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Title: Prentice Alvin (Tales of Alvin Maker | Book 3) |
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Review of Prentice Alvin (Tales of Alvin Maker, Book 3)
- The Tales of Alvin Maker series continues in volume three, Prentice Alvin. Young Alvin returns to the town of his birth, and begins his apprenticeship with Makepeace Smith, committing seven years of his life in exchange for the skills and knowledge of a blacksmith. But Alvin must also learn to control and use his own talent, that of a Maker, else his destiny will be unfulfilled.
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Comments for Prentice Alvin (Tales of Alvin Maker | Book 3)
- Posted on 2008-06-02
Smaller scope, less impressive story
The Alvin Maker series starts to lose a little steam in this third installment, which directs Alvin's attention to the problem of slavery in Card's alternate America. Finally beginning his apprenticeship, Alvin befriends an abolitionist family, especially Arthur, the mixed-race boy they adopt. Peggy the Torch also takes center stage for a while, although her choices are such that we wonder if it's really such an advantage being able to see the future. As Alvin has learned in the prior volume, Red Prophet, saving the world is a tall order, perhaps more than he can accomplish by himself. So he endures his apprenticeship to the unpleasant Master Makepeace Smith, while continuing his academic education through the agency of a mysterious schoolmarm, and refrains from using his growing magical power.
Related to the slavery issue is the problem of the outsider trying to fit in to society. Alvin and Peggy hide their extraordinary powers so as not to attract unwanted attention to themselves. Arthur, unable to hide his difference, has to undergo radical change in order to live a free man. Alvin accepts the abuse of his Master, perhaps as a pale echo of slavery, or perhaps as an indictment of the apprentice system and servitude generally. And ultimately, they all pay a price.
But if great power bestows great responsibility, our heroes fail the test. By hiding their powers under a bushel, Alvin and Peggy minimize themselves, and perhaps that's their goal. But by masquerading as ordinary people pursuing pedestrian lives, they become substantially less interesting to the typical sci-fi fantasy reader (and possibly others as well) and while Card may be making his point, he isn't necessarily telling a great story. The Alvin of Prentice seems to have little in common with the Alvin of Red Prophet, and what's more he's taking a step backwards, whereas good storytelling requires a progression. After the brutal massacre in Prophet, this small, personal story just doesn't have the impact we've come to expect. Looking back, it seems clear that Prentice should have been the second volume and Prophet the third, but clearly this series wasn't plotted out ahead of time, and Card's just letting the story formulate as he goes along. There's enough adventure and dramatic tension in this book to make it a decent read, and the series overall is powerful enough to keep us going, but this volume is not quite up to Card's usually high standards.
Score: 4
- Posted on 2007-10-31
Focus on character development.. Excellent continuation.
In this third book of the Alvin Maker series, we see Alvin grow into a man. Comparatively, the first two books took place over a shorter time span and put more effort into developing the fascinating world Card has created. In PRENTICE ALVIN, there is much more emphasis on character development and maturation. Characters really come into their own in this book as well as develop some very intriguing relationships among themselves. Interactions between Alvin, Peggy, Arthur Stuart, Makepeace Smith, and others make this book a joy to read and gives you a depth of understanding of those characters that make them come to life.
The bulk of the book describes events that happen during Alvin's apprenticeship to the blacksmith of Hatrack River. The Unmaker returns to hound and molest Alvin, and a few characters from the first two books are brought back and built up. Cavil Planter is a new a very interesting character that has disillusioned himself into thinking that he is doing to work of the Lord while committing heinous crimes. Central to the story is the introduction of the pickanniny mimic Arthur Stuart, who will undoubtedly have far-reaching consequences for the rest of the series.
The book is fast and entertaining, with the same great characters you love and a couple more that are sure to please. I can't wait to read the next installment!
Score: 5
- Posted on 2007-09-03
Not Free SF Reader
Yet more boring mormon wish-fulfillment fantasy. In this arena, David Gemmell he is not. If that is what you are after, then by all means get it, otherwise something like The Jerusalem Man will be much more appealing. You could, however, use them as a cure for insomnia, or sever lack of schmaltz.
Score: 2
- Posted on 2004-08-08
The story continues..
After the interruption andAlvin's kidnapping in the Red Prophet, this book picks up with Alvin learning his trade and turning into the man he is destined to be. We follow Alvin as he grows up and befriends the people of Hatrock.
Again he battles the Unmaker and fights to build the world that he saw in with the Red Prophet. Peggy continues to watch Alvin from a far and she herself grows into the woman that Alvin will turn to in and love.
This book starts the story of Alvin the Maker. This is where the boy turns into the man he will be and brushes the soot from his face to see the future he will be creating.
Score: 5 - Posted on 2004-01-26
Great characters, good continuing story of Alvin Maker
I originally read this several years ago, but decided to re-read this when I got the new book in the series. This book was very good, both as the continuing story of Alvin Maker as well as the new story in this book with Arthur Staurt.I really enjoyed the new depth to some of the characters that were introduced in previous books, but were more central to the story in this book. Also, the new characters, such as Arthur Stuart and Mock Berry were very good as well. The only thing I didn't like about this book was there is a point where Alvin has to do something very difficult, and while it is a very clever solution to the problem at hand, it seems like there was a much easier solution available that was not even mentioned. But that was just a minor problem, and didn't detract much from a great story.
If you've read Seventh Son and Red Prophet, you should definitely continue the story with this book.
Score: 4