The Crystal City

I really enjoyed this whole series. Orson Scott Card is one of my favorite writers today! I fell in love with his writing with the Ender sci-fi series, but I also enjoy reading his fantasy works, as well. He is able to pull me into his stories immediately. I don't want to put his books down, having to know what is going to happen to my favorite characters.

I disagree with some of the people who reviewed the other works in this series. They did what teachers do. They analyzed the books to the point at which they drained the pleasure from the reading. I think that the entire series needs to be read and considered as a single body of work. Crystal City is amazing fantasy. It continues a story that teaches a lot about slavery and prejudices in early America. Prejudices that continue today. The story also teaches a lot about native America lore, beliefs and practices. My ONLY complaint is that Orson Scott Card did not complete the series with this volume. He obviously left room for another volume. A good friend told me that these stories portray Mormon philosophy. While it is true I need to be hit over the head with a sledge hammer to see symbolism, I have NOT seen it in the series. Maybe I don't know enough about that religion!

This is an epic quest journey, somewhat akin to Stephen King's "Dark Tower" series, but without the overwriting that makes Mr. King's books lethal weapons if dropped on your foot. This is a fantasy that takes place in an alternate America, one in which some people have "knacks", that is, the ability to do unusual things . Our hero through the six books of the quest so far is Alvin Maker, who can do a lot of things very well, but he's burdened with an overcautious conscience, that often propels him into trouble, and keeps him from using his "knacks" to extricate him from these troubles. I like the series because we meet historical characters in often quite different contexts from their historical reputations, and the geography of the country is greatly different from actuality. It's a tale worth telling, and a tale I enjoy very much reading!

This book is about a man called Alvin Maker who is filled with magical abilities and trying to find out what to do with his life. It takes place in 'a magical America that might have been.' Along with his wife and friends he meets along the way, he strives to build 'The Crystal City,' or the city of Makers. The only problem is no one knows how, including himself. If you liked the rest of 'The Alvin Maker' series, you will enjoy this book as well, but if you haven't read the series, I advise you not to read this book just yet as you won't understand a lot of it. In my opinion it was an excellent book. The way Card changed America in the book is very interesting and the storyline is original and great. Overall, it was an incredible book.

When his wife sends him to New Barcelona (New Orleans), Alvin Maker goes even though he is uncertain of his goal. What he discovers is Yellow Fever and oppression. Even Alvin's 'maker' powers are unable to completely defeat the disease, but he resolves to do something about the oppression faced by slaves, freed blacks, and the French inhabitants of the city. Like Moses, Alvin must find a way to lead the oppressed into a promised land. Unlike the Israelites, however, Alvin's task is doubly challenging because he doesn't want to violate laws and force other people out of their country. Along with his friends, Abraham Lincoln and Arthur Stuart--who is quickly becoming a maker himself, Alvin struggles to find a path. Unfortunately, Alvin's brother Calvin, Steve Austin, and Jim Bowie have other plans and do everything they can to hamper Alvin. And Alvin's pregnant wife looks into the future and sees only destruction and death for everything that she and Alvin have fought for. But although the power of the unmaker is overwhelming, Alvin refuses to give up his dream of a Crystal City of Makers, working together to build something wonderful and something that will last beyond his own death. Author Orson Scott Card creates a wonderful and enduring character in Alvin Maker. Card has become one of the best SF/Fantasy authors writing today and THE CRYSTAL CITY reflects Card at the height of his power. Although THE CRYSTAL CITY is an engrossing read, for me it lacks some of the pure emotional power of the earlier novels in this series. In THE RED PROPHET and ALVIN JOURNEYMAN, for example, I often found myself in tears at the pure power of the story. CRYSTAL CITY falls somewhat short of this. That doesn't, however, make the novel less than engrossing and enjoyable. If you're new to this series, you'll find your enjoyment enhanced by starting at the beginning, SEVENTH SON. If you've been following the series, you'll definitely want to read this one.