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Summary: A true original.
Review: This book is a sheer joy from start to finish. In fact all his Ender series are difficult to put down. This is an original concept that is well written. A true classic. Every adult and every student I've recommended this book to has loved it.
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Summary: A Masterpiece
Review: I hadn't heard of Ender's Game when I first read it, but the moment I finished it, I made certain that all my friends heard of it. This was the one of the best books I have ever read. I know people who hate reading, and even they love it. It's as though you can hear Ender's mind thinking out his every move. It's brilliantly written. Ender is an intriguing character-he's a likable hero and a screwed up kid at the same time. This isn't just a book for sci-fi readers, either. It has enough aspects besides the futuristic aliens and such to make it interesting to most anyone. I, and everyone I know who had read it, highly recommend it.
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Summary: One of the best books ever.
Review: I doesnt whether you like Science fiction or fantasy you will like this book. It is very easy to understand it. The characters minds are very complex and will go deep into their minds. My description of the book would be : In the future there was a war in space against an alien race. and it is over but for the world to be prepared it is taking in young children who have good minds who could someday be the commanders if there is a war again, they are put up in space and the children are split up into different groups called armys. They play a game where thier commander leads them into battle against another army. Then one day a new boy is brought up ther and his name is Andrew Wiggin or know as Ender and he is very good at the game and others are mad and thats were trouble arises. I would reccomend this book to ages 13 and up.
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Summary: Great Military Sci-Fi with a haunting message of peace
Review: There are a lot of books out there trying to write compelling military science fiction. Some of it's pretty good, too (see Jerry Pournelle's stories about John Falkenberg). However, not many have the ability to tell a gripping story of interstellar warfare and convey such a deep philosophical message at the same time.The setting of this story is earth of the future, where children are bred for warfare through a series of 'war games'. In this way, earth's leaders hope to find a way to defeat a powerful alien race that has already attacked several of earth's spacecraft, destroying them completely. The story begins with the main character (Ender), leaving home at a tender young age after the government has determined him to be a strong candidate for their military training program. As usual, he is a boy that doesn't fit in like the others, but has a true genius for strategy. Ender leaves his family and his few friends behind and enlists in the military, quickly becoming the master of the school of War Games where he ends up. In my opinion, this part of the book was the best. You get to see what it might be like to have children treated as young soldiers, forcing them to become warriors when they should still be watching children's programs after their elementary school classes. Their simulated wargames are indeed some of the most engaging I've read. Of course, factions among the boys develop, and internal rivalries are inevitable. While reading about these, I got the feel that the author really remembered what it was like to be young. It was great. Once Ender graduates from the military school, he ends up on a far off military base hidden on a barren asteroid. There, his war games take on a completely new dimension as he is made to simulate combat with the actual aliens using a command console and a variety of simulated combat scenarios. Without going further, I can say that the ending to this book is spectacular and totally unexpected. For those who love military science fiction, this will be a real treat. But, in an odd twist, those who are advocates for peace will also feel very vindicated by the end to this story. All I can say here is that the ending has haunted me ever since I read it. If nothing else, it makes one sit back and think about the meaning of war, why we do it and what it's potential consequences are. This book is so good that it's now required reading in many high schools. It has excellent narrative and dialog, the story moves along at a nice, crisp pace, and there is never a moment when you feel like putting the book down to attend to other things. Read this book for entertainment. Remember it for the rest of your life as a powerful statement on war and the need for peace and understanding.
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Summary: The Ultimate Page-Turner
Review: I think the spotlight review by Harris says it pretty well. I wouldn't go so far as to call it the greatest book ever written, but the character development is definitely first-rate. Card has a special understanding of the interpersonal social dynamics of small groups, such as those that exist in military basic training. It's also interesting that Star Trek's Borg, albeit cybernetic, actually came from this book, at least in the original conception prior to the insect and queen aspects being removed by the writers in pre-production. Later, the Trek writers reintroduced the queen element in First Contact to rather lame effect. If they're a collective mind then there's no reason to have a queen unless the only consciousness is the queen itself. Ender's game originated this concept and it's no surprise that it's much more convincing. I do however have five complaints about this work. First, Card's religious upbringing is painfully apparent with a Mormon mother, emphasis on promoting large families, and a character named Hyrum. I was half-expecting a Nephi or two to be thrown into the mix. Thankfully, they weren't. Second, he has a misunderstanding of the importance of strategy in modern military science. Technology, communications, intelligence, and logistics are far more important. A tiny group of defenders who are inferior on all of these counts except strategy would still absolutely lose. I did, however, love portions concerning unit mobility and independence. All other things being equal, the side with the best unit autonomy will win. Third, if all the queens can be killed in one place, in one final battle, then why would a queen be sent to Earth in the first place? Wouldn't it follow that other queens would still have survived in other far off colonies? Fourth, the inclusion of the planet and bigwig onlookers in the final scenario totally gave away the big secret. With a little more subtlety this could have been averted. Fifth, the closing pages of the novel are too rushed and as such initially feel far-fetched. Right when we should be relishing the ending, we as readers are put in a situation where the suspension of disbelief does not come easy. With a bit more situation development, as well as further explanation of those nightmares where Ender feels someone is playing back his memory, this too could have been averted. In spite of these flaws it's still an amazing novel that will compel you to read it as quickly as possible.
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Summary: Mental Euphoria
Review: Ender's Game is one of the best books I have ever read! Purely fantasy, but with a theme that gets you thinking--what is the future really going to be like for future generations. Can we afford to put so much pressure on our children in order to evolve as a species? Ender is the perfect martyred hero.
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Summary: Not just for sci-fi fans.
Review: Ender's Game is too complex to do justice to right here. It is an entertaining and thought provoking story that will stick with you long after you are done. The protagonist is Andrew "Ender" Wiggin. He is brilliant. He is also a child. And the fate of mankind rests in his hands. As the story goes on he is given a level of pressure that few adults could handle, he is tested continually, he is set up for failure while knowing that he can never fail. The pivotal scenes are at the end when he is essentially tricked into doing something that he is unaware of with far reaching effects and implications. And just when you think it cannot get any more compelling we find out that perhaps it was never as clear cut as we thought it all was. The principal theme is war and the effects of war. The seeming inevitability of demonizing our enemies, of sacrificing our friends, and of losing our innocence along the way. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that likes a thought provoking read with unforgettable characters. It does not matter if you are a fan of sci fi or not because all really good science fiction does is shine it's light back on us.
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Summary: Ender's Game
Review: This book i would have to say is the best book i will ever read. I read it during my 6th grade year, and I loved it. The story was so moving i will read it again. Though I am only 13 years old, I have influenced my friends into reading this tremendous read, and they said it was good too. It makes me sick when people don't appreciate a good book like this. The book was so great, that at sometimes I tried to act as Ender the main character. That is how powerful Orson Scott Card's writing is to my mind. I hope that someday i will meet this great author.
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Summary: One of my Favorite Books
Review: I've read Ender's Game three times in the past fifteen years and consider this one of my favorite books overall, let alone in the science fiction genre. I had never heard of Orson Scott Card the first time I read it and a third of the way into the book I felt like I was truly in another world. The distinct personalities of the characters and the prophetic concepts of video games and the internet which he developed through this whole series still amaze me. The idea of training children to fight wars and their reaction to the conflict was interesting to me in a very different way fifteen years ago, but I enjoy reading it just as much now.
The other books in the series (and most other Orson Scott Card books) are all way above average, but this one holds a special place in my library. I've read that a movie is in the works, but haven't seen anything concrete. With the availability of special effects, it would be much easier to make now than ten years ago, but finding child actors good enough for the roles might be a problem.
If you haven't read Ender's Game, do it now.
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Summary: Ender's Game: Science Fiction Classic
Review: Ender's game is an action-packed book that has something of everything. Card's writing is excellent, and he takes an incredible idea and turns it into an incredible book. This is my favorite book, and I think that it will become a classic not too long from now. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys science fiction. You will fall in love with the characters, and beg for more. Conveniently, there are three sequels and two parallels, with more to come.
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