I'd read a short story from this reality in the 'Legends II' short story collection and loved it. When I saw 'Alvin Journeyman' second hand I grabbed it... then discovered there were 6 more titles in the series - gah!
So I made friends with my library and they got them in for me. I <3 my library. Great collection, and easy to get hold of the things you really want (and I can check their progress online).
Down to the first book - 'Seventh Son.'
I found the world building intensely exciting. My knowledge of American history is, well, non-existent (and will remain that way) so I can't really compare it to the real thing, but it seems based on an interesting time. During the push west, when Native Americans, the English, the French, the 'Colonials' are all powers in their own right. Slavery is mentioned also, and I know that it comes forward in later books - I'll be interested to see how it's handled.The story of Alvin is good - compelling. It's not shiny and perfect - something I love about Orson Scott Card. He gives his characters damn good reasons for being strong (if they are) and doesn't shy away from showing the dark and gritty side of life.
The 'bad guy' in the film is a perfect example of this. The horror we feel is because his 'evil' is so understandable. So real. So damned insidious. He is the logical extension of religious fundamentalism leading to evil when paired with intolerance. An argument I've made in the past - surprising that this book so readily lends itself to this given Card's views on homosexuality - I guess conservatism is OK when it's something [i]you[/i] believe. Thank goodness none of his intolerance finds it's way into the book (unless you count being invisible).
In summing up I highly recommend this book - it's enjoyable and makes you think.
