Helpful Score: 6
Sequel actually better than the first book. The alternate history is fleshed out more.
Helpful Score: 4
An excellent hotpoint in the series
Helpful Score: 2
This whole series is excellent! This is book 2 of the story of Alvin which takes place in an alternate version of early America. The American frontier elements combined with magic make this a cross between a western novel and a fantasy. Very unique!
An installment in the saga of Alvin Maker, 'Prentice Alvin.
In this book, we learn more about those wild talents, both the minor gifts of the white people--starting fires, finding water, sensing life---and the much grander gifts of the Indians, whose lives are filled with a beautiful green music. With this green music an Indian can run all day and all night without catching his breath, can coax a rabbit out of its hole and ask its permission to be his food, can live in harmony with the earth and all its beings.
Alvin,Lolla-Wossiky, an Indian prophet; and Ta-Kumsaw, a chief, all work together to minimize the evils loosed on the world by White Murderer Harrison, powerful governor of the frontier town of Carthage City.
In this book, we learn more about those wild talents, both the minor gifts of the white people--starting fires, finding water, sensing life---and the much grander gifts of the Indians, whose lives are filled with a beautiful green music. With this green music an Indian can run all day and all night without catching his breath, can coax a rabbit out of its hole and ask its permission to be his food, can live in harmony with the earth and all its beings.
Alvin,Lolla-Wossiky, an Indian prophet; and Ta-Kumsaw, a chief, all work together to minimize the evils loosed on the world by White Murderer Harrison, powerful governor of the frontier town of Carthage City.
An excellent book that is a hot point in the series.
The second in the Alvin Maker series.
Similar to what Card did in the 'Ender' series, this book starts off covering a lot of the same time period and events as the previous book, but taken from a different character's perspective. It also ventures further into 'alternate history' territory (and boy is it alternate!)
It's about the well-known Native American leader Tecumseh, and his brother Tenskwatawa, who was known as a prophet. (all true).
I have to say that I think the book would have worked better as a pure fantasy story rather than alternate history. As it stands, it doesn't just venture into; it is ALL ABOUT the stereotypes of Native American culture. It's a very allegorical story, but if you want to have a culture be part of an allegory, it works better if it's a made-up culture, not peoples' real lives and history.
For example, an critical point in the story is the famous battle at Tippecanoe. In reality, this was a bloody but equally joined battle between Tecumseh's forces and those of to-be-President Harrison (who, in the book is more-evil-than-evil). In reality, Harrison did win, but there were an about-even number of casualties (less than 100) on each side.
In the book, "Tippy-Canoe" is a massacre: In revenge for the supposed killing of two white boys, white gunmen slaughter NINE THOUSAND Natives who, sworn to peace and non-violence, peacefully line up, unarmed, to be slaughtered.
Now, if Card wants to make a point about martyrdom, that's all well and good, but I have issues with completely rewriting reality like that. And I know I'm not the only one who gets tired of seeing Native Americans portrayed as mystically close to nature, blah, blah, blah.
Similar to what Card did in the 'Ender' series, this book starts off covering a lot of the same time period and events as the previous book, but taken from a different character's perspective. It also ventures further into 'alternate history' territory (and boy is it alternate!)
It's about the well-known Native American leader Tecumseh, and his brother Tenskwatawa, who was known as a prophet. (all true).
I have to say that I think the book would have worked better as a pure fantasy story rather than alternate history. As it stands, it doesn't just venture into; it is ALL ABOUT the stereotypes of Native American culture. It's a very allegorical story, but if you want to have a culture be part of an allegory, it works better if it's a made-up culture, not peoples' real lives and history.
For example, an critical point in the story is the famous battle at Tippecanoe. In reality, this was a bloody but equally joined battle between Tecumseh's forces and those of to-be-President Harrison (who, in the book is more-evil-than-evil). In reality, Harrison did win, but there were an about-even number of casualties (less than 100) on each side.
In the book, "Tippy-Canoe" is a massacre: In revenge for the supposed killing of two white boys, white gunmen slaughter NINE THOUSAND Natives who, sworn to peace and non-violence, peacefully line up, unarmed, to be slaughtered.
Now, if Card wants to make a point about martyrdom, that's all well and good, but I have issues with completely rewriting reality like that. And I know I'm not the only one who gets tired of seeing Native Americans portrayed as mystically close to nature, blah, blah, blah.
It takes a bit longer for the real action to get going in the second book of the Alvin Maker series, but trust me when I say that it's worth it to keep going.
From Publishers Weekly
Card's fantasy series, "Tales of Alvin Maker," got off to a delightful bang with Seventh Son, which introduced an alternate early America where folk magics such as healing and dowsing really work. A nation still inchoate, its independent states are a crazy quilt, some rebellious while others remain loyal to a variety of European countries, some repressive while others grant native American Indians citizenship. This second volume finds an exiled Napoleon in Detroit, dreaming of empire and glory while Governor William Henry Harrison is plotting his own future on the graves of red Americans. Between these forces are the native followers of two brothers, the warrior Ta-Kumsaw and the pacifist prophet of the title, Tenskwa-Tawa. ...
Card's fantasy series, "Tales of Alvin Maker," got off to a delightful bang with Seventh Son, which introduced an alternate early America where folk magics such as healing and dowsing really work. A nation still inchoate, its independent states are a crazy quilt, some rebellious while others remain loyal to a variety of European countries, some repressive while others grant native American Indians citizenship. This second volume finds an exiled Napoleon in Detroit, dreaming of empire and glory while Governor William Henry Harrison is plotting his own future on the graves of red Americans. Between these forces are the native followers of two brothers, the warrior Ta-Kumsaw and the pacifist prophet of the title, Tenskwa-Tawa. ...
The second book of the Alvin Maker series was a really great read. I couldn't put it down. If you enjoy fantasy, and would like to see it set in early America, enjoy!
This is truly an incredible book. Its almost as good as The Seventh Son, maybe better. The whole series is great and the first two books are incredible. Card is an awesome author.
Not as good as the first volume, a little meandering, but still decent.
well done second "Maker" book. heavy romanticizing of "Red" viewpoint.
Continuation of the Alvin Maker series, in which we learn more about the Red Prophet. We learn about Alvin's deep relationships with the Prophet and also his older brother, Measure, and the adventure the three share.
Harsher, bleaker, and more mystical than Seventh Son, this novel superbly demonstrates Card's solid research, and keen understanding of the religious experience.
Not as good as Seventh Son (read that first), but important to the series.
Great book, fast read.
Just as good as book one!
From Library Journal
Young Alvin Miller's magical talent for making things whole becomes the focus of a desperate race to prevent a bloodthirsty war between the Indians and the white settlers in North America. Set in an alternate world steeped in natural magic, this sequel to Seventh Son continues to demonstrate the author's love for American folklore. Recommended. JC
Young Alvin Miller's magical talent for making things whole becomes the focus of a desperate race to prevent a bloodthirsty war between the Indians and the white settlers in North America. Set in an alternate world steeped in natural magic, this sequel to Seventh Son continues to demonstrate the author's love for American folklore. Recommended. JC
