Ender’s Game (Ender's Saga, #1) in Pick-a-Shelf

Apr 08, 2012 Lynai rated it really liked it

Shelves: own-a-copy

In my desire to explore as much as possible all kinds of genre in fiction stories, I have discovered that I am also able to enjoy fantasy and dystopian literature. The Chaos Walking Trilogy by Patrick Ness, for instance, got very high ratings from me, and Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin introduced me to the darker side of fantasy.

My attitude towards fantasy also holds the same to science fiction. In fact, I haven’t read that much sci-fi books, and I am not a fan of sci-fi movies or shows. In my desire to explore as much as possible all kinds of genre in fiction stories, I have discovered that I am also able to enjoy fantasy and dystopian literature. The Chaos Walking Trilogy by Patrick Ness, for instance, got very high ratings from me, and Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin introduced me to the darker side of fantasy.

My attitude towards fantasy also holds the same to science fiction. In fact, I haven’t read that much sci-fi books, and I am not a fan of sci-fi movies or shows. But with the right mood, and right timing, I know that I can also enjoy sci-fi. This is true with Ender’s Game by Scott Orson Card. I have never heard this book or this author until some of my fantasy loving slash science fiction aficionado friends in the book club kept on raving about this classic story of a young kid, Ender Wiggin, fighting off buggers in outer space. I got curious and when I chanced upon a cheap copy in Booksale, I decided to finally give it a try and see for my self what the furor is all about.

My copy of the book has an Introductory chapter written by the author himself, where he explained how his idea for the story came about. He also responded to the criticisms of the book when it first came about, especially on the way the characters in the story talk — one criticism which I also share, although his explanation also seem to make sense.

I love the development of the story, and the simple but engaging storytelling of Mr. Card. I am not really a fan of war stories, more particularly war stories against extra-terrestrials, but in this book, the war tactics were presented as children’s games, and I must admit that I enjoyed the battles and the computer games that Ender played. The description of ETs as buggers, though, still solicits chuckles from me. Buggers? With antennae? Please. ;)

The main character however is the kind of boy anybody will learn to like. And love. He isn’t superhuman because he has insecurities and struggles. He also gets tired. And he also feels lonely. He cries. And he gets angry. He is just like any little boy out there, except that he is just gifted with quick analytical skills. Skills that will make him become a commander. But he also longs to be normal, to have friends and do the things that little boys do.

I feel for Ender Wiggin, his struggles to not become like his violent brother, Peter; his love for Valentine; and his determination to live and survive his training. Ender’s Game was first published in 1977, but indeed it has the potential to withstand the trends of time when it comes to science fiction. Outer space and null gravity are concepts that continue to fascinate me, as well as the notion of other beings that live outside Earth.

What I love the most in the story is the final chapter where Ender is about to graduate from Command School. The twist, although not that shocking, gave the story a much different meaning and perspective. General truths on human survival instincts, love, unity, regret, and forgiveness are also discussed with utmost sensitivity and profundity.

For those who are intimidated by science fiction, you can start with Ender’s Game. It is very easy to read and the vivid illustrations are the kind that can tickle the imagination profusely. I love seeing in my mind pictures of Ender and his friends in battle games together in space without gravity. Can you imagine yourself in null gravity?

Ender’s Game is one wonderful read. I must warn you on the violence, though. It is not as gory as other thrillers or crime stories, but the fact that the characters are kids (Ender is 6 years old when he entered Battle School) who fight each other, I advise parental guidance when kids are to read this.

Also posted in It's A Wonderful Bookworld. ...more

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Oct 10, 2009 Lindsey rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: page-turner, science-fiction, fiction, dystopia, 2011, 2011-summer-reading-challenge

I really don't know whether to give this book 4 or 5 stars. The ending is what makes me want to bump it up to 5 stars; I didn't really see it coming. But the general feeling the book gave me while reading makes me want to bring it down to 4. I guess that's what you get with dystopian fiction though; they're not exactly supposed to be feel-good stories! But I rate books on how I feel about them personally, not on how well-executed a book it might be. So I give it 4.5 stars (when will Goodreads im ...more

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May 26, 2010 Melissa Stebbins rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I borrowed this book a few months ago from the library, read the first chapter then got an email the same day from the library saying it was due back. I returned it and put it straight back onto my reserve list. Luckily the wait was not too long and when I picked it up this time I started reading it immediately and finished in only a few days.

Set in the future, human's have narrowly survived two wars with an alien race and in preparation for the inevitable third war are training future fleet com ...more

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May 01, 2009 Lauren rated it liked it

Shelves: fiction, 2009

I enjoyed this book far more than I expected to or planned on considering I am in no way a fan of scifi. The story was good in that it pulled me in and even when it started to lag I wanted to know the outcome bad enough to stick with it.

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Jul 12, 2009 BJ Rose rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobooks, fantasy, series, futuristic

Ender was a Third in a society that only allowed two children per family. When he was six, he was taken by the state to be trained in a military academy in space.

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May 22, 2011 Bea rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I enjoyed this book, which is the story primarily of one young man who was born into a society that did not value him as a person but rather valued him for what he could do for the society. He agrees to help and so his life is determined. In the end...he is the determiner of another's life...that of his so-called enemy. A very well-written story. And, definitely an author I will read again. ...more

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Sep 28, 2010 Becky rated it it was amazing

Shelves: classics, young-adult, science-fiction

Ok, I admit it--he got me with the twist. I liked the parts with all the strategy, but this book is mostly full of horrifying psychology, and it was fascinating. My only reaction to the last 20 pages, though, is a resounding "What the WHAT?" ...more

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