The Crystal City (Alvin Maker)

Rating:
Summary: Not up to Card's usual standard
Review: The story begins by with a huge knowledge gap between this and the previous book. Some years have passed and the character dynamics have changed considerably without much in the way of background being provided. Similarly, the book ends leaving the reader with the distinct feeling that there is room for another book. That is, the story is not finished. I felt that the book was unworthy of the previous five and appeared to be written to fulfill a contractual obligation. I did not feel as though the author's heart was really in it (in fact, it could almost have been written by somebody else) although it is a good yarn. Orson Scott Card fans must read the series, but be prepared for some disappointment with this last book.

Rating:
Summary: Alvin's quest continues
Review: This is an epic quest journey, somewhat akin to Stephen King's "Dark Tower" series, but without the overwriting that makes Mr. King's books lethal weapons if dropped on your foot. This is a fantasy that takes place in an alternate America, one in which some people have "knacks", that is, the ability to do unusual things . Our hero through the six books of the quest so far is Alvin Maker, who can do a lot of things very well, but he's burdened with an overcautious conscience, that often propels him into trouble, and keeps him from using his "knacks" to extricate him from these troubles. I like the series because we meet historical characters in often quite different contexts from their historical reputations, and the geography of the country is greatly different from actuality. It's a tale worth telling, and a tale I enjoy very much reading!