Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

from good reads

4 stars

Growing up I loved science fiction and fantasy. The worlds that were created were amazing. Through university I still loved the genre but it was through the medium of television. I loved shows like Stargate SG-1 and Star Trek: The Next Generation and Voyager. This was my first science fiction novel that I read in along time. And I must admit, I still love this genre.

Synopsis

Earth has been attacked twice by "the buggers".  The military looks for new commanders by monitoring gifted children until age six. Ender Wiggins has been selected to attend an elite battle school. There he learns strategy and combat skills through games. All this to help the earth be safe from the buggers.

My Thoughts

The language in this book is simple. It make it easy to read and helps the reader remember that the characters are young kids and not teenagers. The author had a thing about farts. He talked about them a lot.

At times I found it hard to picture what was happening. And there were tons of play battle scenes. I thought I was going to get bored with all the talk about strategy and play fights, but I didn't. You really feel for Ender and want nothing but good things for him.

This book was written in the 70s. It was kind of amazing the things that were in the book that are around today. The internet, tablets, simulators. It was truly amazing.

What I really like about science fiction is that it is a great platform to discuss different moral and societal issues. In this book it discusses the issues of safety. How far do you push people when humanity is at stake? Do we hurt people enough so they don't hurt us again or do we show mercy? Can limiting choices, including choice of the family you want, backfire in society? Do differences always bring out hostility?

I am interested in seeing the movie. I wonder how they are going to deal with the lapse of six years. I made sure I read the book before seeing the movie. I have had this book on my to read list for a long time. when I heard the movie was coming out I put it to the top of my list. I always wonder, when people see me reading it do they think I am doing it just because of the movie and am joining the bandwagon, or do they know that it has been on my list forever and I am finally getting around to it. I should get a sign letting them know that it was on my list for a long time, I am not trying to join the populous. In the end I guess it really doesn't matter.

I really liked this book. I think if you have 9 and up boys in your life they will like it. I am not sure if girls that young will like it. They might appreciate it more once they are 14 or so.