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Seventh Son cover art

Seventh Son

By: Orson Scott Card
Narrated by: Scott Brick, Gabrielle de Cuir, Stephen Hoye
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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

"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)

What listeners say about Seventh Son

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  • Overall
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    5 out of 5 stars

Not like the movie

Whilst the movie was the reason I bought this audio book,and have to admit I was disappointed I'd suggest sticking with this as it gets much better later
by the end and try to ignore that who ever did the movie never read the book that or seventh son of a seventh son etc is just a coincidental plot throwback😂

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Very well written,

The book could work well as a stand alone copy. The only thing I mention is at times it feels as though the author loses distinction and the reader is left wondering what type of story will be uncovered. It is as if the author hasn't a plan or direction for the storyline and seems to allow the text to take him flowing along as if he is reporting on what happens to the plot lines which gives an air or sense of realism.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

good story, bad history

The story is good, but various historical elements are too close to truth, but wrong. It falls into an uncanny valley that is better known as Hollywood History

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Almost 4-star.

I couldn't quite give this a four-star, but it almost made it and I do recommend it. This is the first book of a series of seven (unsurprisingly!), and it introduces a wealth of great storylines that will be carried forward in subsequent books, but unfortunately closes none. In this sense it is a little disappointing - some series, such as the Ender series by the same author have self-contained books that one can read and have a full experience, with closure. With Seventh Son, there is a sense that one is going to have to read the whole series, which is no great toil as this book was a good read, but personally I would have liked the choice to see what I thought of a self-contained book and decide to move on to the next. The book is very well read by multiple narrators, all of whom are excellent. All in all, this is a promising, interesting story but if you decide to read this, please be aware that you are buying one seventh of a considerably larger book. After all my moaning, I will be Audible-ing the next in the series - 'Red Prophet'!

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Mr
  • 18-09-10

The tale draws you in almost against your will

Played this on a long, long car journey back from France and it kept the kids and the grown-ups all quiet - I wasn't even allowed to consult the sat nav without being sshhh-ed down. Well written, good characters and above all a story that both warms and chills the heart. I would very much recommend this book.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Well written, gripping, but racist to the core.

Can’t stand this anymore. It could be great, but it’s quite the opposite. Racist to the core. I gave up…

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

compelling

I loved this book, the magic of it and it's memorable characters so warmly brought to life by the readers

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Struggled to like this

First time I’ve struggled to like Orson Scott Card’s writing. The pulpit prose just wore me down and the story floundered in it. Felt as if I was stuck in a hugely long, dull sermon.
Really dismayed at not liking this! As I’ve really loved many of his books.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Love the book, not the many voices

Love the book and it’s story.
I do think that the choice to have several people read different chapters were a poor choice. If they would have stuck to just making different voices (something they end up doing in the last chapters) it would have been better.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Surprisingly excellent

I'm not a fan of Orson, but for some reason this just felt very cool and fresh. He explains it in the afterword. So yeah, a very cool story

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