Book Review: Ender's Game

Ender’s Game is an engaging sci-fi/YA story of child prodigy, Ender Wiggin, and the world’s dependence on his skill as a military commander to save the world from alien domination. Written in 1977, EG was ahead of its time, predicting a world with an internet. The story strikes a lot of similarities with the hero arc of Harry Potter: a young boy with special abilities who goes off to a special school under the pressure of having to save the world. Along his journey, Ender is haunted by dreams and faces bullying from jealous schoolmates. He is also used (tricked?) by his mentor in the similar “the end justify the means” way that Dumbledore never quite told Harry the truth about his purpose in life. It all climaxes in a finale that left this reader just a bit underwhelmed given all the buildup. That adults would entrust the future of the world to a child is hard to believe. I also didn’t care for the political posturing that failed to connect with the main story. But it’s hard not to root for Ender as a young boy grappling to come to terms with the daunting task thrust upon him. The best part of the book is how other kid’s that Ender meets along the way come back to launch into battle with him, with Ender as their undisputed leader, a heartwarming display of loyalty and respect. A great read for anyone.