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A War of Gifts  By  cover art

A War of Gifts

By: Orson Scott Card
Narrated by: Scott Brick, Stefan Rudnicki
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Publisher's summary

The human race is at war with an insect-like alien race. The first battles went badly, and now Earth prepares to defend itself against the imminent threat of total destruction at the hands of an inscrutable alien enemy. All focus is on the development and training of generals who can fight such a war - and win.

The long distances of interstellar space have given hope to the defenders of Earth; they have time to train these future commanders from childhood, forging them into an irresistible force in the high-orbital facility called the Battle School.

At Battle School, there is only one purpose, only one curriculum: the strategy and tactics of war. The children are drawn from all nations, all races, all religions. There is no room for cultural differences, no room for religious observances, and certainly no room for Santa Claus.

But the young warriors disagree. When one of them leaves a Sinterklaas Day gift in his best friend's shoe, that quiet act of rebellion becomes the first shot in a war of wills that the staff of Battle School never bargained for.

©2007 Orson Scott Card (P)2007 Audio Renaissance, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishers LLC

Critic reviews

"A heartwarming novella for the holidays....Exploring themes of tolerance and compassion, this story about stuffing stockings is, fittingly, a perfect stocking stuffer for science-fiction fans of all ages." ( Publishers Weekly)

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What listeners say about A War of Gifts

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A War of Gifts

It didn’t really add much to the overall story but I found it entertaining. Definitely worth a read / listen if you’re an Ender fan.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

A neat addition to the Ender series...

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Probably not. This story doesn't really add anything significant to the Ender's series.

Any additional comments?

This is a nice side story to the Ender series, but not really significant to the story. The last chapter does highlight Ender's abilities to motivate and lead.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

not bad no good either

It is an ok short story, to much of a religious overtone. Doesn't really add anything to the enderverse. First Meetings only adds a bit this ads nothing to the overall story of ender. just a side note more then anything, waste of a credit.

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36 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Short, but good.

Nice short story. Classic Card/Rudnicki. Can't wait until the next 2nd book in the Formic War series.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Well Done

Loved this book, Orson just keeps getting better and better. This book was short and sweet. I wanted it to continue, but it didn't really need to either.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Psychological character study in Ender's universe

3.5 of 5 stars.

'A War of Gifts" is a portrait of psychologically-subverted child abuse using Ender's training school as a backdrop. This story could have easily used any time or place as a vehicle which is why I gave the story average marks - I was expecting something closer or more relatable to other stories I had read in that universe.

While both narrators are normally excellent when reading stories in their entirety, I found their blended performances were distracting and incongruous.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

irrelevant book

This book while it was performed very well it was a drabble to listen to happy story that was very lacking the story is irrelevant to the Ender series

The book was short and the story was very honey interesting had had some emotional peaks but did nothing for the series at all

The book also left a lot of unanswered questions, what happened to Zack's mother what was in the Stocking , Hyderabad a school continue from Zacks point of view.

I do not regret finishing this book in its entirety I just Regret buying it

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

great add on to the series

I think my only problem with this book is it seems a little short besides that 5/5

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Too short

Great fun just too short! I wish they’d tell the story after the war already.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

great quick read.

If you like the winter holidays, and seeing End lose a fight to win the hearts and minds, and a war (that really was not his in the first place), then this book is for you. Even if you hate Christmas, you'll get a look into the struggles of Battle School and get to know the young men and Petra that make up Ender's Jeesh.

thanks OSC, you did it again.

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