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Liked It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “I read a few chapters of my friends book, and I love it!” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “Although the last of a five-book series, this book is almost completely disconnected with the previous four. Not only does it not make sense as part of the series, it also rambles and is hard to follow. A disappointing ending to an interesting series.” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“Earthborn (1995) 420 pages by Orson Scott Card.
John L wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
This is the fifth (and concluding) volume of the Homecoming series. I was really happy that no Nafai/Elemak battle. There was a recurring theme in the first four books that Elemak would get mad, insanely mad, and try to kill Nafai. Nafai would survive, but he couldn't use the same tactics or he would lose control of his supporters. They would follow Elemak instead of him. Four books and Elemak never changed.
Earthborn was a start contrast. Here we have the "good" children Akma and Mon, being brave and heroic as little children, then as adults they are the ones who are causing strife.
I'll back up. 40 million years ago (from their vantage, our future) the Earth was depopulated and colony ships were sent to hundreds of worlds. On Harmony a computer "oversoul" was left orbiting the planet, keeping the people from destroying themselves on a massive scale. This was done by making people avoid thinking of ways to speed transportation, make weapons, etc. The oversoul was getting old, not quite as sharp, things were beginning to get built on Harmony that might eventually lead to massive war. So it got together a band of 16 people and got them to go to the original starships that brought the colonists so that they could go back to Earth and get advice from the Keeper of Earth.
By the time Earthborn begins, 500 years have passed on Earth since Nafai, Elemak, etc. returned, and found two new sentient species had risen. Shedemi is still alive wearing the starmaster's cloak and putting herself into frozen sleep for years at a time. She is with the oversoul in orbit. On Earth the Nafari are struggling to become better people. The Keeper of Earth is trying to guide them in the direction of all three species living together as equals.
--- John, how about telling about some of the other characters, e.g. Edhedeya, Luet, Akmaro? That's the meat of the book, I don't have to tell them, they can read and enjoy, or pick something else to read. Besides I need to pick my next book to read. ---
The story is refreshing because it's not a rehash of the first four books with a variation of scenery, it's a new set of characters based on the foundation that was laid. The whole series was really good, interesting and entertaining. If you've never read any Orson Scott Card, you have to choose Ender's Game, but the homecoming series is definitely worth reading. ”“I think Earthborne is a little bit boring.”
nathan f wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Nesta has always hated feeling singled out, and when she discovers that her parents are really from another planet and that her family is being recalled, she rebels. The author does a very nice job of depicting the feelings of a child being dragged into an unfathomable adult situation and the conflicted emotions of the adults. Is it really better to go home to a place you can barely remember or stay in a present that has become comfortable? ”
Marie S wrote this review Thursday, July 30 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Good so far.”
IBFLIBITRI:) K wrote this review Monday, April 13 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“When I finished reading this book, I had to go take a hot bath to soothe my temper. I enjoy Mr. Card's writing ability, and he normally tells a good yarn. Because of this, I try to overlook the religious tone that his books can take. In this book, however, religion is force-fed with every page, along with his own moral and religious views, which seem to include:
Only Playing wrote this review Tuesday, January 6 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Racism is very, very bad and we must fight against it.
Sexism isn't good, but women can just work around it.
Athiesm is merely petulant children angry about not feeling important.
Anything that we try to explain scientifically was actually done by God.
I agree whole heartedly with the first one, could deal with the second one for the sake of the story, was enraged at the third one, and was spluttering in disbelief at the last.
Yet however much I disagreed with the message, the story itself wasn't that bad, which raised it up to three stars. ”
“If you've read the Book of Mormon, you know exactly where this story is going. But OSC provides some added psychological depth to the characters and is, as always, very readable.”
Dirk wrote this review Thursday, April 24 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I always love it when Orson Scott Card gives me a new alien species and culture to explore!”
Sarah Jo wrote this review Monday, May 12 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Although the last of a five-book series, this book is almost completely disconnected with the previous four. Not only does it not make sense as part of the series, it also rambles and is hard to follow. A disappointing ending to an interesting series.”
zana wrote this review Saturday, April 26 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“The conclusion to the religiously based Homecoming series, Earthborn follows the descendants of Nafai and Elemak, along with Shedemei who has survived the years since the colonists arrived on earth.
Peach wrote this review Monday, February 4 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Temporally, Earthborn is a huge leap forward, roughly following the story of Alma, judge of the Nephites. More broadly, it follows the relationship between the angels, the diggers, and the humans of Earth.
The trouble with this book is that, in addition to being so closely tied to religious themes that it might alienate many science fiction audiences, it abandons most of the original characters. That makes this feel less like a continuation of the same series than like the beginning of a “sequel” series.”
