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The Ships of Earth, Limited Editon : Homecoming: Volume 3

The Ships of Earth, Limited Editon : Homecoming: Volume 3

List Price: $200.00
Your Price: $200.00
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Nafai finally has his day of recknoning with Ellemak
Review: "The Ships of Earth" concludes the Harmony trilogy that is the first part of this five-book series. As the title indicates, Nafai and his family, following the advice of the Oversoul, the computer than has been watching over humanity for 40 million years after the supposed destruction of Earth, are approaching the object of their search through the desert: the craft that can take the Oversoul back to the legendary planet of origin for repair. However, the future of humanity becomes a secondary consideration in "The Ships of Earth" because the day of reckoning is finally coming between Nafai and his jealous, older half-brothers Ellemak and Mebbekew. This confrontation is long overdue and Orson Scott Card's way of resolving the issue is certainly insightful (which means he did not give in to the bloodlust that the story was inspiring in me).

Because the Oversoul is losing power, the planet Harmony is descending into chaos. The city of Basilica is now controlled by the forces of General Moozh, and the family of Wetchik (Nafai's father) has been cast into the desert. Whether they accept the will of the Oversoul or not, the family has to band together to survive. Meanwhile, the young Nafai pushes them towards their intended goal, no matter how fantastic and improbable it sounds. But the endless days in the desert allow Ellemak and Mebbekew to plot to end both their interminable quest and Nafai's power over the family.

Despite the science fiction aspects that drive this story, these first three novels resonate with elements straight out of the Old Testament. Nafai and his family are the "chosen people" of the Oversoul. The problem is that some of those people do not want to be chosen and they are quite jealous that a young brother has been placed over them. We are talking the exodus mixed with elements of the story of Joseph, albeit with brothers applying for the role of Cain. In light of such obvious parallels between these novels and the Bible, it seems strange that some would indict this series as Card passing off a thinly disguised version of the Book of Mormon.

This is not a great series from Card, but it is interesting and plays to his strength of creating characters and having them interact while living through interesting times. After "The Ships of Earth" the remaining two volumes almost seem anticlimactic; indeed, the final volume is almost an extended epilogue of sorts. Ironically, on the one hand I would have preferred to see the three Harmony volumes as a single work (I have them collected in a single volume), while on the other the Homecoming part of the series could have been expanded a lot more by Card.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The excellent third entry to an excellent series
Review: A master computer, the Oversoul, has kept watch over the people on the planet Harmony for the last 40 million years. However, the Oversoul was never intended to last that long and it is failing. This third entry into the series that began with "The Memories of Earth" is a continuation of the Oversoul's plan to return to Earth with the help of the humans it has chosen for the task. Once again, readers join characters introduced in the previous two novels as they journey to the site where humanity first landed on the planet Harmony. Along the way, they have to overcome obstacles, most of them from within the party itself, as the dreams, desires, and ambitions of the characters come into conflict with the plans of the Oversoul. The strength of this book lies in the complexity of the characters and in the well developed storyline. Overall, it is an excellent novel and readers who enjoyed the first two novels will not be disappointed with this one. In fact, you'll start looking for the fourth book.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The excellent third entry to an excellent series
Review: A master computer, the Oversoul, has kept watch over thepeople on the planet Harmony for the last 40 million years. However, the Oversoul was never intended to last that long and it is failing. This third entry into the series that began with "The Memories of Earth" is a continuation of the Oversoul's plan to return to Earth with the help of the humans it has chosen for the task. Once again, readers join characters introduced in the previous two novels as they journey to the site where humanity first landed on the planet Harmony. Along the way, they have to overcome obstacles, most of them from within the party itself, as the dreams, desires, and ambitions of the characters come into conflict with the plans of the Oversoul. The strength of this book lies in the complexity of the characters and in the well developed storyline. Overall, it is an excellent novel and readers who enjoyed the first two novels will not be disappointed with this one. In fact, you'll start looking for the fourth book.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Ships : Prepare You For An Awesome Conclusion
Review: After reading the first two novels, you can't help but wonder what happens to our friends on Harmony and thier guide, the Oversoul. The characters stay true to thier form from the first two novels, but as they learn and grow your compelled to read on. Not Card's greatest, but beautiful enough to prepare, and set you up for an amazing conclusion.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: If you liked the other two Homecoming books, you'll love it!
Review: Although it might not work as well as a stand-alone novel, this book continues the saga of the Wetchik clan as they follow the Oversoul through the desert to the place where humans first set foot on Harmony 40 million years perviously. The series is quite strong and I enjoyed this book much more because I was already familiar with the characters from the previous two. Card's writing focuses on character more than on the pure science-fiction of his tales and it makes them quite readable. All in all another well-crafted release from one of my favorite authors

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Magnificent - But not for kids.
Review: As an Orson Scott Card fan, I can truly say that this book is a masterpiece. Third in the Homecoming series, it moves the story well, and carries it through numerous new scenarios and stark and beautiful landscapes. Several scenes in the book had be reading late in to the night, then jumping out of bed and cheering out loud at the success of my favorite character, Nafai. However, much of the novel deals with mature subjects like sex and the matriarchal/patriarchal struggle. For those who enjoy science fiction and can handle mature subjects, it's a must-read!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: The pressure is mounting, and the tide is turning.
Review: Hatred, jealousy, envy, and conspiracy to murder are found in this novel......and the problem is that everybody involved is family!! This novel represents the third novel in the Homecoming series. And this novel turns the heat up in the brewing family feud.

Card does an excellent job in this novel of creating a strenous situation in Nafai's family. By the end of the novel, the blows will fall, and one person will be the victor. Card's ability to create complex characters is evident in this novel and thought provoking.

Another great part of this story is the history we learn when an individual finds the spaceships to earth. Now that they are almost going to Earth, pressure mounts, and a leader is needed. Who will it be?

On the downside of this, a lot of time has passed in this novel. Due to the time difference, it is hard to keep straight which parents have which children. I kept refering to the front pages to see who sired whom.

Overall, this book is a great addition to the series. It is well written, and has some great character development. Pressure is mounting in the family, and the ending is awesome. I would recommened this novle to anyone.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: i'm 11 and i loved it but for all you adults-it's damb good
Review: How far does the rabbit hole go? In the book, The Ships of Earth the rabbit hole went deep enough that you don't reach the bottom at the end of the book. Whether the character is the main one or simply a mechanical they all get explained and you understand exactly what they think as they travel through the desert in search of something the don't yet know. In this book the main character is Nafia a boy who is chosen by a "god" who is just a machine set up by their ancestors too keep the humans of a world call "Harmony" under control. This boys ambitions to make a difference in the world a clear and shinning with the authors clarity. This book creates a sort of bond between you that really "puts" you into all the characters shoes. The book shows you the feelings of a crippled boy who finally finds and a wife (which he thought could never be done is his case) like you'd see a sun rise of a clear summer day.It holds the truth in front of your face and lets you watch as almost all the characters desperately try find out. This book elaborates on problem after problem trying to build up momentum for the main confrontation and falls short a centimeter of the finish line, then forcing you to read the next book to find the answer and by then a new problem has built up that draws you in. There is only one quality that this book lacks and that is a good title. To conclude a book that lets you sit back and watch with a ominous point of view at the situation that is happening. Furthermore, you should read a delightful and exciting book.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Dull, no action, worst of the series!
Review: I have never written an author before but I wrote Orson Scott Card (who is one of my favorites) and told him I felt cheated. This book is dull, the action of the "Homecoming" series drags to a halt.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Longest Eplilogue I've Ever Read.
Review: I read the first two books in a couple of days and enjoyed them. I moved on to book three and found it to be one of the most frustrating reads of my life.

This book is full of errors, contradictions, and repetitions. It appears that the author and the editor didn't bother to re-read the first two books to check for consistency. And it really shows.

Most of the character conflict has already been played out in the first two books or it is contrieved around information that contradicts information provided in the first two books. The characters are supposed to be several years older by the end of this book but they don't appear to have grown at all.

My suggestion, skip this book. You won't be missing anything.


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