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Alvin Journeyman: The Tales of Alvin Maker IV Hardcover – September 1, 1995

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 470 ratings

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Alvin Miller, a gifted seventh son of a seventh son, utilizes his skills as a Maker to help create a brighter future for America, but his task is further challenged by his ancient enemy, the Unmaker, who plots to end Alvin's life. 100,000 first printing. $100,000 ad/promo. Tour.
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Editorial Reviews

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.

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.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Tor Books; First Edition (September 1, 1995)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 381 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0312850530
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0312850531
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.5 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.5 x 1.25 x 9.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 470 ratings

About the author

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Orson Scott Card
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Orson Scott Card is the author of the novels Ender's Game, Ender's Shadow, and Speaker for the Dead, which are widely read by adults and younger readers, and are increasingly used in schools. His most recent series, the young adult Pathfinder series (Pathfinder, Ruins, Visitors) and the fantasy Mithermages series (Lost Gate, Gate Thief, Gatefather) are taking readers in new directions.

Besides these and other science fiction novels, Card writes contemporary fantasy (Magic Street, Enchantment, Lost Boys), biblical novels (Stone Tables, Rachel and Leah), the American frontier fantasy series The Tales of Alvin Maker (beginning with Seventh Son), poetry (An Open Book), and many plays and scripts, including his "freshened" Shakespeare scripts for Romeo & Juliet, The Taming of the Shrew, and The Merchant of Venice.

Card was born in Washington and grew up in California, Arizona, and Utah. He served a mission for the LDS Church in Brazil in the early 1970s. Besides his writing, he teaches occasional classes and workshops and directs plays. He frequently teaches writing and literature courses at Southern Virginia University.

Card currently lives in Greensboro, North Carolina, with his wife, Kristine Allen Card, where his primary activities are writing a review column for the local Rhinoceros Times and feeding birds, squirrels, chipmunks, possums, and raccoons on the patio.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
470 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the series enjoyable and heartwarming. They appreciate the unique story with unexpected events and folklore mixed in. Readers praise the well-developed characters and easy readability. However, some feel the pacing has become less engaging over time, with repetitive themes and little new content introduced.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

13 customers mention "Series quality"13 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the series. They find it enjoyable and say it gets better with each new book. The series is good for both kids and adults.

"the whole series is wonderful when i finished one book i couldnt order the next one fast enough finally i just ordered all the rest so i could go..." Read more

"A good book, part of a series. You need to read the whole series in order to keep the plot lines in place...." Read more

"I have enjoyed the alvin maker series. The antics in the court scenes remind me of watching Andy Griffith Show. A good read!" Read more

"I thought this was an excellent addition to the series. I can't wait to keep reading! I didn't feel like it was slow and I love the new characters!" Read more

12 customers mention "Enjoyment"12 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book and series. They find it enjoyable, delightful, humorous, and engaging for young adults as well as adult readers. The books are simple yet interesting, with strong family ties.

"...Delightful, humorous, heavy with love, the strength of family ties and small town bravery...." Read more

"It's a fun series. The books are simple fun...." Read more

"...I read and enjoyed the first book, "Seventh Son" as a young man...." Read more

"...The series is entertaining for Young Adults as well as intriguing for the adult reader...." Read more

9 customers mention "Story quality"9 positive0 negative

Customers enjoyed the story's unique and heartwarming tale. They found it imaginative, with well-done historical fantasy elements like folklore and magic. The book touched a part of their psyche, while sounding profound and wise.

"...history found in text books, added to folk lore and magick; Creates a new story unlike any tall tale of the old frontier you will ever have heard..." Read more

"...It's easy. It's fun. And it touches something in my psyche that is a bit like holding onto my favorite teddy bear when I was still knee-high to a..." Read more

"...Concurrently, the heartwarming story of a young man on the path to greatness, and those that would share his life with him, it is truly touching." Read more

"Such a unique story. It takes a bit to get into these books, but the character development is great...." Read more

5 customers mention "Character development"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the well-developed characters. They appreciate the author's ability to bring historical characters to life with a twist. While the book is not fast-paced, it's an engaging story about the protagonist pursuing a dream.

"...Slight change in place names, historical characters with just a bit of a twist of the history found in text books, added to folk lore and magick;..." Read more

"...; It isn't a fast paced book, but a good story about the protagonist pursuing a dream." Read more

"...He makes you care about his characters; makes you want to know what happens to them." Read more

"...I didn't feel like it was slow and I love the new characters!" Read more

4 customers mention "Readability"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and engaging. They appreciate the author's skill in bringing characters to life.

"...Americana, while at the same time sounding profound and wise in virtually every paragraph...." Read more

"Card is a great writer, he manages to bring to life characters with different backgrounds." Read more

"Good author and good series for kids and adults alike." Read more

"A great easy read." Read more

3 customers mention "Humor"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the humor in the book. They find it delightful and humorous, with a strong family connection.

"...Delightful, humorous, heavy with love, the strength of family ties and small town bravery...." Read more

"...There was more humor than I anticipated. However, something seemed missing. I am a Orson Scott Card fan...." Read more

"funny good alternate history book..." Read more

4 customers mention "Pacing"0 positive4 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book slow. They feel the series becomes less engaging than the original and more repetitive in themes. The characters become annoying and little new is introduced.

"...and third books in the Alvin Maker series were progressively less engaging than the original, but all ALVIN JOURNEYMAN has in common with the..." Read more

"...However he introduces very little that hasn't gone on in other books of series. Still better than most and possibly a harsh three stars." Read more

"...out well, but as each new book came out it became more and more repetitive in theme, while the characters became more self righteous." Read more

"The series losses its energy in this book and I lost interest." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2016
    A really, really imaginative, capturing tale of how Our Country might have been in a parallel dimension. Slight change in place names, historical characters with just a bit of a twist of the history found in text books, added to folk lore and magick; Creates a new story unlike any tall tale of the old frontier you will ever have heard before. Delightful, humorous, heavy with love, the strength of family ties and small town bravery. This novel comes straight from the heart of Orson Scott Card. I can't wait to continue on to the next sequel.
    I truly care about Alvin, Peggy, Taleswapper, Arthur Stuart, and TenskaTawa, the Red Prophet and his people. THAT is the measure of a great story., in my humble opinion.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2013
    It's a fun series. The books are simple fun. Card has tapped into some cultural stereotypes and collective dreams that most Americans harbor, or are at least aware of, then he takes those dreams and weaves them into stories. I've heard an interview with Card where he mentions Isaac Asimov as one of his greatest influences and he mentions that he believes that Asimov was one of the best writers in Science Fiction.

    I don't agree. And I don't think that Card's writing style is inventive or his narration compelling for itself. He speaks as plainly as the country-folk he idolizes (and sometimes demonizes) in these books. That said I've read most of Asimov's science fiction work and several of his works that aren't science fiction and the same holds true for Card's writing. It's easy. It's fun. And it touches something in my psyche that is a bit like holding onto my favorite teddy bear when I was still knee-high to a grasshopper.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2019
    Bought this as addition to an old book I bought for myself in the late 80's. I read and enjoyed the first book, "Seventh Son" as a young man. I now have a teen Daughter who is quite the avid reader of SciFi/Fantasy books like I was. I dug "Seventh Son" out of storage and she really liked it. So for Christmas, she now owns mu old copy and I bought ALL the other books in the series for her. She was very happy to be able to continue the story. One of my few Christmas gift successes.
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2014
    Much like the previous Maker books, the author manages to inject the colloquialism and quaintness of all that is Americana, while at the same time sounding profound and wise in virtually every paragraph. Concurrently, the heartwarming story of a young man on the path to greatness, and those that would share his life with him, it is truly touching.
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2015
    Such a unique story. It takes a bit to get into these books, but the character development is great. The setting is something of an alternate universe where historical characters are meshed into the same timeline and some have superpowers called "knacks." It isn't a fast paced book, but a good story about the protagonist pursuing a dream.
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2016
    Found the first Alvin Maker book in an old box and have been hooked ever since. The series is entertaining for Young Adults as well as intriguing for the adult reader. Although a story, Card presents much to think about in our own very real world.
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2013
    I understand this was the middle of a series and had to set-up what follows. This book had the expected events and a few surprises. There was more humor than I anticipated. However, something seemed missing. I am a Orson Scott Card fan. This book, though, seemed average from someone I expect above average work. It won't stop me from completing the series anyway
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2012
    the whole series is wonderful when i finished one book i couldnt order the next one fast enough finally i just ordered all the rest so i could go right into the next book great reads!!! alot different from enders series both are great

Top reviews from other countries

  • RoyBro
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Series
    Reviewed in Canada on May 25, 2014
    Although I haven't read the entire series yet I consider Scott Card's writing to be just as good, if not better, than in his Ender's Game series. Although Scott Card uses the history of mid nineteenth century america as a backdrop for his characters, he transforms this society and the resulting history by introducing the notion that America is the battleground for a fundamental conflict between the forces of mankind that oppose entropy and those within our species that, for very selfish reasons, support entropy. Scott Card leaves the question of whether the fundamental force is the devil or entropy unanswered through book IV but something devilish is definitely occurring in the world in which Alvin Journeyman find himself. Ender is the saviour of mankind in Ender's Game and his supporting cast helps him fight the alien invaders. Here, Alvin is mankind's saviour and he develops a supporting cast of his own to help him fight not only 'entropy' by creating a society of makers, but entropy's minions on earth, an equally interesting cast of characters that includes his own brother Calvin. A great read with a myriad of great characters!
  • Janette
    4.0 out of 5 stars unexpected.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 23, 2014
    A surprising, unexpected idea. Interesting enough to make me purchase the sequel.
  • Philly
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on November 12, 2014
    Awesome book