Rating: 
Summary: Wanted to hate it... loved it instead
Review: I wanted to hate this book. I *expected* to hate this book. After all, I'd already seen the results of what could happen when a great writer like OSC is forced, by editor demands or the lure of money or whatever, to expand on something that was already done. I didn't care for Children of the Mind; it felt like an unworthy and unnecessary coda for the previous three books. But this one isn't part of the chronology of the first four at all, and to my absolute shock, it really does recapture some of the emotional power and intensity of the first and greatest, Ender's Game. Others have described the plot, so I'll forego that. Suffice it to say that Bean, misunderstood in EG as simply a sidekick, is a fascinating character when explored on his own, and is the perfect mirror for exploring Ender's character in more depth. The superboy of EG becomes an all-too-human character in ES, capable of condescension, poor observation, and all the other flaws that afflict any normal person (but which, I now realize, were left out of EG). And ES also further explores the very predictable future Earth of EG---in this case, we see that population controls and suppression of counterproductive religions have a) not been implemented universally, and b) not been the answer to the world's problems. It's not the thrillfest that EG was, but it's not meant to be---like Speaker and Xenocide, this is a different kind of book from EG. Not *as* different as Speaker and Xenocide, which tread far afield in philosophy and theme (but which were still fantastic), but different nevertheless. This book is truly a companion volume to EG---mirror and expansion, rather than retelling or revamping.
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Surprise
Review: When I first heard of Ender's Shadow, I was doubtful that I would enjoy the book. Though I loved the Ender Series, I thought a book about Bean would be dull and unnecessary; in Ender's Game, he was a minor character at best, and not one that I really liked. To my complete bewilderment, I found myself getting more fond of Bean than Ender himself. This novel is a perfect parallel story complimenting the original immaculately. It tells of some secrets that you didn't know in Ender's Game, and makes both stories more believable and realistic. When I first read this book, it was in hopes of getting a glance of Ender, but by far I think Bean was a much more interesting character. If you liked Ender's Game at all, you'll love this.
Rating: 
Summary: Easily worthy of Ender's Game
Review: This book works just fine for those who have read Ender's Game, which I assume includes most people who read this book. The primary surprise of the original book is used in a different way here, preserving dramatic tension. The book is written in sort of a combined first and third-person view point of Ender's little buddy Bean. Bean's thoughts and motivations take up most of the book's verbiage. There are basically three parts to the book. The first involves Bean's very young days (age 4-5) on the mean streets of Rotterdam, where he learns how to deal with bullies and how to bend groups of people to his will. The second part is Bean's days at Battle School, where his incredible intelligence and experience from Rotterdam is put to good use. The last takes place at Command School and contains the dramatic conclusion of Ender's Game. My favorite stylistic feature of the book is the interaction between Bean and his teachers. How Bean manipulates them at every turn. The dialogue is snappy and witty. There is a subplot about Bean's Rotterdam caretaker's search for Bean's parents, which begins to tie into the main plot. A worthy parallel novel to Card's most famous book, and a good setup for the sequel.
Rating:
Summary: Another Perspective
Review: Many years ago I read "Ender's Game", and I found it one of the best science fiction books I have read. Not only was it fast moving and exciting, it was fairly thought provoking. Rarely do I find a book which combines both aspects as well as "Ender's Game" does. So I read "Ender's Shadow" with great expectation, and perhaps because of that, I was slightly disappointed. I still highly recommend the book, I just found "Ender's Game" a little better. I also think some of my disappointment comes from the fact that I did not like Bean as much as I did Ender. Bean, through most of the book, has a "look out for number one" mentality as well as a level of ambition that is at times scary. There are some very important plot points behind this outlook: from his genetic background, to his early years as a child, to what makes a good commander and what makes Ender special. However, I just happen to like principal characters who are more altruistic. Fortunately, Bean's approach to life improves as the story unfolds, and I came away liking him much more towards the end. What I like best about the "Ender's Shadow" is that it gives another perspective on world and the events of "Ender's Game". Does the book stand up by itself if you have not read "Ender's Game"? I think so, but since I read "Ender's Game", I cannot say for sure. My recommendations: If you have not read "Ender's Game", go buy it and read it first. If you have read "Ender's Game" and enjoyed it, definitely read "Ender's Shadow". It definitely adds to the story.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent expansion of the Ender saga
Review: Following the story of Bean through the same events portrayed in Ender's Game is a unique way to expand the storytelling of the original book while being able to add more depth to Ender's universe. As in most of Mr. Cards work, the reading is quick and clear, bringing you right into the story at the start. An enjoyable read.
Rating:
Summary: Amounts to more than a Hill of Beans
Review: A friend of mine suggested the original Ender's Game (the book, not the precursor short story)to me four years ago, and it quickly became my favorite book of all-time. I've reread it about twice and love all of the characters, the plot, and the excellent surprise ending. Hearing that the remainder of the Ender's Game books weren't as good as the first, I didn't bother with them; however, when I found that Orson Scott Card was writing another version of the first book from Bean's point of view, I just had to read it. I recommend this book, just like the original, to ANYONE. Card has created a marvelously imaginative, realistic world of alliances, future science, wars and relationships. The characters, more than the technology, drive this story. I salute him for creating a work of such resounding power. However, I do have a few little critiques of the book, though they are not big enough to detract a star. Bean in the original story is painted as more naive and, though a very tiny bit of that remains, some of the real magic that made Bean's character likable (i.e. his naivete) is lost in this rewrite. Also, the subplot involving Bean's nun caretaker could have been made a bit shorter, though it is as engaging as the Peter/Valentine subplot in the original. Another thing: the co-incidence between Bean and his best friend is a bit contrived, and the ending is tidy. Again, these are nit-picky little things, and not big problems. This book should be read by any fans of the original work or mere casual observers. A warning to those who are new to this series: READ ENDER'S GAME FIRST! This book is a companion and should NOT be taken on its own two feet, though it could be. Check it (and Ender's Game) out, and enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Well then!
Review: I have to say, I didn't think that this book would be any good, since it was going back to the time that Ender's Game took place in, and books that go back like that tend to not be very good, but I forgot that I was dealing with my favorite author, OSC. It was excellent. I actually like Bean better than Ender now.. Heheh... That is all.
Rating:
Summary: Just as good there's a good change it's just as good too
Review: Incredible, Card managed to make enders shadow so much diffrent then enders game while telling the same story. It was really exciting to see the entire story from another perspective.
Rating:
Summary: Equal to Ender's Game
Review: This book is pretty much Ender's Game from Bean's point of view. It's really a fascinating perspective, and the writing is phenomenal. Read it!
Rating:
Summary: One of Orson Scott Card's best works
Review: Orson Scott Card reintroduces us to the child genius. In the beginning of Ender's Shadow we meet Bean a weakling runt of a child with seemingly unparalleled intelect. Sent to battle school, Bean immediately realizes many things that the adults overlooked. Eventually it is Bean who ends up second in command, behind Ender Wiggins, in the battle to save earth from the buggers. Ender's Game introduced us to a future earth whose only salvation seemed to be children. Now Orson Scott Card revists this earth. He does not startle you with brilliant strategies or great surprises. Instead Ender's shadow focuses on the insights of a young genius into the system. Even though the outcome is predecided this book gives wonderful insight to those characters many of us fell in love with in Ender's Game. I highly recomend this book as it is an extraordinary work for the usually boring parallel book.
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