I read this book for the first time back in 2005 I think. I picked it up because Vulash and Verileah were both going on about it. I got 60 pages in and then put it down. I picked it back up again during a trip to some friends in Idaho (yes, I've been to Idaho) and finished it in one sitting. If you know me, a 250+ page book in one sitting is pretty damn good for me. I was absolutely riveted (much like rereading Dune book 1 after like 15 years).
I was completely enthralled with Ender and his life. It read so believable - you feel for Ender in elementary school and when he enters battle school. Watching the adults manipulate his life, robbing him of his childhook in the name of humanity was heart breaking. You do forget sometimes that Ender is just a kid when he's commanding his battle school troops. I haven't read any other OSC books, and I hear they're not quite the same as Ender's Game, but this is by far one of my most favorite books ever.
Ender's Game Discussion - No major spoilers, please
Many of you have already read Ender’s Game, and a few have even listed it as a ‘favorite book’. I am one of those people – you might even go so far as to call me a fan. However, believe it or not, there are some people, on TAC no less, who have not read this wonderful book! Well here’s your chance – TAC will be hosting a group discussion on Ender’s Game (that may expand into the Enderverse, which includes a host of short stories and two separate series) in preparation for…good stuff. Secret stuff. Secret stuff that starts with ‘M’ and ends with ‘afia’.
I would like to keep this thread as a ‘no spoilers’ thread – mostly, don’t give away the ending. I’ll start another thread for spoilerific talk. Here you can post favorite quotes, points for discussion, and questions that the super nerds…er, experts…will do their best to answer.
ROzbeans
15 years ago
Anulien
15 years ago
Ender's Game is such a great story. Personally I prefer Speaker for the Dead but you really cannot have that story without the setup that happens in Ender's Game. It's amazing the burden that gets placed on Ender right away and reading page after page of him overcoming whatever obstacles are placed in front of him. When Marie and I make a kid I can only hope its a boy so I can name him Ender.
My favorite part of the book is Ender's first kamikaze mission. He single handedly changed the rules of combat for the school by doing nothing more than tucking in his legs to his chest to act like a shield and coming out of his door shooting. I can't decide if it was a failure on the teachers part for allowing such archaic battle tactics pre Ender or if that was the whole point; to find someone who could see things an entirely different way. Either way it was really the beginning of greatness in Ender's military career.
Anyone who has not read Ender's series is missing out on an amazing universe. Spend the 6 bucks on the paperback at Barne's and Noble and read this book. Now. Pickup Speaker for the Dead, Xenocide and Children of the Mind at the same too because you WILL read them all once you start.
My favorite part of the book is Ender's first kamikaze mission. He single handedly changed the rules of combat for the school by doing nothing more than tucking in his legs to his chest to act like a shield and coming out of his door shooting. I can't decide if it was a failure on the teachers part for allowing such archaic battle tactics pre Ender or if that was the whole point; to find someone who could see things an entirely different way. Either way it was really the beginning of greatness in Ender's military career.
Anyone who has not read Ender's series is missing out on an amazing universe. Spend the 6 bucks on the paperback at Barne's and Noble and read this book. Now. Pickup Speaker for the Dead, Xenocide and Children of the Mind at the same too because you WILL read them all once you start.
Verileah
15 years ago
Speaker for the Dead is an all-time favorite of mine, along with its follow ups. Did you like the Shadow line? I wasn't loving what ended up happening to some much loved characters but I grew very fond of Bean.
It's hard for me to pick a favorite part of the book, but there are parts that definitely stand out as the most haunting, the most infectious. The wolf children come to mind - it's an image that has stuck in my head since I first read the book thirteen years ago. Ender lying on the raft, much like Dink used to float around in space. Valentine's goodbye. The End of the World. Alai's kiss.
That last might be a good candidate for favorite part, actually - I found it very powerful and meaningful.
It's hard for me to pick a favorite part of the book, but there are parts that definitely stand out as the most haunting, the most infectious. The wolf children come to mind - it's an image that has stuck in my head since I first read the book thirteen years ago. Ender lying on the raft, much like Dink used to float around in space. Valentine's goodbye. The End of the World. Alai's kiss.
That last might be a good candidate for favorite part, actually - I found it very powerful and meaningful.
Verileah
15 years ago
Verileah
15 years ago
I love this comic
FyreGarnett
15 years ago
well, in light of this round's Mafia, and knowing that we had a copy floating around here somewhere, i did read this. now, keep in mind that i rarely enjoy sci-fi. much prefer fantasy or thrillers. i have read some other OSC in the past (Alvin Maker was my intro to him), so wasn't quite sure what to expect.
have to admit, i very much enjoyed this book. embarrassed to say that i really should have seen the climax of the book (talk about a smack-my-forehead moment!!), but i had gotten so caught up in everything that was happening and all the trials that Ender was having to face, that i just did not see it coming!
very much looking forward to seeing how our devious mods use this to run their Battle School - should be quite the fun time!!
have to admit, i very much enjoyed this book. embarrassed to say that i really should have seen the climax of the book (talk about a smack-my-forehead moment!!), but i had gotten so caught up in everything that was happening and all the trials that Ender was having to face, that i just did not see it coming!
very much looking forward to seeing how our devious mods use this to run their Battle School - should be quite the fun time!!
Blackrabbit
15 years ago
Just read this myself because of the current Mafia... normally I can't stand sci-fi and stick to more fantasy, but I really enjoyed it. I didn't see the end coming, but at the same time I wasn't really surprised by it either.
Looking forward to reading more of it. It's been a while since I found a really good book.
Looking forward to reading more of it. It's been a while since I found a really good book.
ROzbeans
15 years ago
Definitely read Ender's Shadow - Bean's point of view. Berry berry gud.
Jetamio
15 years ago
Never read it >.< But then I never read The Stand either so I'll get by ;p