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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
At the end of Shadow of the Giant, I couldn't wait for this one to be released. That was a couple years ago, and when I heard that it was finally written, I pre-ordered it. I'd been disappointed in Ender in Exile, but that hadn't been terrible (just forgettable). I was excited to see how this finally ended, and hoped Mr. Card had returned to form.
Dear Lord, were those hopes misplaced. I noticed right away that the book was short. I don't have it in front of me, but I think it barely reaches 300 pages. If these pages were packed with peril, character development, and intriguing plot, this might have been fine, but since at least a third is given over to rehashing (often inaccurately) the old books, the plot feels really thin. Despite it's short length, it still manages to drag on and on and be rather dull.
I didn't care about any of Bean's children, and perhaps that's why it was dull. If the characters are boring, the plot can be the most interesting thing in the world (which is was not), and it will still leave little impact. I've always loved Mr Card for his characters, but these seemed like flat rehashes of everyone else he's ever written. Character traits are shoehorned in and badly exposited during dull (and painfully unrealistic) dialogue. If he had taken more words and shown more of their life on the ship before this, perhaps I would have cared more.
Worse still is the revelation at the end of the book. I won't spoil it, but I will only say that it made me very angry and now I won't be able to read the early books the same way.
However, I did mostly like the parts from Bean's point of view, and I'll admit to getting a little choked up at the last scene, but then again, I cry over Beauty and the Beast.
I'd say don't bother, but if you're buying it, you've probably already read the other books and are kind of looking forward to it. Allow me to crush your hopes and tell you: No, Ender fans. It is not worth it. But neither was Ender in Exile, or A War of Gifts (though both those are better than this.) But you will still buy the next book, and keep buying them as the series continues and Mr. Card lines his pockets with your hard earned cash. At this point, he could write blindfolded and drunk and you would buy it, just to see what happens next.
And the sad part is, so will I.
Dear Lord, were those hopes misplaced. I noticed right away that the book was short. I don't have it in front of me, but I think it barely reaches 300 pages. If these pages were packed with peril, character development, and intriguing plot, this might have been fine, but since at least a third is given over to rehashing (often inaccurately) the old books, the plot feels really thin. Despite it's short length, it still manages to drag on and on and be rather dull.
I didn't care about any of Bean's children, and perhaps that's why it was dull. If the characters are boring, the plot can be the most interesting thing in the world (which is was not), and it will still leave little impact. I've always loved Mr Card for his characters, but these seemed like flat rehashes of everyone else he's ever written. Character traits are shoehorned in and badly exposited during dull (and painfully unrealistic) dialogue. If he had taken more words and shown more of their life on the ship before this, perhaps I would have cared more.
Worse still is the revelation at the end of the book. I won't spoil it, but I will only say that it made me very angry and now I won't be able to read the early books the same way.
However, I did mostly like the parts from Bean's point of view, and I'll admit to getting a little choked up at the last scene, but then again, I cry over Beauty and the Beast.
I'd say don't bother, but if you're buying it, you've probably already read the other books and are kind of looking forward to it. Allow me to crush your hopes and tell you: No, Ender fans. It is not worth it. But neither was Ender in Exile, or A War of Gifts (though both those are better than this.) But you will still buy the next book, and keep buying them as the series continues and Mr. Card lines his pockets with your hard earned cash. At this point, he could write blindfolded and drunk and you would buy it, just to see what happens next.
And the sad part is, so will I.
This was the fourth and final book in the Ender's Shadow series. And boy was it different. Suffice to say that it continues after the third book but this story is about Bean (the Giant) and his three children on the ship traveling through space. Because it was such a different setting and story from the other sequels I found it very interesting. Also the book is short in comparison to the others so it was a quick read. I read it on my Kindle and it was an enhanced book with illustrations which were kind of cool.
I've heard that some day the author will write a book to join the Ender series to the Shadow series which this book certainly would allow. I look forward to that.
I've heard that some day the author will write a book to join the Ender series to the Shadow series which this book certainly would allow. I look forward to that.
A small book extending the Ender's Shadow series to book 5. An interesting bit on Bean (the Giant) and his three super-smart kids. I wish there was more to this one - but the Shadow series is consistently lighter than the Ender series. This is kind of a low 4 so ymmv.
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not as strong as the previous books, but a fitting conclusion to Bean’s adventure and an interesting bridge with Ender’s arc.
Also, fairly short and readable.
Also, fairly short and readable.
I guess I should reread speaker for the dead and finally finish xenocide now, huh? pretty addicted to the ender universe.
Overall good book but nothing compared to the original, Ender's Game. The ending seemed a bit rushed and unless I missed it, left at least one question unanswered. Still recommended for Ender fans, but as with all of them after Ender's Game, it isn't a must read.
the world that Orson Scott Card creates is so believable. I can see it is vividly. I didn't know where the story was going and I love that. I love this universe that he has created and I always wait eagerly to read the next installment.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No