Red Prophet has the qualities of the best historical fiction combined with the vision and excitement of fantastic adventure. Throughout the novel there is an intensely moral and religious concern for human destiny.

One of the main strengths of Red Prophet is its scope. Card places the reader in a variety of minds, not just those of the main characters. For example, he reveals the inner lives of Hooch and Mike Fink, both evil men who have limits to their villainy. Hooch plans to get rich by enforcing a liquor monopoly in the Hio territory. Fink sees life as a contest in which the winner is a better man. Both are ultimately sickened by Harrison's actions and finally refuse to follow him. By allowing readers to understand these characters, Card reinforces the general theme that all people, not driven into insanity, desire the same things for...