Speaker for the Dead (Ender #2 or 3) by Orson Scott Card 3.5/5 stars

Hey, guys!  About two years ago, I read Ender's Game (great sci-fi book by the way) and was afraid to read the sequel, thinking it would ruin it.  Speaker for the Dead was very different from Ender's Game but still good.

Speaker for the Dead was the second book written in the Ender universe and is the intended sequel. Another book, Ender in Exile was added between Ender's Game and Speaker for the Dead about twenty years later.  I decided to read it in publication order. So this book is the 2nd or 3rd depending on your viewpoint.  Either way, Speaker for the Dead is mostly a standalone, with Ender's Game providing context.

The Cover:

The Cover:
It shows some spaceships.  Nothing really to do with the story and it doesn't catch my attention.  C- cover

Official Description:
In the aftermath of his terrible war, Ender Wiggin disappeared, and a powerful voice arose: the Speaker for the Dead, who told of the true story of the Bugger War.
Now long years later, a second alien race has been discovered, but again the aliens’ ways are strange and frightening…again, humans die. And it is only the Speaker for the Dead, who is also Ender Wiggin the Xenocide, who has the courage to confront the mystery…and the truth.

My Review:
Speaker for the Dead had a very different style to Ender's Game.  The writing itself seemed more mature.

The characters were fun, if not extraordinary.  You could tell them apart, and the relationships developed in interesting ways as the story continued.

The plot was fast-moving with plenty of unexpected developments.  Ender and the other characters try to understand the piggies (the aliens).  How does their society work and what causes them to kill humans so brutally? As the mysteries of the piggies are revealed, the character's secrets are revealed too.

Large portions of the book spend time talking about religion and ethics.  It was interesting but droned on a bit too long.

Overall, I liked Speaker for the Dead.  It was a fast read without any real problems, but it wasn't memorable.  It was a fine sequel, but pales compared to Ender's Game.

Phrase:
Father trees

If You Liked This Book, You May Also Like:
Ender's Game
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The Dark Side of Nowhere
Speeding Bullet

If you're looking for a good book, check out my Suggestions Page!

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Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card (Awesome)

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This review is adapted from a book review I did for school so it will be formatted a little differently than most of my posts. Basically, this is a classic book that was so much better than I could have ever possibly hoped!
Here we go:


Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card is a futuristic science fiction novel that follows the story of a young boy, Ender, as he is chosen to go to Battle School. Once there, he learns how to lead armies into battle against alien invaders. At Battle School, he faces many obstacles, from jealous bullies to the complex plans for the upcoming mock battles. If Ender does not succeed in becoming the commander that his superiors expect him to be, mankind will surely become a doomed race. Orson Scott Card uses Ender’s struggles to highlight the intelligence of youth, the effect of isolation from others, and the difficulties and responsibilities of leadership. He also shows the importance of unity against all types of foes.

Orson Scott Card told Ender’s story in a comprehensive and concise fashion. The book’s voice was the perfect balance of formal and informal, not so formal that it detracts from the story and not so informal that the plot does not come across. The author’s writing style helps the book even more because it is aimed at young adults, who are more likely to read a book that does not include long, boring descriptions. While there still were descriptions, they did not play as large of a role in Ender’s Game as in other books which made the novel a quick and easy read.

The book is told through the eyes of the main character, Ender, who was very relatable. Despite being in his unique position, Ender was a very understandable character.  It was impossible not to be on his side. All of his issues became the reader’s issues as they read along with him.  The supporting characters were also very realistic. Even if they were not likable, the reader could understand their motives and actions.  The author of this book was very gifted at creating characters whom could have easily been real, and he was skilled about making the reader care about what happens to them. This attribute made the story very engaging and increased the enjoyability of the book.

Ender’s Game’s storyline was very fast paced and intriguing, which made the whole book very exciting for the reader; therefore, it went by quickly. It kept the readers on the edge of their seats in anticipation of what would happen to the characters next. Twists and turns were peppered throughout this story.  There was a new shocking discovery in every chapter. This contributed to the story being surprising and fresh.  Despite being published in the mid eighties, it is a timeless story. It felt as if it could happen anywhere from two to two thousand years in the future. This added to the realistic quality of the work and helped the book connect with its readers.

Even though it is set in the future, this book was very easy to relate to because it includes themes that we all experience in day to day life. For example, loneliness and responsibility play big roles. Ender’s Game is a classical science fiction novel that all people should read, regardless of their age. It is one of the few books that I believe deserves the awards that decorate its cover. It has all of the qualities that make it an instant favorite to all those who read it.  This book was a superbly written story that will positively affect every person who reads it. I would, without a doubt, recommend Orson Scott Card’s Ender’s Game.

*End of Official Book Review*

Phrase:
"Oh, Bugger off!"

Thanks for reading!