I gave the previous two books 4 stars, but I found this one to be a bit too chaotic. I had the feeling there was quite a bit of superfluous stuff in here. E.g., I really liked the stories of Rigg getting to know the different folds, but he did not do anything with the information he learned there. The first prehistoric bit was interesting, but really, why that whole second piece? Plus the stupid part where what's-her-name dies and Noxon makes the most ridiculous decision to save her 'original life'. As if there was anything to save, since it didn't exist yet. It also goes against everything Rigg learned in the story with the rapist. Sure, they are two people, so Noxon wouldn't have known, but what was the point of putting this in? It was stupid and unnecessary, since what's-her-name could easily have gone with Noxon as who she was in the first place. There was no need to change the whole world for this.
Then the parts that did matter got glossed over a bit. We finally get to the real reason Garden was destroyed, and then it all gets arranged in no time.

A second peeve I have were the female roles. Of course, we're talking about OSC here, so you can't expect a whole lot in that department. Still, it didn't bother me too much in the first books. But in this one, I really didn't like the whole business with Leaky, who is so unable to control her emotions she won't hear Umbo out for several times, even if it will mean not getting Leaf back. She won't even raise her own baby, just because she doesn't remember carrying him. Then I started thinking, who else is there? Param at least is growing up, but she still doesn't make the most convincing power woman. There is what's-her-name, who seems to only exist as a love interest. And she says that women are all attracted to power. Sigh. Oh, and Param's mother, the evil woman who would murder her own children. Perhaps the only acceptable one is Auntie Wind and she hardly has any role. Then the thing that seriously annoyed me. The mice go with Noxon on an expedition. They take all pregnant female mice, and... one male mouse to be the leader. Seriously?!? Not even the mice, who are so cooperative and all, can consider taking another pregnant female mouse as leader? Would have been more sensible,more mouse babies after all, and since they have manipulated the DNA, there is no need for males for DNA diversity.
Well,it's not his worst, but it is a pity, really. ( )

Well I finished it, the Pathfinder series by Orson Scott Card. I posted a short review of the first book but I did not do so for the second book. Nothing wrong with the second book mind you, it is just that it is the middle book and it is always hard for me to judge them. Unless they completely suck and I stop the who trilogy in general I usually will push straight from the second book to the final one.

Anyway, overall I enjoyed the trilogy. There was plenty of character growth and a few twists, particularly in the final book that I was not expecting and was pleasantly surprised. The growth of Umbo and Rigg from the beginning of the series until its’ conclusion was engaging. Solving the mystery of the multiple timelines and the future of Garden was a blast. It has been said by others that the time jumping and the multiple characters (copies really) was challenging. I would have to say that I somewhat agree with that. There was more than one time that I experience a “Wait, who, where was that?” moment. But I pushed through and eventually got it straight in my head again. Also, as I find typical in just about any trilogy or series, there were places that things just seemed to get slow. I realize that many times it is just me going through “series fatigue”, a condition I run into where I get somewhat bored with the current series and I start thinking about what I want to read next. But I stuck with it and I am glad I did. ( )

Not a bad book at all (I rated it 4-stars), but I agree with the other reviewers that this book isn't up to the level of the other two. I still really liked it but the other books felt more "full".

Unsure if this series will continue, but certainly felt like a conclusion. I wonder if OSC will revisit this series in the future? ( )

Orson Scott Card is a wonderful, albeit complicated, author. This book, and series, is not a simple one to read. The complexity of the plot adds to the philosophical nature of the story. By the end you are asking yourself "What just happened?" over and over again.
This book delves into human nature and how scientific advances can change the course of human history. By manipulating genes, can we create "powers" to significantly change human behavior? Do we have a right to do so?
This is by far a very complex read but it is done in a wonderful way. ( )

A crazy conclusion to a time bending trilogy. Overall enjoyed the series. And the this last entry was reasonably good if convoluted. ( )