Ender's Game

Ender's Game
by Orson Scott Card
pub: Feb 2002
336 pages

When we asked our friend Matt about his favorite book, he immediately said, "Ender's Game." We hadn't heard of it and he agreed to write a review. So here is our guest blogger, Matt Brady.

Synopsis:

The Earth is under attack. Alien “buggers” are poised for a final assault. The survival of the human species depends on a military genius who can defeat the buggers. But sho? Ender Wiggin. Brillian. Ruthless. Cunning. A tactical and strategic master. And a child. Recruited for military training by the world government, Ender’s childhood ends the moment he enters his new home: Battleschool. Among the elite recruits, Ender proves himself to be a genius among geniuses. In simulated war games he excels. But is the pressure and loneliness taking its toll on Ender? Simulations are one thing. How will Ender perform in real combat conditions? After all, Battleschool is just a game. Right?


Andrew Wiggin, or Ender, is given an option to go to space and fight the "buggers," an alien race that is trying to destroy the humans. Ender accepts and throughout the book Ender fights for his life, makes new friends and racks up some enemies. He quickly runs into obstacles that he didn't anticipate. The leaders of the battle school try their best to isolate Ender so that it is hard for him to make friends, and therefore, get used to being isolated and alone. The belief is that this will make Ender stronger and only rely on himself, not others.

The leaders also advance Ender's rank many times very quickly making the other kids jealous and dislike him. After Battleschool, Ender transfers to Command School. When Ender starts to lose his will to fight, the government worries because they think he is 'the one' to save humanity. They use his beloved sister to manipulate Ender into continuing to battle for the sake of the world.

While in the Command School, Ender learns many things about fleet control and how to command squads and ships by playing a simulated “game”, but the government has much more in mind with this “game” and you'll have to read the book to find out what, but I can tell you that you won't be disappointed.

Honestly, I'm not that big of a reader, but this is the best book that I have ever read! I started, and I couldn't put it down. I had to keep turning pages for more. The plot is fast, lots of excitement, you become invested in the fabulous characters (even the bad guys), and this is the first in the series so you can have many more adventures in this fun world. I HIGHLY recommend Ender's Game to everyone!



Hope you all enjoyed his thoughts and thanks Matt for spreading the word on a great book!

Alyssa, Jake and Gregory