Title: Ender’s Shadow
Author: Orson Scott Card
First published October 1, 1999
469 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780765342409 (ISBN10: 0765342405)
Rating: 4.31
Overview
Welcome to the world of Bean, where survival is the only option. Growing up as a street child, Bean had to fight tooth and nail to survive.
With his small frame, he had to rely on his exceptional intelligence and cunning to outsmart the ruthless gangs of starving kids. When he gets recruited to Battleschool, Bean finally finds a place where his skills are valued, and he meets his match in Ender Wiggins, his only true rival.
As they train to become future commanders, they realize that the fate of Earth rests on their shoulders. With their knowledge and skills, they must lead the final climactic battle against the Buggers, a hostile alien race.
Ender’s Shadow by Orson Scott Card is the parallel novel to his science fiction classic, and the book that launched The Shadow Series.
About the Author
Orson Scott Card is a renowned author, best known for his novels Ender’s Game, Ender’s Shadow, and Speaker for the Dead. These books are quite popular among both adults and younger readers and are increasingly being used in schools.
Apart from his science fiction novels, Card also writes contemporary fantasy books like Magic Street, Enchantment, and Lost Boys, biblical novels such as Stone Tables and Rachel and Leah, and poetry, plays, and scripts.
Card was born in Washington and spent his childhood in California, Arizona, and Utah. In the early 1970s, he served a mission for the LDS Church in Brazil.
In addition to his writing, Card also teaches occasional classes and workshops and directs plays. He has recently taken up a long-term position as a professor of writing and literature at Southern Virginia University.
Card currently lives in Greensboro, North Carolina, along with his wife, Kristine Allen Card, and their youngest child, Zina Margaret.
Editoral Review
Ender’s Shadow is a science fiction novel written by Orson Scott Card in 1999. This book is a parallel companion to his much-acclaimed novel Ender’s Game, which was published in 1985.
Card is a renowned American novelist, essayist, and professor of English who has authored several critically acclaimed and commercially successful works in the science fiction and fantasy genres. He has won various awards, including the prestigious Hugo and Nebula Awards for his writing.
Ender’s Shadow takes place in a dystopian future in which humanity is in a state of constant warfare with hostile alien races known as the Buggers. The story centers around the life of a boy named Bean.
Bean is a young, brilliant and cunning orphan living on the streets of Rotterdam, struggling to survive in a harsh and desperate world. The story follows his journey as he becomes a part of an elite military squad, which is tasked with defending Earth against the Buggers.
The book beautifully explores themes of identity, humanity, sacrifice, and survival in the face of adversity. The author creates a complex and vivid world of compelling characters and intricate political dynamics, which allows the reader to get lost in the story.
The character development of Bean is masterful, as the author creates a character who is both fiercely independent and vulnerable, and whose intellect and instinctive intelligence make him a force to be reckoned with. The pacing of the book is excellent, with the story moving at a brisk and engaging rate, and the unexpected twists and turns keep the reader on the edge of their seat until the final page.
The book also benefits from rich and vivid descriptions of the setting, which help to create a fully realized sense of place. Ender’s Shadow has significant cultural and historical significance, as it explores the challenges of identity and survival in a world that is in a constant state of flux- themes that are all too relevant in our own tumultuous times.
The book also delves into the moral and ethical dilemmas of war and violence, and its broader implications for humanity. However, the book is not without its flaws.
Some readers may find the complex political dynamics and military strategy confusing, while others may feel that the characters are not always given enough room to fully develop. Additionally, the book does occasionally delve into darker and more violent territory, which may not appeal to some readers.
Overall, Ender’s Shadow is a beautifully crafted and thought-provoking work of science fiction. It is highly recommended for readers who are looking for a gripping and engaging read that explores complex themes and raises difficult questions about the nature of humanity and the challenges we face in a world beset by conflict and turmoil.
For its skillful storytelling and compelling characters, Ender’s Shadow receives a well-deserved 4 out of 5 stars.