Monday, April 5, 2010

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card




Ender's Game was first published in 1977-and has been republished many times. I've heard about it for years, but finally picked it up a few weeks ago.

Ender's Game is a novel, set sometime in the future and features Ender Wiggin- a boy who has the hopes of the whole world on his shoulders- and he is only 6 years old. Years ago, Earth was attacked by aliens- referred to as 'buggers'. These buggers almost wiped out the entire population. The people in power understood that the aliens could return at any moment and that they needed to start training people in battle immediately.
In this world, children are tested and it is determined early on if they have what it takes to lead earth's next attack on these buggers. Ender Wiggin is the third child in his family who has been tested and met the criteria- brilliant, ruthless, cunning, full of strategy to enter into military training.
The novel starts out with Ender learning about Battle School- a place where military rules must be followed and the students there are constantly challenged in their 'game' play. The story follows Ender's progress, his defeats and his successes. Part of the story is also about his siblings back home- the ones who didn't quite have what it took to stay at the school.
I liked the idea of this book, but felt it went on too long. I wanted it to just be over and for the problems to all be solved. I was glad to finish it, yet I did enjoy reading it.



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