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Ender's Shadow

Ender's Shadow

List Price: $7.99
Your Price: $7.19
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Complete.
Review: After reading Ender's Game, I thought that Bean was a minor character with little influence on the plot. However, after reading Ender's Shadow, I found that Bean was not a minor character, but a subtle one. So subtle that his actions are hard to follow in Ender's Game. Looking back on the two novels, I see that they complete each other. I see actions and events sparked by the opposite novel when I re-read them. And Bean is a shadow. Not in the sense that he is below or inferior to Ender, but in the sense that he blends in and covers his tracks. He could be right in front of you one minute, and gone the next. I think that this book is a wonderful look into Bean's physcology and character, however seemingly inconsistant it may be. And this book also reveals more of the doings of the ruthless Battle School teachers.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: In the shadow of Ender's Game
Review: A welcome return to the story of Ender's Game told from the perspective of the smart, little kid that Ender empathized with in that novel. In this very readable work, Card develops and fleshes out the story of the original book in an entertaining manner that brings with it a delicious sense of dramatic irony to those familiar with the original story. I did find my credulity a little strained by the images of a super-intelligent infant and toddler escaping to and surviving the mean streets of Rotterdam with only minimal assistance. Although the revelations about Bean and his role are somewhat surprising, the greatest insights this book provides are into the thoughts and intentions of the adult characters which remained somewhat nebulous in the original work. I enjoyed the first 95% of this book almost as much as I enjoyed Ender's Game. At the end, however, I was left with a sense of frustration about the unanswered questions facing the main character which had been developed throughout the course of the novel. Additionally, the somewhat sweet ending clearly lacks the powerfully tragic poignancy at the conclusion of Ender's Game. All in all Ender's Shadow is an enjoyable read, yet perhaps its greatest achievement also emphasizes its major shortcoming. By seamlessly weaving itself into the story of Ender Wiggin's early life, this tale ultimately seems somewhat pale compared to the enduring greatness of Ender's Game.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: This is a close second to Ender's Game
Review: I love Ender's Game. It's by far my favorite book and I hadn'tread anything that came close until I picked up Ender's Shadow. Itwas hard to stop reading for long enough to do my homework and go to sleep. Bean is as likeable a character as Ender and the only thing that I didn't like was that Bean's opinion made Ender seem like an idiot. If you've read Ender's Game you will probably like this one almost as much. I can tell you that it has a happier ending than EG. If you haven't read EG this could quite possibly end up as your favorite book. END

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Engrossing, Moving--SciFi At Its Best
Review: Some critics contend that "Ender's Shadow" is a cynical attempt to cash in on the success of "Ender's Game." They're wrong. This is an engrossing story, a fast-moving tale with memorable characters and a heart-warming ending.

"Ender's Shadow" is the tale of a brilliant street urchin who's recruited to help Earth win a life-or-death war against the Buggers. The science fiction aspects of the story are skillfully done, as is a moving account of Bean's growth from hardened self-centeredness to caring and maturity. The novel works beautifully on all levels.

If you haven't read either book, starting with "Ender's Game" avoids spoiling one major and several secondary surprises. Also, recognizing certain scenes that were described in more detail in "Game" adds to the enjoyment. However, "Ender's Shadow" can stand on its own. Both books are well worth your time and money.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: CC&LD
Review: Ender's Shadow, a parralel novel to Ender's Game was even better then the first. Mr. Card really outdid himself this time. He went to odds and ends describing, and showing me what being a genius was all about. This futuristic tale of "Bean", fascinated me in many different and interesting ways. He really told the story of a little boys life. From the streats of Rotterdam to the Battle Room in the Battle School. Orson Scott Card is fabulous.

As the story begins we see a little boy telling a gang member how to not starve, how to live. Bean, this little boy, is nearly 4 and half. As the story progresses Orson Scott Card shows you how this true genius walks, talks, and thinks. This book shows you how truly brilliant this young boy is. The author really explained how Bean was accepted and respected throughout the tale. Bean makes not that many friends but you as the reader befriend him, and I would have befriended him myself. It is really interesting how Bean crawls throught the school, how he talks to people and how he thinks of what he will do next. He is always thinking ahead and what will happen. Through Beans eyes the story of Ender really unravells. You see Ender from someone elses perspective which gives you another respect for the author, Ender and Bean.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: One of the best books of the year
Review: Ender's Shadow was an awesome book!It continues the Ender's Game series,but it is set from a different point of view.Bean, the main character, is taken off the streets in Rotterdam, and taken up to battle school were he encounters many exciting adventures. Ender's Shadow tells the tale of the third envasion of the buggers in a new and refreshing way, different from Ender's Game. You don't have to have read Ender's Game to enjoy this one. It is a must read.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Reread Ender's Game 1st and its more rewarding!
Review: If I hadn't reread Ender's Game before reading this wonderful novel, I think some of the magic might have been missed. Minor and major incidents from Ender's Game take on a new perspective from Bean's point of view. Do yourself a favor and reread Ender's Game, then immediately pick up Ender's Shadow -- you'll have a much deeper level of appreciation for a potential Hugo award winner for 2000!

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: DISAPPOINTED
Review: This novel is billed as a "parallel" novel to "Ender's Game." That is, it starts and stops at roughly the same places. However, it is a completely different book both in story and quality.The book stars a boy named Bean, a minor character in EG(i think a book about Ender's evil brother, Peter,would have been much better).That is where the problem starts:in EG,Bean is such a minor character you find yourself amazed that you are reading about a character you know(and care)so little about.There are also other problems that occur quickly:when Poke is killed by Achilles,you would think that Bean would not care,since he thinks she is an idiot anyway.Yet, he does care.That is another problem.Bean's characterization is poor.He is so much smarter than everyone that he seems cold and robotic.And if he is so much smarter,why is he "Ender's shadow"? Card's style has seemed to suffer as well.He is much too condesending.Instead of letting you realize the irony of Ender, the all-American boy,killing his nemesis while Bean,a dirty street urchin,merely tricks his into capture,Card flat out tells you.Too much of the novel is Bean's redundant thoughts, mostly, People are idiots.And one more thing:when Ender confronts Bean the first time, why does Bean mentally break down,especially since he is so much smarter? I really wanted to like this. I really did.But, it just didn't recapture the magic of the original EG.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: awesome
Review: This is a simply amazing thing that Card has done. It tells its own unique story but enhances and deepens Enders Game as well. All I could think was that he should do a book through Colonel Graff's eyes, and one through Peter's eyes, and one through... Get the point. It deepens the story line to a level I did not even know existed, I never thought a story could be this engrossing. Another interesting thing would be to have read this before Enders Game and seen what it seem like. Again Card really knows what he is doing and this is the book that he shines with. A definate read if not a buy.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Even better than the Game
Review: Shadow is a rare instance where the sequel is even better than its first. I loved Bean, and hope there's more coming.


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