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tomasthanes's review against another edition
4.0
This was a re-read. Much, much better than I remembered. Tactical detail. Story. Characterization.
dele_tubbies's review against another edition
4.0
Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game is a thought-provoking and intricately crafted science fiction novel that leaves a lasting impression. One of the most striking aspects of the book is the shock factor of how young the characters are. The story follows Ender Wiggin, a highly likeable protagonist whose complexity and vulnerability make him easy to empathize with. Exploring the depths of Ender's psyche adds layers of depth to the narrative, making his journey all the more engaging.
While the concept of the games in the book adds excitement and suspense, some readers may find that the repetitive nature of the games can become a bit monotonous. However, the occasional shift in perspective, particularly through the eyes of Ender's sister Valentine, provides a fresh outlook and a welcome change of pace.
Although I enjoyed reading Ender's Game, I found that it lacked a gripping quality that would have kept me glued to its pages. It was easy for me to put the book down and go days without reading it, which extended the time it took me to finish it. Additionally, around three-quarters of the way through, I became bored and lacked motivation to continue reading as I was hoping to read it as a stand-alone book and I couldn't see how it tied up the ends in the few pages left. However, the plot twists in the final stretch managed to catch me off guard, even though the first twist may be more predictable for some readers.
The way the story ultimately comes together is one of the book's highlights. Card skillfully weaves together various narrative threads, delivering a satisfying conclusion that ties up loose ends and leaves a lasting impact. Worth noting you can easily read this as a stand alone as I intend to do.
It is important to note that readers should be aware of the controversies surrounding Orson Scott Card, including allegations of sexism and homophobia. If these views are a concern, it is recommended to seek the book from a library or purchase it second-hand to avoid supporting the author financially.
Overall, Ender's Game offers a captivating exploration of complex characters, an intriguing plot, and a thought-provoking journey. While it may have some pacing issues and occasional repetition, it is a worthwhile read for fans of science fiction looking for an immersive and emotionally charged experience.
While the concept of the games in the book adds excitement and suspense, some readers may find that the repetitive nature of the games can become a bit monotonous. However, the occasional shift in perspective, particularly through the eyes of Ender's sister Valentine, provides a fresh outlook and a welcome change of pace.
Although I enjoyed reading Ender's Game, I found that it lacked a gripping quality that would have kept me glued to its pages. It was easy for me to put the book down and go days without reading it, which extended the time it took me to finish it. Additionally, around three-quarters of the way through, I became bored and lacked motivation to continue reading as I was hoping to read it as a stand-alone book and I couldn't see how it tied up the ends in the few pages left. However, the plot twists in the final stretch managed to catch me off guard, even though the first twist may be more predictable for some readers.
The way the story ultimately comes together is one of the book's highlights. Card skillfully weaves together various narrative threads, delivering a satisfying conclusion that ties up loose ends and leaves a lasting impact. Worth noting you can easily read this as a stand alone as I intend to do.
It is important to note that readers should be aware of the controversies surrounding Orson Scott Card, including allegations of sexism and homophobia. If these views are a concern, it is recommended to seek the book from a library or purchase it second-hand to avoid supporting the author financially.
Overall, Ender's Game offers a captivating exploration of complex characters, an intriguing plot, and a thought-provoking journey. While it may have some pacing issues and occasional repetition, it is a worthwhile read for fans of science fiction looking for an immersive and emotionally charged experience.
ikeeper24's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-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
5.0
allieewh's review against another edition
adventurous
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, War, Violence, and Genocide
sundayfever's review against another edition
2.5
Was rereading this. It hits differently as an adult than it did as a kid. I have big thoughts about Card's own cognitive dissonance.
kymzii's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.75
A sexist diatribe featuring a Gary Stu with a messiah complex.
any_direction's review against another edition
2.0
I read this book a long time ago, but someone brought it up the other day as a book recommendation, and it bothered me. I thought about rereading it, so I could be more honest and decided that I couldn’t. Here is what I recall.
When I read this book, I remember thinking highly of it. I have never reacted to a book like I did to this one. It may be simply because it was a time in my life when I was deeply lonely and this book is about, among other things, deep loneliness. It is the only book that I’ve had such an emotional reaction to that I intentionally decided that it needed to be put down and picked up again later. This perhaps says more about me, than the book, but I don’t think my experience is insignificant or unique. I think that’s it’s easy to think that something is better than it is because of such a reaction. This is also a book about putting children in horrible situations. I think a surface reading could say it’s about a person in a bad situation doing what he has to survive and suffering more as a result. That’s a hard story to read, but not necessarily one that needs to be condemned. In fact I have praised other books with this same premise, but I’m not convinced that people need to go through the trauma of this book to get that message and I’m also not convinced that the true message of this book isn’t something more sinister.
I don’t remember enough of this book to say that it has no merits. But I do remember that even before knowing anything about Orson Scott Card as a person, I found this book to be sexist. I also learned since reading this book that “bugger”, the name of the alien villains that are wiped out of existence, is a term for homosexual individuals. A kind reading is that this book has not aged well, but when you pair it with an author who has continued to spout bigotry, into the present, it’s irresponsible to overlook this targeted language as a byproduct of the times.
A less concrete but perhaps bigger concern is perhaps that this book makes Ender out to be a victim. Though he might be, he’s a victim that is violent and his inner dialogue as he commits violent acts isn’t exactly one that’s of someone forced to do things because he’s in a bad situation, but rather the voice of someone who’s delivering justice. There’s not no discussion of this as being a problem, but Ender is supposed to be the middle ground, not as violent as his brother, not as soft as his sister. It’s weird that the middle, ideal ground is child who accidentally commits murder.
This book is at best an emotionally disturbing story written by a bigot. At worst, it’s a book that says the best of humanity are people who suffer and are justified in seeking violent revenge for that suffering. My memory fails me, but I suspect that it’s actually something in-between. Either way, this isn’t a book that I’d recommend even with all the caveats, and certainly not a text we should be holding up as a must-read of children’s literature or science-fiction.
When I read this book, I remember thinking highly of it. I have never reacted to a book like I did to this one. It may be simply because it was a time in my life when I was deeply lonely and this book is about, among other things, deep loneliness. It is the only book that I’ve had such an emotional reaction to that I intentionally decided that it needed to be put down and picked up again later. This perhaps says more about me, than the book, but I don’t think my experience is insignificant or unique. I think that’s it’s easy to think that something is better than it is because of such a reaction. This is also a book about putting children in horrible situations. I think a surface reading could say it’s about a person in a bad situation doing what he has to survive and suffering more as a result. That’s a hard story to read, but not necessarily one that needs to be condemned. In fact I have praised other books with this same premise, but I’m not convinced that people need to go through the trauma of this book to get that message and I’m also not convinced that the true message of this book isn’t something more sinister.
I don’t remember enough of this book to say that it has no merits. But I do remember that even before knowing anything about Orson Scott Card as a person, I found this book to be sexist. I also learned since reading this book that “bugger”, the name of the alien villains that are wiped out of existence, is a term for homosexual individuals. A kind reading is that this book has not aged well, but when you pair it with an author who has continued to spout bigotry, into the present, it’s irresponsible to overlook this targeted language as a byproduct of the times.
A less concrete but perhaps bigger concern is perhaps that this book makes Ender out to be a victim. Though he might be, he’s a victim that is violent and his inner dialogue as he commits violent acts isn’t exactly one that’s of someone forced to do things because he’s in a bad situation, but rather the voice of someone who’s delivering justice. There’s not no discussion of this as being a problem, but Ender is supposed to be the middle ground, not as violent as his brother, not as soft as his sister. It’s weird that the middle, ideal ground is child who accidentally commits murder.
This book is at best an emotionally disturbing story written by a bigot. At worst, it’s a book that says the best of humanity are people who suffer and are justified in seeking violent revenge for that suffering. My memory fails me, but I suspect that it’s actually something in-between. Either way, this isn’t a book that I’d recommend even with all the caveats, and certainly not a text we should be holding up as a must-read of children’s literature or science-fiction.
mt_tana's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75