This is Book 1 of the Ender Quartet.
This is a book that defies description. While it is technically a sci-fi book, the social elements and main character development beautifully transcend the restrictions of genre. It is military without being excessively violent. It explores the nature of friends and family and sense of duty without sinking into cliché. It involves children at war without making it The Hunger Games. The strategic maneuverings in the Battle Room are absolutely fascinating. And the caught-me-completely-by-surprise-because-I-totally-didn't-see-that-coming ending is truly one of the best that I have ever read.
This is one of those rare books that can be read and re-read at any age (teen and up) and will only get better with time. It will speak to you in a different way each time you read it because it truly is a timeless classic, a precious gem among a pile of so many worthless stones. You dont even have to be a fan of sci-fi to enjoy this book (although it helps) because the story itself is so compelling.
I am pretty stubborn about reading a series: if I start it, I finish it. But in this rare case, I read Enders Game and stopped. It was such an incredible book, such stand-alone perfection, that I didn't want to ruin what it was by reading the painfully substandard work that supposedly came after. I have many sources to thank for that piece of advice, and I have chosen to listen.
Enders Game is a rare find, indeed, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
This is a book that defies description. While it is technically a sci-fi book, the social elements and main character development beautifully transcend the restrictions of genre. It is military without being excessively violent. It explores the nature of friends and family and sense of duty without sinking into cliché. It involves children at war without making it The Hunger Games. The strategic maneuverings in the Battle Room are absolutely fascinating. And the caught-me-completely-by-surprise-because-I-totally-didn't-see-that-coming ending is truly one of the best that I have ever read.
This is one of those rare books that can be read and re-read at any age (teen and up) and will only get better with time. It will speak to you in a different way each time you read it because it truly is a timeless classic, a precious gem among a pile of so many worthless stones. You dont even have to be a fan of sci-fi to enjoy this book (although it helps) because the story itself is so compelling.
I am pretty stubborn about reading a series: if I start it, I finish it. But in this rare case, I read Enders Game and stopped. It was such an incredible book, such stand-alone perfection, that I didn't want to ruin what it was by reading the painfully substandard work that supposedly came after. I have many sources to thank for that piece of advice, and I have chosen to listen.
Enders Game is a rare find, indeed, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
All three people in my house that have read this book love it! We love the writing quality, the amount of suspense, the creativity, and cohesiveness of the story.
