The Call of Earth: Homecoming: Volume 2 (Homecoming Saga)

by Orson Scott Card (Autor)

1920

Status

Available

Publication

TOR BOOKS (1994), Edition: First, 352 pages

Description

Fiction. Science Fiction. HTML: For millennia, the planet Harmony has been protected by the Oversoul, an artificial intelligence programmed to prevent thoughts of war and conquest from threatening the fragile remnant of Earth�??s peoples. But as the Oversoul�??s systems have begun to fail, a great warrior has arisen to challenge its bans. Using forbidden technology, the ambitious and ruthless General Moozh has won control of an army and is aiming it at the city of Basilica. Basilica remains in turmoil. Wetchik and his sons are not strong enough to stop an army. As Lady Rasa, through whom the Oversoul speaks, attempts to defeat Moozh through intrigue, Naifeh and his family prepare to voyage to the stars in search of the planet called Earth

User reviews

LibraryThing member tjsjohanna

In this book, Card engineers the exile of his characters into the wilderness. I found his description of society interesting in that he created something unfamiliar to me and made me believe that it could work.

6 more

LibraryThing member HippieLunatic

The Call of Earth has a different feel than Memory but I have come to expect that in the second of series by OSC.

And because of the different feel, I have to admit that I didn't find myself as attached to this portion of the story. Some connection was missing for me, probably due to the

introduction of necessary, but seemingly temporary, characters.

I'll keep going, as I do with all OSC books.

Show Less

LibraryThing member Karlstar

I really enjoyed this series. The complicated politics and personal conflicts, as well as the mysteries around the people and their origins was fascinating.
The general idea is that a human colony far from earth has been kept peaceful by an ancient satellite with awesome powers, but now those

powers are weakening. How the inhabitants keep from getting into a cycle of wars like Earth is the general subject.

Show Less

LibraryThing member kainlane

The Call of Earth is the second book in the series by Orson Scott Card. It continues the eventual return to Earth of a people living on a planet called Harmony. The main characters are guided by the Oversoul, a computer satellite that guides them as their god.
The plot of this book is nearly

non-existent, but Card is a master of characterization. There really isn't much that actually happens beyond talking amongst the characters, but because he does it so well, the book is very intriguing. I can't say there was really any time that I was ever bored, despite the lack of action. I look forward to the third book in the series. 4/5 stars

Show Less

LibraryThing member helver

The sons of Volemak have escaped the temptations of their former home, Basilica, at the behest of the all-knowing Oversoul. However, in order to prepare them for their eventual journey back to Earth, the Oversoul requires that these expatriates retrieve something else from Basilica - the women that

are or will become their wives. Unbeknownst to them, however, a rogue military mastermind has Basilica in his sights and without the intervention of the Oversoul, the city will fall.

I enjoyed this book more than the first. For one, Nafai begins to grow up. For another, Moozsh is really compelling antagonist. His methods for combating the Oversoul are ingenious. His ability to plan and to predict are (of course - this is fiction) amazing. The scene where Moozsh manages to convince the Basilican Gate Guard to allow Moozsh to kill him for the good of Basilica when Moozsh is planning to conquer the city shows both his ruthlessness and his charisma. It's a scary thing.

I know that in some other reviews, people have related that this series is Card's retelling of either the Bible or the Book of Mormon. I can't really comment on that - but it certainly did sound to me like a retelling of the story of Noah. Especially with the addition of Shedemai and her 12 cases of seeds and embryos. It's not two of each species, but it encompasses the essence of the story. Additionally when you think of the 40 days and 40 nights of flood versus the 40 million years of existence on Harmony... Well, I think the parallels are too close for it to be accidental. On the other hand, nothing is ever explicitly stated. It feels almost like those pop culture references that litter the Shrek movies or the Simpsons...

Show Less

LibraryThing member bethlea

The low point, so far in the series.

LibraryThing member EmScape

Nafai and his family have been prepared by the Oversoul to make the long journey back to earth, but first they need to clear up a few things in Basilica. They need to gather their wives and supplies. With General Moozh angling for a bloodless capture of the city and Nafai's family entrenched in his

plans, they must obey the Oversoul and divert Moozh's schemes.
This "bridge" book could have been rather boring, but Card's skill in bringing tension to every machination is its saving grace. The suspense continues and the plans of the Oversoul are revealed at an excellent pace. The characters are flawed and genuine; even if the reader doesn't like them most of the time, one is still interested to know what happens to them. Looking forward to The Ships of Earth so we can get this show on the road!

Show Less

Fewer