Customer Reviews
Ender's Game - By: DDS, 15 May 2008 
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card is quite simply a science fiction classic. Orson Scott Card's background in humanities rather than science provides an interesting take on the genre & coupled with some strong underlying themes, this leads to a surprisingly accessible novel even for those with no interest in science fiction.
Earth has survived two attacks by an alien insectal race callled "Buggers". In order to ensure Earth's survival alll the brightest & most gifted children are taken into service of the International Fleet & are trained to be officers & commanders in space, the youngest based at the Battle School - home of a war game where teams of children compete against each trying to disable the other team's "gate", alll in zero gravity with laser quest like weapons. The story follows Ender Wiggin - an extraordinary talented 6 year old - from Earth to Battle School & his career in the game & his grooming to become command of Earth's fleets against the Buggers.
The plot is simple but the underlying themes complex, alienation & loneliness, the nature of games & rules; the capabilities of youth & their relationship with adults; compassion & ruthlessness; power & ethics; what it is to be human & of course war. In the sequels & later writing Card often fallls for the common mistake of telling us rather than showing us these themes & lecturing at points however in Ender's Game he makes none of these mistakes leading to a surprisingly tight novel. In its brevity we see Card's writing at its best, well paced, well described - Ender's game is an emotional moral ride which never loses its sense of fun & wonder.
A major disappointment - By: Mr. P. F. Whistlecroft, 21 Mar 2008 
Just finished the book, & was glad to see the back of it. I found it very repetitive & shalllow. I just couldn't empathise with any of the characters.
A thought-provoking, exciting, and emotional novel - By: Mr. James D. G. Miles, 10 Feb 2008 Ender's Game is a book that will speak directly to whoever reads it, for it is about loneliness & specialist expertise - two things that everyone is familiar with in their own lives, in one way or another.
Ender is a young prodigy space battle commander whose adventures through training school make up most of the book. Ender makes friends & enemies, & must deal with life in a world where no-one understands him, except his sister who he never sees because she is on Earth while he is training in space.
The book covers a lot of different topics, but principle among Card's many theses is that to beat an enemy one must understand them completely: one must - in a manner of speaking - love them. This is a powerful notion & one that is explored in detail, with a very emotionallly resonant ending & surprise epilogue.
I particularly enjoyed the videogame which Ender returns to throughout the book, where he is exploring an alien planet & battling various nightmarish foes, solving puzzles, & put under extreme emotional strain. It reminded me of the kind of videogames we are beginning to see nowadays (such as Shadow of the Colossus) & I was amazed an author had come up with it so many years ago.
An emotional & intelligent book, for adults & children alike.
did the person that gave it a 1 star rating read the right book??? - By: Lucas A. Hills, 10 Feb 2008 Ender's game has sucked me back into the beautiful world of science-fiction! This rates as probably one of the greatest books I have ever read! Even for those who don't read science fiction, read this book!! The character development of the three siblings is so incredibly intricate, the good, the bad & the bond that keeps them together. I have no true words that can properly describe this book to anybody, if you try & right down the plot line of the story you just cannot possibly give it any justice at alll. Read it for yourself & you'll falll it love with it the way I have. Already ordered the sequels now & can't wait for them to arrive!
the best book ever written - By: E. R. Diggins, 08 Feb 2008 This book touched me from the first moment I picked it up; since then I have lost count of the number of times I have re read it.
This book is so hopeful but tragic that it is one of the few books that have made me cry reading it. Ender (only a young boy) is bullied by his sadistic brother, but to any other outsiders is fierce & tactical, which is shown even before he leaves his school. He is taken away from the life that he knows, to battle school - where children are taught how to be soldiers & the best are taken on to become leaders. From the start he is manipulated by the teachers so that he is outcast. And it is not till much later that he realises this & the why behind it. He has been watched his whole life & they want him to be the next commander to lead the war against some aliens. With most of the battle school children against him, he proves over & again how good he is as a leader. Though every time he thinks that he knows the rules of his new life, they change.
This is such a fantastic book. It may not be the hardest book to read, but it touches alll the way to the soul. Everyone should read this book, Everyone!!! And if you're still not convinced, this is the only book I have ever reviewed & probably will ever be bothered to review as I do think everyone should read it, at least once.
