rva_reader's review against another edition
1.0
I have enjoyed the Ender's Shadow series but I really disliked this book. There was basically no point to the book and Bean's children really annoyed. The only good thing about this book was that it was short and a quick read. I wish I hadn't started this book, I wish they had just added a chapter or two onto the last book.
lswanson's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
It's fine. Kinda depressing and cynical though.
miahoren's review against another edition
4.0
Not the most enthralling story, but I sure how that Card writes #6.
thomcat's review against another edition
4.0
A short book, the introduced characters are durned similar to the characters from previous books - resurrection? The story itself is okay, and well written. Between 3 and 4 stars, round up for the appropriate length.
kmc3050's review against another edition
5.0
5. A really nice ending for Bean, but also an interesting look into the Formics.
Stefan Rudnicki, Emily Janice Card, and Scott Brick did nice jobs narrating.
Stefan Rudnicki, Emily Janice Card, and Scott Brick did nice jobs narrating.
malou005's review against another edition
3.0
gave it 3 stars because it ended just when I though it was really getting started.
kwugirl's review against another edition
3.0
OSC is deft as ever with moving around in different character viewpoints to show how they see the world in the way that makes sense to them. The main part of the story was pretty suspenseful and interesting in how it changes the dynamic of the later series.
Knocked off a star because the opening couple of chapters felt kind of tacked on and I feel like he did to Bean what they sometimes do to Brennan on the show Bones, which is they dial up her social awkwardness whenever it's convenient for the rest of the plot. Bean may be a single parent of brilliant and tiny children, but I'm skeptical he would have regressed in terms of understanding other people's emotional state as much as would be required to set up those first couple chapters.
Knocked off a star because the opening couple of chapters felt kind of tacked on and I feel like he did to Bean what they sometimes do to Brennan on the show Bones, which is they dial up her social awkwardness whenever it's convenient for the rest of the plot. Bean may be a single parent of brilliant and tiny children, but I'm skeptical he would have regressed in terms of understanding other people's emotional state as much as would be required to set up those first couple chapters.
rouver's review against another edition
3.0
Ok, let me get it off my chest: Go read Ender's Game by Card. It's my favoritestest book ever & is written by this author.
This book is another in the long line of books in the Ender's Game universe. It read more like an extended novella...but wait, isn't that the definition of a novel? Weeellll, not the way Card writes them.
Bean (one of the main-ish characters from Ender's Game) is hurtling through space at near-light speeds with 3 of his genetically enhanced children. While the changes to their genes has turned them into geniuses, it's also turned off the growth control of their bodies. They never stop growing, resulting in death in their 30's. Time has 'slowed' for them on their flight, giving scientists a chance to cure their disease. Their path takes them past an inhabitable planet, where they encounter a ship of unknown origin. Since humanity was nearly wiped out with their first encounter with another life form, they must decide if they should stop (& spend some of their valuable time).
I was glad this book was short. I just didn't get completely engrossed in it...the children were named in honor of people Bean knew growing up & Card ended up writing them almost exactly the same. It became a lot more interesting once they discover the alien ship & the ending was moving, though. I think to completely appreciate this book, you'd not only have to read Ender's Game, but several others in the series. It's been so long since I've read them, I honestly don't remember. While Ender's Game is my favorite, the series as a whole isn't. The other books aren't nearly as enthralling.
This book is another in the long line of books in the Ender's Game universe. It read more like an extended novella...but wait, isn't that the definition of a novel? Weeellll, not the way Card writes them.
Bean (one of the main-ish characters from Ender's Game) is hurtling through space at near-light speeds with 3 of his genetically enhanced children. While the changes to their genes has turned them into geniuses, it's also turned off the growth control of their bodies. They never stop growing, resulting in death in their 30's. Time has 'slowed' for them on their flight, giving scientists a chance to cure their disease. Their path takes them past an inhabitable planet, where they encounter a ship of unknown origin. Since humanity was nearly wiped out with their first encounter with another life form, they must decide if they should stop (& spend some of their valuable time).
I was glad this book was short. I just didn't get completely engrossed in it...the children were named in honor of people Bean knew growing up & Card ended up writing them almost exactly the same. It became a lot more interesting once they discover the alien ship & the ending was moving, though. I think to completely appreciate this book, you'd not only have to read Ender's Game, but several others in the series. It's been so long since I've read them, I honestly don't remember. While Ender's Game is my favorite, the series as a whole isn't. The other books aren't nearly as enthralling.
thesmudge's review
4.0
This was the fourth and final book in the Ender's Shadow series. And boy was it different. Suffice to say that it continues after the third book but this story is about Bean (the Giant) and his three children on the ship traveling through space. Because it was such a different setting and story from the other sequels I found it very interesting. Also the book is short in comparison to the others so it was a quick read. I read it on my Kindle and it was an enhanced book with illustrations which were kind of cool.
I've heard that some day the author will write a book to join the Ender series to the Shadow series which this book certainly would allow. I look forward to that.
I've heard that some day the author will write a book to join the Ender series to the Shadow series which this book certainly would allow. I look forward to that.