Ender's Game has been my all time favorite book for as long as I can remember but I think I might have actually enjoyed Ender's Shadow more. There's just something more in this book that I really love. I love Bean's character and in a way he understands Ender more than Ender understands himself. This book definitely should have been written, which I don't say very often with parallel novels, but it's almost an entirely different book from Bean's point of view. I found Bean's perspective just as crucial to the series as Ender's Game was. While Ender's Game is a great stand alone novel, its well worth reading Ender's Shadow as well even if you don't plan on continuing the rest of the series (which by the way, I most certainly do.) I give my highest praise to Orson Scott Card as this book and series is and probably will be, the best (in my opinion) and most influential books in my life.

Very impressed with how good this was. I count myself in the party that there shouldn't have been anything past Ender's Game (like The Matrix and most any sequels Hollywood makes nowadays), but I have to admit this was great.

As a parallel novel to Orson Scott Card's classic Ender's Game, Ender's Shadow follows Bean, the kid Ender treats like the teachers treated him.

While hesitant to pick this up, I had heard that the Shadow series is better than the original quartet, but I couldn't get away from the feeling that it would pretty much be the same book. I'm glad I was wrong.

The first quarter or so of the book takes us from Beans upbringing in the slums of Rotterdam as he barely survives on the streets through the child gangs and bullying to his discovery and entry into Battle School.

Already, Ender's Shadow is completely different from Ender's Game. Bean has obviously survived because of his immense intelligence, which not only rivals Ender's, but far surpasses it. The only problem is there is one other person on the streets who happens to have it out for Bean because of what Bean's done to him. Achilles (pronounced Asheel) holds grudges like no one else, but also knows how to work the system, especially adults.

Card is a master storyteller, even turning what is essentially the same story in Ender's Game into something new and unique. Characterization is flawless and while Bean is a super-intelligent kid, he is in every way relatable to the reader. Let's be honest, kids can be brutal and Card understands this perfectly.

Bean is able to out-think everyone at flight school from the kid commanders to the teachers and officers. He knows what will get him in trouble whether it's bullies or teachers, but he also knows most everything else that is going on in Battle School even those things the teachers don't want him to know. Those things that make him a risk and have the teachers wondering whether he belongs.

Audio Commentary

There is a full cast for this one and Scott Brick, playing Bean, does an amazing job. In fact there's not one bad performance and even the great Stefan Rudnicki plays a minor role (Worth it just to listen to him).

At the end of the book, Card gives an afterword that mainly discusses the movie Ender's Game that he says will be a combination of Ender's Game and Ender's Shadow. This wasn't the original decision, but actually helped to cut down the script being able to play from both point of views.

Card also mentions that once someone writes a book everyone starts asking when it's going to be made into a movie, to which he replies, it's already in it's perfect form, it's a book. Too true!

Sadly, this movie will probably never come to pass - I don't know how long these talks have been going on, but it's been a while. [EDIT: Obviously this was written a couple years ago because it's definitely going to be a film]

Why Should You Read Ender's Shadow?

This is a great follow up (or beginning) to the classic, Ender's Game. It puts you right into the setting and mind of the main character and everything becomes real. Coupled with Card's writing, you can't go wrong - this is a great book. Highly Recommended.

4.5 out of 5 Stars

I am ashamed to admit that I've never finished the Ender's Game original set. But I did read Ender's Shadow, which I think most people really liked. I didn't mind it, but I have some serious reservations.

First, the original story is better. This re-telling isn't near as fun. It takes longer to get to the GOOD story, though it is interesting to see the background on this kid.

Most of what I disliked, though, is that this re-interpretation is NOT what Card originally had in mind when he wrote Ender's Game. The character that exists in Ender's Shadow is NOT the same character that is in Ender's Game. Sorry. I won't give it to you so easily. And not only that, but you have to re-interpret Ender, too, and I'm not willing to do that, either. In Ender's Shadow we get Ender's softer side, his insecurities. Suddenly, a scene where Ender consoles Whatever-the-main-character's-name-is turns into him consoling Ender. Not buying it.

I wouldn't re-read it, and I would rather have done without it, actually.

It had been several years since I read Ender’s Game, which I really enjoyed, and it was fun to get back into this sci-fi series with Ender’s Shadow. The story moved along well as we learned about Bean, how he survived, how he thinks, and how he matures into understanding himself and others better. The storyline and characters were developed well and “sucked me in” so that I wanted to keep reading to find out how the plot and characters progressed and resolved. A very enjoyable and engaging read for me.

Bean is not as likable as Ender; or, at least, the inside of his mind is harder to sympathize with. But this book was really interesting, showing the story of Ender's Game from a completely different perspective. Definitely not boring at all for someone who has already read Ender's Game.
One thing that surprised me...shocked me, I guess, were the similarities I began seeing between myself and Bean. Which is kind of alarming, because, again, Bean's inner thoughts aren't very likable. But I think I like this book, and Ender's Game, because they are books about "gifted" children, and I was given this label in elementary school as well. It makes me wonder what that really means, in what ways I am similar to these characters and in what ways I am different.
As always, a thought-provoking read from Orson Scott Card.
And, though his books aren't known for the warm fuzzy feelings they cause, I did actually cry at this one happy, sweet part, that just made it all worthwhile.

Reseña

En "El juego de Ender" conocimos a Bean, uno de los más importantes compañeros de Ender en la escuela de batalla, aunque el más pequeño de ellos. Destacó por su creatividad en ingeniar nuevas tácticas en la batalla, haciendo uso de cosas simples. En esta novela, que se puede leer aunque no se conozca el universo de Ender, se nos presentará en profundidad a Bean, veremos todo lo que sucedió en la escuela desde su punto de vista, y la importancia que tuvo en la batalla, la que pasó desapercibida en la primera novela de la saga de Ender.

Crítica

Esta es una novela paralela a "El juego de Ender", saga que me encanta y tenía pendiente de leer la parte de "la sombra" desde hace tiempo.

La verdad era que no sabía cómo podía tener tan buenas puntuaciones o críticas, ya que aunque conocimos a Bean en el primer libro y en algunas historias cortas, como "Guerra de Regalos", nunca se llegó a un nivel tal como para conocerlo profundamente, se quedaba en la superficie del personaje.

Dicho eso, me sorprendió gratamente esta novela, así como también le sucedió al autor por lo que dice en el prólogo, Orson Scott Card. Supo explotar adecuadamente, a mi juicio, el potencial de Bean como personaje genial, a la misma altura de Ender pero con otras características que lo hacían sumamente distinto, y cómo supo aprovecharlas de forma de lograr apoyar completamente a Ender en su prueba final, aunque sus intereses iban más allá de esta batalla.

Es una novela que no decae, el personaje de Bean se va haciendo más querible y cercano a medida que se va desarrollando; es complementaria a la saga de Ender pero también funciona como una novela aparte, sin haber leído nada anteriormente... en fin, que me encantó y la recomiendo a todo aquel que guste de la ciencia ficción. Continuaré de todos modos con las siguientes novelas de la saga, que se vislumbran mucho más orientadas a la política.

4.5 / 5 estrellas

I want to hug Bean, but I think he would think I’m trying to strangle him and would come up with a way to get me killed.

We start with Bean in the streets taking on gangs, hunger, and bullies. Then in space for battle-school where he trains to fight an alien invasion.

Bean is a lot more likeable than Ender and, I believe, cleverer. It can be startling and disconcerting to have a four year old talking and acting the way he does, especially as we end the story when he is seven years old and he is making decisions and acting like an adult.
However, if I just told myself - hey, this a sci fi where weird things can make sense like toddler geniuses.

Weirdly, I cannot tell you much about the aliens or their attack. This is a more a character and human study. My favourite kind of story where the character happens to the plot instead of the character being a piece of the story.

God gives us the freedom to do great evil, if we choose. Then he uses his own freedom to create goodness out of that evil, for that is what he chooses.

Just like with Ender’s Game, I would recommend the audiobook for an immersive experience.

Bookstagram

...dacă nu ar fi coperta asta care pe mine mă îngrozește, aș spune ca e perfectă.

Publicată la treisprezece ani după n  Jocul lui Endern, Umbra lui Ender urmărește evoluția lui Bean, unul dintre personajele inițial secundare ale aventurii lui Ender. Orfan, mult prea firav pentru vârsta sa și fără să-și cunoască prea mult trecutul, Bean reușește să supraviețuiască în iadul străzilor din Rotterdam datorită inteligenței sale. Abilitățile lui neobișnuite atrag atenția sorei Carlotta care îl recomandă Flotei Internaționale, deschizându-i astfel drumul spre Școala de Luptă.

Evoluția stilistică a lui Orson Scott Card este fascinantă, mi se pare uluitor modul în care acesta reușește să își captiveze cititorului printr-o poveste al cărei deznodământ e deja cunoscut. Pe lângă surprinzătoarea origine a lui Bean și incredibila luciditate prin care Orson Scott Card îi motivează acțiunile, cartea asta este genială și prin subtilitatea cu care surprinde frământările politico-sociale ale Pământului. Pentru mine, n  Umbra lui Endern nu este doar o poveste spusă din altă perspectivă, este ceva nou care completează într-un mod minunat seria inițială și stabilește premisele viitoarelor volume.

I freaking loved it.

I enjoyed this book better than Ender's Game, of which this is the sequel. There was so much more depth to this book and more background information about the Battle School. It was good to see it in the perspective of Bean instead of Ender. Even though I knew what was coming, it still didn't lack some suspense as there were a few new situations we weren't aware of in Ender's Game. I am looking forward to reading more in this series.

It was a bit too wordy in places, with not enough action. Small item to quibble about, though.

my journey into card’s psyche continues. if anyone wants to discuss his view of catholicism lmk

I enjoyed this almost as much as Ender's Game, except for the fact that I knew the ending, and Bean has his own strengths but he is not quite as sympathizable as Ender. Thats why Ender got the job after all.

Bean had a new and interesting story to tell. I liked seeing into his mind most of the time, his unique view of the world. But it was a little frustrating how he always tried to figure out things ahead of time, when he didnt have all the information. He is a genius, but he made a lot of false assumptions before figuring out the truth. It got tiring since those who read Ender's Game first know the truth from the beginning. But I still really felt for the little guy.

I feel sorry for him, that he didnt get the recognition from Ender that he wanted. Since OSC didnt know he was going to expand on Bean, there wasnt that much information about him in Ender's Game. I went back and skimmed it after finishing this, and all those times that Bean thought he saw some appreciation from Ender, you can go to the same spot in the story in Ender's Game and see that Ender's wasnt thinking anything. After all he had done, there was no sign that Ender ever knew that Bean held the team together during the final battles when Ender no longer could.