Book Review: Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

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When you love sci-fi and fantasy, there are authors and books that are staples of genre. Gaiman, Pratchett, and Tolkien are juggernauts appearing on every must read list you'll find. Over the years Orson Scott Card has positioned himself amongst the behemoths. It all began with his breakthrough novel 'Ender's Game.'

Coming out in 1985, after Luke defeated the Galactic Empire (with minor help from the rebels). The book received positive reviews and spawned numerous sequels.

The name of protagonist Ender Wiggin has become legendary across the sci-fi world. Regardless of Scott Card's personal beliefs he is respected with a pen in his hand.

Below are my thoughts.

WHAT I LIKED:

Ender Wiggin is a prepubescent genius. His mind is scarily wonderful and his ability to overcome and win is fun to read. When backed into a corner you see the best of Ender. I clapped when battle school made his team fight two other teams at once and he obliterated them. His mind reminded me of all the great sci-fi leaders Kirk, Picard, Yoda, Mcfly (Yes). His reluctance to be a killer was an endearing character quality. In a peacetime climate he could have been a warm and caring child.

The world that Scott Card creates is tense and intriguing. The two child rule painted the desperate, dog eat dog world that Ender was born into. I got a sense that any story that was set in this world would be fascinating.

The politics was easy to swallow and not shoved down your throat. Reader's understood the importance of the political climate and this peaked Ender's situation. Through Earth's political endeavours, the reader had insight into the lives of Ender's brother and sister. The chapters on Earth, without Ender, felt purposeful and enjoyable.

The relationships of the character's felt genuine. As a reader, I liked Ender's friendships and enjoyed his envious enemies that wanted to see him fall. The dislike toward him was cruel but necessary. As a reader you always felt that Ender could not only endure but had to endure.

Scott Card's writing style was concise and fun. He did't digress and go off on tangents unless it was beneficial to the narrative. Reading Ender's Game you got the sense that telling the story was the main aim. There weren't any character's designed for self-indulgent purposes.

The unexpected ending was intriguing. It was a slow burner, that initially left a bad taste in my mouth. After a few days, I felt satisfied with events and questions started to knock about in my mind. I didn't yearn a sequel as I did after Ready Player One or Neverwhere, but any story involving Ender Wiggin is worth a gander.

WHAT I DISLIKED:

At times Ender bordered on the realms of a Mary Sue (perfect character that can overcome anything). However, Scott Card leaves his possible near perfection as an open topic. He toys with the idea and has readers wondering why Ender is so good. Still, at times, I felt the outcome of Ender's trials was a forgone conclusion.

WOULD I RECOMMEND?: yes yes yes yes

This is a sci-fi must read. I can't say much more.

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allthingsm4tt

Writer of things, meme supplier, semi-occasional six string swordist, sporadic cinema goer and smiler.