Rating: 
Summary: Excellent book, in an excellent series
Review: "The Tales of Alvin Maker" series by Orson Scott Card has been my husband's and my latest joint reading project. We recently finished Book 6 in the series, "The Crystal City."The series is set in an alternative version of Colonial America, in which various political entities hold interests in the North American continent and which people of various descent are steeped in magic that is common to their race. Thus, European settlers have "knacks" of varying degree and ability. The indigenous people move in harmony with the "Greensong" that encompasses all life. And people of African descent utilize physical objects, like poppets, to work their magic. The hero of the series, Alvin Maker, was born the seventh son of a seventh son -- a combination that blessed him with a particularly powerful knack. Although he was apprenticed as a smith, his true profession is that of maker, and Alvin wields tremendous power over natural forces like stone and metal. As the story progresses through successive volumes, Alvin gathers like-minded people to him in an effort to build the Crystal City of a childhood vision. And he learns, as his ability matures, that a maker is part of what he makes. A visit to Orson Scott Card's Web site (www.hatrack.com) recently informed us that the story is projected to encompass a total of seven volumes, which means there's only one left. I have great respect for Mr. Card for having established a finite, concluding number for the volumes in his series, because having read other writers' ongoing epics, I know the temptation to use familiar characters or locale can be a powerful one. Of the several multi-volume epics we have read, the authors' success has been varying. One of the biggest pitfalls, we've noticed, is that sooner or later the need to rehash past events for continuing readers or bring new readers up to speed tends to bog down the narrative if not handled with care. In the case of the Alvin Maker series, however, there is just enough "boilerplate" to keep things moving, or to offer an insight into the hearts and minds of Mr. Card's characters. The story continues moving forward, with new insights and revelations awaiting the familiar cast. So here's looking forward, in excitement mixed with regret, to the release of "Master Alvin." This is an excellent series, to be enjoyed while it lasts, and re-read fondly when it is over. And if "The Crystal City" is any indication of what is to come, Mr. Card is wrapping things up at the peak of his storytelling powers as channeled in "The Tales of Alvin Maker."
Rating: 
Summary: Entertainment. Don't expect much more.
Review: After waiting four years for the sequel to Heartfire, Orson Scott Card finally delights us with the further tales of Alvin Maker in The Crystal City. From the beginning, we are transported into the wonderful world of magical alternate history as only Uncle Orson can show us. Alvin and his brother-in-law, Arthur Stuart, are in the Spanish town Nueva Barcelona (once known as New Orleans) on a mission of unknown determination, by Alvin's wife, the "Torch," Peggy Smith.
Card writes in his usual Alvin series voice, providing frequent jabs and slapstick conversation among the characters, who argue among themselves in admiration. Although I think the snappy dialogue went a tad overboard in this book, I was nevertheless entertained with the story.
The book is an easy read, and went too quickly. After the early difficulties in the book, I think things wrapped together far too neatly toward the end. And it appeared that Card was rushing this one. It seems that something has been left out.
I have to remind myself that the Alvin books are written easily, so that youth can read them, and not be upset that we didn't explore the depths of characters who should be behaving like adults.
At 340 pages, it's well worth the short time it takes to read it. I understand that Orson Scott Card has one more book in the series and then he'll wrap it all up. Let's hope he takes less than four years to write this one.
Rating:
Summary: Yes, that Crystal City.
Review: For those of us eagerly waiting to learn what happens next to Alvin Maker, "The Crystal City" does not toy with us. In this, the sixth novel in the Alvin Maker series, all of the previous elements come into play. Alvin's work is far from done at the end of this book, but Card has fulfilled much of his promise to his readers. As we watch Alvin's dreams become real we also watch the author's. He continues to thrill us with famous characters in this alternate history. The rich dialects stick with me, and I catch them in my speech for days. Once again Orson Scott Card skillfully recaps the action of the previous books through the thoughts of his characters, so we learn even more about the past. Readers will benefit from reading the previous books in the series first. (Seventh Son, Red Prophet, Prentice Alvin, Alvin Journeyman, and Heartfire) The only flaw of this book is that it tries to cover too much of the story within two covers. Card has developed as a writer throughout this series. Each novel in this series is different from the others. "The Crystal City" is not primarily a story of action (although there is no shortage of miraculous actions). Instead it is a story of relationships-- trust, love, forgiveness, and hope. There is no final battle with the Unmaker at the end of this tale, and some readers may be disappointed by that. But there is triumph nonetheless. While I would eagerly read future books in the Alvin Maker series, I shall be content if this is the end.
Rating:
Summary: WONDERFUL READING - especially for vivid imaginations!
Review: 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!
Rating: 
Summary: Losing the zeitgeist
Review: I thought Card was losing his way with "Heartfire," but it was such a good adventure saga I overlooked its weak points (e.g., an annoying Balzac; little development of overall plot). Not true with "The Crystal City," where all that happens is Alvin Smith getting himself one step closer to creating Nauvoo and to getting himself shot in a Carthage City jail. The characters are worth the effort to read, but the love of Margaret and Alvin, so important in "Prentice Alvin" and "Heartfire," is practically non-existent. So too the Unmaker. It's like Card is dropping pieces of his theme as he goes along. It's frustrating to read. For example: where is Cavil Planter? Where is Mistress Modesty? What happened to Verily and the witch girl? I will continue to read the books in this series, I know Card's got at least one more, since I'm dying to figure out how he works polygamy and destruction of property into his plot. I just wish he'd finish the same thing he started. If he has to kill Alvin off at the end, I accept that, just so long as he's true to the series doing it.
Rating:
Summary: Not really what I expected
Review: I was glad to see a continuation to the Alvin Maker series because Heartfire left off with a cliffhanger. The rest of the story was begging to be told. So, when The Crystal City came out, I was overjoyed. However, it too left me hanging. To begin with, I was lost when the story picked up. There were characters involved that had not been introduced. Mr. Card seemed to assume that we would figure it out along the way. Also, many of the characters that were with Alvin at the end of Heartfire were not present in any form. Also in this book, the LDS culture and theology (which is present in all of Mr. Card's works) was overly dominant in The Crystal City. I do appluad Mr. Card for having the courage and faith to present his beliefs to the rest of the world in a form that is much like the parables of Christ. However, unlike The Folk of the Fringe, The Crystal City is not primarily about the Mormon church. Therefore, it was suprising to see the LDS theology overpowering the story of Alvin Maker. Again, this is not saying that Mr. Card should leave his religious beliefs out of his writing. It is the case, however, that when theology or any well known story is used to pattern a novel after, the novel becomes very predictable and in this case, becomes more like reading the story of the Mormon migration. In fact, I found myself checking the included maps, to see exactly where the tabernacle was being built because I was so sure that Mr. Card's purpose in this book was to present his readers with a glimpse of Mormonisim.
All in all, the Alvin Maker series is one of Mr. Card's best series. And I thouroughly, enjoyed the continuation of one of the best fantasy series that I have had the pleasure of reading. Cheers to you Mr. Card. I patiently await the continuation of the Alvin Maker series.
Rating:
Summary: Not up to Card's usual standard
Review: It pains me to give this book only 3 stars because I love Orson Scott Card's writing so much, however I didn't feel that this final installment of the Alvin Maker series (was it the last one? It sure didn't seem like it) was quite as good as its predecessors. The plot flow seemed almost elementary compared to Card's usual standard, and as other reviewers have pointed out, the ending didn't seem to conclude the series. I definitely have to say this is the worst book by this author I have ever read (although it is by no means bad, considering all that it has to live up to). It's probably a must-read for those who have already enjoyed the Alvin Maker series, but it's unfortunate that Card chose to end this saga with a mediocre book.
Rating: 
Summary: Another Orson Scott Card series peters out...
Review: Like the Ender seriers did with Children of the Mind and the Homecoming series did with Earthborn, the Alvin Maker series sputters to a conclusion (hopefully) in The Crystal City. Not that this book was terrible, but it just didn't seem to have any purpose other than gettin Alvin and his followers to the Crystal City, and there just wasn't anything interesting enough that happened along the way. I think they were all too good, and too powerful, that you knew they would always do the right thing, and you also knew that they always could, so there wasn't any doubt about the conclusion. If you've read the rest of the series, you'll probably want to read this book just for closure, just don't expect much.
Rating:
Summary: I had hoped this would be much better
Review: Maybe my tastes are changing. I've really liked almost every Orson Scott Card book since I first read Ender's Game many years ago. I searched out books that weren't as well known or as easily available and found even greater appreciation for his work (check out Folk of the Fringe, Lost Boys and Enchantment for great reading). I followed him through several different series, some of which were just okay (the Homecoming series) and some were great. One series, The Tales of Alvin Maker was just a step below Ender, in my opinion...until I read the latest entry, The Crystal City.
The characters were there, some action was there, but so much of the book was overblown soul searching that it got to the point where I was skipping paragraphs at a time, just to get on with the story. His wife misleads him, she does it for his own good, she should be with someone else, he should have more respect for his brother-in-law, he does what he thinks is best, his wife does what she thinks is best, Dead Mary loves Alvin, Dead Mary loves Arthur, Dead Mary doesn't really love anyone, blah, blah, blah.
Card has some points he wants to get across, and Hey! - He wrote the book-so it is his right! But, come on, naming his creation "The Tabernacle", is just a little obvious. And just to confuse things, this comes after another character had just named it "The Observatory". I went back to reread that section just to see if there was a reason for naming it twice, but if there was, Orson didn't really get it across.
When I had read the 3rd and 4th installments of this series, I actually thought this was going to be better than the Ender series. This was a huge let down. As a reader that has bought well over 25 Orson Scott Card books, I felt like this was a rip-off.
Rating:
Summary: Jonathan W Miller Place, NY
Review: Of all the books in the Alvin maker series, Crytal City is by far the worste. The reasons for this are two fold but in essence you get tired of Alvin's Whinney attitude throught out the entire book.
He is almost afraid to do anything for fear of corupting someone with his powers.
Their is almost no mention of the unmaker in the book. Hence Alvin has no real villian to pit himself against. As such the book becomes a moral dialogue about the wrongness of slavery, bigotry, and discrimination.
As such the story gets bogged down in values. Values of an America that never was.
Safe travels:
David
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