A return to battle school and the process of training for the war against the Formics revisited. Card does a miraculous job of avoiding redundancies in following the same location and time-frame as Ender’s Game and, despite the title of this one, this is very much Bean’s story.

As with Ender’s Game, there’s a requirement from the reader; that we believe in Card’s genius-children, maturing fast in both intellect and emotionally, but otherwise I found Ender’s Shadow to be great, readable sci-fi, once I got past that and a couple of other circumstantial anomalies. Bean is small, tough, and analytical, and the principle enjoyment of reading his story is the character’s insight into those around him, and the power-play between him and the staff as they each struggle to trust the other.

I don’t know if I will pursue the ‘Shadow’ series; I wanted to read this one because of my enjoyment of Ender’s Game, and don’t know if a return to Earth is going to float my boat. Then again, I found the premise of Speaker for Dead hard to enthuse about before I picked it up, and it’s now one of my favourite books. ( )

I have to say I prefer this book and the following series over Card's original Ender's Game novel. Perhaps it's the more adult-oriented themes and prose and the earthbound setting of the series but this book is one that I could read over and over and never tire of, I think. I read it for the fourth time this spring, and gained new insights into myself and the characters (an experience I predict I will repeat next year)--it's a rich story, worth more than one look. ( )

In this reboot of the Ender series, we see things from a new perspective, that of Ender's diminutive jeesh-mate Bean. How did Card pull this off so brilliantly? Ender's Shadow tells the same story, yet it does it in a completely unique and amazing way. In some respects it surpasses Ender's Game. And I can say without shame it brought out emotion in me. Ender's Shadow is simply brilliant. ( )

This is more or less the same time frame covered in Ender's Game, only from Bean's point of view. It begins with his life as a street urchin in Rotterdam and continues all the way through the end of the Bugger War. There is some overlap between the two books, but since it's from another point of view it doesn't feel repetitive. Bean's train of thought is fascinating and I enjoyed the new characters that were introduced like Achilles and Sister Carlotta. I think of all the other children at Battle School, Bean was the best choice to get his own story, but Ender is still my favorite character. And despite Card's hope for this book to work on its own, I don't think I'd enjoy Ender's Game as much if I'd read Ender's Shadow first. A lot is lost if you already know the ending. Ender's Shadow seems almost predicated on audience understanding. That said, it's still a worthy addition to the series, and I look forward to reading the other books and learning what Bean's adult life has in store for him. ( )

even though i hadn't read any of the other books i just read book 5 it was easy to read.. i got what it meant and what is was all about. it wasn't confusing at all. i usually don't like books like this but this book was really good. it was interesting the things they did to prepare for war. the way they depended on Ender and his smarts to save them. ( )

The first of the Bean stories, which is set in the timeline of Card's Ender series. This book is about Bean, Ender's friend and deputy commander, the brilliant young man who helped Ender save the planet. Bean had a very different childhood, up until he too was selected for Battle School, though he barely survived to that point.
Even if you don't care for the idea that this is a revisit of the Ender series, most of this book is new. ( )

Redemption. After forcing my way through the last two Ender books I didn’t know if I was ready to be disappointed again. I had nothing to fear. Ender’s Shadow proves that Card wasn’t completely out of ideas and that he still had more to offer the reader. Ender’s Shadow is pretty much a retelling of the same events from Ender’s Game from a different perspective. While this had the opportunity to become boring and repetitive, Ender’s Shadow is instead a thrilling companion to its predecessor. Not only does Ender’s Shadow redeem this series of books in my mind, it also opened up the door to a whole new world of adventures right here on Earth. ( )

Every time I pick up one of these Ender books, I just can't put it down. And even though this one follows the same core events as Ender's Game, so I know what will happen, I still look forward to page after page. Reading Ender's Shadow is like reading a favorite book again, except that there truly are new aspects that you couldn't have seen the first time through. ( )

Although I only read "Ender's Game" in the series, this book is a good compliment to it. It's not necessary that you read the other books in the series, but I liked both so much I probably will. It's a good, light summer read. The struggles that the children must face in this novel, much like in "Ender's Game" are challenging and far beyond the years of these youthful genuises. Since I already read "Ender's Game", the psychological questions that arose in that book, were again raised in this one, did not surprise me. However, these questions the novel makes one ask oneself are still pertinent to be asked again.

Aptly named, Card’s follow up to Ender’s Game obviously lives in the shadow of the award-winning predecessor. However, this is only because the first in this series is the original mythology created. This follow up novel is no less artistically crafted in the hands of a master writer. In fact, the larger social elements appearing as constant threads throughout the text, such as Bean’s origins as a genetically enhanced clone grown in a lab.

Subplots like these that weave themselves throughout the writing bring a realistic connection to current social issues. Specifically, issues revolving around the scientific advances in cellular biology, the role the government plays with progress, and the outcome of manipulating human life from inception comes together well within Bean’s story. Overall, I would venture to say that even though the original will almost always be more compelling than a sequel, Ender’s Shadow may actually be a better book given the layers of complexity within the text.

-Lindsey Miller, www.lindseyslibrary.com ( )

Very good book. This runs parallel to Ender's Game. I actually read this one first, then read Ender's Game. It gave me a great perspective going into EG. This book shows just how far one little boy will go to never have to go back to life on the streets. ( )

After reading several of the novels focused on Ender a wonderful thing happened. Orson Scott Card wrote Ender's Shadow. If it's possible, I liked Bean even more than Ender. It showed how it wasn't just Ender being self centered that made it seem like he was the entire focus of the Battle School, and yet there were so many other little dramas happening all around him that he could never have possibly known about. ( )

Parallel to Emder's Game. Card elucidates the life of Bean, Ender Wiggin's second in command, while recounting the events of Ender's Game from a different perspective. This book is just as dark or more than Ender's Game and the two should definitely be read one after the other to get the whole story, although they can be read independently. ( )

A high school student recommended this book to me (and lent it too me too!). I'm 137 pages into it and I am really enjoying it so far. A very quick read and a lot of fun. I'll keep you posted. ( )

If you want to re-read Ender's Game without all that pesky reading a book you've already read, Orson Scott Card has conveniently written a second, different version of the same story. I even enjoyed this more than Ender's Game, although it's been a few years since I read that, so my memory's not clear enough to say which is the better book. But this is certainly one of Card's best. ( )

A great addition to the Ender stories. This book re-invigorated the series with fresh perspectives and new insights to characters left unexplored with the first novel. ( )

A fantastic complement to Ender’s Game and better written than its companion. ( )

This book is fashioned as a parallel story to Ender’s Game. It is quite a great concept and works for those who have read the original or not. The story is exciting and the frenetic pace which is set by the main character’s brilliant mind makes it a fun read. ( )

Reviewed May 2002

Totally bored during Butch's Hartnell graduation I borrowed this book from Caspian, more as a joke but then I got really interested in it. Knowing absolutely nothing except that is is Science Fiction it took me a few times to re-read the beginning to understand. Overall it is a very interesting, detailed, engrossing read. The problems I had with it were...the street kids should have a very pronounced slang, yet they sounded educated...Bean is just too young, as well as the other children in the story (yes I know Bean is genetically altered but it is still too much) Achilles as a serial killer especially when he goes to Bean's army and escapes at the end is way to much... Also Bean having a twin older brother that becomes his best (and only) friend, who just happens to have loving wonderful parents. (Okay, he could have a brother, but this fate crap stuff is far too much)... The Catholic religion discussed so often has not changed at all from today&s church (that isn't likely).... The children of the street would have taken refuge in the church, and no one seems to have.... Bean did not want to come back to help the children of Rotterdam... Nikolai returned to Earth sooner than Bean yet they showed up together... Ender's brother and sister were powerful leaders on Earth... The military would never has allowed children to fight that war no matter how smart of good at strategy. Females played too small a part representing percentages of the 1970-80s. Beyond all this it is a very good read.

6-2002 ( )

This was the best Ender book after Ender's Game! It was so interesting to read what Bean was feeling during all those talks with Ender and in the last battle. Loved it! ( )

Orson Scott Card is an author that has expanded his novels that allows the reader to reenter the world anew. With all the power of his original creation, Card has made a come back with the expansion of power, illuminating events and powerful conclusions. He is an author that will not be outdone and he is an author who has become the best writer of science fiction, a maker of vision and the creator of heroes and he writes with energy and is considered to be the master of storytelling! ( )

One of the, if not my all- time favorite books. Describes a parallel story to "Ender's Game" from Bean's perspective, but amazing enough to stand on its own. Boy soldiers in a futuristic war.

Interesting enough, but not as good as I had hoped. A nice companion to Ender's Game. ( )

I considered Ender’s Game to be one of the greatest works of science fiction ever written. I liked this book even more. This is told from the point of view of one of the minor characters in the original story. We see bean from age three to his experience in Battle School. Sometimes, Card over-writes his younger characters. All of his characters at times speak and act much older than they actually are. Still, it is an exciting story and an excellent compliment to the original Ender series. ( )