Rating: 
Summary: Fairly entertaining...
Review: ...but not really very substantial. I suppose it's something of a stop-gap novel, really, to keep us happy until the next *real* Alvin Maker book comes along. I read it fast and voraciously, but there wasn't really that much to it, it seems to me--the high point, I think, has to be the portrayal of Honore de Balzac; that aspect of the novel was highly memorable indeed.Also, now that I've thought about it after having read a previous review, I have to admit that Card's notion of puritanism as a good thing if only a few fanatics didn't go overboard with it strikes me as amazingly wrong-headed. *shrugs* Nonetheless. I've been with the series from the beginning, and I don't intend to stop now. I just hope the next (final?) book has a bit more substance--I'd really hate to see Card pull another Children of the Mind on us.
Rating: 
Summary: The fire burns low.
Review: A long while ago, I came across an curious and interesting short story about the birth of a seventh son of a seventh son and I thought to myself that Card had created something truly special. More short stories came out and then a book, and I was a very happy reader. Then more books came out, followed by a hiatus. After the hiatus, there seemed to be a bit of a drop in quality, but I wrote it off. Not every book can be a gem. Heartfire, unfortunately, is representative of a much more telling decline. When I read Heartfire and compare it to the first books, one thing in particular stands out in contrast: the original stories were populated with interesting people who DID interesting things and who had interesting things HAPPEN to them. The twists and turns of the plots were surprising and enjoyable. By contrast, very little happens in Heartfire, other than people talking. And they do talk. They talk about philosophy, about what their circumstances, about things that they need to do, about *talking*, and about how they need to stop talking so that they can get a go on. There is lots (!) of dialog, but precious little ever happens. It is, quite literally, 150 pages into the story before any sort of discernable event actually occurs to anyone. And even when that occurs, it ultimately ends up leading to scads of more dialog and a weak as water resolution. I realize that Card loves his characters, nor can I fault him for that given that he's managed to create some very distinct and interesting individuals, but it does a disservice to them, and to the work as a whole, if they do nothing more than stand around explaining themselves to each other ad nauseum. It *was* a great series, but I honestly think that Card has lost his way. I think that he has a general idea of where he wants it to end, but no idea of how to get there. Heartfire seems to be nothing less than an attempt to stall his readers while he tries to figure that out. I'm sorry, but it's not fair for him to ask us to pay for the privilege of waiting for him to manage that task, nor do I think that I'll be spending anymore money to do so. Heartfire is a fading ember and I think that it can lead to nothing but cold ashes.
Rating: 
Summary: Great storytelling
Review: Although this is arguably the best book in the series since the first one, the ending leaves you wanting more and yet still feeling satisfied. 4.5 stars.
Rating:
Summary: Great storytelling
Review: Although this is arguably the best book in the series since the first one, the ending leaves you wanting more and yet still feeling satisfied. 4.5 stars.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent series
Review: Anyone who enjoys fantasy should read this excellent series.
Rating:
Summary: With personal Insight, I enjoyed it. But others may not.
Review: As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (the Mormons) this series has been particularly intriguing to me. I know that others have stated that it is loosely based on the experiences of the Prophet Joseph Smith. I would like to point out some of those interesting parallels as close as I understand them. First, many of the characters in the book are based on, or composite characters of important figures in Mormon History. Of course Alvin Smith is based on the Prophet Joseph Smith. (who was also curiously named after his father even though he was not the first born son). Measure is clearly based on Hyrum Smith who stood stalwartly by Joseph's side until their martyrdom. Verily Cooper seems to be a composite character of Oliver Cowdry (an early supporter of Joseph Smith who helped in the Translation of the Book of Mormon) and Brigham Young (the successor to Joseph Smith, I wouldn't be surprised if in later books, Verily leads the disciples out west) and probably a prominent lawyer of the time who helped defend Joseph Smith in his numerous trials (sorry can't remember the name). Even Mike Fink *I think* is based on Porter Rockwell, a rough-around-the-edges personal bodyguard of Joseph Smith. More intriguing are the parallel events that happen in Card's books and the life of Joseph Smith and events in the Book of Mormon. Moroni was the last prophet of the Book of Mormon (around 400 A.D. somewhere on the American Continent). Moroni appeared in angelic form at the foot of Joseph's bed when he was a boy of abt. 14 years to inform him of the whereabouts of the Book of Mormon. This experience is almost exactly duplicated by the appearance of the Red Prophet at the foot of Alvins bed in the first book. Moroni even appeared three times during the night like the red prophet, although the message was of a different nature and Joseph didn't heal Moroni or anything. Also interesting are the events surrounding the Red Prophet which are shadows of events in the Book of Mormon. One such event was a battle in the Book of Mormon that was so deadly that the river ran red with the blood of the fallen. This same event is seen in the massacre of Tippy-canoe. Also a parallel of Jospeh Smith is the Golden Plow. This is based of course on the plates of brass or "golden plates" that Joseph Smith translated into the Book of Mormon. Rumor that Joseph had these plates spread rapidly and many of his hiding techniques are repeated in the Alvin Series. For example Joseph constructed a wooden box and hid the plates under the Fire Hearth in his parents home, A ploy also used by Alvin. Also the actual plates of Brass where witnessed and touched by three witnesses, the seen by eight other witnesses an event repeated in Alvin's first trial. Other events include the numerous trials of Joseph Smith. Joseph was wrongfully accused of just about everything under the sun and had to constantly defend himself. Don't expect an end to Alvin's trials (if Card plans to continue paralleling Joseph Smith.) because Joseph experienced them often for the rest of his life. Also be wary if Alvin ever goes to Carthage City because Joseph (and his brother Hyrum) where martyred in Carthage Jail. The Church had since its earliest days been opposed to slavery, this trend is starting to come to a head with the latest book as Becky's crusade takes form. In fact much of the animosity and persecution experienced by the early members of the church where because of the ideological differences between the Missourians who supported slavery and the Mormons who where opposed to it. Governer Boggs of Missouri even signed an extermination order making it legal for any Missourian to kill a Mormon (I wouldn't be surprised of later books parallel this event). Those Parallels aside, I feel like I have to agree with many other reviewers. I felt that this installment in the series loses some of the excitement of the earlier books. Even at that level, I still feel that it is better than many offering of other Novelist of today. I have to admit. I am a huge fan of Orson Scott Card, and to me a bad Novel from Mr. Card is probably of better quality than most other novels available. Card's pros as always are compelling and successful at roping us into the story. His characters are believable and I am truly concerned about them. Those are his fortes and they come out in this book. It may not be as strong as others in the series, but it is still a great read. About the only real complaint that I had was the title! Heartfire! Comon' when I am reading a book in a barber shop waiting to get my Hair cut, I want a manly title like "The Shadow of the Hedgemon" or "The Brethren". And I almost had to rip the cutesy cover of off the book to avoid anyone seeing me read a book that looks like a fantasized version of a Fabio novel. How many more times do we have to be subjected to pictures of Alvin's chest! Alright, we get it, he is a Smith, he's buff! Now get him a shirt!
Rating:
Summary: With personal Insight, I enjoyed it. But others may not.
Review: As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (the Mormons) this series has been particularly intriguing to me. I know that others have stated that it is loosely based on the experiences of the Prophet Joseph Smith. I would like to point out some of those interesting parallels as close as I understand them. First, many of the characters in the book are based on, or composite characters of important figures in Mormon History. Of course Alvin Smith is based on the Prophet Joseph Smith. (who was also curiously named after his father even though he was not the first born son). Measure is clearly based on Hyrum Smith who stood stalwartly by Joseph's side until their martyrdom. Verily Cooper seems to be a composite character of Oliver Cowdry (an early supporter of Joseph Smith who helped in the Translation of the Book of Mormon) and Brigham Young (the successor to Joseph Smith, I wouldn't be surprised if in later books, Verily leads the disciples out west) and probably a prominent lawyer of the time who helped defend Joseph Smith in his numerous trials (sorry can't remember the name). Even Mike Fink *I think* is based on Porter Rockwell, a rough-around-the-edges personal bodyguard of Joseph Smith. More intriguing are the parallel events that happen in Card's books and the life of Joseph Smith and events in the Book of Mormon. Moroni was the last prophet of the Book of Mormon (around 400 A.D. somewhere on the American Continent). Moroni appeared in angelic form at the foot of Joseph's bed when he was a boy of abt. 14 years to inform him of the whereabouts of the Book of Mormon. This experience is almost exactly duplicated by the appearance of the Red Prophet at the foot of Alvins bed in the first book. Moroni even appeared three times during the night like the red prophet, although the message was of a different nature and Joseph didn't heal Moroni or anything. Also interesting are the events surrounding the Red Prophet which are shadows of events in the Book of Mormon. One such event was a battle in the Book of Mormon that was so deadly that the river ran red with the blood of the fallen. This same event is seen in the massacre of Tippy-canoe. Also a parallel of Jospeh Smith is the Golden Plow. This is based of course on the plates of brass or "golden plates" that Joseph Smith translated into the Book of Mormon. Rumor that Joseph had these plates spread rapidly and many of his hiding techniques are repeated in the Alvin Series. For example Joseph constructed a wooden box and hid the plates under the Fire Hearth in his parents home, A ploy also used by Alvin. Also the actual plates of Brass where witnessed and touched by three witnesses, the seen by eight other witnesses an event repeated in Alvin's first trial. Other events include the numerous trials of Joseph Smith. Joseph was wrongfully accused of just about everything under the sun and had to constantly defend himself. Don't expect an end to Alvin's trials (if Card plans to continue paralleling Joseph Smith.) because Joseph experienced them often for the rest of his life. Also be wary if Alvin ever goes to Carthage City because Joseph (and his brother Hyrum) where martyred in Carthage Jail. The Church had since its earliest days been opposed to slavery, this trend is starting to come to a head with the latest book as Becky's crusade takes form. In fact much of the animosity and persecution experienced by the early members of the church where because of the ideological differences between the Missourians who supported slavery and the Mormons who where opposed to it. Governer Boggs of Missouri even signed an extermination order making it legal for any Missourian to kill a Mormon (I wouldn't be surprised of later books parallel this event). Those Parallels aside, I feel like I have to agree with many other reviewers. I felt that this installment in the series loses some of the excitement of the earlier books. Even at that level, I still feel that it is better than many offering of other Novelist of today. I have to admit. I am a huge fan of Orson Scott Card, and to me a bad Novel from Mr. Card is probably of better quality than most other novels available. Card's pros as always are compelling and successful at roping us into the story. His characters are believable and I am truly concerned about them. Those are his fortes and they come out in this book. It may not be as strong as others in the series, but it is still a great read. About the only real complaint that I had was the title! Heartfire! Comon' when I am reading a book in a barber shop waiting to get my Hair cut, I want a manly title like "The Shadow of the Hedgemon" or "The Brethren". And I almost had to rip the cutesy cover of off the book to avoid anyone seeing me read a book that looks like a fantasized version of a Fabio novel. How many more times do we have to be subjected to pictures of Alvin's chest! Alright, we get it, he is a Smith, he's buff! Now get him a shirt!
Rating:
Summary: The sense of destiny is gone.
Review: Card writes compellingly, as always, and it is always a pleasure to rendezvous with the inhabitants of this well-made series. Yet, I was left feeling vaguely cheated. The sense of destiny that informed the earlier novels is missing here--Alvin et al. just wander around, eventually getting mired in two fairly uninteresting conflicts. When I picked this one up I was hoping for resolution, but this book leaves us right where we started from. Maybe next time.
Rating:
Summary: Non-Alvin buffs proceed with caution.
Review: Card's not doing much exposition at this point: either you know what Alvin's about or you don't. Not much knackery going on either, compared to some of the other books in this series. Alvin brings Calvin back from the dead: nothing new there. Wonderful character development, as usual, both fictional and historical (John Adams, John C. Calhoun, John-James Audubon). Lots of loose ends, of course, given that this is a series. At this point I suspect Card hasn't any more of a clue as to the final form the Crystal City will take than Alvin does. I, for one, will enjoy the discovery process over the next few installments. A warning to those who are picking this up midstream: if American history is not your strong point, you might want to either look elsewhere or commit to a fair amount of catching up, 'cause at least 50% of the enjoyment of this series is already knowing what REALLY happened and comparing it to the "Alvin" version.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Story Continued
Review: Even though I thought the first 75 pages were a little slow, once I got into this one I couldn't put it down. I can't wait till the next one is due out.
| 
