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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is the true "sequel" to [b:Ender's Game|375802|Ender's Game (Ender's Saga, #1)|Orson Scott Card|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1214413570s/375802.jpg|2422333]. Don't read [b:Speaker for the Dead|7967|Speaker for the Dead (Ender's Saga, #2)|Orson Scott Card|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1295660894s/7967.jpg|2327777], [b:Xenocide|8648|Xenocide (Ender's Saga, #3)|Orson Scott Card|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1165699601s/8648.jpg|1150594], or [b:Children of the Mind|31360|Children of the Mind (Ender's Saga, #4)|Orson Scott Card|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1168276083s/31360.jpg|1959402], expecting them to be like [b:Ender's Game|375802|Ender's Game (Ender's Saga, #1)|Orson Scott Card|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1214413570s/375802.jpg|2422333]. They're not. Their main character is Ender as an adult, and he does struggle with the guilt and consequences of some of his actions in the first book, but in theme and style, they're completely different.
The events of [b:Ender's Shadow|9532|Ender's Shadow (Shadow Series, #1)|Orson Scott Card|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1295660964s/9532.jpg|3145587] take place a the same time as [b:Ender's Game|375802|Ender's Game (Ender's Saga, #1)|Orson Scott Card|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1214413570s/375802.jpg|2422333], but they focus on Bean, rather than on Ender. Card explores many of the same themes (childhood, intelligence, heroism, social psychology, duty, leadership) but seen from a different pair of eyes.
The events of [b:Ender's Shadow|9532|Ender's Shadow (Shadow Series, #1)|Orson Scott Card|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1295660964s/9532.jpg|3145587] take place a the same time as [b:Ender's Game|375802|Ender's Game (Ender's Saga, #1)|Orson Scott Card|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1214413570s/375802.jpg|2422333], but they focus on Bean, rather than on Ender. Card explores many of the same themes (childhood, intelligence, heroism, social psychology, duty, leadership) but seen from a different pair of eyes.
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a hard book to review as it is the companion novel to Ender’s Game. The twists of Ender’s Game are known to the reader, and it’s incredible impressive that the author is still able to write a compelling narrative. Bean sees everything which makes him the perfect narrator for the reader who knows what happens. Ender’s Shadow lacked a compelling B-plot which I think weighed down the book. Part of the reason I love Ender’s Game so much is for Peter and Valentine’s political machinations. Shadow has a B-plot, but it did not stand on its own. I’d highly recommend reading this book to anyone who has read and loved Ender’s Game.
Card goes back to the roots of the Ender Wiggins saga, this time to pick up a different track and tell the story of Ender's lieutenant, Bean. Bean's backstory is intriguing and bizarre, and overall he is at least as interesting a character as Ender himself.
While still enjoyable, Bean suffers from the same problem as Ender. He is too perfect. Too smart. Just too everything. The book is still good. I enjoy the parts before battle school in Rotterdam far more than the retread of the events of Ender's Game.
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Awesome! Great story and one of the best-read audiobooks I've heard.
Big fan of the entire Ender Epic (yes even Speaker/Xenocide/Children of the Mind). This first installment in the Bean series is a beautiful counterpoint to Ender. It provides a deeper look at battle school, the children, and the world that Ender was trying to save. While many of the events are the same, the fresh perspective makes the events more poignant. Sometimes Bean's internal monologue rants get long winded, but it fits his super brilliant character. This is my second time around and it is still a great visit to Battle School.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
