Seventh Son (novel)

Plot summary

The Miller family is heading west. As they attempt to cross the Hatrack River, a hostile force called the Unmaker tries to prevent the unborn Alvin from ever being born. Alvin is destined to be the seventh son of a seventh son, which would grant him extraordinary abilities as a Maker. The Unmaker sends a tree crashing down the river toward the wagon carrying Alvin’s pregnant mother. Her eldest son, Vigor, deflects the tree but is fatally injured. Because a seventh son must be born while all six older brothers are still alive, Vigor desperately holds on to life until Alvin is delivered. A five-year-old girl named Peggy Guester, a “torch” who can see people’s life forces and sometimes their many possible futures, insists that help be sent. She has glimpsed Alvin and his potential future as a Maker.

Over the following years, Alvin survives many attempts by an unknown force to kill him, often aided by a mysterious protector. His father, who does not believe in God, thinks a water spirit is responsible. When Alvin turns seven, a new minister named Reverend Thrower arrives and tries to build a church. Alvin’s father refuses to help, but his mother orders all her sons to work on the construction.

As the ridgebeam is being lifted into place, it shivers, breaks, and seems ready to fall on Alvin. Mid-air, however, it splits in two and misses him—another close call. Later, at home, Alvin pokes one of his sisters, prompting her and another sister to retaliate by sticking needles into his nightgown. Alvin gets back at them by using his knack to send cockroaches after them.

The trick works, giving Alvin a small victory. But soon after, he has a vision of a figure he calls the Shining Man, who makes him promise to use his knack only for good.