Reviews

Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card

knuckledown's review against another edition

3.0

Although I chose to follow Bean's series first, I was glad for the switch to Ender. Being on colonized planets with Ender certainly provided more escapism potential. On the other hand, perhaps the genius of Card is that he never escapes completely from the familiar structures of human society. In Lusitania, the home of a human settlement and the alien race of piggies, there is still the institution of the Catholic church. The ancient is set alongside the fantastical.

I find it brave that Card took on the character of adult Ender. What would the boy who massacred the race of buggers become? I suppose it's rather obvious that he would save the next alien race to be discovered. The Speaker for the Dead concept is more original: that he would tell the true story of a human life after the person is deceased. It can be an uncomfortable concept, but definitely a valuable one to get out of a book.

khetti's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

alifeuls's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

adumundead's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

ameilya_hadsell's review against another edition

4.5

loved as always 

graceannee's review against another edition

3.0

DNF

emilyreads23's review against another edition

adventurous tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

liv99x's review against another edition

adventurous challenging reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

hwelser's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

kikala's review against another edition

3.0

I started this book thinking I would not finish it, but about 1/3 of the way through I became invested like I wish I had been from the beginning.