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)

A Science Fiction Classic

4.75 out of 5 stars

This book is as old as I am, and I'm not really sure how that makes me feel. I knew that this was "classic" science fiction, but I honestly didn't know when it was written. I've heard a little about this book just since it's a classic, but I honestly went into this completely blind. I wanted to read an older science fiction book that I didn't read when I was younger, and this was in my Audible queue.

The narration was done by a trio of people who all do a really nice job. I'm honestly not sure who narrated most of it, but he has a deep and booming voice. I found the difference between how Ender's voice probably was and the narration to be an interesting choice, but the subject matter of the book makes it an obvious one. All three narrators do a great job though. I can tell that Macmillan put some thought into this newer audiobook version.

I'm really glad that I picked this up. I wasn't sure what I was jumping into, but it was a ride from beginning to end. I can tell that this book was written for a younger audience than myself, but I still found myself really enjoying it. And honestly, for as young as the main character (and audience) is -- this book had some violence in it.

The character of Ender was so perfectly written. The perfect mix of his brother and sister. A "third" that no one cared about. Who had empathy but also had limits. Who would only hurt someone if they pushed him too far. Also, apparently the perfect candidate that everyone on Earth will need to depend on. Oh yeah, and he's only a child. Not even 10 yet when the start to train him.

The final hour or so of the book really blew my mind. I won't ruin or spoil anything (I mean, even if I do, the book is how old now?) But, honestly after Ender finishes his training -- my mind was blown. Card really pulled a number on me, all these years later he had me totally tricked. I knew something was going to happen, but I didn't expect what did.

Overall, Ender's Game was a pretty enjoyable YA Sci-Fi Classic. It has definitely stood the test of time. This could have been written yesterday or 30 years ago like it was. A story that is told this well will stand the test of time. Ender's Game is a testament to that.

Must Listen.

I'm not sure what I can say that hasn't been said...this is a great story that every kid (uh...older kid...with parent's approval) and adult should have on the list of books they've read (or listened to). Performance is excellent.

You could stop after listening to this one - the story does come to an end. However, Speaker for the Dead is next, and is, in my opinion, better...

Why Did I Wait So Long to Read This Book?

Fantastic. Everything from the writing to the cast performances (Scott Brick is superb,) is top shelf stuff. Ender's Game isn't an epic story with deep themes running through it; on the contrary, the themes presented are actually fairly familiar and easy to grasp. But the combination of Card's writing skill and Brick's narration are such that you feel a great empathy with Ender, and recognize things in Ender--doubts, fears, loves--that everyone can, in some degree, recognize in themselves. Ender's Game is akin to watching an Olympic high diver perform a flawless, medal winning dive: The experience is short, and there's not a lot to what you are watching, but what you do see for that brief moment is beautiful and the masterful skill of the diver is obvious and much appreciated. As such, Ender's Game is very easy to applaud.

Awesome book

Awesome book. Just became probably my favorite sci-fi books and now i've download the next book in the series, "Speaker for the dead" and am looking forward to reading it.

Good, Not Sure It Iives Up To The Hype

Would you listen to Ender's Game again? Why?

Not really, Not that it isn't a fun listen once, but unless I decide to listen to the rest of the series, probably not.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Blah. The end feels rushed. Not like he tried to put too much in a small space but like there isn't enough. There are specific things i wished he had addressed as for the ending and this is my main problem with it which i will explain more on in the Additional Comments.

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

Ender, honestly. I just liked the way he sounded, idk any other way to explain it.

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

Seriously? Would 'This Is Not A Game' work?

Any additional comments?

So, i know i'm probably going to be crucified for this but, i just didn't enjoy the book as much as I had hoped.

(SPOILERS) The end was the part that fell apart for me. When Ender beat the last 'game' in Command School and Mazer Rackham said "You you just won the war!" (I'm paraphrasing) IT felt like a cop out to me. BUT hold on! Not the basic idea, more the execution. The idea is interesting and surprising. While it was surprising, it didn't feel as powerful as it should have. I really can't explain it well. To me it was just to 'BLAH'. I.. hmm, i was just to not concerned i guess.

Then the human war happened after the Bugger threat was gone, cool right?! WRONG we got to see zip of that war, we've had Bean's perspective of things and could have through some of the war, but no, all we got was Ender's rehab. Huh?

No, i know that the story was originally a Short Story and i am impressed at the way Orson Scott Card turned it into a full on novel. But the end, like I said, it felt rushed and I feel I would have enjoyed the Short Story more than the novel.

I know, I Know! Crucify, Crucify!!!! But I'm just being honest and feel this doesn't quite live up to the hype

Fantastic Story, Mediocre Performance

This is probably one of the best stories I've ever read. It has action, aliens, and so much more! The best part is that it teaches such a valuable lesson. It was truly fantastic for readers/listeners of any age.
The unfortunate part about this book were the performances. I'm not being sexist but the guys were okay...it was the girl that would read Valentine's parts that drove me nuts! She sounded like an over-dramatic high schooler. However, I will give the cast credit. I started the next book in the series and the narrations are much better.
Overall, this book is definitely worth the listen.

Wondeful production of a truly great book!

Ender's Game shows up in the top 3 best ever science fiction books of everyone I have ever known (that had such a list). No other book holds that honor. So I say it's the best written yet.

Now that was the book. I expected to just hear someone read the book and that would have been cool, BUT there are several people on this audiobook. They don't turn it into a play, but there is a natural flow and interesting other voices are used to draw you in deeper than if you were reading it.

The epilog and the interview with orson Scott Card can't be found anywhere else.

This production is a cut above most other audiobooks, a must have!

Ender's Game!

I loved this book in paper, and it's great on my ipod! If not the best, then as close as it gets.

My first review. I'm a believer.

As a died in the wool espionage novel reader this book and its summary would never have intrigued me. Having read nothing but Ludlum, Clancy, Littel, Koontz and other espionage/mystery authors over the past year or two I decided to try something new. Relying on best seller lists and reader reviews the high rating of this virtually jumped from the page. Why not take a plunge? This was simply one of the best investments I have made! Running back to get more in this series.

Great use of different readers to adequately project the characters (always hate when one reader tries to do all of the characters including characters of the opposite sex). Story development thorough and intriguing. Never lost my interest. Couldn't wait to get back to it.

Outstanding work. Its not a 4.7, 4.8 or 4.9, a full 5.0!

a thriller inn the true sense of the word

i had never heard of this book or the author before listening. boy was I surprised. Right from the book grabs you and doesn't let go. From the pulse pounding action to the perfect vocals. This book is a true joy from start to finish.