Who Would Like This Book:
This is a thought-provoking, layered sci-fi novel that explores big ideas - empathy, redemption, cultural clashes, and what it really means to understand another being, whether human or alien. Instead of following in Ender’s Game’s action-packed footsteps, Speaker for the Dead dives into anthropology, philosophy, and ethics with fascinating alien species and deeply human stories. If you like your science fiction rich with ideas, emotional depth, and moral complexity, or if you love books that challenge your way of seeing the world (think Ursula K. Le Guin or Isaac Asimov), this one’s for you.
Who May Not Like This Book:
If you’re expecting another fast-paced, military adventure like Ender’s Game, be warned: this book is slower, more contemplative, and heavy on philosophical and ethical debates. Some readers are put off by the slower build, the complex family drama, heavy religious themes, and the often dysfunctional characters. Others are bothered by the preachy tone, dated gender roles, or by the author’s views seeping into the story. And if you’re looking for a pure space battle or non-stop action, this likely won’t hit the mark.
About:
Speaker for the Dead is a thought-provoking sequel to Ender's Game, focusing on Ender Wiggin's journey as a Speaker for the Dead, seeking redemption for past actions. The book delves into complex themes of morality, intercultural relationships, and the consequences of Ender's actions on a new alien race. Orson Scott Card weaves a narrative that challenges readers to reflect on humanity, compassion, and understanding in the face of moral dilemmas and societal conflicts.
Genres:
Tropes/Plot Devices:
Topics:
Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include themes of domestic violence, emotional abuse, and discussions of death and grief.
Has Romance?
There is a moderate presence of romance, primarily revolving around Ender's complex emotional connections and family dynamics.
From The Publisher:
In the aftermath of his terrible war, Ender Wiggin disappeared, and a powerful voice arose: The Speaker for the Dead, who told the true story of the Bugger War.
Now, long years later, a second alien race has been discovered, but again the aliens' ways are strange and frightening...again, humans die. And it is only the Speaker for the Dead, who is also Ender Wiggin the Xenocide, who has the courage to confront the mystery...and the truth.
Speaker for the Dead, the second novel in Orson Scott Card's The Ender Saga, is the winner of the 1986 Nebula Award for Best Novel and the 1987 Hugo Award for Best Novel.
THE ENDER UNIVERSE
Ender series
Ender's Game / Ender in Exile / Speaker for the Dead / Xenocide / Children of the Mind
Ender's Shadow series
Ender's Shadow / Shadow of the Hegemon / Shadow Puppets / Shadow of the Giant / Shadows in Flight
Children of the Fleet
The First Formic War (with Aaron Johnston)
Earth Unaware / Earth Afire / Earth Awakens
The Second Formic War (with Aaron Johnston)
The Swarm /The Hive
Ender novellas
A War of Gifts /First Meetings
Ratings (178)
Incredible (45) | |
Loved It (70) | |
Liked It (32) | |
It Was OK (24) | |
Did Not Like (5) | |
Hated It (2) |
Reader Stats (228):
Read It (186) | |
Currently Reading (1) | |
Want To Read (24) | |
Did Not Finish (2) | |
Not Interested (15) |
8 comment(s)
"What man among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?"! Another Ender's book leaving other Sci-Fi books to shame. What really amazes is Orson Scott Card ability to immerse the readers into the minds and situations of his characters without resorting to lengthy descriptions at all.
Definitely like this older Ender more than him in
Ender’s Game (not that I hated him there but I like him better as an adult).
mindf*#k
An excellent addition to the Ender's Game universe. Explores stimulating philosophical concepts using the vehicle of sci-fi drama. A must read for thinkers who like to have meaningful conversations about meaningless ideas.
Characters were amazing
After the snoozer of Ender in Exile I wasn't expecting this book to knock my socks off but wow, I really loved it! I'm going back and forth between 4 and 5 stars so I'd say it's a solid 4.5 but Ender's Game was a full 5.
Not quite as good as the first book, but I thought that "Speaker for the Dead" was an interesting read! It expanded on the world we knew of from "Ender's Game" and introduced us to Ender as a grown man.
Some of the characters could have some more development, but most of them were done quite well overall.
Oh boo hoo, Ender.
What can you read after
Speaker for the Dead?
About the Author:
Orson Scott Card is best known for his science fiction novel Ender's Game and it's many sequels that expand the Ender Universe into the far future and the near past. Those books are organized into The Ender Saga, the five books that chronicle the life of Ender Wiggin; the Shadow Series, that follows on the novel Ender's Shadow and are set on Earth; and the Formic Wars series, written with co-author Aaron Johnston, that 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 sf and fantasy novels, including the American frontier fantasy series "The Tales of Alvin Maker" (beginning with Seventh Son), There are also stand-alone science fiction and fantasy 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 recent work 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.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.
