I love the Orson Scott Card Ender series and Ender’s Shadow Series. Card, who is a Mormon, does an amazing job of blending theology and philosophy into the four volumes (especially the later ones) of the Ender series, and he is just as effective at addressing political and social concerns in the four volumes of the Ender’s Shadow series.
Plus, they are very enjoyable reads.
Just this morning I glanced at Yahoo to see what was in the news. I read with interest the broohahaa over the Pope’s citing of “an obscure Medieval text that characterizes some of the teachings of Islam’s founder as ‘evil and inhuman.'” When I read the article I thought, “Wow, Card is a prophet.” His Ender’s Shadow series foreshadows the world we find ourselves in today.
Then, I took my lunch at Borders Books, and what did I find on the Remainders rack but hard copies of Ender’s Shadow for only $3.99. Argh! I paid retail for it. (But it was definitely worth it!)
So, if you haven’t read the whole eight-volume series. I STRONGLY recommend it. So, get on down to your local Borders and get a copy of Ender’s Shadow while they have it marked down.
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If you happen to live in the Collieville, TX area I have coupons for a free coffee at the New Borders that is opening there this weekend. Just email me and I will forward it to you via email.
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The four books in the original Ender series are:
The four books in the subsequent Ender’s Shadow series are:
Different folk recommend different reading sequences. I think that the best way to read them is:
1. Ender’s Game
2. Enders Shadow
3. Shadow of the Hegemon
4. Shadow Puppets
5. Shadow of the Giant
6. Read Ender’s Game a second time (you will now have a completely different perspetive on it.
7. Speaker For the Dead
8. Xenocide
9. Children of the Mind
If you haven’t read these books, I hope you will. If you have read them, I hope you will comment below to affirm to my other readers that these are truly great books that are not only enjoyable but have plenty of theological, philosophical, and political ideas to keep you thinking about them for years.
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Update: Be aware that the first volume, Ender’s Game, has the least amount of meat. So, don’t be surprised if you read it and find yourself thinking, “What was Kevin talking about?”
