Review
“The best fantasy series now in progress.”—Publishers Weekly

“At long last, Card returns to what promises to be his most notable creation, The Tales of Alvin Maker. . . . This superb and welcome book continues the saga at the same high level as before.”—Booklist



Review
“The best fantasy series now in progress.”—Publishers Weekly

“At long last, Card returns to what promises to be his most notable creation, The Tales of Alvin Maker. . . . This superb and welcome book continues the saga at the same high level as before.”—Booklist



Book Description
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 friends. His ancient foe, the Unmaker, whose cruel whispers and deadly plots have threatened Alvin’s life at every turn, has found new hands to do his work of destruction.



From the Back Cover
“The best fantasy series now in progress.”—Publishers Weekly

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 friends. His ancient foe, the Unmaker, whose cruel whispers and deadly plots have threatened Alvin’s life at every turn, has found new hands to do his work of destruction.

“At long last, Card returns to what promises to be his most notable creation, The Tales of Alvin Maker. . . . This superb and welcome book continues the saga at the same high level as before.”—Booklist



About the Author
Born in Richland, Washington in 1951, Orson Scott Card grew up in California, Arizona, and Utah. He lived in Brazil for two years as an unpaid missionary for the Mormon Church and received degrees from Brigham Young University (1975) and the University of Utah (1981). The author of numerous books, Card was the first writer to receive both the Hugo and Nebula awards for best novel two years in a row, first for Ender's Game and then for the sequel Speaker for the Dead. He lives with his wife and children in North Carolina.

ANNOTATION

Return to the world of Alvin Maker--a magical America that might have been. Using the lore and folk-magic of the men and women who settled the North American continent, Card has created an alternate American frontier--a world where a particular kind of magic really works, and where that magic has colored the entire history of the colonies.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Using the lore and the folk magic of the men and women who settled the North American continent, Card has created an alternate frontier America: a world where folk magic really works, and where that magic has colored the entire history of the colonies. Charms and beseechings, hexes and potions, all have a place in the lives of the people of this world. "Knacks" abound: Dowsers find water, the second sight warns of dangers to come, and a torch can read the heart of anyone. And Alvin Miller, the seventh son of a seventh son, is a very special man indeed. Alvin is a Maker, and what he can make is a new future for America. But to do that he must defeat his ancient enemy, the Unmaker, whose cruel whispers and deadly plots have threatened Alvin's life at every turn. Now a grown man and a journeyman smith, Alvin has returned to his family and friends in the town of Vigor Church, to share in their isolation, to work as a blacksmith, and to try to teach anyone who will learn the knack of being a Maker. For Alvin has had a vision of the city he will build, and he knows that he cannot build it alone. But the Unmaker is not through with Alvin. If that spirit of destruction cannot stop him by magic, or war and devastation, then it will try to crush the young Maker by simpler means - more human means. By lies and innuendo, and by false accusations, Alvin is driven from his home back to Hatrack River, only to find that the Unmaker has been there before him, and that he must now stand trial for his life.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

The legal thriller wave laps at the shores of fantasy fiction in this fourth novel (after Prentice Alvin) in Card's popular series about natural-born mage Alvin Smith, who's the seventh son of a seventh son, and the magical early America in which he lives. Also returning are Alvin's equally talented brother Calvin, who's a scoundrel, the mixed-up little boy Arthur Stuart and Alvin's ladylove, Peggy Larner. Hatred of his brother and boundless ambition prompt Calvin to run off to England, where he meets an English barrister who so embarrasses him by seeing through his lies that he moves onto France, hoping to learn the arts of manipulation under the tutelage of Napoleon Bonaparte himself. Meanwhile, Alvin must leave his beloved town of Vigor Church because of a lovesick young girl's lies. Returning to Hatrack River, where he was born, he becomes embroiled in a trial for his life. Unfortunately, much of the novel's action stops during the trial, as Alvin languishes in his cell and Card jabs at lawyers and the justice system. The courtroom scenes prove something of a procedural joke, with truth finally served only because Alvin uses his magic to make everything come out right. This parable bogs down in its own folksiness, but fans of Card, who's won both the Hugo and Nebula awards, may love it dearly. Major ad/promo; author tour. (Sept.)

Library Journal

In an alternative 19th-century America, Alvin Smith's gift as a Maker-a rare magic that allows him to participate intimately in the act of creation-draws him into battle with the servants of the Unmaker. The fourth in a series that includes Seventh Son (St. Martin's, 1987), Red Prophet (Tor Bks., 1987), and Prentice Alvin (Tor Bks., 1987), this work explores the fundamental choice between good and evil-both the blessing and curse of humankind. The conversational tone of this engaging fantasy recalls the Silver John novels by the late Manly Wade Wellman. Card is a graceful and compassionate writer who is not afraid to tackle old-fashioned moral dilemmas from multiple viewpoints. Most libraries should consider this a priority purchase for fantasy collections.

School Library Journal

YAAt last, Book IV of this terrific series. Set in an alternate history, Card's frontier America is a land where wives' tales are fact and magic- in the form of hexes, beseechings, and "knacks"- really works. Alvin has the most powerful knack of all; he is a Maker, with power over the physical world. In this installment, he ignores a prophetic warning and falls victim to the manipulations of The Unmaker, an ancient enemy that seeks anarchy. While embroiled in a legal dispute that places him in jail, Alvin draws to him the people who will assist in his quest to build the Crystal City of his vision. Alvin Journeyman is the springboard for this quest that will be played out in future volumes. Knowledge of previous titles is beneficial, so be sure to have copies available of Seventh Son, Red Prophet, and Prentice Alvin.Robin Deffendall, Bull Run Regional Library, Manassas, VA

BookList - Roland Green