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[alyson]

Warning: slight spoiler, related to the plot near the beginning of the book only.

This is the first of three books following this particular storyline, and I started off reading the third, Xenocide. I liked that one well enough to try starting at the beginning, Ender's Game, and it was a good decision.

A plot synopsis: Ender is a hyperintelligent kid with two hyperintelligent siblings. He lives at a time when families are legally and morally limited to two children, but his parents' kids were turning out so auspiciously for the nation, they were granted special dispensation to have one more. Ender, like his siblings, is monitored via computer implant to determine whether he is suitable to go to this world's version of military school.

Here's the spoiler: he is determined suitable. The entire rest of the book relates to how and what he does at school, and how it changes or doesn't change him, and how the educators feel about the job they're doing. It also deals with how his siblings deal with life as it continues away from school.

Military people have gotten quite a lot out of this book; apparently it resonates with them. It also resonates with quite a lot other professionals, in areas like psychology, religion, and politics. Children have also felt recognized by it, although I would say that unless they're precocious it might not be suitable until junior high at least.

As for me...I definitely liked it. It was interestingly structured and satisfying. If it weren't a library book, I'd consider reading it again in a week or two, to see if having read to the end once would change my reading of the beginning and middle. I recommend it.
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Eschew obfuscation.

[shaw]

You MUST read Ender's Shadow.

I don't want to tell you any more about it than that.

[Samurailynn]

Ender's Game is excellent, but I think Speaker for the Dead is the most meaningful in the series. It really gave me a lot to think about.

[jeffp]

[Eisworth]

Every time I've read Card's stuff, I have the same experience --- I generally love the premise, find the early part of the series (or book) incredibly interesting, and then find myself more and more disappointed as the storyline degenerates into overwrought meditations on the meaning of love --- see "Tales of Alvin Maker", "Homecoming Saga", "The Redemption of Christopher Columbus", "The Worthing Saga".

Not my cup of tea either, but I do know plenty of people who are incredibly moved by these books.
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Todd Eisworth
Associate Professor of Mathematics
Ohio University