so very addictive to read. Alvin is very similar to Ender from "Enders Game", but in this book he grows up, it covers his apprenticeship that was supossed to happen in book 2, so the book takes care of 7 years to get things moving. And it shows Alvin growing into his power. There is still the occasional reference to the authors Mormon background, which doesn't bother me, but it is peppered in here and there. There is more happening in this book too, with a few surprises thrown in.
davidkeithley81's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent book. Boy, Card continues to get darker with each progressive novel in this Alvin Maker series. The chapters with Cavil made my stomach turn. I am truly enjoying this series more the 2nd time around.
doodlebuginarug's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
tabithar's review against another edition
5.0
This was just as enjoyable as Red Prophet but in different ways. I like the conflict between people thinking the future is determined and independent of their choices contrasting with their choices changing later outcomes. It doesn't hurt that this aligns with my own thinking.
Otherwise, the book explores Alvin growing up away from his family and learning a trade as well as how to be a Maker. The plot weaves between themes of slavery (with some honestly crazy people), emancipation, and values of people in various working relationships.
Otherwise, the book explores Alvin growing up away from his family and learning a trade as well as how to be a Maker. The plot weaves between themes of slavery (with some honestly crazy people), emancipation, and values of people in various working relationships.
craftingrama's review against another edition
4.0
much better then the second book although I do wish they would ditch that one narrator that insists on speaking in a slow drawl as if he is trying to put everyone to sleep drives me batty