Seventh Son - (Alvin Maker) by Orson Scott Card (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The Tales of Alvin Maker begins in Seventh Son, the first book in the historical fantasy series from the Hugo and Nebula award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of Ender's Game.

Using the lore and the folk-magic of the men and women who settled North America, Orson Scott Card has created an alternate world where magic works, and where that magic has colored the entire history of the colonies. Charms and beseechings, hexes and potions, all have a place in the lives of the people of this world. Dowsers find water, the second sight warns of dangers to come, and a torch can read a person's future--or their heart.

An unforgettable story about young Alvin Maker: the seventh son of a seventh son. Born into an alternative frontier America where life is hard and folk magic is real, Alvin is gifted with the power. He must learn to use his gift wisely. But dark forces are arrayed against Alvin, and only a young girl with second sight can protect him.

The Tales of Alvin Maker series
Seventh Son
Red Prophet
Prentice Alvin
Alvin Journeyman
Heartfire
The Crystal City
Master Alvin

Review Quotes

"One of the greats of contemporary science fiction and fantasy."
--The Wall Street Journal

"Orson Scott Card is as fine a writer as we have."
--The Los Angeles Times

"Card is a master storyteller."
--The Seattle Times

"An American fantasy in the tradition of T. H. White's Sword in the Stone."
--School Library Journal

"A consistently gripping tale featuring solid historical research and a keen understanding of religious experience. Another major effort by a world class talent. Highly recommended."
--Booklist

"Captures the essence of a world where folk magic abounds. A tribute to the art of storytelling, this is highly recommended."
--Library Journal

"This beguiling book recalls Robert Penn Warren in its robust blend of folktale, history, parable, personal testimony, and pioneer narrative."
--Publishers Weekly

About the Author

ORSON SCOTT CARD may be best known for his science fiction (including Ender's Game and Speaker for the Dead), but, regretting the lack of fantasy novels set in the American past, he started the Tales of Alvin Maker, the epic of a powerful mage on the American frontier.

Card was born in 1951 in Richland, Washington, and went to school in Santa Clara, California; Mesa, Arizona; and Provo, Utah. After serving as a missionary for the LDS Church in São Paulo, Brazil, he earned degrees at Brigham Young University and the University of Utah, worked as an editor of books and magazines, and wrote plays and audioplays. He lives in Greensboro, North Carolina with his wife, Kristine Allen Card. They are the parents of three adult children and grandparents of seven.