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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
Enjoyed this book for the characters. I was surprised by how much I had to recall my undergrad experiences learning from conversations with my friends about their different denominational religious beliefs (Catholicism, Mormon, Lutheran, and Calvinism) came back to me when referenced in the story. Although it is not necessary to have this background to enjoy the story.
Perhaps it’s because of my age, but I enjoyed this more than Ender’s Game this time around. I love the exploration of what it means to be “human,” and how speaking (and being open to) the truth can be healing and cathartic.
I usually am very good at forgetting books, only remembering whether or not I liked it and maybe a couple of events or twists. I apparently remembered a lot more than usual, though I suppose it’s not unreasonable. I can’t be certain whether it’s because of that or because of where I’m at that I enjoyed this more than I remembered. I’ll take it!
I usually am very good at forgetting books, only remembering whether or not I liked it and maybe a couple of events or twists. I apparently remembered a lot more than usual, though I suppose it’s not unreasonable. I can’t be certain whether it’s because of that or because of where I’m at that I enjoyed this more than I remembered. I’ll take it!
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
This was a marvel, I definitely preferred it to Enders game. Everything was done so well- the characters were so fleshed out, themes so interestingly explored, the mystery slowly unfolding in a satisfying way. This was a page turner- Orson Scott Card has this ability to write something completely reflective yet incredibly paced and engaging.
My only critic is that this alien world too closely resembles our own. They have (basically) cattle and grassland, bipedal intelligent life (and I’m still unclear WHY they are intelligent-[what evolutionary purpose does it serve]), and worms. Humans can walk around breathing fine, and drinking the water too. Do these creatures with such different genetic code still breathe air with the same chemical composition as earths atmosphere? It’s never explained.
I do suppose the purpose of this is to not over-complicate the world, and there’s already a lot going on, I’m not sure.
Either way, reading that this book was his idea first really makes sense. I loved this book, I want to re-read it and be engaged with it again and again.
Excellent read, really glad I picked it up
My only critic is that this alien world too closely resembles our own. They have (basically) cattle and grassland, bipedal intelligent life (and I’m still unclear WHY they are intelligent-[what evolutionary purpose does it serve]), and worms. Humans can walk around breathing fine, and drinking the water too. Do these creatures with such different genetic code still breathe air with the same chemical composition as earths atmosphere? It’s never explained.
I do suppose the purpose of this is to not over-complicate the world, and there’s already a lot going on, I’m not sure.
Either way, reading that this book was his idea first really makes sense. I loved this book, I want to re-read it and be engaged with it again and again.
Excellent read, really glad I picked it up
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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
World building is incredible and the plot keeps going.
Lots of characters and insightful character interactions.
Lots of characters and insightful character interactions.
Somehow this one seems much more melodramatic than its predecessors…not so compelling to me, but this may be appropriate as Ender looks at his three thousandth or so year of living experience. I usually don’t let a book sit this long, though!
Update: I ended up listening to most of this on Audible instead of reading. The absolute best part of the “book” was OSC explaining his intentions with this novel, plopping _Ender’s Game_ into the role of being the Intro to this work.
By the end, I was impressed with the scale of character development and removing long-term relations between human and non-human intelligent life from what we’ve seen in the movies. The author’s afterword also explains why there is so much Brazilian language and Catholicism in the novel.
Update: I ended up listening to most of this on Audible instead of reading. The absolute best part of the “book” was OSC explaining his intentions with this novel, plopping _Ender’s Game_ into the role of being the Intro to this work.
By the end, I was impressed with the scale of character development and removing long-term relations between human and non-human intelligent life from what we’ve seen in the movies. The author’s afterword also explains why there is so much Brazilian language and Catholicism in the novel.
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes