Three months ago I was introduced to Orson Scott Card through his book “Ender’s Game.” Seeing how awesome his envisioning of modern technology (a lot of which have come true since the book was published) and study of human nature was, I eagerly jumped into the second book of the series, “Speaker for the Dead.”

This book was even better!!

True, it was not as action backed as “Ender’s Game” but nonetheless it was an amazing book that dove deep into the human behavior. How does one treat an alien race that is different than one’s own? How about a human who is reacting out of guilt  and secrecy? Can you learn to understand someone, even when they are ‘evil’ and do bad things?

It was with great joy that I picked up the third book in the series, “Xenocide” (especially since book two ended before everything was resolved).

Sadly enough, I have to report that “Xenocide” failed to uphold the same standard as the first two…  🙁

Well, kind of… the first three-fourth of the book was fairly good as Card tried hard to explore how one could live side-by-side with aliens, who by their very existence, places your life in danger. He also explores the nature of life and what it means to be alive.

Continue reading Jumping the Space Shark →

I may be strange and part of the few…but I definitely liked “Speaker for the Dead” better than “Ender’s Game.”

Don’t get me wrong, “Ender’s Game” was a great book as I mentioned previously. Yet, in all it’s glory, “Ender’s Game” is really nothing more than a long prologue to the real story – the one about human nature and how we deal with people who are different then we are – the story of hurt, pain and choices that come to rule you despite everything you do – the story about the freedom of truth and the healing touch of transparency – being real with people and sharing the pain within.

“No human being, when you understand his desires, is worthless. No one’s life is nothing. Even the most evil of men and women, if you understand their hearts, had some generous act that redeems them, at least a little, from their sins.” -Andrew Wiggin

“Once you know what people really want, you can’t hate them anymore. You can fear them, but you can’t hate them, because you can always find the same desires in your own heart.” -Andrew Wiggin

Continue reading “Speaker for the Dead” by Orson Card →

A few weeks ago NPR released a reader nominated and voted upon list of the top 100 science-fiction, fantasy books. In looking at the list, I noted that I had read 6 out of the top 10 and 23 out of the full 100. Not too shabby for someone who has been outside the genre for the last decade…

In looking closer at the list, I noticed that the third book was one I had never read (LOTR was #1 with Douglas Adams’ “The Hitchhiker Guide to the Galaxy” in second place). Waning to round out my numbers a bit, I decided to read “Ender’s Game” by Orson Scott Card (besides my local library had an audio copy!).

And wow was it good!

Card had all the elements of a world class book (which is why it won a butch of awards). Unlike a lot of sci-fi writers, Card focused on the story and the characters with the technology being secondary, existing only to help foster or move the story along. This dynamic created a world into which you are immersed.

Don’t get me wrong, the technology in the book was crazy good – especially if you consider the publication date (1985). Several of the things he foresee and forecasts in “Ender’s Game” has become reality now! That, my friends, is sci-fi!!

So do yourself a favor, grab a cold drink, find a soft chair and curl up tonight with “Ender’s Game.”

As far as myself, I’m off to find the sequel, “Speaker for the Dead.” 😀