Reviews

Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card

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phillipsmithy's review against another edition

5.0

Probably 4.5 stars may be a more fitting rating, however as that’s not possible I think this book is worthy enough to be rounded up to 5. I picked up this book only because I saw it in the second hand book store and I enjoyed its predecessor (Ender’s Game) enough that I wanted to see the story continued - I’m so glad I did. This book is a better book in my eyes than Ender’s Game, and a very fitting way to continue the story. I find the moral questions that this book raises to be very fascinating and worth thinking about as human beings. Although the story isn’t “action packed” like many sci-fi novels are, I think this beautifully written, character driven story is worthy of classic status within the genre. I’ll be very keen to continue the story through the next instalment in the series.

mjmarx59's review against another edition

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inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

mini_margaritta's review against another edition

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3.0

Most of the reviews I read said they liked this book better than the first but I would have to disagree. The first book was more of a page turner for me. I think this one had some more deep thought provoking conversations and ideas but overall I liked the first one better.

lactomar's review against another edition

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5.0

Really the best of the 4 ender series. The character exploration and plot development far exceeds the next 2 as they both get weighed down with these LONG philosophical inner monologues. This one is tight, interesting and introduces the later world building very well.

thebeesneesh's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

jzburger's review against another edition

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5.0

Wow. Ender's Game has been my all-time favourite book since I read it probably a decade ago, but I never got around to this since my cousin advised me that while it was good, it was probably a bit too philosophical for my tastes. I think he would've been right, but reading this now, man what a book, and it might honestly surpass Game. I can understand complaints that Ender's a bit of a Mary Sue, but I was hooked by the mystery of the Piggies, and their dialogue about what they see when they look into the stars was amazing. Jane's POV chapter is also probably one of my favourite chapters ever, and one of the first times I've been convinced that a stories AI deserved rights.