Market-maker

Like the Ender seriers did with Children of the Mind and the Homecoming series did with Earthborn, the Alvin Maker series sputters to a conclusion (hopefully) in The Crystal City.

Not that this book was terrible, but it just didn't seem to have any purpose other than gettin Alvin and his followers to the Crystal City, and there just wasn't anything interesting enough that happened along the way. I think they were all too good, and too powerful, that you knew they would always do the right thing, and you also knew that they always could, so there wasn't any doubt about the conclusion.

If you've read the rest of the series, you'll probably want to read this book just for closure, just don't expect much.

It pains me to give this book only 3 stars because I love Orson Scott Card's writing so much, however I didn't feel that this final installment of the Alvin Maker series (was it the last one? It sure didn't seem like it) was quite as good as its predecessors. The plot flow seemed almost elementary compared to Card's usual standard, and as other reviewers have pointed out, the ending didn't seem to conclude the series. I definitely have to say this is the worst book by this author I have ever read (although it is by no means bad, considering all that it has to live up to). It's probably a must-read for those who have already enjoyed the Alvin Maker series, but it's unfortunate that Card chose to end this saga with a mediocre book.

"The Tales of Alvin Maker" series by Orson Scott Card has been my husband's and my latest joint reading project. We recently finished Book 6 in the series, "The Crystal City."

The series is set in an alternative version of Colonial America, in which various political entities hold interests in the North American continent and which people of various descent are steeped in magic that is common to their race.

Thus, European settlers have "knacks" of varying degree and ability. The indigenous people move in harmony with the "Greensong" that encompasses all life. And people of African descent utilize physical objects, like poppets, to work their magic.

The hero of the series, Alvin Maker, was born the seventh son of a seventh son -- a combination that blessed him with a particularly powerful knack. Although he was apprenticed as a smith, his true profession is that of maker, and Alvin wields tremendous power over natural forces like stone and metal.

As the story progresses through successive volumes, Alvin gathers like-minded people to him in an effort to build the Crystal City of a childhood vision. And he learns, as his ability matures, that a maker is part of what he makes.

A visit to Orson Scott Card's Web site (www.hatrack.com) recently informed us that the story is projected to encompass a total of seven volumes, which means there's only one left. I have great respect for Mr. Card for having established a finite, concluding number for the volumes in his series, because having read other writers' ongoing epics, I know the temptation to use familiar characters or locale can be a powerful one.

Of the several multi-volume epics we have read, the authors' success has been varying. One of the biggest pitfalls, we've noticed, is that sooner or later the need to rehash past events for continuing readers or bring new readers up to speed tends to bog down the narrative if not handled with care. In the case of the Alvin Maker series, however, there is just enough "boilerplate" to keep things moving, or to offer an insight into the hearts and minds of Mr. Card's characters. The story continues moving forward, with new insights and revelations awaiting the familiar cast.

So here's looking forward, in excitement mixed with regret, to the release of "Master Alvin." This is an excellent series, to be enjoyed while it lasts, and re-read fondly when it is over. And if "The Crystal City" is any indication of what is to come, Mr. Card is wrapping things up at the peak of his storytelling powers as channeled in "The Tales of Alvin Maker."

Not so good. This is the second book in Pearson's Lou Boldt series and definately not the best. I found the plot (a rogue veterinarian harvesting human organs) to be a tad unbelievable and uninteresting, and the coincidence of one of the victims being the best friend of one of the main characters (a detective) bordering on the ridiculous. That being said, the book is a quick read, with plenty of action and very well researched details (Pearson is always good at that). Overall, I would say that this book is for Pearson junkies only.

Elden Teggs, the self-effacing and totally insane, villain of "The Angel Maker" is one of those nuts who you can't believe could get away with what he does. Nor can one believe that some poor chubby girl would fall so head over heels in love with him. But Dr. Teggs says that his organ transplants will save more people. Trouble is, he takes his donors without asking them if they really want to donate. And many of his donors end up dying horrible deaths due to Teggs' sloppy transplants.

Lou Boldt and Daphne Matthews, heroes of other Pearson novels, find themselves enmeshed in this dark doctor's plans, as he kidnaps Daphne's friend, Sharon, and plans on harvesting her heart for a Japanese mobster whose wife is dying.
There are some very gruesome and unsettling scens, but the pace is good, and Pearson keeps his characters interesting and multi-dimensional. The ending leaves us hanging and that marginally detracts from the book's impact. However, a good read.
RECOMMENDED.

Are what motivates Elden Tegg--not the idea of saving lives. Of course Sgt Lou Boldt and his squad understand that, even before they know who Tegg is. Tegg--a failed transplant surgeon turned vetrinarian--deludes his assistant and a con man that he's making adifference and saving lives. His assistant draws the line at doing a "heart" which leaves him vulnerable to the same mistakes that got him kicked out of his residency prgram. Boldt finds himself trusting his instincts, and the word of a blind woman--while Daphne tracks down Teggs assistant. She doesn't realize this, but the assist will be an invaluabe help. Daphne has to manipulate Bildt into coming back--but in the end he's glad--because several deaths and maimings were avenged and not a few lives were saved. A real page turner, since you won't realize what happens til it does.

Frank Herbert produced a number of pot boilers, such as the "Whipping Star" series, before creating "Dune" which, excluding some of its sequels, must rank as the definitive alterntaive future history with a unique depth of characterisation and "world building". This book has a couple of gimmicks to it, some salacious imagery, but the metaphysical value of it all escapes this reviewer (apologies to our Dutch contributor). There is a good point about the comparative difference between human/organic potentials and closed, mechanistic systems, but that isn't enough to sustain the read. Read "Dune" or "Dragon under the Sea" (a.k.a "Under Pressure") for better Frank Herbert.

The feel to "Heaven makers" is similar to that of "Godmakers" and "Whipping Star". Herbert again manages to bring to life a complete future world. In true Herbert fashion, he continues to surprise and fascinate as you try to get your mind around his wonderful, amazing ideas. The Chem are an immortal species, whose greatest fear is boredom. The story focuses on one of their ways to amuse themselves by "experiencing stories", a sf- version of watching movies. Only these stories are the real lives of people, who are being manipulated by the Chem to provide a good "movie". One of the countless people manipulated in this fashion are humans on Earth... As the story unfolds around these main ingredients, Herbert manages to put forward some fascinating, mindboggling views on life, deah and immortality, as well as creating a great deal of suspense. If you like Herbert, you will like this book the same way you liked his others, although still nothing tops "Dune". If you don't know Hebert, here's an excellent way of making your acquaintance.