A review by drtlovesbooks
Alvin Journeyman by Orson Scott Card
4.0
This review is for a second (or third) read in Jan 2021.
What it's about: Having secured his journeyman status from his former master, Alvin Smith travels back to his home and tries to teach the people there how to join him as a Maker. But all too soon, he finds himself heading out to try to avoid rumors that threaten to raise up the people of Vigor Church against him.
These journeys find him back in Hatrack River, where he is arrested on charges of theft from his former master. And all too soon, powerful enemies from beyond his usual sphere have sent agents to prevent Alvin from walking free on this earth - or even from walking at all.
But Peggy the torch is still looking out for Alvin, and she will be joined by powerful allies who align to help Alvin in his time of need.
Meanwhile, Alvin's younger brother, Calvin, continues to nurture his rage at his older brother. He roams the world, seeking to learn how he can take away the Crystal City from Alvin once it has been built, so he can shatter it and show his brother who is truly the stronger man. And when he is finally ready to return to America, it is with the malice in his heart stoked higher than ever.
What I thought: This is a long book, and a big chunk of it is about Alvin being in jail and on trial. But there are a few other strands of story going on that help to keep things moving along. And the writing is quite enjoyable, particularly when Card twists and turns things to create some unexpected moments based on the fiction he's created, as well as on real world historical events.
Why I rated it like I did: It's a good story, Brant.
What it's about: Having secured his journeyman status from his former master, Alvin Smith travels back to his home and tries to teach the people there how to join him as a Maker. But all too soon, he finds himself heading out to try to avoid rumors that threaten to raise up the people of Vigor Church against him.
These journeys find him back in Hatrack River, where he is arrested on charges of theft from his former master. And all too soon, powerful enemies from beyond his usual sphere have sent agents to prevent Alvin from walking free on this earth - or even from walking at all.
But Peggy the torch is still looking out for Alvin, and she will be joined by powerful allies who align to help Alvin in his time of need.
Meanwhile, Alvin's younger brother, Calvin, continues to nurture his rage at his older brother. He roams the world, seeking to learn how he can take away the Crystal City from Alvin once it has been built, so he can shatter it and show his brother who is truly the stronger man. And when he is finally ready to return to America, it is with the malice in his heart stoked higher than ever.
What I thought: This is a long book, and a big chunk of it is about Alvin being in jail and on trial. But there are a few other strands of story going on that help to keep things moving along. And the writing is quite enjoyable, particularly when Card twists and turns things to create some unexpected moments based on the fiction he's created, as well as on real world historical events.
Why I rated it like I did: It's a good story, Brant.