Rating: 
Summary: What a well written book!
Review: This book is the first of Orson Scott Cards' I have read and I am thoroughly impressed. His characterization and plots are second to none. I couldn't put it down. I can't wait to read the next one.
Rating: 
Summary: Ideas, Ideas, Ideas...
Review: To most followers of literature, Card has never really produced text that will withstand the passage of time, but it is his profound and often torridly philosophic ideas that make his many works so fun to read. This series is no different. Like Arthur C. Clarke or Walter Miller Jr., he toys with the idea of a post-apocalyptic society rebuilt in an attempt to avoid the mistakes caused by the creation of nuclear technology. In this first book, Card paints an interesting matriarchy, a structure that departs both from this genre of fiction as well as male-literature in general. Do not expect an excessive amount of plot development as Card is primarily establishing his main character's transformation from follower into leader and nothing more. However, he was able to interest me enough to keep reading, and I very much look forward to the next four books in this series. This is also the first book of his that I have noticed Card's religious views reflected in one of the societies he's created. I find it fascinating that such a biblical interpretation has been clouded by a complex matriarchy (an interesting idea if one considers Card's mormon ties). Read this book if you enjoy the idea of a rediscovery of post-apocalyptic society. However, read Miller's 'Canticle for Leibowitz' if you want a superior example.
Rating:
Summary: Noah's Ark in Space
Review: When I first started this series I was not sure if it would hook me the way Mr. Card's other books did. Generally I find he has great first and second books in a series but then goes on too long and by the end of the series you don't care anymore. This series is good in the beginning and gets better in the middle but in usual style for Orson Scott Card it petters out by the last two books. This first book starts things off in a remote place on an ancient planet that is the remains of a population who escaped their home planet to find habitable worlds. A computer satilite acts as a God keeping everything in check. The computer prevents people from going off and just destroying each other by intimately controling their minds from exploring forbidden subjects. The concept is a great exploration of religion, God and technology and the world in its present state. I loved the themes and characters in this story and especially the allegory trhreaded throughout. Card is brilliant at those things and it makes you forgive him for always ending his serieses with a dud. I love his characters. I agree with the theology he infuses. For a man of religion (he's Mormon) he keeps his characters real. They are not perfect beings and they usually know it. None of his stories, including this one, has a Christ-like figure. All the phophetic saviors are deeply flawed and troubled. Just like us. It's a great story populated by great characters and great political and theological intreige.
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