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Title: Shadow Puppets (Ender | Book 7) |
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Review of Shadow Puppets (Ender, Book 7)
- A Sequel to The New York Times Bestselling Enders's Shadow
Bestselling author Orson Scott Card brings to life a new chapter in the saga of Ender's Earth.
Earth and its society has been changed irrevocably in the aftermath of Ender Wiggin's victory over the Formics--the unity enforced upon the warring nations by an alien enemy has shattered. Nations are rising again, seeking territory and influence, and most of all, seeking to control the skills and loyalty of the children from the Battle School.
But one person has a better idea. Peter Wiggin, Ender's older, more ruthless, brother, sees that any hope for the future of Earth lies in restoring a sense of unity and purpose. And he has an irresistible call on the loyalty of Earth's young warriors. With Bean at his side, the two will reshape our future.
Here is the continuing story of Bean and Petra, and the rest of Ender's Dragon Army, as they take their places in the new government of Earth.
Product Description
- In Shadow Puppets, Orson Scott Card continues the storyline of Shadow of the Hegemon, following the exploits of the Battle School children, prodigies who have returned to an Earth thrown into chaos after the unifying force of the alien invasion they stopped in Ender's Game and Ender's Shadow has dissipated.
Foremost among these whiz kids is the brilliant Bean who, in Shadow of the Hegemon, rescued his comrades from his nemesis--the dastardly Achilles. Now, the down-but-not-out evil genius is again scheming towards global domination and vengeance against the irrepressible Bean. It's up to Bean and his newfound love, Petra, to outwit the young psychopath and save the world. Meanwhile, the other Battle School children are called to serve again as an expansionist China threatens the stability of post-Bugger War Earth.
Shadow Puppets is, for better or worse, exactly what readers have come to expect from Card. There are thought-provoking musings on geopolitics, war, courage, arrogance, good versus evil, and the concept of children wise beyond their years dealing with grave responsibility. Unfortunately, many of these furnishings are looking a little frayed around the edges, but fans will enjoy an exciting, fast-paced plot and a suspense-filled conclusion. --Jeremy Pugh
Amazon.com
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Comments for Shadow Puppets (Ender | Book 7)
- Posted on 2008-06-30
Surprisingly Entertaining Despite all the Talking
The book is almost one massively long conversation, and yet I find myself entertained by the moral questions and complicated political dance weaved here. Bean's still my favorite character.
It's easier to focus on the negative. While the characterization is decent, the action seems to fall very short. I understand Card was working with a lot of different characters, but the page proportion dedicated to favor the major of the minor characters. Peter Wiggin comes off more as a whiny teenager than a molder of nations. My other major nit is that Petra, by all previous accounts an interesting character, is relegated to worried woman status throughout the majority of the book. The reasons in the next book seem surprisingly stupid to me. I just would have expected better of Card. Heck, even Bean, boy genius, doesn't do all that much except not be killed.
The book does fill in some gaps, but as a stand alone novel, I'd say it is one of the weaker of the Ender series. So, why does it get 4 stars?...quite simple, I'm taking it more as a whole series. As one giant story, the series will of course have some points that just have to be plowed through to understand the rest. It does its job as a gap holder and explainer of all things to come.
Score: 4
- Posted on 2008-05-22
loved it !!!!!
I began reading this series of books due to my teenage son.After reading "Ender's Game" I was hooked and have to say I think I've enjoyed Bean's story even more than Ender's.
Score: 5
- Posted on 2007-12-14
Good continuation
I've enjoyed the "Ender" series since Analog first published it. I've progressed, along with Card's writing, from action-adventure to philosophy to interpersonal relationships. This book was a decent contribution to the series, in much the same way that "Heartfire" was a decent contribution to the "Alvin Maker" series. But like Heartfire, it didn't really advance the ball much. Some of the book was Tom Clancy light, and some of the further characterization seemed contradictory to previous installments (Peter continues his transformation from egomaniacal psychotic animal-torturer to just another rebellious teenager, getting bailed out by his parents). Where Card succeeds is with Bean and Petra, although my prurient and adolescent mind would have appreciated more explicit romance from the two.
Score: 4 - Posted on 2007-12-13
Another Card masterpiece
Just a masterpiece by Orson Scott Card. One of the best books I have ever read. The Ender and Bean books are the best and they have changed my life forever. For the better of course
Score: 5 - Posted on 2007-10-31
Not Free SF Reader
Stop the Evil Genius.
Bean and Peter Wiggin still have to work to counter the rather psychopathic tendencies of their classmate Achilles, while Bean and Petra have to decide what to do ethically about their possibilities for child rearing.
The rest of the Battle School will also be busy with the global political situation destabilising.
This book is definitely not as interesting as some of the others in the Ender Saga.
Score: 3