Pathfinder Series by Orson Scott Card

*Since this is a review of the entire series, I'll try to do it with as little spoilers as possible*

Type of Read:
Young Adult, Sci Fi

Plot Summary:
Rigg was raised as a trapper in wandering the woods with his father. Rigg has a unique talent of being able to see "paths" of animals, humans, and plants. When his father dies, he sets off on an adventure recruiting other friends with talents just as unique and world changing as his. As Rigg and his friends develop their powers and learn more about the world they live in, they also discover a broader plot that effects not just the people of his world, but of other worlds as well.

Strengths:
This is an incredibly smart series. It makes you work for it, but the story is great. This mainly deals with time travel, which can be a very tricky business. There is the trouble of duplicating yourself, drastically changing events, not running into yourself if you go back in time, not letting other civilizations see your advanced technology before it has been invented, etc. The neat thing about this series is, as the reader is discovering the problems and advantages to time travel at the same time the characters are. It's a really interesting way to introduce the reader into the world.

Card has a way of making his characters real and believable. They have doubts and regrets, they get jealous and bitter, but through it all, you never stop liking them. All the main characters are inherently good and extremely intelligent, and yet they just make mistakes just like you and me. You can still root for them even if they are being petty and disagreeable.

Weaknesses:
This book makes you work. It's not an easy "sit down and read" book. You have to concentrate and focus for it to make sense. There were times where I had to go back and read a paragraph or two because I felt like I missed something. There were also times where I kind of just took the author's word for it that a certain time-travelly action wouldn't work. (You mean you can't go back in time because you would duplicate yourself 100 times and end up floating in space because the world rotates and is never in the same spot? Okay, Uncle Orson. I believe you.) There were even times when I had to set the book aside and take a break because I felt like my brain had soaked up as much science as it could take. But of course I would find myself wondering what happens next and pick up the book almost immediately.

Also, there isn't a lot of action in this book. Sure, the characters can hop back and forth through time (which is cool and confusing) but there are a lot of times when they are just standing around talking. It's important talk, but still just talk. It's like every time they have to make a decision, they stand in a circle and talk about it for a good 5-10 pages. And don't get me started on the inner conflicts. They tend to go around and around with arguments and problems, but don't let that stop you. They eventually work everything out and have a stellar plan.


Opinion and Recommendation: 
I don't normally go for Science Fiction books mainly because I don't think I'm smart enough to understand them. I'm not dumb, but when it comes to physics and science, things tend to go over my head. This series was different. I enjoyed the challenge that came with it and I'm glad that I finished it. It was definitely worth it. I own the first two of the series and I had checked out the last one from the library. It's not at the top of my "to buy" list, but maybe one day I'll purchase it just to round out the collection.