Ender's Game
By: Orson Scott Card
Andrew "Ender" Wiggin thinks he is playing computer simulated war games; he is, in fact, engaged in something far more desperate. The result of genetic experimentation, Ender may be the military genius Earth desperately needs in a war against an alien enemy seeking to destroy all human life. The only way to find out is to throw Ender into ever harsher training, to chip away and find the diamond inside, or destroy him utterly. Ender Wiggin is six years old when it begins. He will grow up fast.
Auuster's Takeaway
An engaging and fun novel, it is no wonder that there is a film adaption of this book! Unfortunately, there was so many things that was missed! In particular the interaction between Ender and his sister, Ender’s fear of his brother, the mind game with wolves and children, his interaction with friends.
I enjoyed many parts of the story, one in particular was Ender’s time in battle school, where he strategized everything to make sure he was infront of every hurdle the teacher put infront of him. The writing portrayed his eventual grief and distaste with the system. At the same time each problem the teacher brought infront of Ender was a learning experience, I liked how Ender continually built on his experiences to trump the challenges.
Enders breakdown started near the end of his battle school training, but the gradual decline of his trust towards the IF peaked when he was told that his final training resulted in the destruction of his enemy’s world home. It was great to see that at the end, Ender and the group of people he loved/trusted the most ended up on the new settlement tour.
Great story looking forward to finishing the rest of trilogy.