Three volumes of a projected six have appeared in the Tales of Alvin Maker. In the first, Seventh Son, Alvin Miller, Jr. is born and grows to the age of ten. While he gradually discovers his powers and how to use them for making rather than unmaking, the force of unmaking tries to destroy him by means of the natural element of water and through human agencies as well. These human agents include a puritan minister and Alvin's own father. The minister receives what he believes is a divine command to destroy Alvin. His father falls victim to an unconscious impulse to kill his much beloved son. In the second, Red Prophet, ten-year-old Alvin is caught up in the Indian Wars of 1810. Captured, he is taught Indian magic by the Red Prophet, who also helps him have a vision of the Crystal City, which it is...