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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
I just finished the audiobook and I thourougly enjoyed it. The voice was decent as was the acting, but I think it was the anticipation of the events that made this experience so emotional. I also appreciated the ending note by Card at the end. Bean, you will be in my heart forever.
..................
Me after finishing Shadows in Flight: That. Was. Beautiful. *bawls*
After that, I began to think about the events in the novel, marvel at the genius of Orson Scott Card, develop my own theories, and squeal at anything that would bring memories of the Shadow Series (If you haven't read it, I would HIGHLY recommend).
This book is the true one about Bean. In Ender's Shadow, the main hero was Ender. It was his battle. The chronicles on Earth were all about Peter the Hegemon. This book is about Bean and the children he created. About him thinking about the kind of life and achievements he had, which while short was not bad.
It really hit hard on the nostalgia. Seeing Bean grow up to be a parent and father his three children was so sweet and cute, and reading about him reminiscing on the past and thinking about his future (if you've read the other installments in the series, then you know about Bean's condition) melted my heart. Reading about his children was also a delight in its own special way. Learning more about the world and concept Card created was also nice. To sum up, I really loved this book, a lot more than I expected to from the beginning. It was a great way to finish off Bean's story, and I was thoroughly satisfied; it did the series justice.
To be brutally honest, I was disappointed at first at the similarities between the Delphiki genius children and those from the Wiggin family (Carlotta, Cincinnatus (Sergeant), and Ender Delphiki and Valentine, Peter, and Ender Wiggin). I mean, I suppose their parents are both geniuses too, and both Enders had something that set them apart, so these situational things could affect everything. What really changed my view on this is that, in my personal life, I have two siblings, and my friend also has two siblings... and, well there are some uncanny and crazy parallels between our families. So I can't say Card's scenario is totally unrealistic. I'm pretty sure that my grudge was based on the fact that I really did not want another Ender Wiggin, another robot. The children do have distinct differences that make them unique and those show up later on in the novel (thank goodness). My attachment to these children of Bean is weird. It's like nostalgia but not. Like if my best friend had children, this may be what I would feel. I love the kids, but not as much as I do my friend. I don't have enough of a connection to them, nor a loyalty, but they are cute, and I smile at their naivete. Although they do make me emotional (negative emotions like annoyance) when they act really stupid and whiny and misunderstand things, resulting in hurting others around them.
There were comments on how Card was rehashing on old ideas and philosophy. However, this book was written more as a novella, as a wrap-up the story of one of the main players. I think that Bean sharing his past experiences, knowledge, and philosophy is part of his experience as a father. Parents pass down what they have learned in hopes of giving their children a head start and to prevent them from making the mistakes they made. So it serves a purpose. It is not Card being lazy. It is him showing what it means to be a father and showing the sweet sorrows of parenthood. And, there are still many good, quotable, and valuable words and lessons packed in.
The plot moved pretty quickly, and there were unforeseen elements that kept the reader's interest.
Of course, the book is quite small (which I marvel at and appreciate because Card packed so much in such a small amount of pages). There were moments where I was like "Oh. No. Don't tell me Card is going to do THAT (when I expected a cliché)". But I was proven wrong.
Okay, I'll stop rambling now. I think you get that I really enjoyed Shadows in Flight. It's a book I cannot give less than 5 stars because it is worth no less.
..................
Me after finishing Shadows in Flight: That. Was. Beautiful. *bawls*
After that, I began to think about the events in the novel, marvel at the genius of Orson Scott Card, develop my own theories, and squeal at anything that would bring memories of the Shadow Series (If you haven't read it, I would HIGHLY recommend).
This book is the true one about Bean. In Ender's Shadow, the main hero was Ender. It was his battle. The chronicles on Earth were all about Peter the Hegemon. This book is about Bean and the children he created. About him thinking about the kind of life and achievements he had, which while short was not bad.
It really hit hard on the nostalgia. Seeing Bean grow up to be a parent and father his three children was so sweet and cute, and reading about him reminiscing on the past and thinking about his future (if you've read the other installments in the series, then you know about Bean's condition) melted my heart. Reading about his children was also a delight in its own special way. Learning more about the world and concept Card created was also nice. To sum up, I really loved this book, a lot more than I expected to from the beginning. It was a great way to finish off Bean's story, and I was thoroughly satisfied; it did the series justice.
To be brutally honest, I was disappointed at first at the similarities between the Delphiki genius children and those from the Wiggin family (Carlotta, Cincinnatus (Sergeant), and Ender Delphiki and Valentine, Peter, and Ender Wiggin). I mean, I suppose their parents are both geniuses too, and both Enders had something that set them apart, so these situational things could affect everything. What really changed my view on this is that, in my personal life, I have two siblings, and my friend also has two siblings... and, well there are some uncanny and crazy parallels between our families. So I can't say Card's scenario is totally unrealistic. I'm pretty sure that my grudge was based on the fact that I really did not want another Ender Wiggin, another robot. The children do have distinct differences that make them unique and those show up later on in the novel (thank goodness). My attachment to these children of Bean is weird. It's like nostalgia but not. Like if my best friend had children, this may be what I would feel. I love the kids, but not as much as I do my friend. I don't have enough of a connection to them, nor a loyalty, but they are cute, and I smile at their naivete. Although they do make me emotional (negative emotions like annoyance) when they act really stupid and whiny and misunderstand things, resulting in hurting others around them.
There were comments on how Card was rehashing on old ideas and philosophy. However, this book was written more as a novella, as a wrap-up the story of one of the main players. I think that Bean sharing his past experiences, knowledge, and philosophy is part of his experience as a father. Parents pass down what they have learned in hopes of giving their children a head start and to prevent them from making the mistakes they made. So it serves a purpose. It is not Card being lazy. It is him showing what it means to be a father and showing the sweet sorrows of parenthood. And, there are still many good, quotable, and valuable words and lessons packed in.
The plot moved pretty quickly, and there were unforeseen elements that kept the reader's interest.
Spoiler
The Formics. The ship with the Formics. I did not see that coming, but I loved getting more of them, especially in this new way and learning that Ender was WRONG. That the queens were tricking him all along. Suddenly, everything made sense. Also, Bean's death. So heartbreaking, and yet I would not want it any other way. I am kind of glad he wasn't saved last minute (it would be rushed and messy and cheesy). I DO love him, which is why I'm glad his children will get the cure (also, it's so clever yet ironic that the cure is in the Formics). But it is Bean who will forever be in my heart. His final pages were beautiful and appropriate.Okay, I'll stop rambling now. I think you get that I really enjoyed Shadows in Flight. It's a book I cannot give less than 5 stars because it is worth no less.
Meh. It definitely felt like a bridge book between the old part of Ender's Universe and the new. Fortunately it was a quick read, which helped make up for the lack of excitement.
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I quite enjoyed this but it does feel like a self indulgent interlude from Card, rather than actually being written for the fans to answer any of the remaining questions they might have. It was quite interesting to see this additional glimpse into one of favourite characters life but it was written more like a thin fanfic rather than a true instalment in this deep series.
This is also almost too short to be categorised as a novella; it’s more of a cut away of a snippet giving us a brief glimpse of these children. A snapshot in time rather than a full tale. It also covers none of the issues I really wanted to hear about like the descolada world... there was a possible hint but nothing concrete.
It’s not bad but it’s not good and I have to admit to finding it somewhat underwhelming.
This is also almost too short to be categorised as a novella; it’s more of a cut away of a snippet giving us a brief glimpse of these children. A snapshot in time rather than a full tale. It also covers none of the issues I really wanted to hear about like the descolada world... there was a possible hint but nothing concrete.
It’s not bad but it’s not good and I have to admit to finding it somewhat underwhelming.
Boring plot, uninteresting and unlikable characters, and a fair bit of misogyny. The Shadow series continues to be some of the worst sci-fi I've read. It's hard to believe these terrible books were written by the same guy who did Ender's Game, Ender's Shadow, and Speaker for the Dead.
This was a very quick read - almost like a short story. It satisfied some of the loose ends from the rest of the shadow series, though not all. I'm looking forward to reading the next Shadow book!
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not much to complain about; it was an Orson Scott Card. I really hated it when Bean died though.
Brought me back to how I felt in the beginning of the Bean series. Definitely worth a read. A little too short, but it whets my appetite for the next one.
Short and beautiful, especially the ending. I've always had a bit of trouble imagining Card's brilliant children characters for what they are - kids really - but I think that may be partially intended. After all, by definition Ender (who is not part of this book, but deserves a mention), Bean, and Bean's children with Anton's Key turned are supposed to be on a level way beyond mine in terms of intellect and maturity for their age. That shouldn't dissuade you from reading the book though - you just have to keep in mind that the kid who knows more about molecular biology than all of your professors combined is, in fact, 5 years old :P
Not one of Card's best works, but a nice bridge to the what should be the final book tying the shadow series back tithe ender series. It sets up some interesting storylines for that final book and it changes our perception (agaiin) about some of the players in the enderverse.