Such a great book! Not for everyone but I encourage you to try it out, even if you are unsure. I read this at around 7-9 and loved it since. ( )

This book has a lot to recommend it. The pace is very fast and the writing and characters are completely engaging. It touches on a lot of coming of age themes - - from self reliance to handling of bullies to developing friendships.

Ender Wiggin is identified as a child with very unique traits, and he is taken by the military to be prepared for a special career in the military. Most of the book focuses on the training of Ender (think futuristic boot camp!) to command an incredibly important mission.

I don't read a lot of science fiction (or any), so for me, the plot line was very original and definitely grabbed my interest and wouldn't let go. The main character, Ender, is definitely the type of character that you root for . . .making the book even more enjoyable.

However, I had some issues with the ending. Unfortunately there's no way to discuss my issues without revealing major spoilers, so I'm going to scroll way down for this part of the discussion. DO NOT GO THERE unless you want the book ruined for you. If you haven't read it yet, however, I just felt that the ending sort of strained credulity. Some parts of it also felt rushed to me. There's a fairly large subplot, and I felt that subplot was wrapped up primarily with narration at the end. It wasn't such a problem that I wouldn't recommend the book . . .but I did have to remove a star for sure.
Ok, for those of you who have read this book . . .I really have a question. When Ender is about to play his final "game" in the "simulator", he specifically asks about whether the MD weapon he has can destroy the planet. He is then specifically warned by his teacher that destroying the planet could have serious repercussions. Ender destroys the planet anyway and by virtue of doing so, overcomes the final challenge.

It is then revealed to the reader that the final challenge was actually a real battle, and that Ender has destroyed the enemy.

For me, this was a glaring and unnecessary error in the construction of this book. The teacher KNEW that Ender was about to fight a real battle, not just a simulated one. So why, when Ender asked about the destruction of the planet, would the teacher warn him away from it's destruction. Especially when its destruction was what it took to win the battle. The teacher knew that destroying the planet was most likely a good idea. Or at a minimum, he certainly knew it wasn't a bad idea . . .since it was the hotbed of the enemy. So why did he warn him away from it?

I have no idea why Card threw that warning into the story. It wasn't necessary really. And for me, it just didn't make sense. So I just had a hard time believing the "twist" because of the set up. ( )

Great book from start to finish, very well paced. Very well described strategy of war games made this book very interesting over and above the plot which stands up very well. I would recommend it to anyone. ( )

Tiffany recommended this to me as a book that lets you inside a character's head. I don't usually like Sci-Fi, but this was interesting. ( )

*original rating: 4 stars

I loved this book when I was 14. I still love it now. I just wish Orson Scott Card wasn't such a giant homophobic jerk-wagon because now I feel guilty that I paid for my copy. Twice. And I feel worse for having recommended to everyone in the multiverse.