Ender's Shadow

The Book in 1 Sentence

Another look at the Ender's Game story, from a much more observant individual, who is more influential to the world around him than anyone knows.

Brief Review

This book is everything you want in a book about fighting a war, centuries in the making. The writing is really well done and told in such a way that it tells an independent story as well as a story that enriches something so well done. The characters are interesting, and the story does a great job of calling out some of the more plot hole parts of the original book.

Why I Read this book

Love this book. I've read this series at least 5 times.

In-Depth Review (Favorite Quotes)

The character of Bean is really well done. I find the intro to be a bit difficult to digest as an adult because there is a lot of "I just knew this." I don't mind him in the end of the book, but in the beginning he was an ass. Bean also does some of the smartest things in the universe and is able to provide a lot of depth. There is a lot of a caveat to that depth and that is you kind of need to have read or know the story of Ender's Game.

I remember reading this book the first time and just being pulled into the additional story of Bean vs. Achilles. Also, the idea of "What comes next" is much more prevalent in this book. You have a significant stream of thoughts about what happens after the war. Who will the kids belong to. When I was reading this when I was younger, it really was my first introduction to the domino effect in real life. I know that after reading this and the rest of the books in the series I very much find myself thinking more about the next step. Especially in pool.

Where this book doesn't do as well for me is the other kids. The adults are fine, being well-thought-out and honestly some the better characters in the book. Speaking specifically of Sister Carlotta and Colonel Graff. They adjust to Bean rather than just being a middle point in the story. That is the kids. They are there without any real growth other than "of Bean is smart."

Rating

It is really hard for me to separate these books. However, they are companion novels and not sequels which is the point. One book providing more context and level to the other. I spent so much time trying to write a review without mentioning the other book, but there is layer and layer of threads that step on each other so it is impossible. I do love this book, and think that this series is a better encompassing story compared to the Ender story. Every part of me wants to give it a 9, but I think that the need for Ender's Game to be known to understand a lot of it makes it hard to read alone. I am going to give it an 8.

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