[Mithfânion]

I've never read any of Card's books, something which cannot go on any longer unless it becomes a disgrace http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

I was very surprised to see that his Ender series was so popular. It had 975 reviews on Amazon. That's the closest in numbers I've ever seen anyone come to the Lord of the Rings. It must be good.

Is this Sci-Fi or Fantasy, or a mix?

Secondly, would the Tales of Alvin maker be more ot the tastes of a Fantasy fan?

Which series did you prefer and why? What makes them so great?

[astrianna]

Ender is sci fi, Alvin Maker is more fantasy-like. I much prefer Ender, myself, and if you want Card's fantasy, I'd recommend Enchantment.
http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif
And now, I must go to work. Tragic.

[Rob B]

I have yet to be truly disappointed by Card's writing. Alvin Maker is a very good series, an alternate history of Colonial America where many people have "knacks" or small magical abilities.

Enchantment is a retelling of the Russian version of Sleeping Beauty. Another Very Good Book.

Of course there is the wildly (and rightfully so) popular Ender series of books. However, Mithf, you've mentioned being disappointed by Heavily Mentioned/Recommended books, so read it with a grain of salt.

His Homecoming series was very good too, somewhat of a retelling of the book of Mormon. I'm not really familiar with the Mormon religion, but nevertheless, I enjoyed it if at times he seemed a bit preachy.

Another good alternate history by him is PastWatch: The Redemption of Christopher Columbus

[Corwwyn]

My personal favourite Orson Scott Card novel by a large margin is A Planet Called Treason.

[Hope for Humour]

I liked SONGMASTER and if you like to read about after the end of the world -FOLK OF THE FRINGE is a book of connected short stories that I also enjoyed.

[Lady Fox]

I agree with Hope for Humour. Songmaster is an excellent book, and if you are looking for a stand alone to give you an idea of Card's style, it's a good place to start. The Ender books are scifi, so if you want fantasy they probably aren't what you are looking for. However, if you want to plunge into a scifi classic Ender's Game is one of a kind, IMO.

[estranghero]

Well, have read the Ender series, including the new one, Ender's Shadow. My assessment is that it's good enough. A little preachy but something that can be overlooked.

Haven't read any other books by Card but they've never really gotten my attention much, especially the Alvin Maker books.

However, I can recommend one of his stand-alone fantasies, Hart's Hope, which is comparable to works by Patricia McKillip or Peter Beagle.

Hey FF, what's your review on Pastwatch? http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Alai]

Card is the best author I know of(people at the sci-fi forum wonders if I read nothing else). Anyway Ender's Game is sci-fi, the best of sci-fi. The tale of Ender Wiggin is good enough to recieve the nobel prize if you ask me.

[Rob B]

Hey FF, what's your review on Pastwatch? http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif
I liked the book. Don't know that it was his best effort, but it was an enjoyable, thought provoking take on many pre-conceived, historically clouded, notions on Columbus' "discovery" of America.

The problem with alot of his earlier stuff Heart's Hope, Planet Called Treason is that its out of print.

[This message has been edited by FitzFlagg (edited February 22, 2002).]

[Ntschotschi]

Is Hart's Hope really out of print?
I just bought it last year?
I think Alvin maker is a very compelling fantasy series, one of my favorites (except the last book "Heartfire", there was a little lack of action imo) - isn't there still a last book to come?
The crystal city(?)
And I agree that Ender's Game is a fabulous book. I'm not into sf as a genre very much but since I read Ender's Game I changed my mind and much more open about it.
OSC also wrote a very witty and inspiring book about writing "How to write science fiction and fantasy". Even if you're not a writer it's interesting to read.