Customer Reviews

The Ender Quartet Box Set: Ender's Game, Speaker for the Dead, Xenocide, Children of the Mind

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I am a retired sailor. The Ender Quartet should be required reading for all military leaders: nomcoms and officers. Author Card captures the essence of leadership: trust, confidence, and commitment in "Ender's Game"; and the personal consequences of war, the fragility of racial tolerance and compassion, and the ghosts that haunt veterans (many for the balance of their lives) in "Speaker for the Dead", "Xenocide". and "Children of the Mind".

I read each of the eight books that today comprise the Ender's Quartet and the Ender Shadow series, book by book, as they were first published, in the last quarter of the 1900's; many of them in my bunk, braced against rolling seas.

Spurred by Card's most recent "Ender in Exile"--a gift from a friend--I purchased both the Quartet, and the Shadow series, and read each anew, certainly, with different eyes than the first reading. I suggest that Orson Scott Card has taken a seat along side Asimov, Hienlien, and Clark. Be you veteran, neophyte, pacifist, activist, monk, clergy, healer, historian, leader, follower, or dreamer of better worlds there is something in the Quartet for all of us.

Ignore the psychopaths who berate Card for his politics (see other comments below and above). THIS IS AN ABSOLUTELY MAGNIFICENT SERIES in the genre and wholly great reads. The exploration of morality in the books gets the reader questioning your most deeply-held beliefs--not to make you doubt them, but to re-examine what the reader really values and believes. The series has compelling and creative characters, storyline. Excellent in every way.

We purchased this box set for my 17 year old son- who discovered Ender's Game and permanently borrowed the book from the school library. I tried at most of the big chain stores to find all 4 Ender novels together but no luck. Amazon was the only place to carry the set. For anyone who hasn't discovered this series it is worth a read. As a 40 year old mother I have read it and thoroughly enjoyed the whole series. Can't wait to read "Ender in Exile".

1. Ender's Game
2. Ender in Exile (short story that introduces Jane)
3. Speaker for the Dead
4. Xenocide
5. Children of the Mind

I just completed the 5 stories of Ender Wiggins. Very nicely done! Card's writing style is accessible and not unduly heavy or complex (unlike say Gene Wolfe (Book of the New Sun) or Dan Simmons (Hyperion Cantos)). I enjoyed the expression of deep philosophical ideas through the characters he created, particularly in the concluding book, Children of the Mind. I also liked how Card stole the "Ansible" communication device from Ursula K. Le Guin as a convenient solution for interstellar communication. :)

As I began plowing through the first novel in the series (Ender's Game), I was feeling somewhat bored. I was tired of Battle School, Battle School and more Battle School from the eyes of a 5-11 year old child. It wasn't really working for me and I was wondering why people gave this story such high marks? But as I moved on to the Speaker For The Dead and the remaining books, Ender grew up and the story/character started growing on me as Card developed it. By the time I reached the final book, Children of the Mind, I was thoroughly engrossed and wondering how he would bring all the threads together by the end of the book.

Well, he does bring everything together and satisfyingly so. However, that being said, there is certainly room to expand on the universe and state of affairs that Card left us with at end of Children Of The Mind. I won't go into my ideas here so as not to spoil the ending for others reading these reviews before they have completed the series. But I do hope that Card expands on the Ender Wiggins universe where he left off in 2 to 4 additional novels.

I got what I wanted and it either arrived early or on time. I will be ordering Orson's other box set of four in the Ender saga probably from this seller. This is an incredible book set and I don't think too many people could be disappointed with what Orson Scott Card delivers. If you read science fiction then read this books.

I bought this for my girlfriend as a birthday gift. She was so happy that the entire series was literally at her fingertips. Once she got done reading one of them, she would quickly start the next. This is a great item for people who are fans of the series.

In terms of the transaction, the company sent the item well packaged and on time. They're great!!!

My favorite fiction book/series of all time!!! I don't even know how many times I have read these.

I can't give a review on the whole series. I have just finished Speaker for the Dead. But if the last two books are anything like the first two books then you (and I) are in for a real treat. I'm a big science fiction fan and have to say that Orson Scott Card does an amazing job at showing you everything you want from a great science fiction novel and more. He somehow balances action with individual internal stuggle. And instead of his books being from one person's point of view. You see it from every person's point of view which makes you feel completely invested in every single character. There is really no way to explain how great his books are. You'll just have to read them yourself!

Help! I need sleep, but I can't seem to put the Ender's Game books down! If you are Twilight or Hunger Games fans, then try out this series!

The Ender Quarter Box set offers hours of intense reading experience. After each book, one has to stop and reflect on the many insights into human character that these books offer. It is rare to find such excellent and rewarding reading material.