Earthfall

by Orson Scott Card
Earthfall cover
Good Books rating 3.97
Science Fiction (Sci-Fi)
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  • ID: 6429
  • Added: 2025-11-16
  • Updated: 2025-11-28
  • ISBN: 9781405524001
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2012-12-20
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

The Oversoul of the colony planet Harmony has chosen the Wetchik family to carry it back to long-lost Earth, but the journey is fraught with tension. Nafai and Elemak, the youngest and oldest sons of Wetchik, are locked in a bitter dispute, and their conflict threatens to divide the family. On board the starship Basilica, two factions secretly plan to awaken the children and themselves early from cold sleep, each with their own agenda. However, the Oversoul is truly in control, and only Nafai, who wears the Cloak of the Starmaster, understands the deeper implications of this journey. As the family navigates the complexities of their mission, the true nature of the Oversoul's control becomes increasingly apparent. The children of the tribe are caught in the middle, their futures hanging in the balance. With high stakes and intricate political maneuvering, Earthfall delves into themes of family, power, and the unseen forces that shape our destinies.

Reviews
Amazon · 2025-11-16
excellent 4.40

The book is well-constructed with wonderful characters, making it a worthwhile read and leaving the reader eager for the next installment.

This reviewer highly praised Earthfall, highlighting its good construction and wonderful characters. They found the book to be a worthwhile read and expressed excitement for the final book in the series. The reviewer's enthusiasm suggests a strong positive experience with the narrative and character development, making it a standout in the series.

Quick quotes

    A good book. Good construction and wonderful characters.

    A worthwhile book and I can't wait to read the last in the series.

    Well, that's for you to read.

Arpeggio · 2025-11-16
mixed 3.50

The book was both great and disappointing, continuing the dramatic series but introducing unexpected elements.

This reviewer had mixed feelings about Earthfall, finding it both great and disappointing. As the fourth book in the Homecoming series, it continues the dramatic story but also introduces some unexpected and somewhat jarring elements. The reviewer appreciated the continuity of the series but felt that certain new additions, such as sentient species, were a bit out of place and detracted from the overall experience.

Quick quotes

    This was a great book and a disappointment at the same time.

    Being the fourth out of five books in the Homecoming series, Earthfall continues the dramatic story.

    It gets into some weirdness by introducing sentient species that I found to be more distracting than enriching.

SF Book Review · 2009-02-09
good 4.00

The book was enjoyable, but the pacing required a break. It left a desire to continue the series with the next book, albeit after some other reads.

This reviewer found Earthfall to be a good read, with a compelling narrative that kept them engaged. However, they felt the need to take a break from the story, suggesting that the pacing might be a bit intense at times. Despite this, the reviewer is eager to continue with the next book in the series, indicating a positive overall experience. They plan to read other books in between to maintain their enthusiasm for the story.

Quick quotes

    It was good, but got to the point where I needed to take a break.

    I will read the fifth book in the series, but I'm going to read some other books in between.

    The book was enjoyable, but the pacing required a break.

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