The Call Of Earth
Homecoming Series: Book 2
📘 About This Book
'The man's versatility of style, subject and approach makes him unique in the SF field.' - Anne McCaffrey 'One of the genre's most convincing storytellers.' - Library Journal 'As always, Mr. Card writes with energy and conviction.' - The New York Times Book Review Feeling itself to be failing, the Oversoul realises that it needs the technology of the Lost Earth to achieve its aims. It has already caused Nafai, a teenage boy, to commit murder ... Nafai, his father and his brothers have left Basilica, but the rest of his family remain there, including his mother, the influential Lady Rasa. However, Rasa has other things on her mind, such as the 'friendly' invasion of troops under the leadership of General Vozmuzhalnoy Vozmozhno of Gorayni, who does not believe in any Gods, including the Oversoul - although he may still be its unknowing instrument. The second book in the groundbreaking Homecoming series by Orson Scott Card. Books by Orson Scott Card: Alvin Maker novels Seventh Son Red Prophet Prentice Alvin Alvin Journeyman Heartfire The Crystal City Ender Wiggin Saga Ender's Game Speaker for the Dead Xenocide Children of the Mind Ender in Exile Homecoming The Memory of the Earth The Call of the Earth The Ships of the Earth Earthfall Earthborn First Formic War (with Aaron Johnston) Earth Unaware Earth Afire Earth Awakens
📖 Summary
The Call of Earth by Orson Scott Card is a rich work of science fiction published in 2012 that spans 268 pages, continuing the grand narrative traditions that have earned the author widespread acclaim for his versatility and convincing storytelling. In this installment, the overarching artificial intelligence known as the Oversoul faces a profound crisis. Feeling itself to be slowly failing, the Oversoul realizes that it requires the forgotten technology of the Lost Earth if it is ever to achieve its ultimate aims and secure the future of humanity. Driven by this desperate imperative, the divine-like intelligence has already manipulated the world in drastic ways, even causing a young teenage boy named Nafai to commit murder in service of its grand design. As the story unfolds, Nafai, alongside his father and his brothers, has already made the difficult journey to leave the city of Basilica behind. However, much of his family remains trapped or anchored within the city walls, including his mother, the deeply influential and formidable Lady Rasa. While Nafai and his male relatives navigate the vast and unpredictable world outside, Lady Rasa finds herself occupied with entirely different and immediate dangers within Basilica. The city is currently facing a friendly invasion of troops under the command of General Vozmuzhalnoy Vozmozhno of Gorayni. This military leader brings a strictly secular and hostile perspective to the region, as he does not believe in any gods at all, including the Oversoul itself. This ideological collision between the mechanical will of a failing god, the technological yearning for Lost Earth, and the skeptical might of an invading general creates a tense crucible for the characters. Card writes with his trademark energy and conviction, weaving a narrative where personal family dynamics intersect with cosmic survival. The family is fractured across ideological and geographical lines, forced to reckon with manipulation, divine coercion, and human politics. The children and parents must decide where their loyalties lie when a supreme entity nudges them toward unimaginable acts. Readers are treated to a complex exploration of faith versus secularism, the burden of destiny, and the lengths to which a dying intelligence will go to reclaim its lost heritage. Through meticulous pacing and deep character introspection, the novel expands the scope of the series while keeping the human heart of the story firmly in focus, making it a compelling chapter for followers of imaginative speculative fiction.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Written with notable energy and conviction by a master storyteller
Engaging exploration of faith and skepticism through General Vozmozhno
Deeply complex character dynamics within a fractured family
Expands the rich lore of the science fiction setting
⚠️ Cons
Moral dilemmas involving teenage murder can be unsettling for some readers
Requires familiarity with the overarching series for full context
✍️ About the Author
Orson Scott Card (b. 1951) is an American author best known for 'Ender's Game', a landmark science fiction novel that won both the Hugo and Nebula Awards.
View all books →❓ FAQ
Who is the author of The Call Of Earth? +
The book was written by Orson Scott Card.
When was the book published? +
It was published in 2012.
How many pages does the book have? +
The book contains 268 pages.
What compels the Oversoul to act? +
The Oversoul feels itself to be failing and realizes it needs the technology of the Lost Earth to achieve its aims.
Who leads the invasion into Basilica? +
The invasion is led by General Vozmuzhalnoy Vozmozhno of Gorayni, who does not believe in any gods.
