Customer Reviews

The Call of Earth

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

This book exemplifies why Card is one of my favorite authors. His characters are multi-dimensional and complex. Nafai is a likeable hero, but not without his faults, and even Elemak (one of Nafai's enemies) has some admirable traits. And Moozh makes a wonderful addition to this story. Yes, I admit some of the dreams were a little transparent, and the politics were a bit tedious, but it's still a great read. It also sets up magnificently for book three, which I couldn't wait to get my hands on after reading this one. Good job, Mr. Card!

This is an all around excellent book. An incredible cast of characters, a great plot, plenty of crazy twists and turns, and dialect that brings it all to life. While all of the characters from the first book play a big part in this one too, the new character, General Moozh, puts this book on a diferent level. It's going to be hard for the rest of the series to live up to expectations if General Moozh isn't replaced by someone as likeable. However, this books leaves off with the Earthbound party just leaving Bascilica, so the rest of the serires should hold some great excitement. This book was enhanced by the abundancy of dreams, in my opinion. It brings a somehow more serious and meaningful prospective to the whole story. I just hope that the rest of the series can live up to such a high standard.
One question: What scene is the cover of the book depicting??

Well, it's not the same quality as the rest of the road, but it fill the gap between 1 and 3. I still liked it, don't get me wrong, but I still like the Memory of Earth better. And I won't compare it to Ender's Game #1) because I've never read it (I know many of you are shieking right now) #2) because they are different books. Of course it's "no Ender's Game", because it's not. Just cuz the man can't turn out his absolute best every single time, don't hold it against him. It's a good book. If you're reading the whole series, then it's a must-read, just so you don't miss anything.

First of all, compoaring this work with the Enders series is not exactly fair. They are very different series in both direction and intent. Ender's Game was always intended to be a 'deep' book, while the Homecoming series is simply action adventure scifi. In that, it serves its purpose. The problem with this volume is that after the speed of the first book, this one drags out considerably. It seems to take all of the characters to take all the book to get from A to B, when it all could have been done in a few chapters and we could have gone on to C, D, and maybe even ... yes E. Still, it keeps you going, and several new plot elements are put into play, and I am looking forward to the next three books. But to get from Basilica to Earth in three books... I hope Crad pulls his socks up, or rather his character's.

If the first book was about discovering the Oversoul, this one is about using it.

Card is great at writing drama, and his characters are always masters (or victims) of clever manipulations and roundabout plans. At the center of this drama in Call of Earth is the Oversoul, as well as another strange intelligent entity which gives the characters seperate dreams.

[spoilers below]
However, at the end of the book I felt kind of unsatisfied, because I didn't think Card fully explained Moozh's motivations for changing his mind and letting everyone finally leave the city. It kind of seemed like a cheap Grinch-like "his heart grew three times that day" moment. Also, I don't think he really explained well, through his characters, why they were willing to leave, although he attempted to do so, sort of.

Either way, it kept me interested enough to pick it up during any free time, and I'm anxious to read part 3.

I also would be interested to know what scene is depicted on the cover.

After reading the first book in the homecoming saga I was fairly dissapointed in The Call To Earth. The 2nd book seemed to lack any real substance. There really is nothing going on, it seems to me that Card made this book as a filler. There are a bunch of useless characters and useless events, this book could easily be condensed to around 200 pages and be much better than it is now. Personally I did enjoy it, although I have to admit more then a few times I dosed off reading the book and skipped a few pages simply to try to stop the boredom. I am hoping this book is a build up to the 3rd book in the series, if not Im afraid the rest of the saga may be just as bad if nto worse.

This second novel of the Homecoming Series picks up right where the first one stopped. However, a key addition to this novel is the outside force of the warrior Moozh. Now, Moozh is seizing a golden opportunity in which to overthrow Bascilica. However, Moozh thinks that he is going against everything the Oversoul has in mind for him, but little does he know the true story. He will be shocked by the end of the novel, and his surprise will bring certain characters full circle in their life history.

This novel is just like the first one, in that the characterization is excellent, and the pace is fast. The novel kept me intrigued from the get-go, and also added more tension between certain members in the family. You will be able to see the pressure building that will eventually lead to a climax in later novels. In comparison to other novels in the series, this one shows the most unique aspects of the series. There is interaction between different cultures, and you catch a glimpse of life on Harmony. Furthermore, the reader gets to see part of the whole plan designed by the Oversoul to bring Volemak's family together. Enjoy this and get ready for the next one!

There is so much to say about this novel. Card, as usual, keeps his characters interesting by keeping his hero's and villans true to life. The interesting characters, and interesting situations that they face, are so brilliant that readers are forced to remember that it's just a story. While reading, however, you are taken away from reality and placed on the planet "Harmony" where you feel for the characters and can't help but be in constant awe with thier situations and challenges. I fell in love with this story.

What a great book (it may be the best in the series) and I don't read a lot of fantasy or science fiction! If you've read the first and liked it; you'll probably LOVE this one.

This book ain't no Ender's Game, that is for sure. Is it really possible that the same guy wrote both books? Still, I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy them. If you haven't read the Book of Mormon or aren't familiar with Mormonism at all I reco doing both before reading this series, you'll get more out of it and understand Card's writing better in general.