Earthborn
Fifth and final book of the Homecoming Saga.
Earthborn (1995), the fifth and final novel in Orson Scott Card’s Homecoming Saga, is a science fiction work by the American author. The series reimagines the first several centuries recorded in the Book of Mormon.
Five hundred years after the events of *Earthfall*, only one original colonist from Harmony remains: Shedemei, who now possesses the Cloak of the Starmaster, a device that allows control of the Index and is associated with the Keeper of Earth. Over the centuries, the descendants of Nafai and Elemak have built cities and towns, yet the ancient enmity between the two brothers persists. The Oversoul still has not fulfilled its original mission: to locate the Keeper of Earth, the central intelligence that can repair the Oversoul itself. Now, however, the Keeper has begun to exert its influence once more. Responding to dreams, Shedemei decides to return to Earth.
This final book departs from the style and storyline of the previous four. All characters from earlier novels, except Shedemei, are long dead. The central conflict between Nafai and Elemak continues through their descendants but is less prominent here. The narrative instead focuses on the internal struggles among the descendants of those who followed Nafai. The king of Darakemba—an empire founded by the Nafaris—along with his children, advisers, the high priest of Darakemba, his children, and his converts, drive the main action.
Religious overtones, present since the first book, become more pronounced than the science fiction elements. Themes of faith in the invisible Keeper, the dangers of pride, and the value of tolerance are woven throughout the characters’ conflicts.
Quick Facts
- Author
- Orson Scott Card
- Cover Artist
- Keith Parkinson
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
- Series
- Homecoming Saga
- Genre
- Science fiction
- Publisher
- Tor Books
- Media Type
- Print (Hardcover & Paperback)
- Pages
- 378
- Isbn
- 0-312-93040-2
- Dewey
- 813/.54 20
- Congress
- PS3553.A655 E47 1995
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Five centuries after the conclusion of Earthfall, there is only one original colonist from Harmony: Shedemei, who now wears the Cloak of the Starmaster, a device that allows control of the Index and is associated with the Keeper of Earth. After hundreds of years, the descendants of Nafai and Elemak have built cities and towns, yet never forgetting the enmity between the two brothers. The Oversoul still has not achieved its original purpose: to find the Keeper of Earth, the central intelligence that alone can repair the Oversoul itself. Now, the Keeper has once again begun to spread its influence, and heeding the dreams below, Shedemei has decided to return to Earth.
Reader's Guide
Earthborn marks a departure from the style and storyline of the previous four books in the Homecoming Saga. All of the characters from the previous novels (except Shedemei) are long dead. The central conflict between Nafai and Elemak is represented in their descendants but takes a back seat. The focus is on the struggles within the descendants of those who followed Nafai. The king of Darakemba (an empire founded by the Nafaris), his children, and his advisers, along with the high priest of Darakemba, his children, and his converts, provide the main actions in the story. The science fiction elements are overshadowed by the blossoming of the religious overtones (Mormon) evident since the first book. The emphasis on faith in the invisible Keeper, the evils of pride, and the importance of tolerance are consistently woven within the struggles of the characters.
Did You Know?
- Earthborn is the concluding fifth book of the Homecoming Saga.
- The series is a fictionalization of the first few hundred years recorded in the Book of Mormon.
- Only one original colonist from Harmony, Shedemei, remains alive in this book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Earthborn fit in the Homecoming Saga?
It is the fifth and final volume of Orson Scott Card's Homecoming Saga, published in 1995. The series reimagines the early centuries of the Book of Mormon as a science fiction narrative about colonists on a distant world.
Who is Shedemei in Earthborn?
Shedemei is the sole surviving original colonist from Harmony five hundred years after the events of Earthfall. He wields the Cloak of the Starmaster, a relic tied to the role of Keeper of Earth.
What is the Cloak of the Starmaster?
It is a device that grants its bearer control over the Index, and it is linked to the title of Keeper of Earth. In Earthborn, it is held by Shedemei, the last living member of the original Harmony colony.
What is the central conflict in Earthborn?
The novel centers on the long-standing hostility between the descendants of Nafai and the descendants of Elemak, two brothers whose ancient rivalry has shaped the settlements they built over five centuries. Both groups have grown into cities and towns, yet the enmity between them endures.
Why is Earthborn significant to Homecoming Saga fans?
As the concluding installment, it closes out Card's reimagining of the Book of Mormon's early history as interstellar science fiction. It brings the multi-generational story of the Harmony colonists and their descendants to its final resolution.
More in Novels by Orson Scott Card 1-24
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