Who Would Like This Book:
If you love science fiction that dives deep into philosophical and ethical territory, Xenocide is a thought-provoking treat. The book explores challenging ideas about sentience, morality, and coexistence between vastly different species - plus some metaphysical twists and cutting-edge sci-fi concepts. Fans of complex, character-driven stories and anyone who enjoyed the first two Ender books (especially Speaker for the Dead) will find plenty to chew on here. If big questions and intricate world-building are your jam, you'll likely be hooked!
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers found Xenocide to be overly long, with a lot of heavy-handed philosophical debates and slower pacing than previous entries. If you prefer action-heavy sci-fi or get frustrated with long, introspective dialogue, this one might test your patience. Others were put off by the ending, describing it as a bit of a deus ex machina, and by plotlines that seemed to stretch credibility. So, if you're after a tight, fast-moving plot, this may not be your cup of tea.
About:
'Xenocide' in the 'Ender's Saga' series by Orson Scott Card continues Ender Wiggin's adventures as he navigates complex ethical dilemmas and intergalactic conflicts. Set on Lusitania, the story explores the coexistence of humans, pequeninos, and the Hive Queen amidst the looming threat of the descolada virus. The narrative weaves together philosophical discussions on ethics, morality, and the nature of reality, challenging readers to contemplate the significance of sentient species and the complexities of human nature. As the plot unfolds, Ender faces the Starways Congress' extermination force, leading to a suspenseful climax that delves into themes of faith, tradition, and redemption.
The writing style in 'Xenocide' is characterized by intricate world-building, thought-provoking dialogues, and a mix of science fiction concepts with metaphysical reflections. Orson Scott Card masterfully crafts a narrative that balances action-packed sequences with deep explorations of characters' inner struggles and interpersonal dynamics. Despite mixed opinions on the book's pacing and resolution, 'Xenocide' captivates readers with its complex plot twists, philosophical depth, and morally challenging narrative that propels the Ender series into new realms of introspection and discovery.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include heavy philosophical discussions, references to obsessive-compulsive disorder, and themes of violence and xenocide.
From The Publisher:
The war for survival of the planet Lusitania will be fought in the heart of a child named Gloriously Bright.
On Lusitania, Ender found a world where humans and pequininos and the Hive Queen could all live together; where three very different intelligent species could find common ground at last. Or so he thought.
Lusitania also harbors the descolada, a virus that kills all humans it infects, but which the pequininos require in order to become adults. The Startways Congress so fears the effects of the descolada, should it escape from Lusitania, that they have ordered the destruction of the entire planet, and all who live there. The Fleet is on its way, a second xenocide seems inevitable.
Xenocide is the third novel in Orson Scott Card's The Ender Saga.
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 (92)
Incredible (11) | |
Loved It (39) | |
Liked It (19) | |
It Was OK (16) | |
Did Not Like (6) | |
Hated It (1) |
Reader Stats (130):
Read It (102) | |
Want To Read (20) | |
Not Interested (8) |
3 comment(s)
2.8 stars
I have a lot of mixed feelings about the book. At this point. I'm pretty invested in the series. This book brought a few intriguing developments to the series, but the middle third of the book just felt like constantly talking of eventually making a plan. It was quite a chore to get through. I know the book gets crap for the deus ex machina towards the end, but some of the ramifications of it were quite interesting, and I'm excited to see how it develops next
I read this book quite a while ago and loved it.
Most science fiction novels act as if people couldn't still believe in a God, or make up some dumb, cult religion. This one did not. It manages to feature Catholics working in science and being missionaries to another intelligent species. This is not the main theme of the book (which Iis great, and I would highly recommend) but that really impressed me.
What can you read after
Xenocide?
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.
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