aylasultana's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
It's slightly slower-placed than Ender's Game and decidedly less racist.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Bullying, Colonisation, Xenophobia, and Gore
Moderate: Pandemic/Epidemic and Domestic abuse
Minor: Terminal illness, Incest, and Genocide
minty's review against another edition
4.0
Where Ender's Game is a book of military strategy, Speaker for the Dead is a treatise on anthropology (thought they wouldn't call it that). I really enjoyed this book, and all the nuances raised; it reminded me of another book about an alien species, The Sparrow. I probably would rate this 4.5 stars if I could; it's not as good as Ender's Game but it's still very good.
themaggiemch's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was a thoroughly enjoyable read, and I flew through it. I loved the characters, but I especially loved the piggies and their world. Card did a fantastic job world-building and characterizing the people.
jeannamarie's review against another edition
3.0
Speaker of the Dead started really boring after Ender’s Game. Then there was a twist, where I became immediately invested. Then it went into a slower pace and was a tad boring again. The ending picked up pretty well.
If you’re looking for an action type novel, similar to Ender’s Game, this probably will be difficult to get through; however, if you’re looking for a more cerebral story with deeper meaning, this is good. Sometimes I felt a bit lost in terms of where we were and the religious discussions felt unrelated to the troupes in Ender’s Game and a little preachy.
I did listen to the author’s note and that helped, but hearing that Speaker of the Dead was the original book and Ender’s Game was the secondary book felt off. Ender’s Game is so well known and more exciting and heartbreaking. It leaves an impression. This book does not for me. I will keep reading the series and am excited for what’s in store for some of the new and old characters, but semi let down about the overall quality.
If you’re looking for an action type novel, similar to Ender’s Game, this probably will be difficult to get through; however, if you’re looking for a more cerebral story with deeper meaning, this is good. Sometimes I felt a bit lost in terms of where we were and the religious discussions felt unrelated to the troupes in Ender’s Game and a little preachy.
I did listen to the author’s note and that helped, but hearing that Speaker of the Dead was the original book and Ender’s Game was the secondary book felt off. Ender’s Game is so well known and more exciting and heartbreaking. It leaves an impression. This book does not for me. I will keep reading the series and am excited for what’s in store for some of the new and old characters, but semi let down about the overall quality.
shua_too's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
psydneigh's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I feel like this book perfectly describes the human condition. Only thing I dont buy is Ender and Novinha’s relationship. I don’t feel the love.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Ableism, Colonisation, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Grief, Infertility, Alcoholism, Chronic illness, and Death of parent
garrodot's review against another edition
5.0
About as unrelated to Ender's Game as possible, but still a phenomenal book. I was totally surprised at how broad and philosophical and spiritual this book was, compared to the internal, brutal style of Ender's Game. A beautiful piece of humanist reading with a pretty thrilling anthropological mystery at its core.
raj_page's review against another edition
5.0
Can I give this book 6 stars? Please.
As I recently read Ender's game, when I started this book, I expected more space fights and strategies but what I got was something way better.
How to define this book? Doctor Who + Star Trek + Something special
What do people really know about us? Everyone who one of our various masks. But is that really who we are? How will people remember us after our death?
A Speaker for the dead investigates and finds who the person really was when they were alive. Then the speaker 'speaks' and show everyone who the real person behind all the fake masks was.
On this distant planet, the 'piggies', an intelligent but primitive alien race killed a human Xenologer without provocation. A speaker has been called.
As I recently read Ender's game, when I started this book, I expected more space fights and strategies but what I got was something way better.
How to define this book? Doctor Who + Star Trek + Something special
What do people really know about us? Everyone who one of our various masks. But is that really who we are? How will people remember us after our death?
A Speaker for the dead investigates and finds who the person really was when they were alive. Then the speaker 'speaks' and show everyone who the real person behind all the fake masks was.
On this distant planet, the 'piggies', an intelligent but primitive alien race killed a human Xenologer without provocation. A speaker has been called.