Humanity has survived two invasions by an insect-like alien species nicknamed the buggers and is preparing for the next war. The international military searches for gifted children who might become commanders, and Andrew 'Ender' Wiggin, a third child in a society that restricts families to two, is selected at the age of six and sent to Battle School in orbit.
At Battle School, Ender's teachers deliberately isolate him and push him to the limit. Students compete in armies in a zero-gravity battle room, and Ender's unconventional tactics quickly make him a star and a target. On Earth his siblings, the menacing Peter and compassionate Valentine, pursue their own plan to shape world politics through pseudonymous essays on the networks.
Card expanded the novel from a 1977 short story. It explores the manipulation of children, the ethics of war, empathy for the enemy and the loneliness of exceptional talent. It won both the Hugo and Nebula Awards, is often read by teenagers and military cadets alike, and was followed by Speaker for the Dead and a large series of sequels.
Book details
| Author | Orson Scott Card |
|---|---|
| First published | 1985 |
| Original language | English |
| Genre | Science fiction |
| Type | Fiction |
| Pages (approx.) | 324 |
| Setting | Battle School, an orbiting military academy, and Earth, in the future |
| Awards | Nebula Award for Best Novel 1985, Hugo Award for Best Novel 1986 |
Themes
- Child soldiers
- Manipulation
- Ethics of war
- Empathy
- Isolation
Who should read it
Teens and adults who enjoy military science fiction with strategy and moral weight.