In this widely acclaimed series, Card has created an alternate frontier America where folk magic really works. The adventure that began in Seventh Son continues in "Alvin Journeyman," the fourth book in the series, when Alvin is driven from his home by false accusations back to Hatrack River where he must stand trial for his life.
Alvin Journeyman: The Tales of Alvin Maker, Volume IV
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From Publishers Weekly
The legal thriller wave laps at the shores of fantasy fiction in this fourth novel (after Prentice Alvin) in Card's popular series about natural-born mage Alvin Smith, who's the seventh son of a seventh son, and the magical early America in which he lives. Also returning are Alvin's equally talented brother Calvin, who's a scoundrel, the mixed-up little boy Arthur Stuart and Alvin's ladylove, Peggy Larner. Hatred of his brother and boundless ambition prompt Calvin to run off to England, where he meets an English barrister who so embarrasses him by seeing through his lies that he moves onto France, hoping to learn the arts of manipulation under the tutelage of Napoleon Bonaparte himself. Meanwhile, Alvin must leave his beloved town of Vigor Church because of a lovesick young girl's lies. Returning to Hatrack River, where he was born, he becomes embroiled in a trial for his life. Unfortunately, much of the novel's action stops during the trial, as Alvin languishes in his cell and Card jabs at lawyers and the justice system. The courtroom scenes prove something of a procedural joke, with truth finally served only because Alvin uses his magic to make everything come out right. This parable bogs down in its own folksiness, but fans of Card, who's won both the Hugo and Nebula awards, may love it dearly. Major ad/promo; author tour.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
YA?At last, Book IV of this terrific series. Set in an alternate history, Card's frontier America is a land where wives' tales are fact and magic- in the form of hexes, beseechings, and "knacks"- really works. Alvin has the most powerful knack of all; he is a Maker, with power over the physical world. In this installment, he ignores a prophetic warning and falls victim to the manipulations of The Unmaker, an ancient enemy that seeks anarchy. While embroiled in a legal dispute that places him in jail, Alvin draws to him the people who will assist in his quest to build the Crystal City of his vision. Alvin Journeyman is the springboard for this quest that will be played out in future volumes. Knowledge of previous titles is beneficial, so be sure to have copies available of Seventh Son, Red Prophet, and Prentice Alvin.?Robin Deffendall, Bull Run Regional Library, Manassas, VA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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First Sentence
I THOUGHT I was done writing about Alvin Smith. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt
I THOUGHT I was done writing about Alvin Smith. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
By John Howard
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I originally read this several years ago, and re-read it recently after getting the new book in the series. As I read this series as a whole, I am staring to notice that the individual stories form each book (The war in Red Prophet, the story of Arthur Stuart in Prentice Alvin, and the trial in this book) and the new characters that keep coming along, are starting to overshadow the overall story of Alvin's quest to build the Crystal City.
This book started a little slowly, so I thought it might not have been as interesting as the previous books in the series, as often happens once you get this deep into a series. But with the introduction of Verily Cooper and Alvin's trial, the book really picks up the pace. I look forward to re-reading the next book (Heartfire) followed by the The Crystal City, which will hopefully conclude the series.
If you've enjoyed the other books in this series, you probably won't be disappointed by this one.
Format:Mass Market Paperback
The positive: Affable characters, fast moving, easy to read.
The negative: Uninteresting plot.
The negative: Uninteresting plot.
Although slightly better than the previous book in this series, Card still doesn't manage to recreate the magic of the first two. In this book, the bulk of the tale is involved in Alvin facing trial for being wrongly accused of theft. Many characters are introduced based on characters created in an AOL chatroom by Card's fans and this book gives the impression much of it was written to coddle those fans and feature their characters. Not an entire waste of time but don't go into this series thinking each of the books will be as entertaining as the others.
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Alvin is accused of theft by Makepeace Smith, his former Master. The book explores what happens as Alvin tries to clear his name.
Much happens in this book, which is a continuation of Card's "Alvin Maker" series. There are some real surprises and some characters I didn't expect to come back, which come back in unexpected ways.
Worth Reading? You Bet!
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3.7 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
The Tales of Alvin Maker continues its downhill slide
It has been said that any plot which depends on a dramatic courtroom trial is doomed to mediocrity. ALVIN JOURNEYMAN, unfortunately, is one of those plots. Read more
Published on Sep 3 2002 by Christopher Culver
5.0 out of 5 stars
definitely the best so far
this is in my opinion the best book so far in the alvin maker series. although i wish card would just get to the crystal city, this book still had suspense and excitement. Read more
Published on July 13 2002 by *¯`·..· Kristina·..·¯`* a 13-year old reader
3.0 out of 5 stars
Boring ramble from a talented author
Many other reviews here seem to be highly praising, but I found this fourth installment of Card's clever, original series a big disappointment. Read more
Published on Sep 20 2001 by Amy
3.0 out of 5 stars
A good story, but the series is running a bit long
Like its prequel ALVIN PRENTICE, this book has all the trademarks of a good Orson Scott Card tale. It's fast-paced and engaging, and the characters' offbeat dialects are just... Read more
Published on July 2 2001 by Craig Childs
4.0 out of 5 stars
Leaves you hungry for more.
This is a satisfying continuation of the tale of Alvin Journeyman on his way to becoming Alvin Maker and the creation of his Crystal City dream. Read more
Published on Dec 12 2000 by Sharron Albert
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved this one too... best of series so far
What's cool about Journeyman is that I finally feel connected to the characters in this book. My conceptions of the real life historical characters depicted in this volume has... Read more
Published on Dec 7 2000 by Hunter
4.0 out of 5 stars
Just tell me what happened!
I've just finished reading this book. It took me only 2 nights to finish it, not because it was so good (like the first book of this series, along with many of Card's books), but... Read more
Published on July 31 2000
3.0 out of 5 stars
Alvin Maker is degenerating into a weekly TV show
I've given up all hope of resolution. The epic story of Alvin Maker has become a series of side adventures that, while still entertaining, are rapidly losing their momentum.
Published on Mar 9 2000
3.0 out of 5 stars
eh, it was ok
i LOVED Seventh Son. I LOVED Red Prophet. Prentice Alvin was a MAJOR disappointemnt, and this one, well, Alvin Journeyman is only slightly better than its predecessor. Read more
Published on Dec 26 1999
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great read by fantasy's greatest author.
Orson Scott Card has weaved has creative magic throughout the Alvin Maker series, and he has done so again with a book that is not only a fine story, but fine literature as well.
Published on Sep 3 1999
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