ENDER'S GAME by Orson Scott Card

ENDER’S GAME by Orson Scott Card

Card, O. S. (1991). Ender's game. New York: Tor.

GENRE: Science fiction

ANNOTATION: Little Ender Wiggin quickly ranks up in Battle School excelling above all others. But can one boy really defeat the Buggers and save his planet?

SUMMARY: Andrew "Ender" Wiggin is the result of genetic experimentation. The world has been at war with an alien race they call Buggers for a hundred years. The only battle commander to ever defeat the Buggers has aged and they are actively searching for a suitable replacement. Ender's older siblings, Peter and Valentine, were observed for years. They seemed to have potential to be sent to battle school but they turned out unsuitable. In hopes for a child perfect for the task, the government allowed and asked Ender's parents to have a third child. At the age of six years old, Ender has been observed and deemed suitable to attend Battle School, making him the youngest student they've ever had. He knows if he accepts the assignment he will not see his family again for many years. But Ender knows why he was born and feels it is duty. He is accepted and boards ship to fly to another planet where he will begin his training. As soon as he leaves Earth he finds himself the object of one manipulation after another. It seems even the adults are picking on him. He soon finds that they are only trying to make him stronger and separate him as a leader. Battle School and the war games they simulate there get harder and harder. Ender is under a great deal of pressure. Will he be able to step up and command his team to save Earth from the Buggers when the time comes? Does he even want to? Ender grows and learns and makes many difficult decisions.

EVALUATION: 5 - The plot is carefully woven and brilliantly executed. The depth of character development and subplots make the book even more enthralling and realistic. The author draws the reader into another time.

OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION: This is the first in a 9 book series called “Ender’s Game” or “Enderverse.”