July 03, 2013

Review: Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

Title: Ender's Game
Author: Orson Scott Card
Publisher: Tor Books
Published: 1985
Series: Ender's Saga #1

In order to develop a secure defense against a hostile alien race's next attack, government agencies breed child geniuses and train them as soldiers. Andrew "Ender" Wiggin lives with his kind but distant parents, his sadistic brother Peter, and the person he loves more than anyone else, his sister Valentine.
Ender's skills make him a leader in Battle School and respected in the Battle Room, where children play mock battles in zero gravity. But is Ender really the general Earth and mankind so desperately need? 



Did you catch that publish date up there? 

No, I'm not crazy. And yes, you read correctly, this book was published in 1985 -- Geez, that is only a little younger than I am! But trust me when I say that this novel only gets better and better with age (also evident by the fact that it will be a major motion picture this November -- I'm doing a happy dance right now). Re-reading and reviewing this book...."excited" doesn't even cover it.

This has to be the 5th or 6th time I've read this book, and I swear, it never gets old. The story follows a young boy named Ender --- a child who is born for the sole purpose of trying to end a war between Earth and an Alien race. His brother, Peter and sister, Valentine, were born for the same reasons, but only Ender is chosen to go to Battle School -- which creates some intense sibling rivalry throughout the book.
In Ender's world, parents are limited to having just two children. So when Ender is born, he is classified as a "Third". It's not something to be proud of, and in fact, he is ostracized for it. Imagine having to live your life as an outsider from the moment you're born. Lets just say....Ender does he best he can.


We follow Ender as he enters Battle School and moves up the ranks of child soldiers. But will he be able to end the war? Will he be the one everyone has been waiting for? Or will he simply live out his life as an outcast -- as a Third?


No way am I telling - you have to read this one to get all the juicy stuff! Suffice it to say that if you're even remotely a sci-fi lover, this book will be your favorite of the year. 


5 out of 5 stars! 

Have you read it yet? What do you think? LET ME KNOW!!!


5 comments:

  1. I think you made your point that you love this book when you said you've read it 5 - 6 times, that is amazing!!!
    I can't believe it was written in 1985! I thought the date was off or something when I saw it in goodreads (wouldn't be the first time).
    I want to check this book out before it hits theaters, thank you for your review!

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  2. This is totally going on my wishlist! Some great books are indeed ageless!

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  3. So many people tell me I would love this series. I really need to read. Ha ha ya this book came out when I was 3. I'm not sure how it never made it's way into my hands after all this time.

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  4. Wheeee! You rated it 5 stars! I'm so happy :) I loved this book. The author is quite controversial right now because of his beliefs (which I'm not going to put something against him because everyone has a right to his own opinion, as much as they can be questionable), but I've always loved his books. I'm reading Pathfinder right now and it's pretty good, although I don't think it can be as good as this one. Are you waiting for the movie? Heard it will be quite different from this one so I hope it would give this book the justice it deserves.

    Faye @ The Social Potato Reviews

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  5. I love this book too! So far I've gotten three people to read it and I'm going to keep pushing it as we prepare for the film to release. I just adore all the Battle School stuff and I appreciate the ending so much more now as an adult.

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