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)

Orson Scott Card is a true master

I was sceptical after reading some negative reviews but I am so glad I listened to this book. It was slow and moody but excellent. Not SciFi more historical X fantasy. Scott Card is a true master. The atmosphere, the characters, really let me feel and want to believe it all to be true.
TIPP: I listen at 1.2 X normal speed and found it perfect for all but one of the last chapters.

A fantasy not fantastic

I just could not see the story as interesting.
The narrators were, on the other hand, excellent.

Thoughts provoking

I can’t say that there was anything that I didn’t like about this book. The philosophical concepts and thought and belief paradigms that come through for each of the main characters made really made me stop to reframe some of my understandings.

great book, one minor issue but still great

my only complaint is the preachers Scottish accent is not consistent. most of the time it's narrated in an American accent so whenever the narrator actually remembers it, it just feels very out of place. amazing story and performance otherwise

A decent read tbh

I had fun with the story. Took me by surprise how things went in the third act. I definitely want to read more.

didn't want to turn it off

after this, I feel I rated some of the previous stories too high. while I enjoyed them, I had no problem turning them off to watch a show or do something else. I didn't want to turn this off. I wasn't interested in other shows or movies. Orson card is a master storyteller.

Hooked

Story had me from the start. The slight twist on history lets you slip right in to the storyline as if you already know the characters. Excellent listen.

Strong but curious beginnings for series

The book is a short beginning for a series, and a somewhat ambiguous one. I was left with more questions than answers by the end of the book but by the end I definitely wanted to continue through to the next book to get some of those answers. So my opinion is that it's a good book that left me hungry for more.

Good story, but ouch... My poor ears...

There is two introductions to the story and they are both longer than an 800 page novel's introduction. After that the story is well paced and pretty good.

I will warn you now, DO NOT LISTEN WITH HEADPHONES. The recordings are quite raw and the t and s sounds were REALLY loud for some of the Narrators.

Another great book by OSC

Honestly, my fave author, OSC writes intelligently and insightful once again, starting book two immediately