Seventh Son

Tales of Alvin Maker, Book 1

By: Orson Scott Card

Narrated by: Scott Brick, Gabrielle de Cuir, Stephen Hoye

Length: 9 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

From the author of the award-winning Ender's Game comes the unforgettable story of 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 power, but he must learn to use his gift wisely. Dark forces are arrayed against Alvin, and only a young girl with second sight can protect him.

Don't miss the sequel to this book, Red Prophet.

©1987 Orson Scott Card (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

• Locus Award, 1988

"A tribute to the art of storytelling, this is highly recommended." (Library Journal)
"Seventh Son begins what may be a significant recasting in fantasy terms of the tall tale of America." (Washington Post Book World)
"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)

Like nothing else

This is a really unique book and series. It takes place in the frontier age of the United States and offer a vastly different timeline where most everyone has a magic ability or knack. This leads to some major divergences from our own history. i don't do spoilers so you will have to read to find out. Even though this was written long ago it holds up quite well. It has three different narrarators and they do a good job. This is not your usualy fantasy fare but I found it definitely worth a listen.

loved it! loved it!

great story, Orison really has an abilety to right a story with ritch content. I realy recomend this book!

Not what I expected

To be honest, this was a good story. I was really torn between getting it three stars or four stars. I guess I made the mistake of setting my expectations based on the movie trailer that I had seen before reading the book. The main issue I had, would be the confusing performances by the difference narrators. it seems that throughout the book, different characters would be read by different artists at different points in time. To be it became a little confusing.

great story

Wonderful story everytime. Useful and entertaining as a youth and now a strong reminder as to what really matters as a middling adult.

A work of loving detail

A tremendous story of folklore and fantasy. The characters live and breath, grow and grow old. A true story of creation.

Starts Slow but Great Story!

To be fair, most unique works of fantasy start slowly. but since I expected this to be a fantasy, and the setting was historical frontier America, it threw me off for a bit. Once it got going though, it was a great ride! Excellent performances all around, and I enjoyed how different actors were used at different points. Going on to the next one for sure!

So unexpectedly good

This book is so well written It grabed my attention and kept it can't wait for the next book.

Dark

Good but a little dark. I know people did not understand god or the spirit he shares with us all.

Excellent story of the new American folk

Read all of the book to this story
When they 1st came out enjoyed this as I when I read them 35+ years ago

Intriguing alternate history

As always, Scott Card’s storytelling is imaginative and immersive. Although not a story of suspense, I still found myself tensely anticipating the actions of his characters with bated breath more often than not. I can’t wait to start the next volume!