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calebmatthews's review against another edition
5.0
A reread of one of my fave books. Has a little different meaning now that I am older and out and know about the authors harmful views, but it was still a great story.
Enders game
"Welcome to the human race. Nobody controls his own life, Ender. The best you can do is choose to fill the roles given you by good people, by people who love you." - Valentine to Ender
Enders game
"Welcome to the human race. Nobody controls his own life, Ender. The best you can do is choose to fill the roles given you by good people, by people who love you." - Valentine to Ender
anna_c's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
actuallycandy's review against another edition
5.0
Ender Wiggin, a child prodigy, a child genius and the chosen one to save humanity. I honestly enjoyed his character more then I thought. A boy genius with a a splash of empathy and a hint of psychopathic tendencies. He is terribly young but almost necessary to mould a soldier/ commander to lead the fleet and save humanity. I bought into his inner turmoil that he would become as bloodthirsty as his brother Peter Wiggin but used his empathetic sister Valentine Wiggin as his anchor.
Battle school and their constant battles, formations and training was all ideal to create a formula for children who were capable in their own right. I think most people can't get past the age, but have we not seen in real life what child soldiers are capable of when placed in the right environment. They needed a child genius under the right conditions to win a war that no one in their right mind was willing to do. Total annihilation of a species in order to survive. And how better to play it off as if it is a game. A game they have moulded these children into thinking they had to win again and again. It was perfection in my mind, I bought the fact that this was indeed plausible. Because these children were not your typical kids, infact they were extraordinary.
Peter and Valentine posing as adults on the net and manipulating politics and media to gain power was a great example of how extraordinary the Wiggins are. That the intelligence these kids had were those who exceeded the IQ of the greatest professors and politicians. That influence is just as powerful as action and this hits different at this day and age. The power of media, the influence of one's words and opinions can carry great responsibility. Which I am sure this author has experienced himself. So it did not seem farfetched that the Wiggins siblings could pull off such influence.
Ender in constant isolation, continuous changing conditions and pressure from different team mates and commanders were all by design. People complained about the comment regarding women not being able to pass battle school as often as men. I am not offended by this, quite intrigued if anything. The angle I saw it in was that women are more empathetic, gentle, nurturing and sympathetic. Such a commander could not send an entire army to die for the sake of humanity. In that respect I can understand. Women do make it through to the military, but the reality is not all women stay in the military long term. In present day, men still outnumber women in the military and so I cannot deny the possibility that this could still be the case in the future.
In the end, Ender accomplished what was required of him. Under circumstances that was beyond his control. In a situation he wasn't aware of as reality. In the end our chosen one was a declarated hero but not how he perceived himself, he saw himself just as psychopathic as his brother. The fact that Peter intended to use Ender upon his return to Earth was a definite reality and Valentine rescuing him from that fate was the only option.
To sum it up - This book was an amazing journey. I can't wait to pick up the rest of the books in this series. I hope to read more about Ender but also Valentine. I think she is way smarter then anyone gives her credit for. I think Valentine could potentially be the next genius we can follow on this great adventure!
Battle school and their constant battles, formations and training was all ideal to create a formula for children who were capable in their own right. I think most people can't get past the age, but have we not seen in real life what child soldiers are capable of when placed in the right environment. They needed a child genius under the right conditions to win a war that no one in their right mind was willing to do. Total annihilation of a species in order to survive. And how better to play it off as if it is a game. A game they have moulded these children into thinking they had to win again and again. It was perfection in my mind, I bought the fact that this was indeed plausible. Because these children were not your typical kids, infact they were extraordinary.
Peter and Valentine posing as adults on the net and manipulating politics and media to gain power was a great example of how extraordinary the Wiggins are. That the intelligence these kids had were those who exceeded the IQ of the greatest professors and politicians. That influence is just as powerful as action and this hits different at this day and age. The power of media, the influence of one's words and opinions can carry great responsibility. Which I am sure this author has experienced himself. So it did not seem farfetched that the Wiggins siblings could pull off such influence.
Ender in constant isolation, continuous changing conditions and pressure from different team mates and commanders were all by design. People complained about the comment regarding women not being able to pass battle school as often as men. I am not offended by this, quite intrigued if anything. The angle I saw it in was that women are more empathetic, gentle, nurturing and sympathetic. Such a commander could not send an entire army to die for the sake of humanity. In that respect I can understand. Women do make it through to the military, but the reality is not all women stay in the military long term. In present day, men still outnumber women in the military and so I cannot deny the possibility that this could still be the case in the future.
In the end, Ender accomplished what was required of him. Under circumstances that was beyond his control. In a situation he wasn't aware of as reality. In the end our chosen one was a declarated hero but not how he perceived himself, he saw himself just as psychopathic as his brother. The fact that Peter intended to use Ender upon his return to Earth was a definite reality and Valentine rescuing him from that fate was the only option.
To sum it up - This book was an amazing journey. I can't wait to pick up the rest of the books in this series. I hope to read more about Ender but also Valentine. I think she is way smarter then anyone gives her credit for. I think Valentine could potentially be the next genius we can follow on this great adventure!
bobertlo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
reinedumonde's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.0
welove2read2024's review against another edition
5.0
This was one of my favorite books growing up and have read many times since
cateasp's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nnadyaa's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book!!! A serious element of depression and purpose in life is a common theme. Which made the book even more diverse than expected. It’s not just about aliens and space. Will consider reading the next book!