Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
This book is a unique take on alien invasion as the world is putting their future into the hands of genius children. Orson Scott Card does an amazing job on the imagery in this book and it’s so entertaining it was hard to put down.
The children are being trained for the second attack of the “buggers", or alien invaders, that they all know is coming. We follow a specific young boy, Andrew or "Ender", as he may be the only one that can save them all. Ender was genetically created to be this ultimate genius, but he has 2 older siblings, who were also genetically created. His brother, Peter, was too uncontrollably violent and thus an enemy to Ender. Then, his sister, Valentine, seems to lack the capability for violence altogether. Both of these siblings are pushed by their jealously of Ender to also influence society and begin subtly controlling the beliefs of everyone together. It is amazing what these two young teenagers achieve and how their brains work to influence the world and ultimately change the destiny of Earth.
Ender has to navigate through a harsh and difficult schooling that is creating soldiers to fight the buggers. He deals with bullies and friendships but the ultimate struggle is the competition between all of these children, fighting for recognition by their peers but most importantly, the adults. You have so much sympathy for these children that are just trying to do the best they can, but it is scary what they will do to achieve these goals. All the while, you are watching Ender in his very abnormal childhood as he continually bests his peers and quickly rises through the ranks.
When you think you know what you’re reading, Orson Scott Card hits you with a twist that makes the book even better. This was an entertaining and creative book that I would definitely recommend.
Synopsis: Andrew "Ender" Wiggin thinks he is playing computer simulated war games; he is, in fact, engaged in something far more desperate. The result of genetic experimentation, Ender may be the military genius Earth desperately needs in a war against an alien enemy seeking to destroy all human life. The only way to find out is to throw Ender into ever harsher training, to chip away and find the diamond inside, or destroy him utterly. Ender Wiggin is six years old when it begins. He will grow up fast.