Ender's Game (Ender's Saga #1)

More than deserving of its acclaim as one of the best of classic Sci-fi.

The book is a complex examination of human nature, set to the backdrop of undated future earth after two alien invasion attempts. Population control is enforced, and the control of governments and their military is tight, even in the freer countries. The ethical implications of such a world are thought provoking and abundant. (I for one lost count of how many times I asked myself:' Do the ends really justify the means?') The cast of characters are vibrant and memorable. The author's grasp on depicting complicated action sequences was impressive, though I would have enjoyed a little more strength in the use of physical descriptions.

The author's greatest achievement, in this reader's mind, was the steady build of empathy he managed to develop. I truly ached for young Ender and many of these children as they were being groomed into military tools. While I don't know that these children could have realistically thrived at all under deliberate conditions of isolation, devoid of love or security, it did thoroughly outline--or perhaps forewarn--how far 'civilized' governments would likely be willing to go in the name of self-preservation.

The political intricacies were an inspired additional layer to the world-building, deep enough to be believable without bogging one down in needless detail. That, along with the deft emotional immersion, managed to make the book feel timeless in spite of the year it was written.

Reader reviewed by Jinxie

Andrew "Enders" Wiggins is a child genius.  He didn't come by this naturally, but was bred in order to attack an alien race that is attacking earth.  He was the only one of his siblings to make the cut.  He goes off to military training to develop his skills.  I am not really into science fiction because somethinges the words and concepts are other worldly and complex, but this book was really easy to understand.  Card, the author, vies the characters a life of their owna nd created a story line that only a genius can develop. 

Reader reviewed by J. Mitchell

Ender's Game was first published in August 1977 as a novelette in Analog magazine. Card later expanded that short story into a full-length book, which is now his best known novel. Ender's Game is a vision of the future in which gifted children are used to fight in an adult war against alien invaders. It will challenge your assumptions of reality.

While written with YA readers in mind, Ender's Game can be enjoyed by readers of any age from 12 on up. The book is clearly Science Fiction yet is not so technical that it can't be understood easily.  There's enough room to imgaine yourself in Ender's world - which makes this a wonderful escape from the pressures of everyday life. At the end of the story, most readers are hungry for more, which the author has provided. This was the first but is most definitely not the last novel starring Ender and his friends.

If you like Science Fiction, this is clearly a book you should read.

Reader reviewed by RapidReader

This is an excellent sci-fi adventure ready to blast you away to Space School! Join Ender, a Third Child in a country where all families can only have 2 children, as he leaves the Earth's Orbit for Space School to learn about how he can join the Space Cadets and Save the world (after ha graduates, of cource!) But with his peers set against him from the start, will he ever survive Space School, let alone the Planet? Find out in this thrilling Sci-fi novel by Orson Scott Card!

Reader reviewed by Kris

I personally HATE all things Sci-Fi (I couldn't even make thru 100 pages of Lord of the Rings and when I saw the movie I just thought "That's stupid. Why don't the IMMORTAL people take the ring? THEY CAN'T DIE SO THEY HAVE A BETTER CHANCE OF MAKING IT!! The ring is ugly anyway, who would want that back? Why doesn't that guy just make another one?" and so on), but I read this one summer and simply fell in love it. the settings and characters are decribed in great detail and in no time you'll be pulled into a world of Buggers and Battle School and Thirds and you'll love every moment of it. and maybe even respond to the ending audibly and not just mentally (I know I did). this book is amazing and one I'd recommend to anyone (even if they break out in hives at the mention of science fiction things).

Reader reviewed by ren5

It was great. In the beginning it was rather confusing but it unfolded really well. Also, it starts off talking about a six year old kid [he grows up in the story], this is not a little kids book. It has some pretty decriptive gore and violance. I really recomend it to anyone who thinks about the future and what it might be like, years and years from now.

Reader reviewed by Val

I would read this book just for the last couple fo pages because thas what in my oppinion distinguished it from an great book to an... unbelievable book. This book tells the story of a boy named Ender whois taken form his family and raised to play combat games in the belief that he will one day fight against the mosnters he sees on the screen. You see, buggers a species of aliens invaded earth a lon gitm ago in the novel, of course! They tried to destroy the human race and nearly succeeded, the humans barely won the battle but they have been determined ever since to extinguish the bugger race because they are positive that they will come back once again and try to win their lost battle. You feel empathy and ocmpassion for Ender who has had his whole life ruined because of his intellct and strength which will make him stucha great military leader. Throughout the novel readers will find themselves saddened by Ender's emotions such as his deep longing to see his sister Valentine. Readers will also ask questions and wonder the thoughts that go through Ender's head why... why...?

Reader reviewed by Katya

Ender's Game is a completely unique book (until you read the sequels of course, but that doesn't really apply here). You'll find yourself completely swept up in Ender's world, where parents are harsh and uncaring, and the best way to make a name for yourself is to go and train in in the space station.

What will really grip about this book is the twist - it's possibly the scariest, most brilliant plot twist I've ever read, and it's that that makes 'Ender's Game' a fantastic novel. Even if you aren't normally into sci-fi (and I'm not, not really), I suggest you give this a go. It's one of those books which you just have to read.

Reader reviewed by Stella

Ender's Game is a story about a future society that is at war with the aliens, and the young boy who unknowingly destroys a whole species.

Ender's Game is a action-packed, yet emotional story about the decisions that children are forced to make because of the actions of adults. A wonderful and gripping first book in a series. Ender's Game is perfect for teenagers, but the next three books in the series require a considerably more advanced reader.

Reader reviewed by linda

'Ender's Game' is one of the best books that I have ever read and I would highly suggest it to anyone. Though it seems like a more guy-friendly book I know many girls who have read it and enjoyed it immensely. Set in a futuristic world where population laws are strict and the alien invassion is imminent, Ender is sent to Battle School where he trains for his destiny: to defeat the aliens with his military genius. Though it may not sound like it in this brief summary, there is a lot of heartfelt emotion and the story is written beautifully. In the end Ender does defeat the aliens only to realize the full impact of what he has done, that he can't live on the Earth with his family and that he has destroyed a beautiful species.

reprint here with author's permission