Ender's Shadow (Ender, Book 5) by Orson Scott Card
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Book Reviews of Ender's Shadow (Ender, Book 5)
Book Review: All Bean and no rice make this a dull book
Summary: 3 Stars
This is one of the most OK books I've ever read. While it's not bad, I didn't really find it all that good either. Keep in mind that I'm a long way from Jr. High/High school, which is the age range this book is intended for. If that's your age range, it's a totally different book. Knowing the ending of this alternate view of Ender's Game, I think it would be especially important to make Bean a bit more likeable. He's genetically gifted, and judges every bad decision, and basically everybody besides Ender as stupid. I was pleased to find that Bean gained some humility, he eventually uses his brilliance to help other people. He still makes mistakes, and a character like Bean who criticizes and condemns others for being "stupid" seems likely to put himself through the same torture when he makes mistakes, yet he doesn't. Bean, right out of the toilet, is the most obnoxious character I've ever experienced a point of view through. I realize he's just a kid, but he's still the type I would encourage to play in the street.
Bean's family was the worst addition to this story, and there are some coincidences involved with that which could make your stomach turn, it did mine. There is some severe cheesiness, but overall, a relatively decent story. I wonder why a kid from the Netherlands would seem so much like a kid from the US. Why is almost every ultra smart kid in this story European or Euro-American? Why aren't there any major Chinese or other Asian characters in here? There seems to be such a lack of smart kids from outside of the US and Europe? Hmmm...no Africans, and the only god represented here is the Christian/Mormon one.Lack of interesting character and culture give this book a mediocre rating in my book. Science? As if, this is OSC...remember? Not for everybody.
Book Review: Ender's Shawdow
Summary: 3 Stars
I was very disappointed with this purchase and it's return. I purchased this book for my son for Christmas ~ he is an avid reader ~ however, my son then came home from school with a copy of Ender's Shawdow which he borrowed from the school library. My order was already in progress - and upon receipt I returned it for a refund ~ we frequently shop through Amazon ~ the disappointment came when I recieved a -0- refund ~ of which I made inquiry, and have not yet recieved a response.Book Review: A Painful Revision of a Masterpiece
Summary: 2 Stars
Ender's Game is a much-loved science fiction novel by Orson Scott Card. It is well-written, has surprise twists, and contains characters readers can identify with. It is also a near-perfect example of a stand-alone novel - the vast majority of loose ends are tied up, redemption is found, and readers generally go away content.
So where's the problem? Well, most authors, once they've had a major success, seem to be unable to leave their popular creations alone. Ender's Game gained a decent (but not nearly as good) sequel in _Speaker for the Dead_. Then came the disappointing _Xenocide_ to continue the series. Finally, _Children of the Mind_ rewrites what seems to be established facts in the series' universe. In the end, many readers are left scratching their heads and feeling disappointed; they are almost envious of their friends that decided to avoid the three follow-up books and read something new.
BUT THE SERIES DOES NOT END THERE. Card continues the saga (and opens up a new avenue for sequels) with _Ender's Shadow_. This book takes us back to the original Ender novel by following the life of Bean, a character established in Ender's Game. The "new" material on Bean (primarily his early life and genesis) is both clever and interesting. When Card brings Bean to Battle School and covers the same events in Ender's Game, however, he fails horribly - because he changes and revises the events in the original masterpiece to fit his new work. For instance, the beginning chapter conversations in _Ender's Game_ simply do not make sense if _Ender's Shadow_ is correct. Established events are impossibly distorted to the point where they seem artificial. Worst of all, the character of Ender is trashed and diminished in order to make the new hero, Bean, seem more necessary.
This is one of the few books I wish I could unread - not because I want that portion of my life back, but because it damages my view of a much-better work. I can not recommend this book to anyone that has already read (and enjoyed) Ender's Game.
Book Review: Bean finds the Amazing Love of Jesus
Summary: 2 Stars
If you liked Enders Game then this is an interesting sidestory. I did like Enders Game and I did like this book except that is for the drivel about Jesus. A little less Jesus-Freakin' and a little more substance and this book could have been really good.
Book Review: The author abondoned his storyline
Summary: 1 Stars
I am amazed at all the positive feedback about this book. In Enders Game Card repeatly justifies the rigorous isolation and abondonment of Ender to achieve the type of commander needed to lead the final battle. But then in Enders Shadow Bean is able to replace Ender as commander without any of the trama that Ender was forced to endure. Bean is smart, clever and clearheaded "always" whereas Ender looks hesitant and overwrought, with Bean looking over his shoulder, he's been given the authority to decide if Ender is competent to lead or should he step in and take over command. Where does Bean get the experience to become Enders "supervisor?" I don't know but he is deemed fit enough with a couple months as a team leader to be fleet commander.
I think that Card has over time decided to "dumb down" Ender so that there can be remarks like "Bean is better than Ender." Enders Game was an emotional rollercoaster of deception, but Enders Shadow showed the greatest deception of Ender was by the author himself.
I just hope that Sherwood Smith doesn't deny Inda the way Card did Ender.