Earthfall

Earthfall is the fourth installment in Orson Scott Card's Homecoming Saga, which reimagines events from the Book of Mormon as science fiction. The story follows a group of colonists preparing to return to Earth from their home planet Harmony aboard the starship Basilica. The journey creates tension between two brothers, Nafai and Elemak, as their factions vie for control of the ship and influence over the younger generation. The Oversoul, a powerful artificial intelligence, maintains surveillance through the ship's computer systems to prevent conflict during the long voyage. Upon reaching Earth, the colonists encounter two evolved species - the Angels and Diggers - who now inhabit humanity's ancestral home. The narrative shifts focus to explore how the original generational divide affects relationships between their children and these new Earth species. The novel examines themes of family legacy, tribal division, and the cyclical nature of human conflict against the backdrop of space colonization and first contact. Through its multi-generational scope, the story raises questions about how parents' choices shape their children's alliances and identities.

Readers found Earthfall to be the weakest entry in Card's Homecoming series, citing a slow pace and anticlimactic conclusion. Many felt it failed to deliver on the build-up from previous books. Liked: - Continuation of religious/spiritual themes - Development of secondary characters - Connections to Book of Mormon parallels - Resolution of certain character arcs Disliked: - Long philosophical discussions that stall the plot - Less action than previous books - Characters becoming "preachy" - Rushed ending that leaves questions unanswered Review Scores: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 3.9/5 (80+ reviews) Common reader comments: "Too much talking, not enough happening" - Goodreads reviewer "The series peaked earlier and this feels like an afterthought" - Amazon review "Card seems more interested in religious metaphors than telling a good story" - LibraryThing user

Remnant Population by Elizabeth Moon A lone human colonist chooses to stay behind on an alien world and must navigate first contact with a new species, exploring themes of isolation and cross-species understanding.

Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky A generational story follows the parallel evolution of humanity and an uplifted spider species as they head toward an inevitable encounter.

Foreigner by C.J. Cherryh The human descendants of a lost colony ship must negotiate complex relationships with the native alien species while dealing with their own internal politics.

The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber A space missionary travels to a distant planet to teach aliens about Christianity while his relationships with Earth and humanity grow increasingly complex.

The Legacy of Heorot by Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle Colonists on a distant planet face challenges from both the native species and their own evolving social dynamics as they attempt to establish a new human settlement.

🌟 The book is part of a 5-novel series that reimagines the Book of Mormon as a science fiction epic. 🌟 Card wrote this series simultaneously with his acclaimed Alvin Maker series, alternating between the two projects throughout the early 1990s. 🌟 The concept of "Diggers" in the book was inspired by prehistoric ground sloths, which could grow to the size of modern elephants. 🌟 The starship Basilica takes its name from a type of ancient Roman public building, reflecting Card's interest in classical architecture and history. 🌟 The novel explores similar themes to Card's most famous work, "Ender's Game," particularly regarding the impact of space colonization on family structures.