Rating: 
Summary: Still gives me a chill 6 years after reading it
Review: Never before or since, have I had a book affect me so deeply. I had to put the book down and let all the sobbing out before I could continue reading the ending. (Of course, being the mother of 4 boys is what made me so empathetic here) But truly an exceptional book to have me comment so strongly after having read it 6 years before. I was here checking out the synopsis of the story because I was reminded of it while watching the trailer for the upcoming movie "The Sixth Sense" with Bruce Willis. I had to see if the movie was based on the book (which it apparently was not).
Rating: 
Summary: Life With the Fletchers
Review: That's what should have been the title of this read. It wasn't as fast paced or thought provoking as the Ender Quartet, my personal fav, but good. One would think that reading about a Mormon family's life in NC would be mind numbing, but it is impossible to put it down once you get into it. The story is slow paced until the last 100 pages, where it really picks up. The ending will shock anyone who gives a care about plot and will leave you speechless for at leat an hour. However, if you are just starting to read Card's work start with Ender, Worthing , or Alvin instead of this. In a neat package, a nice, unexpected, read from a traditionally SF/Fantasy writer and a welcome break from the expected.
Rating:
Summary: Stunning ending. Card has the human personna down pat.
Review: Having followed Card's sci-fi, from "Ender's Game" through the "Homecoming" series and beyond, I've noted that he has an exceptional recognition of the human personna: The interactions between characters and the meaning(s) or motivation behind them is so well articulated to the point that I sometimes believe he can actually see into any person's mind and soul. This book is made more poinant by the fact that his story development is accurate through to the characterizations of the "supporting cast." I specifically enjoy Card's writing because of the insights I feel I absorb by his revelations of thought and action through his characters. An excellent side trip from the trilogies.
Rating:
Summary: Blindsided!
Review: That's how I felt when I finished THE LOST BOYS. I've read O.S. Card's Earth series, his Alvin series, the Ender series, even Stone Tables, but nothing prepared me for this seemingly lighthearted tale of a Mormon family. Like others before me, I recommend that you save a large block of time for reading the last 100 pages--you won't want to put it down. Yes, you have to meander to get to the end, but it is a pleasureable journey, getting to know Step, Deanna, and the kiddies. Just when you think you've figured out the bad guy, WHAM! you get blindsided by what feels like a freight train. For days, I was shell-shocked. I shared the book with my teenage son (a Stevie-like boy who reads far too much to often be impressed by a book), and he had the same reaction. To be kind, we shared it with his father who called our son "Stevie" while reading it and could only hug him and cry when he finished the story. Then we shared it with a best friend who wouldn't speak to us for days after having her heart broken. Read it and weep! It is the most disturbing book I've ever read, but sometimes it's good to have your emotions shaken!
Rating:
Summary: This book certainly gets your emotions in turmoil
Review: This book is different than any other book by Orson Scott Card. It takes you into the supernatural in a Steven King sort of way but was better written than Steven king in my oppinion. I was horrified by the end. I actually threw the book across the room(my sister after reading it did the same thing) I will never re-read this book but it did have interesting Morman insights I never knew. I would say give it a whirl but don't let yourself get tied up for time at the end of the book...It was too hard to put the book down in the last 100 pages or so..I stayed up till 2 am finishing it.
Rating:
Summary: A good book that needs some patience
Review: This is a good book, but many people didnt like it because it wasnt focused. When you buy this book, dont expect it to be exactly like the summaries, it mainly is a family tale. But it is a good book and I reccomend it.
Rating: 
Summary: Really, really disappointing.
Review: I hate to parrot the previous bad reviews, but I really need to get this off my chest. This book was disjointed, meandering, and pointless. The writing was decent, but not spectacular. The plot? Which one? I felt like I was picking through the wreckage of a crash between a Stephen King book, the Book of Mormon, a "Learn Machine Language in 30 Pages" manual, and a script from the TV show "Family Ties." The characters? If this book portrays life in North Carolina accurately, then my next drive to Florida will be by way of Oklahoma. There are more whackos in this town than were in the prison where Hannibal Lecter was locked up. There were times when I felt embarrassed for some of the characters; having to live these parts. Most of the dialog was corny, predictable, and spiritless. And the characters were all either GOOD or EVIL, with no gray areas.The ending was somewhat interesting, but it seemed more like a campfire tale ending than a novel close. Most of the sub-plots and characters seemed like they were added just to fill up some pages. This is the first O.S. Card book I've read. Considering all the Nebula awards and other honors he's received, he must have some talent. Unfortunately, it isn't evident from this book.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent. I've never been so affected by a book.
Review: While the story had some minor weaknesses, compared with much of Card's work, it was extremely entertaining. I was also fascinated by the glimpse of the Mormon lifestyle. The ending tore my heart out. I was shocked and stunned. It took me days to get over it and I will always remember it. I recommend it to all. One thing, make sure you're someplace where you won't be ashamed to let your emotions out and won't be interrupted when you read the last hundred or so pages.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: Mr. Card has exposed a family's deepest fear and pain for our perusal, but not for our pleasure. We are forced to deal with nightmares. He has demonstrated that in the most loving and caring of families, children are burdened with problems beyond their capacity to bear, and that even the best of parents do not always know of the demons that torment those in our charge. The ending is heart-wrenching, yet full of love and hope.
Rating:
Summary: worst book I ever read
Review: Worst book I ever read and the first I threw in the trash! (I'm a compulsive book collector) After reading and thoroughly enjoying Ender's Game, this disjointed story full of religious clap-trap was a huge disappointment.
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