Who Would Like This Book:
If you're a devoted fan of the Ender saga and enjoy character-driven, philosophical science fiction, you'll find plenty to chew on here. The book explores big questions about consciousness, identity, and the nature of the soul, all set against the ticking clock of galactic catastrophe. Card's worldbuilding expands to new worlds and cultures, and for those who loved Jane or wanted to see how the fates of Ender, Peter, and Valentine play out, this finale offers closure and some intriguing narrative twists. If you like your sci-fi with introspective depth, interpersonal tension, and a dash of metaphysics, this book could be your jam.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Readers looking for the thrill and tight plotting of 'Ender's Game' or 'Speaker for the Dead' might be disappointed here. The story gets weighed down by heavy philosophical debates, lots of soul-searching, and some magical-feeling sci-fi elements that stretch believability for some. There’s less action, more internal drama, and characters that can sometimes frustrate or irritate. If deus ex machina solutions or meandering plotlines without clear stakes bug you, this book may make your eyes glaze over. Fans of 'hard' sci-fi or those wanting strong closure to every mystery might also walk away unsatisfied.
About:
'Children of the Mind' is the final book in the Ender's Game series where the fate of the Lusitania colony is at stake as they face the threat of destruction from the Starfleet Congress. The story revolves around the characters of Ender, Jane, Miro, and a new cast, as they navigate through complex ethical and philosophical dilemmas while striving to save themselves and the sentient species of Lusitania. The narrative is described as delving into metaphysical themes, challenging readers to ponder on the essence of identity and existence, especially through the character of Ender.
The writing style of 'Children of the Mind' is noted for its deep exploration of philosophical and ethical questions, intertwined with intricate science fiction elements. The plot is characterized as tying up loose ends from the previous book, 'Xenocide', and focusing on resolving the impending conflict between the various sentient species on Lusitania. The book is praised for its character development, particularly in the case of Jane, and its ability to create a satisfying conclusion to the Ender Quartet series.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
The narrative contains themes of emotional distress, moral dilemmas, and familial disputes.
Has Romance?
The book features moderate elements of romance, particularly through character relationships and emotional connections.
From The Publisher:
Children of the Mind is the fourth book in New York Times bestslling author Orson Scott Card's classic science fiction The Ender Saga-newly repackaged.
Ratings (64)
Incredible (8) | |
Loved It (23) | |
Liked It (13) | |
It Was OK (15) | |
Did Not Like (5) |
Reader Stats (99):
Read It (75) | |
Currently Reading (2) | |
Want To Read (17) | |
Did Not Finish (1) | |
Not Interested (4) |
2 comment(s)
3.8/5
Idk what I expected from this book, but this was not what I thought it would be. I really liked the philosophical development of what was introduced at the end of the previous book, but it didn't feel like much happened. What I can say, when things were happening, they were gripping and visceral.
And that’s the first Ender series finished!
I listened to the first three in audio form (library didn’t have the audiobook for this) so actually reading was kind of weird. That and it’s been a while since I read the other books so half of the details were lost to the ether and I had to keep looking up summaries.
I really struggled with the first half of this book. Maybe I just wasn’t in the right mood for it, but it felt a little slow (that and I kept reading it before bed and falling asleep). It proved to be just as introspective and challenging and surprisingly emotional as the rest of the series. I love the way Card’s experiences and research are clearly evidenced, just off the page. I love how I’d be reading along and bam! Bit of poetry on the gentle and reliable nature of real love here; hilarious and witty dialogue there; oh, and we’re back to discussing the nature of humanity.
Yes, I definitely cried at one point, quite to my own (hormonal) surprise.
On one downside, while I like a lot of Card’s ideas and especially how he communicates those ideas, I do not like how he (or at least many of his characters) treats marriage. It’s a little too flippant for my taste. Especially among the cradle Catholics in his cast.
Also how DARE Card make me sympathize with Peter 2.0?
What can you read after
Children of the Mind?
About the Author:
Orson Scott Card is best known for his science fiction novel Ender's Game and its many sequels that expand the Ender Universe into the far future and the near past. Those books are organized into the Ender Saga, which chronicles the life of Ender Wiggin; the Shadow Series, which follows on the novel Ender's Shadow and is set on Earth; and the Formic Wars series, written with co-author Aaron Johnston, which tells of the terrible first contact between humans and the alien Buggers. Card has been a working writer since the 1970s. Beginning with dozens of plays and musical comedies produced in the 1960s and 70s, Card's first published fiction appeared in 1977-the short story Gert Fram in the July issue of The Ensign, and the novelette version of Ender's Game in the August issue of Analog. The novel-length version of Ender's Game, published in 1984 and continuously in print since then, became the basis of the 2013 film, starring Asa Butterfield, Harrison Ford, Ben Kingsley, Hailee Steinfeld, Viola Davis, and Abigail Breslin.
Card was born in Washington state, and grew up in California, Arizona, and Utah. He served a mission for the LDS Church in Brazil in the early 1970s. Besides his writing, he runs occasional writers' workshops and directs plays. He frequently teaches writing and literature courses at Southern Virginia University.
He is the author many science fiction and fantasy novels, including the American frontier fantasy series The Tales of Alvin Maker (beginning with Seventh Son), and stand-alone novels like Pastwatch and Hart's Hope. He has collaborated with his daughter Emily Card on a manga series, Laddertop. He has also written contemporary thrillers like Empire and historical novels like the monumental Saints and the religious novels Sarah and Rachel and Leah. Card's work also includes the Mithermages books ( Lost Gate, Gate Thief), contemporary magical fantasy for readers both young and old.
Card lives in Greensboro, North Carolina, with his wife, Kristine Allen Card. He and Kristine are the parents of five children and several grandchildren.
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