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ljomccullough's review against another edition
5.0
Just read this book with my daughter. She is in love and going to read everything she can by Orson Scott Card!
travelling_bookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
“If you try and lose then it isn't your fault. But if you don't try and we lose, then it's all your fault.”
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I love a story set in a strange futuristic dystopia, preferably revolving around a high-technology video game, where the main character bends the rules to the (literal) game and changes the world in consequence. This book would DEFINITELY fall under that very niche category. Another would be Ready Player One. As much as I loved the latter, I am disappointed to say I felt so unconnected from Ender’s Game.
The first problem was the ages of ALL of the characters. You expect me to believe that a 6 year old child has all of these deep insights about human relations and social behaviors? That a 9 year old has the mental and emotional maturity to lead an army, and be cynical about the order of the world? I understand that they are child geniuses brought up in a combat-mindset. I also understand why it needed to be a child for the story to work; any older, and you wouldn’t get the naivete and the fear of authority figures that makes this story work in the first place. But come on now. Have you ever seen a 6 year old?
Secondly, the action sequences (which are of course abundant in a war-school themed story) were described in such a strangely mathematical way that I just could not picture it. I followed the general outlines, but the impressive maneuvers were quite lost on me.
Thirdly, and perhaps the most potent of all, was that it all felt so outdated, and the sexist and homophobic subtext started to annoy me too much by the half point.
In all of this chaos, my favorite parts were strangely the two siblings left behind by Ender. Their manipulative and dangerous characters, their dilemmas, wicked moves to get ahead of the game felt the most relevant and gripping to me.
Knowing how book-to-movie adaptations go, I think I would enjoy this story more in a visual format.
---------------------------------
I love a story set in a strange futuristic dystopia, preferably revolving around a high-technology video game, where the main character bends the rules to the (literal) game and changes the world in consequence. This book would DEFINITELY fall under that very niche category. Another would be Ready Player One. As much as I loved the latter, I am disappointed to say I felt so unconnected from Ender’s Game.
The first problem was the ages of ALL of the characters. You expect me to believe that a 6 year old child has all of these deep insights about human relations and social behaviors? That a 9 year old has the mental and emotional maturity to lead an army, and be cynical about the order of the world? I understand that they are child geniuses brought up in a combat-mindset. I also understand why it needed to be a child for the story to work; any older, and you wouldn’t get the naivete and the fear of authority figures that makes this story work in the first place. But come on now. Have you ever seen a 6 year old?
Secondly, the action sequences (which are of course abundant in a war-school themed story) were described in such a strangely mathematical way that I just could not picture it. I followed the general outlines, but the impressive maneuvers were quite lost on me.
Thirdly, and perhaps the most potent of all, was that it all felt so outdated, and the sexist and homophobic subtext started to annoy me too much by the half point.
In all of this chaos, my favorite parts were strangely the two siblings left behind by Ender. Their manipulative and dangerous characters, their dilemmas, wicked moves to get ahead of the game felt the most relevant and gripping to me.
Knowing how book-to-movie adaptations go, I think I would enjoy this story more in a visual format.
r0b3rta's review against another edition
4.0
I am aware of the controversy surrounding the author and borrowed the book from the library on a recommendation from a friend. The characters were interesting, story was interesting. I liked Ender but really was more interested in some of the other characters - Bean, Alai, Petra. It was good overall.
leggup's review against another edition
5.0
A beautifully written book full of twists and surprises. You share Ender's point of view (for the most part) as he tries to train to defeat the buggers, an alien race that attacked the earth. This book is an absolute page turner. I read it as a teen, loved it. I reread it in pieces on my morning train and missed my stop!
meghang500's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
melancholy_books's review against another edition
5.0
It made me into the man I am today. This book gave me an out of world approach to life.
joeyoudan's review against another edition
2.75
Thought I owed Card a read after he saved my summative.
A very compelling story in an interesting setting. The plot moves in a tight but agreeable way. Much like space itself the Novel feels rather empty- young children have bland and melodramatic conversations that feel unrealistic and solely plot driven, but captivating dialogue isn’t what the novel is trying to do.
Some of the philosophical elements are novel; others feel a bit tired and obvious, but one cannot deny the novels readability, and it’s issues are less to do with the substance but more- again like space- what isn’t there. Even if it feels like a rhetorical excercise completed and stretched to its utmost wingspan, it’s told in a compelling manner. A good read.
A very compelling story in an interesting setting. The plot moves in a tight but agreeable way. Much like space itself the Novel feels rather empty- young children have bland and melodramatic conversations that feel unrealistic and solely plot driven, but captivating dialogue isn’t what the novel is trying to do.
Some of the philosophical elements are novel; others feel a bit tired and obvious, but one cannot deny the novels readability, and it’s issues are less to do with the substance but more- again like space- what isn’t there. Even if it feels like a rhetorical excercise completed and stretched to its utmost wingspan, it’s told in a compelling manner. A good read.
becky_mercer93's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
nova121's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0