Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
Synopsis:
Andrew “Ender” Wiggin thinks he is playing computer simulated war games; he is, in fact, engaged in something far more desperate. 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.
Review:
I read Ender’s Game for the first time over ten years ago. So, I wanted to read it again, to refresh my memory, before the film released. Knowing the “big reveal” made some of the wonder lessen. But I still thoroughly enjoyed reading it again. Maybe even more than the first time. I found myself reading slower and taking my time to understand Ender a bit more this time. And since I knew what was going on, a lot of the back-and-forth between those in charge made a lot more sense. Also, having read all the future installments, I can appreciate the journey of Ender and Peter a bit more.
Ender’s Game is a true science fiction classic, in my mind. I’m glad it’s finally coming to the big screen, so that it can get a wider audience. It’s a coming-of-age story set in a science fiction adventure with unforgettable characters. Though bred to be humanity’s savior as a brilliant soldier to fight the aliens, Ender is just a boy who wants love and acceptance and to do the right thing. Whereas, Ender’s brother Peter is jealous and cruel with scary psychopathic tendencies. And as Ender trains at Battle School, he fears he is becoming more like his brother – and a killer. This is a brilliant piece of fiction that is a must read for any science fiction fan.