Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Yes, I finally read this classic sci-fi and enjoyed it. The plot is strong, and there’s an excellent twist that caught me by surprise. The world is fascinating and complex. I struggled at times to get a full picture of the battle scenes in my head, but the war strategies were definitely interesting. I appreciated the contrast and similarities between Ender, his sister, and his brother, as that added some depth to the story.
The reason I gave this 4 stars, instead of 5, is that the voice was off for me. I understand Ender is super smart, but his thoughts and dialogue never matched his developmental age, which has nothing to do with intelligence (yes, my inner-educator is showing).
At first, this wasn’t a problem, because based on his behaviors, thoughts, and dialogue (and even those of his supposedly less intelligent peers), I assumed he was significantly older than he actually was. I also assumed the same of his classmates. Then, when I found out their actual ages, my brain immediately revolted at the disconnect.
Despite that, I would have easily shrugged it off if the author hadn’t continually reminded me about Ender’s young age. I think the constant reminders made it harder for me to let go of that disconnect and stay focused on just enjoying the story for what it is. I think the best solution, if you are sensitive to voice, is to ensure you suspend disbelief in this area, which I obviously struggled with. Despite that, I still really enjoyed this story and am happy that I read it.
Book 63 in 2018
Pages: 324
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