I have had “Ender’s Game” on my to read list for a while but was a little on the fence because I didn’t really want to spend money on it because of Card’s politics. Lucky for me, my awesome Pajiba gift exchange friend bought it for me, thus I could read it, with no qualms. 🙂
In a world where another attack from an alien race is imminent, children are selected for training to leave their families and prepare for the battle as the ultimate soldiers, in space. After undergoing surveillance and testing, it is determined that Ender Wiggins is going to Battle School as one of those children. He has already spent his life being singled out because of his status as a third child, permitted to be born only because the government was hoping he would have potential as a soldier. Sad to leave his beloved sister behind and happy to escaped his sadistic brother, Ender travels into space to fulfill, or fail, his destiny.
“Sometimes I think you enjoy breaking these little geniuses. There is an art to it, and I’m very very good at it. But enjoy? Well, maybe. When they put back the pieces afterward, and it makes them better. You’re a monster. Thanks. Does this mean I get a raise? Just a medal. The budget isn’t inexhaustible.”
We follow Ender’s journey through his experiences, and snippets of conversation from the commanders at the school. Ender and the other children compete against each other to show whether they can really cut it, and Ender finds himself excelling, but at what cost? And will it be worth it in the end?
I found this book to be pretty interesting and harrowing. I enjoy post-apocolyptic tails, so this was in my wheelhouse. My problem was that it went a little off the rails for me in the end, but I think Card is able to make some valuable statements without wandering into terribly preachy territory. I’m not sure if I’m going to continue the series, but it is solid and I’m interested to see how the film turns out.
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