Sunday, October 20, 2013

Review - Ender's Game

Title - Ender's Game
Author - Orson Scott Card
Series - The Ender Quintet #1 
Genre - Sci Fi
Published - July 15th 1985
Publisher - Tor Science Fiction
Format - Kindle Ebook 

Synopsis

In order to develop a secure defense against a hostile alien race's next attack, government agencies breed child geniuses and train them as soldiers. A brilliant young boy, Andrew "Ender" Wiggin lives with his kind but distant parents, his sadistic brother Peter, and the person he loves more than anyone else, his sister Valentine. Peter and Valentine were candidates for the soldier-training program but didn't make the cut—young Ender is the Wiggin drafted to the orbiting Battle School for rigorous military training.

Ender's skills make him a leader in school and respected in the Battle Room, where children play at mock battles in zero gravity. Yet growing up in an artificial community of young soldiers Ender suffers greatly from isolation, rivalry from his peers, pressure from the adult teachers, and an unsettling fear of the alien invaders. His psychological battles include loneliness, fear that he is becoming like the cruel brother he remembers, and fanning the flames of devotion to his beloved sister. 

Is Ender the general Earth needs? But Ender is not the only result of the genetic experiments. The war with the Buggers has been raging for a hundred years, and the quest for the perfect general has been underway for almost as long. Ender's two older siblings are every bit as unusual as he is, but in very different ways. Between the three of them lie the abilities to remake a world. If, that is, the world survives.

Ender's Game is the winner of the 1985 Nebula Award for Best Novel and the 1986 Hugo Award for Best Novel.

Review

This rounds book was an interesting choice my hubby actually picked it out. Well the movie is right around the corner and six months ago I was like I should read that. The story is about Ender who is six when he has his monitor a device attached to his back that watches everything. He’s unlike most kids because he’s the third child when everyone is permitted to only have two. When his brother was too aggressive for the program they attempted with a girl but she was just too nice so they hoped that by having a third child he would be the perfect one to command the army and defeat the buggers.

When six year old Ender is given the choice to stay home or head to space as a officer he reluctantly agrees not wanting to leave his sister or parents. Unlike the other young boys he adapts extremely fast to the flight to training. Quickly rising up the ranks as the youngest commander, being pushed harder to be the commander of the fleet they are expecting.  Adapting and changing his battle strategy with each match. Will he be the commander everyone is waiting for to end the war for good? Or will he ice out?

I wasn't sure what to expect I had an idea from the movie previews and the synopsis so for me the idea was unique and exciting. How many books do you find a child tasked with saving the world? I enjoyed Ender as a character he was easy to connect with I found myself cheering him on through all his challenges. Ender’s Game draws you in right from the start with Ender’s story when he’s having his monitor removed and keeps you with him till the end. I like the alien concept but I’m a fan of fighting alien’s because one day I’m sure we will see them. I like that the story has twists and turns some I even found myself shocked. It’s one of those stories that you just have to check out. I think it’s worth the time. I’m curious to check out the future series. 
4 out of 5 stars

1 comment:

  1. The kids and I are going to be listening to this one soon. We picked up Earth Unaware which takes place 100 yrs before Ender's Game, so we want to listen to the next book Earth Afire first.

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