- Paperback: 336 pages
- Publisher: Orbit; paperback / softback edition (5 April 2001)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1841490326
- ISBN-13: 978-1841490328
- Product Dimensions: 17.6 x 10.8 x 2.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 426,177 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Review
'The most important work of American fantasy since Stephen Donaldson's original Thomas Covenant trilogy.' CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 'History, legend, magic, dreams: Card stirs them into a rich brew with a remarkably authentic flavour' LOCUS
LOCUS
'History, legend, magic, dreams: Card stirs them into a rich brew with a remarkably authentic flavour'
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Seems like we (and Alvin) think that Alvin is headed round the bend - he's so busy trying to be 'good' and keep sane, he's heading nowhere.
We keep losing the thread of why he's wandering and have to be reminded occasionally of his aim.
OK, there were some nice touches in there, Audobon & Balzac especially, but I thought the trial was a bit too glib - I reckon that the pro-slavery contingent would have just taken over and had a hanging there & then in real life.
But, if Alvin really is the second coming - I guess that makes it all OK.
We keep losing the thread of why he's wandering and have to be reminded occasionally of his aim.
OK, there were some nice touches in there, Audobon & Balzac especially, but I thought the trial was a bit too glib - I reckon that the pro-slavery contingent would have just taken over and had a hanging there & then in real life.
But, if Alvin really is the second coming - I guess that makes it all OK.
Enough of picky - the book is a good, flowing read, as most of the Alvin series are - Card is a master story-teller, dragging you into the soul of his characters, willing you to keep reading.... ****
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Orson Scott Card to my mind is one of the most visionary writers of present time . His Alvin Maker/Smith series started off being further acknowledegement of this genius .However after the first three there is a little doubt cast over how visionary this series is becoming . The characters are vividly written with Alvin in particular being quite brilliant but this book meanders down the same clueless path the fourth installment took. Leaving us uncertain how his relationship with his brother Calvin will end nor how the crystal city will ever come to be . Card's work is excellent without doubt , perhaps he could give a bit more direction to his next book however , if there is one of course .
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Card's not doing much exposition at this point: either you know what Alvin's about or you don't. Not much knackery going on either, compared to some of the other books in this series. Alvin brings Calvin back from the dead: nothing new there. Wonderful character development, as usual, both fictional and historical (John Adams, John C. Calhoun, John-James Audubon). Lots of loose ends, of course, given that this is a series. At this point I suspect Card hasn't any more of a clue as to the final form the Crystal City will take than Alvin does. I, for one, will enjoy the discovery process over the next few installments. A warning to those who are picking this up midstream: if American history is not your strong point, you might want to either look elsewhere or commit to a fair amount of catching up, 'cause at least 50% of the enjoyment of this series is already knowing what REALLY happened and comparing it to the "Alvin" version.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Alvin continues his journey
In this book, we see how Alvin gains followers. We are also shown parts of Alvin's world which we haven't been introduced to previously. Read more
Published on 24 Aug 1999
Not the best book he's written. Still compelling
The Alvin Maker series is one of the few series I will rush out to buy in hardback. I have just been fascinated with the first four books. Read more
Published on 30 Aug 1998
The Journey Continues
It was very obvious to me after the first chapter of Alvin Journeyman the OSC was DONE telling this story. I was very surprised to find Heartfire. Read more
Published on 23 Aug 1998
This was a disappointing book.
My expectations in this book were disappointed. The books opens as if it is the middle of a book and goes from there. Read more
Published on 17 Aug 1998
Card's powerful descripitons had me glued to the book
In the fifth book of the Alvin Maker series, Card successfully blends emotion, comedy and drama. Mr. Card's dramatization of witch hunts and slave owners kept me glued to the book. Read more
Published on 21 July 1998
The sense of destiny is gone.
Card writes compellingly, as always, and it is always a pleasure to rendezvous with the inhabitants of this well-made series. Yet, I was left feeling vaguely cheated. Read more
Published on 16 July 1998
Card has written a poor journeyman work.
I've followed Orson Scott Card's career from his first professional sale of science fiction. Reading his short work was aptly described as "playing pattycake with Baby... Read more
Published on 15 July 1998
Good book not very intense
Heartfire does not have the same intensity as, for example, Ender's Game or Songmaster, but it is a fine book. Read more
Published on 11 July 1998
Wonderful addition to the ongoing saga of Alvin Maker
This novel continues the fascinating alternate history of the United States. I couldn't put the book down and finished it in one sitting. Read more
Published on 7 July 1998
The Series Drags On . . .
Like a lot of Card's recent series installments, this book drags without any real point. The characters are sort of drifting towards an eventual destination, but Heartfire is a... Read more
Published on 6 July 1998
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