Shadows in Flight

By: Orson Scott Card

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki, Emily Janice Card, Scott Brick, Orson Scott Card, Kirby Heyborne

Length: 6 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's Summary

Ender’s Shadow explores the stars in this all-new novel....

At the end of Shadow of the Giant, Bean flees to the stars with three of his children - the three who share the engineered genes that gave him both hyper-intelligence and a short, cruel physical life. The time dilation granted by the speed of their travel gives Earth’s scientists generations to seek a cure, to no avail. In time, they are forgotten - a fading ansible signal speaking of events lost to Earth’s history.

But the Delphikis are about to make a discovery that will let them save themselves, and perhaps all of humanity in days to come. For there in space before them lies a derelict Formic colony ship. Aboard it, they will find both death and wonders - the life support that is failing on their own ship, room to grow, and labs in which to explore their own genetic anomaly and the mysterious disease that killed the ship’s colony.

©2011 Orson Scott Card (P)2012 Macmillan Audio

Great Build Up, and then Just Ends

I have loved all the Ender and Shadow series book so far. I'm reading (listening) to them in chronological order and I have thoroughly enjoying them. When I came up to this story, I was very excited to see what happened to Bean and his three children after they entered the spaceship. I think that this story allowed us to see exactly that. We got to meet his children, all grown up and brilliant and immature. The performance by all the readers is amazing and had me engulfed in the story.

As the story progressed, I loved every minute of it: the relationship between Bean and his children, the relationships between each of the children, the power struggle between the two boys, and the exploration of the ship. When the end neared, I could not sense it, which I am usually able to do. Then it ended and I was left hanging, waiting for the second half of the book to begin.

As Card explained in the author's note, this was an experiment of a half-novel to see if there was a market for such a length. Honestly, I think that this was not long enough to stand on its own as a book, especially when one compares it to the lengths of his other Ender and Shadow novels. I would declare this experiment a failure. It was too short. This could have worked if this was the first book in a series or a stand-alone book. However, to introduce a half-novel in the middle of a series of full length novels was not the smartest of ideas.

14 of 14 people found this review helpful

Excellent addition to the "Enderverse"

Would you listen to Shadows in Flight again? Why?

Yes, it is chock full of nuances, information and mysteries that I love about this series.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Shadows in Flight?

The discovery of the mystery ship, and the processes Bean and the kids go through to determine what they should do.

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narrators are the same as previous Shadow and Ender books, and I love that they have kept it consistent over the years. I also love that the author has personal involvement in the production of the audiobooks.
Seperate voices for each character helps distinguish each point of view (since they are often so different) is great, the personality each voice lends to the characters is important, and a great decision made by the producers.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The end, I wont spoil it, but I shed a couple tears.

Any additional comments?

This is a short novel, according to Card, he felt he had to tell this story before telling another story (coming soon I presume) and the length is just right. If you have listened to and enjoyed previous Shadow or Ender stories, you will love this one, and I think it is as good as the best of these series. Even though it is shorter than most novels of Cards, I did not feel cheated or that the length was not worth my purchase, I might suggest just paying the purchase price, rather than your monthly credit, if you want to maximize your value.
I love the fact that Orson Scott Card has little "commentaries" at the end of his books, its like getting a short "Bonus feature" like you get on DVD's. I wish more authors did this (I think Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter did this as well). This bonus adds even more value to my purchase, thank you Mr. Card!

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

OSC again conveys his clear insight into humanity.

Any additional comments?

I'm a huge fan of OSC and most especially of the Enderverse novels however that last two full length novels he has written in this series, A War of Gifts and Ender in Exile felt a bit like fluff. Sure if you are a Card junkie like me then you'll want to read them but they are only adding a little icing to a story to was finished long ago. Shadows in Flight finally gets back to the story fans like me have been waiting for years. What happens to Bean and his children after they leave earth. Even though its a shorter book, it didn't seem like filler between novels but a new story that needed telling and OSC does it with his usual finesse.
It was a great listen with such an amazing cast of narrators. I don't know what I'm going to when the movie comes out and I hear voices other than Stephen Rudniki or Scott Brick. It just won't seem right after so long of listening to them do it so well.
Can't wait for Shadows Alive.

29 of 34 people found this review helpful

Scratches the Enderverse itch

My tenth read in the Ender’s Game series, and with all the prequels and sequels, I’m not exactly sure where I am in the “Enderverse.” Anyway, this is one of the shorter novels, and involves Beane hurtling through space at near light speed with three of his children, searching for a cure to the gigantism that will kill them by age 20. I enjoyed it well enough, especially the flashes of that same brilliant imagination present in most of these books. However, I wouldn’t recommend it unless you know all the backstory.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

I didn't realize I liked Bean this much.

Hello. I am a fan of fantasy books but I often delve into the scifi genre, especially when Orseon Scott Card is the author. I am a huge fan of Ender's Game and the sequels involving Ender and Valentine. I stayed away from the other books involving Peter the Hegemon and Bean because they didn't involve Ender, at least not directly. Boy, was I wrong to do so. I sampled the free preview for this book and found myself wanting to know more. I really enjoyed this book and although I wish it had ended differently (I won't say how because I don't reveal spoilers) butI'm hoping in the future Mr Card will continue on with this story line. It is not Ender but it is enjoyable in its own right. The characters pull you in and as always, the author's writing style keeps you reading. Often I plan on spending maybe 30 miuntes but end up putting it down 2 hours later. Card's talent shines throughout this book.

If you like Ender and his "universe", you will enjoy this book. One thing I think I should add.....I didn't read the previous (I think it was 3) books in this series and I didn't feel I missed out on anything in this book because of it. Sure, I would have known more of the back story if I had read the earlier books and sometime I will go back and read them because as the Title above states, I didn't realize I liked Bean this much.

Thanks
--Wesley

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Loved it......

Would you listen to Shadows in Flight again? Why?

Great continuation of the story....

Any additional comments?

Would like to have seen a way for Bean to continue.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Connects the Ender and Bean storylines

Some of the reviews indicate that this novel was awful but I respectively disagree. While it wasn't as good as Ender's Game or Ender's Shadow, it was a lot better than some of the other books in the series. This novel draws a connection between the Ender and Bean storyliness. It might be confusing if you haven't read those books.

I enjoyed the novel. It was quite short, so it wasn't a huge investment of time like some of the others. However, I was left wandering about the new characters and would be interested in reading more about them.

The narration was great. Each character had a unique narrator. My favourite was Scott Brick as Bean.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Not Card's best, but worth the read

I am a long time fan of this series and enjoyed the read. If you are new to the series go back and start with Ender's Game first. If you have already read the series up to this point why are you wasting time reading my review? Not the best in the series, but good. If you've read everything so far this one is a must. For me the best narration is the type that becomes a transparent vehicle for the story. My highest praise for narration is that I didn't notice it. I didn't notice it here. If you love the Ender series definitely read this book. If you are new go to the beginning as this story really depends on you having a history with the character Bean. I have loved this series since beginning it in high school. If you've some how missed the series you have to go and read it from the beginning.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Very Short, not at par with earlier books

What made the experience of listening to Shadows in Flight the most enjoyable?

The Cast was Amazing

Would you be willing to try another book from Orson Scott Card? Why or why not?

Yes, this is the first one, i didn't enjoy of the 20+ i have read.

What about the narrators???s performance did you like?

Voice and emotion of the reading

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

none

Any additional comments?

I hope he gives up on this Short Book experiment. Its fine for new stories, but not on sequel

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

sad and confused...

I have never disliked any book/story from Mr Card before the one. The story felt forced and I did not really connect to the characters , except for Bean and only due to the other books in the series. I found the afterword more interesting then the story. To readers new to the enderverse start with the beginning on the shadow series or Ender's Game. I think that only real enderverse fans will appreciate this book and even then will not be high on the reread list.

22 of 29 people found this review helpful

fitting finale for Bean.

fitting finale for Bean. would have (selfishly) loved more. a poignant ending that felt satisfying.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful