Ender's Jeesh discussion

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message 1: by Travis (new)

Travis | 9 comments Hey everyone,

I just finished the first novel and know there are tons of other books in the enders series. Should I read Speaker of the Dead next as it was intended? Im also asking for the future books too. I plan on reading a lot of these books.

Thanks!
Travis


Jeremy C. Brown | 5 comments I read Enders Game, Speaker for the Dead, and Xenocide when I was 12 and just these last couple of months I've read them all over again and continued on to the shadow series and am on shadow of the hegemon. I've really enjoyed re-reading them from the beginning, and going in order like I have. I suppose Card says he wrote them so you wouldn't have to go in order, but I personally am glad I did read them in order. Also it has been fun to listen to them on e adio recordings. Card himself is recorded saying that he feels it's the best or "highest" form of consuming the written word. Anyway, I am enjoying it. :)


message 3: by Travis (new)

Travis | 9 comments Thanks for your help. I did a little more research and just decided to go with Speaker For the Dead next. Figure I should go the route the author originally intended and also reading the intro, saying that Ender's game was a set up for Speaker. Gonna start it today, so see how it goes.


message 4: by Irene (new)

Irene (ireneqiao) | 4 comments Yes, I agree that the series should be read in order. And for the book "Ender in Exhile", I think it would be better if it was read AFTER you read the original series. Ender in Exhile is supposed to go in between Ender's Game and Speaker for the Dead, but the mood is quite different from the rest of the series, and should be separated and read last.


message 5: by Travis (new)

Travis | 9 comments just finished The Speaker. While it went away from the battle school and video like stuff of the first, I still enjoyed it. I love how space travel can almost speed up the story line so we got a couple of generations and characters can age quickly. Its always good to have a little mystery to keep you turning the pages. I also started Xenocide and am glad to get Val back in the story.

so do enders saga then shadow series then ender in exile? thanks again. im always down to discuss these books, I love the characters and plan on reading all of OSC's


message 6: by Staci (last edited May 31, 2012 11:06PM) (new)

Staci Johnson Travis wrote: "Thanks for your help. I did a little more research and just decided to go with Speaker For the Dead next. Figure I should go the route the author originally intended and also reading the intro, say..." I loved Speaker for the Dead. I want to read both series over again; just need some time to pass first.


message 7: by Phil (new)

Phil | 8 comments I personally didn't get started on the Ender series until around a decade ago, so I read Ender's Game, then Ender's Shadow, then started on Ender's series and finished with the Shadow series. I have yet to make it to some outlying supplemental novels, but just finished Ender In Exile. I need to re-read through Ender's saga for the upcoming book (can't wait!), but just finished through to Shadows In Flight when it came out, so I'm all caught up on Bean.

I would suggest reading Ender's Shadow as soon after Ender's Game as you like. It's a tremendous novel that stands alone and yet enhances and is enhanced by Ender's Game. Then, I'd suggest just reading both series in order, with Ender's first and Bean's second. Enjoy!


message 8: by Travis (new)

Travis | 9 comments thanks for everyones comments! I have actually just finished reading Xenocide and am 25% thru Children of the Mind.

I was a little scared to go away from the storyline of the battleschool and such. But am happy I read it this way so far and can't wait to get back to the Shadow Series. I wont know if i made the right decision until then. but just love the ender world right now and am enjoying the adventure


message 9: by Allison (new)

Allison (allisonbri) | 5 comments I agree, it is great to read the Shadow series second because it brings you right back into the Battle School after being out in space for a while ;) I would recommend reading the Shadow books in the order that they were written because the story is chronological. As for Ender in Exile, I personally recommend reading it soon after reading Ender's Game. I read it when it was released and then had to re-read Ender's Game as a refresher (FYI there are some details in Exile that differ from what is implied in Speaker, which according to OSC was purposeful) Hope you enjoy the rest of Children of the Mind, that one completely blew me away!

@Phil: what's this about a new Ender book?!


message 10: by Annette (new)

Annette | 6 comments I disagree with Allison on Ender in Exile. You really need to read the Shadow series before reading Exile because many of the story lines from the Shadow series are wrapped up in Exile. It would read like a spoiler if you didn't. Exile is the book that brings both the Shadow & Ender series together and sets you up perfectly for moving on in the Ender series.

About the new Ender book-- Are you referring to Earth Unaware? It is supposed to be released July 17th and is a prequel that takes place before Ender Wiggin is born and tells the story of the first Formic War.


message 11: by Travis (new)

Travis | 9 comments So just finished Children of the Mind!!!!

Looks like I am going to go into the Shadow series next. Really enjoyed the the Enders Series and am excited to read the parralax novels. I know I haven't read them yet, but wonder what it would have been like to read Enders Shadow FIRST and then read Enders Game.

im thinking about rereading Enders Game real quick before Enders Shadow. do you think this is necessary or just let Shadow bring me back to Battle school and relive it all through that novel.

Thanks everyone who posted. I love hearing others people opinions and discussing the books im reading.

(is the title Children of the Mind referring to young Peter and Val)


message 12: by Irene (new)

Irene (ireneqiao) | 4 comments It isn't exactly necessary to read Ender's Game again before the Shadow series, but I think that it would be the best because the rest of the Ender series is quite long, and you might need to refresh your memory on the details of Ender's Game so you could better compare that book with Ender's Shadow.


message 13: by Buck (new)

Buck (spectru) My suggestion is to read Ender's shadow immediately after reading Ender's Game. Ender's Shadow, starring Bean, takes place simultaneously with Ender's Game. Speaker for the Dead takes place 3000 years after Ender's Game. The story in Ender's Game is history, prologue, for Speaker of the Dead. Speaker for the Dead is not a really continuation of the story in Ender's Game.

The first book of the First Formic War series, Earth Unaware, has just been released. This book is the prologue to the first war with the Buggers. I hate waiting for the next book in a series to be published, so it might not be a bad idea to wait for more in the series to be published before reading Earth Unaware.

Earth Unaware is written in a similar style to Ender's Game, whereas Speaker for the Dead and the subsequent books in Ender's Game series are written in a more character-introspective style.

I'm currently reading Children of the Mind. I read Ender's Shadow after reading Xenocide.


message 14: by Phil (new)

Phil | 8 comments @Phil: what's this about a new Ender book?!
I'm referring to the still upcoming book Shadows Alive, which will wrap up both Bean and Ender's storylines presumably. It picks up where Shadows In Flight and Children of the Mind left off:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadows_...

Just finished Earth Unaware over 2ish days this weekend and I must say that it kept my attention throughout and while it is not up to snuff with the Shadow or Ender series, it certainly is very cool for OSC fans. Would recommend reading after you've finished up all of the rest of the main story threads.


message 15: by Christine (new)

Christine | 2 comments Phil wrote: "I personally didn't get started on the Ender series until around a decade ago, so I read Ender's Game, then Ender's Shadow, then started on Ender's series and finished with the Shadow series. I hav..."

Phil - I am doing the same thing. In Autumn of 2011, I listened to the Ender's Game audiobook, and a few months later, I listened to the Ender's Shadow audiobook (both epic and amazing in the story and in the narration). Currently, I am re-listening to Ender's Game in order to go through Ender's series first. Then, I will go back and do the Shadow series. I love these stories, and the audiobooks are fantastic (as Card mentioned at the end of the Ender's game audiobook). I hope that if I ever try to read the books themselves, my mind will provide narration as dynamic as the audiobooks.


message 16: by Phil (new)

Phil | 8 comments Christine wrote: "Phil wrote: "I personally didn't get started on the Ender series until around a decade ago, so I read Ender's Game, then Ender's Shadow, then started on Ender's series and finished with the Shadow ..."

Audiobooks are great for in the car, esp on long road trips, I find, though I normally just read them for myself otherwise. I have never tried the Ender audiobooks, but some are fantastic and others are nigh unlistenable depending on the narrator. It's especially cool to get the dramatized audiobooks so that you get variance in the characters' voices.


message 17: by Travis (new)

Travis | 9 comments so I know I took a long break but I finally jumped back into the series. I just finished Enders Shadow and thoroughly enjoyed it. almost more than enders game.

What got me back into it was I actually read the Enders Game comic series and I instantly back in. Needed to learn about Bean. can't wait to continue the Shadow series.


message 18: by Phil (new)

Phil | 8 comments Travis wrote: "so I know I took a long break but I finally jumped back into the series. I just finished Enders Shadow and thoroughly enjoyed it. almost more than enders game.

What got me back into it was I actua..."

Oh, you're in for a treat. The Shadow series is awesome. Ender's Game and Shadow are nearly on an even plane for me. If Ender's Game wasn't the original, though, the edge would certainly be to Shadow.


message 19: by Christine (new)

Christine | 2 comments Phil wrote: "Oh, you're in for a treat. The Shadow series is awesome. Ender's Game and Shadow are nearly on an even plane for me. If Ender's Game wasn't the original, though, the edge would certainly be to Shadow."

I'm just about to begin my last of the Shadow series: "Shadow of the Giant." I think both the Ender series and the Shadow series went in directions that I could never had predicted after reading only "Ender's Game."


message 20: by Mina (new)

Mina Henley | 11 comments I need to go back and re-read the Ender series, it's been about 10 years since I read Children of the Mind (and the prior books).

I read Ender's Game first in high school, then immediately went to Speaker, Xenocide, and Children. After that when I found out about Ender's Shadow, I re-read Ender's Game to refresh my memory then delved right into the Shadow series. I'd have to reread the Ender series to know for sure, but I'd almost argue that I personally enjoyed the Shadow series more.

I also just a few weeks ago tore through Earth Unaware in no time, and it so far is my absolute favorite OSC book. This gripped my emotions harder than any other. I'm about to get Shadows in Flight in to read that, then I just have to track down the comic books and wait for new releases to have read it all.

And if you're interested, check out "A War of Gifts", takes place on the battle school during Ender's Game/Shadow. Then there's also First Meetings, three short-stories about Ender's dad and mom. =)


message 21: by J.R. (new)

J.R. Hey Mina that's awesome, I also I'm re- reading the ender series and the bean series but this time I'm reading them chronically.


message 22: by Travis (new)

Travis | 9 comments Just finished Shadow Puppets and it kind of lost me. I am debating on whether i will go straight into Shadow of The Giant or not.

I really enjoyed the Risk-like style these shadow books started to take on but seems like that may change.

Since First Meetings was released before Giant, do you think it is necessary to read it first?


message 23: by Doug (new)

Doug R. | 1 comments First Meeting are stories prior to Ender's Game. I suggest you continue with the shadows series and read the small stories at the end.


message 24: by Mina (last edited Feb 15, 2013 06:33AM) (new)

Mina Henley | 11 comments Agreed with Douglas, read the supplementary stories after the core stories.

Travis: If you finished Shadow Puppets, Shadow of the Giant would be the next book. Unless you skipped Shadow of the Hegemon and maybe that's why you're lost?


message 25: by Travis (new)

Travis | 9 comments !!!!!!!!POSSIBLE SPOILER!!!!!!

haha it just kind of lost my interest is what i meant. I was REALLY REALLY enjoying Ender's Shadow and then Shadow of Hegemon. But once Achilles was rescued and kind of doing his own thing in the middle of the book I wasn't as into it. While I appreciate the story between Bean/Petra looking to have kids, I just really liked it when Achilles was loose and making a lot of moves.

I don't break down books too much or try to read to do. Just for enjoyment. So maybe I miss some things that I should.

Thanks for replying! I was the originator of this thread it really helped me out. Anyone got any good recommendations? I think im going to read the Divergent book real quick before Shadow of the Giant.


message 26: by Jordan (new)

Jordan Scott | 1 comments After I read Ender's Game I immediately started the shadow series. Now I'm moving on to Ender's Series again. I like the way I've read so far because it's chronological order.


message 27: by Larry (last edited Dec 08, 2013 07:41PM) (new)

Larry | 1 comments Coming into this a bit late, but just finished the core books and have a fairly strong opinion in the order that worked best for me: Ender's Game, then the Shadow Books (Ender's Shadow may actually be my favorite), then Ender in Exile, then the rest of the Ender series.

It's chronological, and therefore logical, filling in quite a few of the holes along the way. After done with those, the short stories complete the universe.

Like any major series, some books are stronger than others, but taken as a whole, this is one of the more compelling series in SciFi.


message 28: by Danielle (new)

Danielle | 11 comments That's the same order I read them in.


message 29: by Wendy (new)

Wendy (wjpike1) | 3 comments I have read most but not all. I would love to re-read all in chronological order. I think it would be a totally different experience as I sometimes felt like I wished I had had some of the information before or later. I would love a master list of the books in chrono order. Has anyone seen one?


message 30: by Danielle (new)

Danielle | 11 comments Wendy wrote: "I have read most but not all. I would love to re-read all in chronological order. I think it would be a totally different experience as I sometimes felt like I wished I had had some of the informat..."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ender%27... about the middle of this page is a purplish box you can click that has a chronological chart. It is what I used.


message 31: by Wendy (new)

Wendy (wjpike1) | 3 comments Perfect, thanks!


message 32: by Danielle (new)

Danielle | 11 comments Not a problem. I am almost finished. Currently on Xenocide. Which I believe only leaves Children of the Mind.


message 33: by Shawntay (new)

Shawntay | 6 comments And Ender in Exile follows Children of the Mind


message 34: by Danielle (new)

Danielle | 11 comments Actually it goes between Ender's Game and Speaker for the Dead. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ender%27... Middle of the page is a chronological chart.


message 35: by Shawntay (new)

Shawntay | 6 comments Yes thats where it takes place on the time line but it is actually the fifth book in the series


message 36: by Danielle (new)

Danielle | 11 comments Yeah but we were talking chronologically. the books weren't all published in order.


message 37: by Shaun (new)

Shaun Read them in the order that they were published.


message 38: by Josh (new)

Josh McCormack | 3 comments Just inventoried what I've read and what's available as digital audiobooks available via my library. I've read 9 of the 18 novels and 3 more of them are available. I haven't read them entirely in order, but it's a huge story arch that doesn't require them to be read that way.


message 39: by John (new)

John Damon Davis | 1 comments Read shadow series next, then Ender in Exile then the Speaker series.


message 40: by Josh (new)

Josh McCormack | 3 comments I tried to read the series in the order given on this page: https://www.goodreads.com/series/1192... but I haven't really gotten close. And it hasn't hurt in the least. Many modern writers who write series are writing like TV shows, where you have to watch a whole season. Orson Scott Card thankfully writes nearly all of his books to stand alone, as well as work within the series.


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