jenner33's review
4.0
This book was surprisingly good. It is intelligently written and I respect any author that can incorporate real history with fantasy. It has forced to me to think about philosophical ideas. I enjoy the story line and I am excited to see where it leads.
bebidocrimes's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is the first of a planned series, so there's a lot of things set up that don't get closure. I don't think I'll seek out the rest of them, though. I'm sure the series as a whole is pretty good, but this one is a slow build. Very heavy on the 'just because you don't believe it, doesn't mean it isn't real/doesn't work.'
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/injury detail, Blood, and Medical content
Moderate: Racism
has3000's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Came to this because of his Sci-Fi prowess, but Orson Scott Card writes a good Fantasy novel too!
Taking place in colonial days, where the rigid rules of European society is just starting to breach the wild and free mysticism of the North American frontier.
This book gets into the “conflict” between Protestantism and mysticism, and the good and bad sides of both. Definitely not a fan of organized religion, OSC points to the dangers of holding too tightly to what you “know”.
An easy read with a great voice, having elements of the simpler speech of the various settlers, and switching impressively from character to character.
Taking place in colonial days, where the rigid rules of European society is just starting to breach the wild and free mysticism of the North American frontier.
This book gets into the “conflict” between Protestantism and mysticism, and the good and bad sides of both. Definitely not a fan of organized religion, OSC points to the dangers of holding too tightly to what you “know”.
An easy read with a great voice, having elements of the simpler speech of the various settlers, and switching impressively from character to character.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Religious bigotry
kdferrin's review
5.0
A good early American alternate history series based loosely on the life of Joseph Smith
lizbusby's review
4.0
I had read this book before as a teen, but I liked it a lot better this time. Maybe it's because I'm a parent or maybe because I've just grown up. But the pacing was nice, not too bogged down in people's minds like Card's later fiction, but not action-pulp either. Just solid. Maybe I'll read the rest.
msmith892's review
3.0
I didn't love it but I didn't hate it. It's intriguing enough but I'm in no hurry to complete the series.
yeoldemandan's review
4.0
Card loves his big families. He writes them well. An intriguing start to this story. I will definitely be continuing it. I wish there was a little more details i to the alternate history, but he's got 5 more books to fill that in.
thaydra's review
3.0
I have had this book sitting on my bookcase for a long time, and never picked it up. I was finished with my previous book and needed a new one, so decided it was time. I'm not sure how I feel about it. Some of the characters I liked. Some I hated. Some were just too flat for me to care. It's obviously the first in a series of books, so some of the characters you are introduced to and then they just disappear from the story- but show up later to foreshadow the next book in the series.
The story itself kept me interested, albeit a little confused sometimes. I don't regret reading it, but not sure if I'll pick up the next in the series anytime soon.
The story itself kept me interested, albeit a little confused sometimes. I don't regret reading it, but not sure if I'll pick up the next in the series anytime soon.