Ender's Game

Special 20th Anniversary Edition

By: Orson Scott Card

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki, Harlan Ellison, Gabrielle de Cuir

Length: 11 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Winner of the Hugo and Nebula Awards

In order to develop a secure defense against a hostile alien race's next attack, government agencies breed child geniuses and train them as soldiers. A brilliant young boy, Andrew "Ender" Wiggin lives with his kind but distant parents, his sadistic brother Peter, and the person he loves more than anyone else, his sister Valentine. Peter and Valentine were candidates for the soldier-training program but didn't make the cut - young Ender is the Wiggin drafted to the orbiting Battle School for rigorous military training.

Ender's skills make him a leader in school and respected in the Battle Room, where children play at mock battles in zero gravity. Yet growing up in an artificial community of young soldiers Ender suffers greatly from isolation, rivalry from his peers, pressure from the adult teachers, and an unsettling fear of the alien invaders. His psychological battles include loneliness, fear that he is becoming like the cruel brother he remembers, and fanning the flames of devotion to his beloved sister. Is Ender the general Earth needs?

But Ender is not the only result of the genetic experiments. The war with the Buggers has been raging for a hundred years, and the quest for the perfect general has been underway for almost as long. Ender's two older siblings are every bit as unusual as he is, but in very different ways. Between the three of them lie the abilities to remake a world. If, that is, the world survives.

Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game is the winner of the 1985 Nebula Award for Best Novel and the 1986 Hugo Award for Best Novel.

Browse more titles in the Ender Wiggin series.

©1977, 1985, 1991 Orson Scott Card (P)2002 Fantastic Audio, an imprint of Audio Literature

Critic reviews

• Nebula Award Winner, Best Novel, 1985

• Hugo Award Winner, Best Novel, 1986

"'Intense' is the word for Ender's Game." (The New York Times)

Bad ass

Where does Ender's Game rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I'd say this book ranks highest in my favorite audio books. Wonderful story, no questions asked.

Any additional comments?

This audio had me wrapped in the story like I was experiencing it myself. It never got boring and had me longing for more after it was over. It was full of adventure, bravery and raw emotion. I listened intently onto every word. It was just that good. I'd recommend to anyone who loves a good read or audio book.

Epic beginning to an amazing series

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I was rather late coming to the Ender's Game series, and started with the 20th anniversary edition as my first venture into the world of the "Ender-verse". Since starting I have never looked back. This book is a great listen not only for the great story, but for the performances of the voice cast.

The Best Book I've Read In My Entire Life

Where does Ender's Game rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is my favorite book of all time. It is such a good read, and I've read it many times. Each time I read it I learn something new. The first time is awesome, the other times, you start to realize little details that OSC has put in the book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Ender's Game?

Obviously the end is amazing but Ender's transformation throughout the book is awesome.

Have you listened to any of Stefan Rudnicki and Harlan Ellison ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Not yet.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The first time is a shock. Read it again after a few years. I read it in Junior High, then again in high school. Now after college I read it again and each time I learn something new, or identify something I learned from school.

Any additional comments?

This should be a mandatory read in school.

Amazing narration of a great book

I had numerous friends tell me to read Ender's Game, but never really got around to it. After signing up for Audible I thought I would go ahead and give it a try... wow.

The book itself is truly great - I am not a Sci-fi fan at all, but this story is fantastic. However, that is not what impressed me the most. Don't get me wrong, I am currently planning to acquire at least a few more of Orson Scott Card's books, but it was the narration in this audio book that really blew me away.

I have only listened to a few audio books before this, but none have them have come anywhere near as engrossing as this one (in terms of narration) It is truly spot on in Ender's Game and all the narrators were damn near perfect. An excellent listen!

Great Story with interesting twist

Would you consider the audio edition of Ender's Game to be better than the print version?

I think they are on par, I did enjoy being able to listen to it on the way to and from work

What was one of the most memorable moments of Ender's Game?

The ending was great. Quite a twist. Happy ending!

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

I liked there were multiple narrators, and they seemed to get into it.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Never count out a third

Any additional comments?

Great story. entertaining!

The fringe of the end of human kind

loved this audiobook. it was my first and I'd recommend anyone and everyone to listen to this novel. An unreal situation that, if pushed to the right lengths, could be a possible outcome for human kind.

Great Great Classic

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Definately would recommend this. Even for people who are not Sci-Fi fans (I am not) this is an excellent, yeah and even more than excellent book. Written by one of the great authors of our time.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ender, He is super Bad-A@# as the kids might say.

Which character – as performed by Stefan Rudnicki and Harlan Ellison – was your favorite?

Mazer Rackam

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Surprising ending, good twist, a very satisfying way to end.

Good for pre-teens

I the mystery and science fiction of this book. I'm sure that you will enjoy it as well.

Amazing book, Thank you!

The whole package here. Great production and narration. Superb story! I love the audio book so much that I will buy the book.

Easily a top ten listen.

Where does Ender's Game rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

A friend of mine found this book on a bench someone left and loved it so much he gave it to me. I shared his opinion and have since purchased the audio book and listened to this over and over again over the years(I bet you cant use over 3 times in one sentence). I cant recommend this more for science fiction lovers. The narration is good but i wish they would redo this with better audio production.