Orson Scott (1992) Mass Market Paperback - Xenocide (The Ender Quintet) by Card

Started reading the Ender's Game series as soon as I heard the movie was going to be coming out, Even though reading all the books when I was younger, I still found it very entertaining and kept my attention well throughout all the books.

Highly recommend to anyone looking for an excellent fictional read.

I have really enjoyed the Ender's series. Very interesting characters and moving storyline. I'm looking forward to starting Book Four. I like the world that Card creates on Path and how it ties into "Jane". You can really feel the unique characters' struggles.

Overall, the Ender quintet series has been interesting. This book is a bit slower than the first two in developing (or maybe it just seems that way in retrospect). But what it develops is great. If you are looking for a discussion of the nature of people, God, and religion, and want to explore how quantum entanglement theory might tie all together (in a science fiction sort of way), this is the book for you. If you are looking for high space adventure, look elsewhere.

In order for the plot to complete, several impossible things happen in Scott Orson's universe, usually starting off as a conjuction, only to be certainties a few chapters later. From having one brilliant mind, as in the first book, now we are met with a host of them, putting the rest of humanity for the past 3000 years to shame. Wasn't entirely bad though.

The second and third books in the Ender Quintet have been disappointing. The first book was great. At first I was excited to read the rest of the series. However, it feels like these books are just playing on my desire to know the rest of Ender's story, and not that they are actually capturing my full interest. It started in the second book, but the story was still mildly interesting, and I wanted to know where the story was headed. After the third book, I just really don't care, I've lost any desire to read the fourth book.

Orson Scott Card is a genius. This book further develops the characters we've become so intrigued with, both alien and human. He also manages to frame some very thought provoking ideas using the fictional world of Ender. All around it was both enjoyable and mind-expanding.

A great collection of interesting fictions about the origin of the universe, the nature of space-time, religious (Christian) faith (without actually casting aspersions on it, as far as I can tell), and amazing inquiries into what constitutes protectable life. A great read. Can't wait toreador the next in the series.

Mr. Card may have had some negative press because of his personal views, but his writing seems to be different from the public issues swarming around him as Ender's Game the movie was being released. With entirely new planets of humans introduced, multiple sentient non-human races, and unique perspectives throughout, this is as thoughtful and pleasurable as any of the books in the series.

I read both Enders Game and Speaker, and loved them. This book continues the story on Lusitania. Although it starts off a little slow and has some very heavy dialog, the last 10 chapters were great. I couldn't put it down for the whole 2nd half of the book. It may not be as good as Speaker, but I still really like it, and thinks its worth reading if your a fan of Enders Game and Speaker.

The book started well, but the story became extremely philosophical with less emphasis on the main story and more on the ethical dilemmas with certain choices that needed to be made. Then towards the end there were some new fantastical things introduced that was never resolved well, which was disappointing. Still, the ending did tie up a lot of the loose ends from previous books.

The best part of Xenocide was the middle. The ending got a little too much into hard SF for my taste, although I did enjoy the suprise appearance of two characters from previous books at the end. And for all of OSC's philosophizing, I was not necessarily put out, but I cannot not say I fully 'get' where he's going. An anti-federal sentiment is obvious of course. I can swallow that, however if Ender turns out to be a born-again Christian in Children of the Mind, I may wretch.

Althought part of the Ender's saga, this book can stand on its own as a great piece, engaging with the plot and the characters from which you cannot help but to feel attached and sometimes even angry with them being very much unique on their own with their own choices and moral problems.

After very much enjoying the first two books in the series, Xenocide was a bit of a letdown. It is incredibly talkie, as if Card lost interest in telling a story and was more interested in writing a philosophical book to explore mystical concepts. While the book starts strong, I found myself getting more impatient and less engaged as the book progressed.

Part of the issue is that people stop behaving in logical ways but instead start serving the plot. I had a difficult time accepting the way the family at the center of book treated each other or dug in their heels over illogical and unnecessary arguments. (Yes, I know families do that, but this one is also a group of brilliant scientists trying to save the world and act with less maturity than the children in Ender's Game.) Moreover, the title of this book should be Deus ex Machina for the many ways in which several dire and hopeless storylines are resolved with simple and incredible solutions that are introduced in far-fetched ways in the final pages. After grounding his first two books in human emotions and science, this book simply lost me with all its cryptic and wild alternate universe mumbo jumbo.

One last quibble: The book ends oddly, and it was no surprise to find that the fourth book in the series was originally part of this book. As a result, -Xenocide feels truncated and incomplete (despite being quite long) since it awkwardly introduces (re-introduces?) two characters that clearly are there to serve the next book and not this one.

The book still has some remarkable moments, great dialog and interesting characters, but the plotlines that suited the earlier books so well finally seem to spin out of control in the last portion of Xenocide.

Perhaps nothing will reinforce my feelings about this book more than this: After Ender's Game and Speaker for the Dead, I couldn't wait to read the third book, but after Xenocide, I decided against continuing on to the fourth book. I simply was no longer engaged in the wild and mystical world Card created, nor did I have the patience to read still more lengthy philosophical debates between characters. The first two books are very strong and this one starts strong, but Xenocide left me feeling no interest in Card's metaphysical dialog and convenient magical solutions.

The author did a good job with an OCD protagonist: although at one point, she reads like some evil villain. Ender spends a good amount of the book trying to make everyone happy, and not always succeeding. The end of the book is more the beginning of "Children of the Mind", since they were supposed to be one book: however, that book is much more metaphysical; this book still has decent sci-fi.

I started the series years ago ... read #1 then want on to other books... years later picked up # 2 ... then waited a couple years before reading this one. Really enjoyed the dynamics of this ... I think this is my favorite as it questions the definition of life and what our obligations may or may not be to preserve it.... The moral questions were enormous. Great read ... I will not be waiting long to start #4 (just ordered it!)... all of the books are superb

I enjoyed reading this book. I like to preview young adult books prior to my children reading them. The book does go into a lot of the information we have already read in both Enders Game and The Speaker of the Dead, hence the reason for four stars instead of five.

I have to say my new favorite line about humans is in this book. When the Bugger Queen is talking about humans she says "....we realized that you were truly alive and beautiful in your perverse and tragic lonely way"

I would recommend this book to anyone wanting an easy escape to a different place and time

Like everyone else I thoroughly enjoyed Ender's Game and Speaker for the Dead and I even managed to finish Xenocide despite Card's constant ramblings toward the end. After reading the reviews on the forth book in the series, Children of the Mind, I decided that Card was losing it and went searching for spoilers. After reading the spoilers and seeing how it all ends for Ender, Val the second, Peter the second and Jane I came to the conclusion that Card just really didn't care anymore about the story. If there was any glimmer of excitement in Children of the Mind I missed it, but by the time I finished Xenocide I really didn't care anymore either.

Each volume has been exponentially better than the previous volume. Even as the books have moved away from focusing on 'action' to the development of new science, interpersonal relations and thought provoking philosophical reflections one's attention is more captivated with the desire to know 'what's next?'

Fast paced, with lots of comedy, drama and thriller. Loved the book and how easily you just fly through it. There is always something happening and never a dull moment. The characters are easy to picture and even relate to. The worst thing about the book is how many nights of sleep it has stolen from me. Time really flies when you hold this in your hands. Don't ever go to bed at 9pm, thinking you'll just read a little bit before you go to sleep early. When the clock strikes 1am, it's to late. Happy reading!

Reasonably predictable and medium paced continuation as three species continue to problem solve against the probability of extinction both locally and from far away. A good twist with the return of Peter and Valerie Wiggin sharpened some bitter/sweet memories for both Ender and the reader! Despite his vast experience and wisdom, it was sad to watch the brilliant Ender getting old and lonely.

I really liked the continuation of this story and have been pleased with how the author has moved the series to a more philosophical explanation of the characters actions. I felt like the first book of the series was probably written for teens, but these last three have definitely been directed more towards adults. Great story.

I enjoyed this book immensely. I found it far more spiritual than the others in the series and contains some of the best dialogue regarding life and it's purpose I have read in awhile. As a story i thought it ran beautifully well until the end where author seems to have wrote himself into a hole. Given that minor caveat I think this book ranks up there with the others if not just on its discussion of spirituality and purpose of life. I found myself sad to see it end so quickly.

Orson Scott Card sure hooked me with the first book, and now I am into the Shadow series (later on), because he just keeps adding more into the gaps and spaces that existed in the first book - the broad strokes - and now he is going back and filling in the details. Great storytelling, good characters, deep questions.

This book blew my mind. Talk about outside of the box thinking. But DO read the series on order or you will miss a lot of the pieces of the puzzle. If you hate for a great book to end, this 5 book "Ender Quintet" is for you. ENJOY!

As a novel targeted for YA, this particular Ender's book is far too heavy on philosophy. More importantly, I find the use of OCD as an explanation of religious fervor and commitment offensive and misleading, especially in light of that target audience.

The continuing story of Ender Wiggin as he believes he must make amends to the race he exterminated. Compelling story line with a lot of thought provoking situations that apply in today's world also. Excellent reading like the rest of the series.

The depth of Orson Scott Card's imagination knows no bounds. Ender' s Game was a wild ride. Speaker For the Dead took me on an even more exciting journey. Xenocide provided me with an enormous plate full of food for thought. Can't wait to start Children of the mind.

This is the third book in Card's "Ender" series. After finding it hard to put the first two down, the third is a disappointment. Xenocide tries to span the known universe - with plots and sub-plots taking place on several of the 'Hundred Worlds'. It drags in a lot of places and is just too long for no purpose I can discern. I'm struggling to get through it and am not sure I'll continue with the series now.

The continuing story of Ender Wiggin as he believes he must make amends to the race he exterminated. Compelling story line with a lot of thought provoking situations that apply in today's world also. Excellent reading like the rest of the series.

The depth of Orson Scott Card's imagination knows no bounds. Ender' s Game was a wild ride. Speaker For the Dead took me on an even more exciting journey. Xenocide provided me with an enormous plate full of food for thought. Can't wait to start Children of the mind.

This is the third book in Card's "Ender" series. After finding it hard to put the first two down, the third is a disappointment. Xenocide tries to span the known universe - with plots and sub-plots taking place on several of the 'Hundred Worlds'. It drags in a lot of places and is just too long for no purpose I can discern. I'm struggling to get through it and am not sure I'll continue with the series now.

How does he think up such interesting and complicated plots? Really enjoyed it. Only negative was continued bits of untranslated. Portuguese dialog. I couldn't always get it from context. But those were short utterances.

This book is nothing like enders game. That's not a bad thing. Many authors who have a successful book will use the same pattern over and over in cookie cutter style. It's the safe thing to do. But the ender books become more complex and metaphysical as they go.

The Ender Quintet continues to amaze and reward. Orson Scott Card is an amazing writer. Not only does he have a brilliant mind to create a world of the future, he is expert at character development. Not since "The Handmaid's Tale" have I been so touched by science fiction. On to volume 4!

After struggling through book two, this one is not much of an improvement. I still can't decide if the writer is pro, or anti, religion because it plays a big part in this book but doesn't seem to stick to one train of thought.

I read recently, every book surrounding the Enders Game Universe, and I am still hungry for more.

After reading the next book in the series after Enders Game (Speaker for the Dead) it changed my entire point of view on the main character. Then reading the next book changed it again, and again, and again. And so on and so forth. Its really been left up to me at this point to decide what he was/is (Spoilers) :)

How the story goes on after book 5 I can't wait to find out. If I ever do. We've got to talk to Orson guys! Cmon!