This is a wonderful addition to the Alvin Maker tales. It is about his trial when Makepeace accuses him of stealing "his" plow. With many schemes, conspiracies, and deceiving, this book is wonderful. I never thought that a good book could be written involving a court room trail, but this book proved me wrong. If you have enjoyed the other Alvin Maker tales, than you must read this one. It will not disappoint you.

Card's return to the story of Alvin Maker came more than five years after the publication of Prentice Alvin. He says that he wasn't sure he would ever come back and finish the tale, but after being repeatedly urged to do so by fans, decided to give it a go. In this book, the story slows down dramatically, focusing on a seemingly periphery storyline and stalling the overall direction of where Alvin's life is going. While some important events take place here, the pace of the story doesn't progress as quickly and is not as focused as before. Still, this is a great book, written with the same extraordinary skill and feeling as the others in the series.

ALVIN JOURNEYMAN focuses on a rather bizarre time in Alvin's life where he is accused of wrongdoing and has to stand trial for something that he is completely innocent of. While Card tries to make the issue seem serious (by utilizing Peggy the torch as a warning of dire consequences), he isn't able to convey to the reader any real danger for Alvin. Another part of the book (and the better half in my opinion) tracks the development of Alvin's brother Calvin. Bent on making his own name as a powerful Maker, but without acknowledging his brother's superiority, Calvin sets out to France to learn from Napoleon. His adventures are entertaining and suggest great and tragic happenings in the future of the series.

Perhaps the most enjoyable aspect of this book is the often hilarious manner in which the characters interact. Wholly believable, the "ol-timey" dialogue of the people in Card's alternative world brings this story to life and makes the book a joy to read. In this manner, the story itself becomes less important and even if you don't feel like it is leading anywhere, the book is still very fun.

Another great addition into the incredible world of folklore America. Alvin's purpose becomes more clear as he involves himself with other characters with amazing talents. There is romance, adventure, and even some witty humor. It's impressive how Card can take the history of his own faith, twist it with his originality, and make a surely delightful little adventure.

The second and third books in the Alvin Maker series were progressively less engaging than the original, but all ALVIN JOURNEYMAN has in common with the compelling story SEVENTH SON is the character names. This story brings us no closer to Alvin learning how to teach others to use their gifts or to build The Crystal City. Much of the book is spent on Alvin stubbornly refusing to defend himself in a protracted jailhouse scene, then a courtroom trial - not in plot or character development. Alvin, an everyman character who started out so likeable, is downright annoying in this book.

I didn't buy this book right away after I finished Prentice Alvin because of the negative reviews I read on here. And boy am I sorry! I really loved this series and it was bothering me not to know how it continued. So one day when I was in the bookstore and saw it there I bought it.

I literally just finished reading it 15 minutes ago and I'm here to tell anybody who is looking at the reviews to see if its a good book that it IS!! I don't get how anybody could have read the other three and then said there was something wrong with this one. So much happened to further Alvin's journey and yeah he did have to suffer through that trial and he found a new enemy in his own brother. But I thought it was wonderful that through all of the bad that a lot of good took place. More good than bad. Just like real life. Hopefully.

So I say boo to the naysaysers! I will be reading ALL of the other books in this series no matter what anybody else says.