By Orson Scott Card
Genre YA scifi
Pages 322
Recommended by Book club
First sentence "I've watched through his eyes, I've listened through his ears, and I tell you he's the one."
Synopsis
Boring, boring, boring, training, training, training, 40 pages of "action" and then it ends. There. Beat that synopsis.
What it has going for it
All I can say for this one was I get it. I can see why so many people like it. I got the symbolism. I get that the world building was "cool". Innovative, before it's time. Blah, blah blah.
What's lacking
This is the shortest review I've ever written on this blog. I wasted days forcing my way through the boredom that was this book; I'm not going to waste even more time writing about it. It was like a playing a really boring video game...no, it was like watching someone else play a really boring video game. 280 pages of nothing happening? I just don't have time for that anymore. Sorry.
Favorite moment
I actually was shocked at one point and considering I usually had a glazed expression on while reading, that's something.
Yea or Nay?
Apparently this is one beloved book so don't take my word for it. You might really like it.
People have been telling me to read this book for awhile now but it never looked interesting. Thanks for the honest review.
ReplyDeleteLol. Jenny, I like your honesty here. Since the movie is coming out next year, I was considering reading this first, but I have a feeling I may struggle through it too.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm not sure if you'll like it or not. I think my loathing was a mood thing...I think.
DeleteYou know, I really did love this one, but your review made me laugh and laugh! I love how you tell it exactly as you feel it.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I know most people love it. That's how it always goes. ;)
DeleteHa ha! I love your review. It just makes me laugh on so many levels! :)
ReplyDeleteGood. I figure if I'm going to be so mean I should at least be funny. ;)
DeleteBest. Review. Ever. No one else understands how much I loathed this book. Everybody said, "Just wait 'til you read the ending!" Well, I didn't read the ending because I couldn't get through the beginning and I tried—three times. No more. I'm glad I'm not the only hater!
ReplyDeleteYou're not. Other people at our book club were not impressed.
DeleteThe movie's coming out next year? I need to read this, stat! Sorry you didn't like it, but I hope I do. It's a classic, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's a classic, I think. Hopefully you like it and aren't as tortured as me.
DeleteI love this review! I was totally giggling at work while I was reading this. I remember thinking it was ok, but I would never read the rest. Way to sci-fi for me.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy I could make you laugh at work. We all need a laugh at work. ;) I've heard the rest are no good anyway.
DeleteLove this review! I know that some books are classics, but it doesn't mean we have to like them. Now I don't feel so guilty for never reading it. Thanks for doing such a valuable public service for your readers! :D
ReplyDeleteLOL! You're welcome. I'm always thinking of others like that. ;)
DeleteThis sounds way too sci fi for me. I went on to Goodreads and read the synopsis and got to the second line before I got bored. I imagine it would be the kind of book that appeals of a certain crowd. I didn't realise this book was so big.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it definitely has a type of following...I think anyway. I'm just now one of them.
DeleteWell this seems pretty good, I'll give it that, but not at all my type of book! :( But maybe I have to try it and then I'll like it?? IDK I'm confused. But, it never hurts to try, so here goes nothing... Thanks for the great review, Jenny! <333
ReplyDeleteYou might like it. You never know
DeleteA+ for honesty. There not enough of that. Great review!
ReplyDeleteLOL! You'll always get honest reviews here.
DeleteThat's the best synopsis I've ever read. I looked it up on Goodreads and it doesn't sound too interesting, even though I like scifi. I would try it if it were with an adult character and less growing up themes. The cover looks great though.
ReplyDeleteThe cover is good. I just didn't like the content. Thanks for enjoying my synopsis.
DeleteI definitely enjoyed this book more than you, but I don't think anyone will ever beat that synopsis!
ReplyDeleteLOL! Well, that's exactly how I felt!
DeleteOkay. [deep breath] So, I must say it's OKAY that you don't like it! BUT..it's okay that it makes me sad, too, right? Ah, I should learn these things by now!!! Argh!! I just want all your readers to know that for me, this book is FAR from boring. I wish I had the words to explain exactly why. I'm trying to write my review right now and it's pitifully lacking. I hate that. So frustrating. Anyway, yes, I'm sad that you didn't like it, but I stand by my love for the thing, and my guess is I'll be reading it again before I die! :)
ReplyDeleteHey now, we're all different. It's OK that I didn't like it.
DeleteWait, I meant to ask, which part did shock you? I can't remember you mentioning a shocking part at book club!
ReplyDeleteOh, when we found out Ender had killed the two kids he beat up. That shocked me!
DeleteThat's sooo funny! I read this one two weeks ago too! I can also see why its a science fiction classic but it didn't blow me away as much as I expected it would. And the part near the end totally shocked me! I don't think I'll be making room for the rest of the series in my reading schedule though....
ReplyDeleteYeah, with it being a classic and so many people loving it, I really thought I'd like it better. I unfortunately saw the ending coming a mile away. :( I've heard the rest of the series isn't that good, anyway. You're probably not missing much.
DeleteOMG, trying not to snort Cherrios here! LMAO! I read this book in college as part of a "sci-fi at literature" class. Yeah, my college was a bit hippy dippy, but it was cool. :) I remember totally loving this book, but it's been years since I've read it.
ReplyDeleteThat was the BEST synopsis EVER!!
Well, I'm glad you enjoyed my synopsis. I hope you didn't choke on any Cherrios. ;) Lot's of people love this one, that's fine, it just wasn't for me.
DeleteI still like you. :)
ReplyDeletePhew! Thanks. :)
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