Rating: 
Summary: Almost as masterful as Ender's Game
Review: I found "Ender's Shadow" to be almost as enthralling as "Ender's Game," and just as well-written. The author's introduction stated that it didn't matter which of the two novels you read first, but I would disagree. I believe much of "Ender's Shadow" would be very confusing without having read "Game" first, athough the last four or five chapters of "Shadow" actually illuminate a few mildly confusing points in "Game." I would highly recommend both novels, but definitely read "Ender's Game" first.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed
Review: Ender's Game is perhaps my favorite piece of relatively recent science fiction. I enjoyed other "Ender" novels as well. This one left me relatively cold. Of course, it lacked the element of surprise of the original, but more than that, it seemed as if the author was straining, as if achieving the success in the original was more important that coming up with something new. I think the message to be taken is that Card should have left well enough alone.
Rating: 
Summary: Best Ender book since the 1st, but is that saying much?
Review: I'll start with my positive comments. 'Shadow' was much more readable than the ponderous 'Xenocide' and 'Children of the Mind'. We do care about Bean and the other children, which is much more than I can say for the dreadful family Ender becomes saddled with in the other books. In comparison with those other attempts in the Ender universe, 'Shadow' is fun and enjoyable. That said, I must stress how much I love 'Ender's Game', and how truly brilliant it is. And so I'm really angry with Card for what he has done in this companion novel. In almost every printed piece in the last few years where Card has mentioned 'EG', he has subtley belittled it: it's his young work, it's so immature and unfinished, he would change so much if he could. He DID change it a few years ago; he published a new version with small changes to the original text, of which he would doubtless change more if he could get away with it. And now he finally had his chance, when he re-wrote the story and it turns out that Ender was not the key figure in the story after all- it was actually Bean. Bean who did everything to make what Ender did possible. And that's not even the worst part. Scenes that took place in the original book are quoted back here- with Bean speaking his original words to Ender, and internally thinking of what he actually meant by that, which is often very different from what comes out of his mouth. Very strange for a child who has no trouble formulating his thoughts and speaking his mind to every other person around him. And that's still not the worst part. Somehow, Card has forgotten some important precepts of storytelling; he no longer knows that character and action are the best ways to further a plot, not exposition. Back in the days when his work was young and immature, Card did not feel that his audience needed everything stated and spelled out over and over again. He did not formulate the same thought six different ways and present them all to us, hammering the information into our heads. He felt we had the intellect and the interest to pick up on something when it was merely inferred. He respected us, and did not condescend. And I think that's the thing for which I cannot forgive him. Card's short stories are great; they can be found in compilation volumes. 'Ender's Game' is a novel that will deeply move you and deserves it's honored place in sci-fi history. I have never read any other Card novel that I have found to be more than average. 'Shadow' is better than most, but it is not an example of Card at his best.
Rating: 
Summary: I wasn't disappointed!
Review: Me? I hate sci-fi. In fact, the only reason I read Ender's Game in the first place was because one day, when I was about 12, I had read everything in the house, including the backs of cereal boxes, and needed something to read. Ender's Game was actually my brother's book. So I picked it up... and couldn't put it down again until I had finished it- many, many hours later, because the story is so good. Since then, Ender's Game has become my favorite book, no competition... until Ender's Shadow came along. Ender's Game is still my favorite book... but Ender's Shadow gives it a good run for its money. Ender's Shadow is about Bean, Ender's right hand man, strategist, and friend. It takes you from the streets of Rotterdam, where Bean has only his wits to save him from starvation, to the battle school, where Bean and Ender meet, to the battle with the Buggers. Much of it is the same story, but because it is told from Bean's point of view, it makes the story fresh, all over again. While reading Ender's Shadow, I couldn't get up to eat, or pee, because I was so engrossed. I bought it from Amazon, because it was cheaper than at the stores, full price, but if I had known just how good the story was, I would have gladly paid full price. In fact, I would have paid twice as much. No. I'm not kidding. It's worth it. Go get it. It's a great story, and is able to stand on it's own, so even if you haven't read Ender's Game yet, get Ender's Shadow anyway.
Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly good
Review: I usually like his novels, but was prepared for a somewhat boring novel since this was billed as "parallel" to Ender's Game. I was pleasantly surprised to find it as engrossing as the original.
Rating:
Summary: Almost as good as enders game
Review: I was an avid reader of Enders Game, I must have read the book 5 times since I first read it in high school. I thought that was probably the best book to ever be written, there was no pomp, there was no fanfare, just solid writing that can be interpreted by any age that reads the book. Enders Shadow was an interesting book to read, I don't think it was as well written, but I am pleased that this world and these characters were explored more in depth an in a different perspective in this book. Knowing how it is going to end doesn't ruin it at all, it just makes the authors job tougher, and as a consequence, the book better. Read this book if you read Enders Game, you owe it to yourself
Rating:
Summary: Parallel excellence!
Review: I re-read Ender's Game first, and in my opinion Ender's Shadow is every bit as good. It really is interesting to see the same story (well) told from a different point of view. It's also nice to see some, usually constructive criticism of Ender's methods and tactics. Bean seems a believable character and engages the reader well. I much prefer this book to the "Speaker for the Dead" and "Xenocide" books. More like this, please!
Rating:
Summary: Spectacular!
Review: If you haven't read this book yet, why are you waiting
Rating:
Summary: Back to Battle School, Boys and Girls!
Review: THIS CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR "ENDER'S GAME." This book has much the feeling of "Ender's Game," and Card has remained true to the spirit of the original. The later stories are much less dark, and perhaps because of this, less compelling. However, "Ender's Shadow," like "Ender's Game" and "Speaker for the Dead," draws us right in and won't let us go. We *care* abour Bean. We want him to prosper, even as we are stuck in the frustrating position of *knowing* he is not the "Great Commander" th I.F. is looking for. One complaint I had (and I cannot see any way around it) is that readers familiar with the series already know the "secret" that Bean takes a hundred pages to figure out - it isn't a game. A final comment - as interesting and entertaining as this story was, I find myself now really wondering what happens to Ender the "troubled child" in between this period and "Speaker for the Dead," where he is again the title character, but with a very different title.
Rating:
Summary: great book
Review: Ender's shadow and Ender's Game are the only two OSC books worth reading (and yes, I've read a lot of the others). I enjoyed Ender's shadow immensely. Unlike most of the other reviews, my favorite part was when Bean did meet up with Ender. The interaction between the two made Ender's character more believable. Some people are irritated that Bean is as smart or smarter than Ender. Lets not forget, Ender's brother and sister were both as brilliant as him. They just didn't have the necessary combination of attitude and personality. It also makes sense that the government would have a "back-up" plan in case Ender failed. I highly recommend this book . . .
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