The Crystal City

by Orson Scott Card
The Crystal City cover
Good Books rating 3.2
Fantasy
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  • ID: 6424
  • Added: 2025-11-16
  • Updated: 2025-11-16
  • ISBN: 9780812564624
  • Publisher: Tor Fantasy
  • Published: 2004-10-01
  • Reviews: 3

The Crystal City by Orson Scott Card weaves a rich tapestry of alternate history where folk magic and knacks are integral to daily life. Alvin, the seventh son of a seventh son, possesses extraordinary abilities as a Maker, capable of creating, repairing, and healing with his unique knack. His journey takes him to Nueva Barcelona, a city under Spanish occupation, where he encounters a plague and must use his powers to protect its people. This sets the stage for a monumental test of his abilities, drawing on his connection with the Red Prophet Tenskwa-Tawa. /n/n The novel explores themes of destiny, power, and the consequences of one's actions, all set against the backdrop of a vividly imagined world where magic and history intertwine. Alvin's struggle to avert a terrible war and his deep bond with his wife, Peggy, a powerful torch, add layers of emotional depth to this captivating tale. The story is a testament to Card's imaginative storytelling, blending elements of fantasy, historical fiction, and adventure in a seamless narrative.

Reviews
Billion Light Year Bookshelf · 2025-11-16
thought-provoking 4.00

The book delves into divisive questions of American history, offering a unique perspective on the frontier and inter-racial issues.

This reviewer found the book to be a thought-provoking exploration of American history. They appreciated the unique perspective on the frontier and the way the book tackled inter-racial issues. They also noted that the book's themes and ideas were well-developed and thought-provoking. However, they felt that the pacing was uneven at times, and some of the characters could have been developed more fully.

Quick quotes

    In this sixth volume of a fantasy of an America that might have been, Card delves even deeper into some of the most divisive questions of American history.

    The book offers a unique perspective on the frontier and inter-racial issues.

    The themes and ideas are well-developed and thought-provoking.

Fantasy Literature · 2025-11-16
disappointing 2.00

The plot drags due to excessive length and lack of pacing, making it difficult to get through. The series' issues with character development and world-building are still present.

This reviewer found the book hard to get through, much like the previous books in the series. They felt the plot dragged on too long without enough momentum to keep them engaged. The issues with character development and world-building that were present in earlier books were still evident here. They also noted that the book's themes and ideas were interesting, but the execution fell short.

Quick quotes

    The plot drags because there's too much exposition and not enough action.

    The character development is lacking, making it hard to connect with the story.

    The world-building is interesting, but the execution is uneven.

Goodreads · 2003-01-01
mixed 3.60

The book is praised for its rich lore and folk-magic, but the conflict arc between the two brothers is criticized for lacking a climax and conclusion.

This reviewer appreciated the depth of the lore and the use of folk-magic in the book. They found the world-building to be immersive and well-crafted. However, they were disappointed with the conflict arc between the two brothers, feeling that it lacked a satisfying climax and conclusion. They also thought that the way the characters used their powers was inconsistent and unconvincing.

Quick quotes

    The lore and folk-magic are some of the best parts of the book.

    The supposed great conflict arc between the two brothers had no climax, much less a conclusion.

    The way the two used their powers was consistently lame.

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