Oct 8, 2007

Review: Seventh Son by Orson Scott Card

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Title: Seventh Son
Author: Orson Scott Card
Series: Tales of Alvin Maker #1
Genre: Alternate History and Fantasy
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One of the most original and enchanting fantasy series continuing today is Orson Scott Card’s Tales of Alvin Maker. Set in an alternate frontier America, the Tales of Alvin Maker begins with Seventh Son. Here we meet the young Alvin Miller, the seventh son of a seventh son. Alvin is a Maker and is destined to create a positive new future for America. But to do so he must defeat an ancient enemy, the Unmaker, whose dark magic and deadly plots constantly threaten Alvin’s existence. Not only is Orson Scott Card one of the most popular science fiction novelists alive, he is also one of the strongest and purest voices in American fantasy.

In the Seventh Son, Orson Scott Card creates an alternate America in the early 19th century where folk magic works and with tension between the settlers who believe in folk magic and the Christian churches and members within the settler’s communities.

The main character, Alvin Miller Jr., is the seventh son of a seventh son, which to my discovery (mostly through Wikipedia) has been a concept in folklore for quite a while. The seventh son of a seventh son usually is given special powers just because of their birth order. Because Alvin’s a seventh son of a seventh son and has special powers, there are forces that want to destroy him and keep him from reaching his full potential. (This force also manipulates early Christian believers into trying to destroy Alvin because they believe he’s possessed by the Devil’s spirit because he can use magic.)

While I did have a hard time getting into the book at first, I ended up really enjoying it. I loved the mix of history and fantasy that Card used to create this world. So far, there are five sequels with another one on the way. The five sequels are now on my reading list. I can’t wait to read them to see what happens.

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Oct 7, 2007

Music and the Spoken Word

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LDS Conference CenterI decided to listen to Music and the Spoken Word today before General Conference started. I’m so glad I did. The spirit brought into my home was so sweet and so comforting. I love to listen to hymns because of the feeling of love and comfort that ensues.

The best part of this “episode” is that the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sang almost all my favorite hymns:

  • “I Know that My Redeemer Lives”
  • “Beautiful Savior”
  • “This is the Christ”
  • “I’m Trying to be Like Jesus”

It was as if they were catering to me. The only hymn they missed, out of my favorites, was “I Stand All Amazed.”

I love Conference weekend. I feel so edified after listening to each session. I feel like I can do anything and deal with any trials that come my way. Too bad I can’t keep that feeling with me always.

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Oct 6, 2007

New Counselor and New Apostle

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This morning, the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sustained the new second counselor in the First Presidency, Elder (now President) Henry B. Eyring. I’m excited for President Eyring and think he’ll be a great counselor to President Hinckley.

President Henry B. Eyring Elder Quentin L. Cook

Elder Quentin L. Cook was called and sustained as the newest member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. I don’t know a lot about him, but I look forward to getting to know him through his talks in General Conference as well as his service in his new calling.

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Oct 4, 2007

Reading Update

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I finished reading the Pearl of Great Price last night. The last time I read it was my sophomore year in high school, which was about 13 years ago. I know we talk about the scriptures in the Pearl of Great Price quite a bit at church, but I had forgotten how much I didn’t remember was in there because I usually focus on the Book of Mormon. I really enjoyed reading the history about Joseph Smith in his own writing. I’ll have to add reading his full history to my book list.

I haven’t finished reading the Seventh Son yet. I know; it’s taking me forever. I keep getting sidetracked by new episodes of my shows, getting my hair cut yesterday, updating my shelves on Shelfari, etc. I really need to finish reading it because I’m very curious as to what happens.

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Oct 1, 2007

Blond Joke

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I want to share a blond joke I received in an e-mail today from my friend Tyler. I laughed out loud when I read this. I hope you enjoy it!

Two blonds with hammers, Carol and Donna, were doing some carpentry on a Habitat-for-Humanity house. Carol, who was nailing down house siding, would reach into her nail pouch, pull out a nail, and either toss it over her shoulder or nail it in.

Donna, figuring this was worth looking into, asked, “Why are you throwing those nails away?”

Carol explained, “When I pull a nail out of my pouch, about half of them have the head on the wrong end and I throw them away.”

Donna got completely upset and yelled, “You moron! Those nails aren’t defective! They’re for the other side of the house!”

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