Shadow Puppets
Ratings91
Average rating3.6
Bestselling author Orson Scott Card brings to life a new chapter in the saga of Ender's Earth and The Shadow Series. Earth and its society have been changed irrevocably in the aftermath of Ender Wiggin's victory over the Formics. The unity forced 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. Shadow Puppets 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. THE ENDER UNIVERSE Ender series Ender’s Game / Speaker for the Dead / Xenocide / Children of the Mind / Ender in Exile / Children of the Fleet Ender’s Shadow series Ender’s Shadow / Shadow of the Hegemon / Shadow Puppets / Shadow of the Giant / Shadows in Flight The First Formic War (with Aaron Johnston) Earth Unaware / Earth Afire / Earth Awakens The Second Formic War (with Aaron Johnston) The Swarm / The Hive Ender novellas A War of Gifts / First Meetings At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
Series
Series
5 primary booksThe Shadow Series
The Shadow Series is a 5-book series with 5 primary works first released in 1999 with contributions by Orson Scott Card.
Series
18 primary booksEnderverse: Publication Order
Enderverse: Publication Order is a 18-book series with 18 primary works first released in 1985 with contributions by Orson Scott Card and Aaron Johnston.
Series
16 primary books17 released booksThe Enderverse
The Enderverse is a 17-book series with 16 primary works first released in 1985 with contributions by Orson Scott Card and Aaron Johnston.
Reviews
Popular Reviews
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Though the conclusion tied everything together, this book felt a bit all over the place compared to previous efforts. There's still the overhanging theme of global conflict between nations, but a lot of time is spent on Bean and Petra's blooming romance and then the potential of Bean's children. This definitely makes the second half more exciting, especially when things actually happen, but after an intriguing opening the plot's first half seems to lose all wind. Card also has a style of writing that glosses over days and weeks in sentences, which here I felt could have been expanded upon with some more visual or character description. The story jumps around from character to character, and this is where things get exciting, but unforunately there seems to be a layer of separation between the reader and the protagonists Bean and Petra. Most longstanding plot threads are finally resolved, particularly those with Achilles and Peter, and the ending pushes the Shadow saga in a new direction - hopefully a faster-paced, exciting and descriptive one.
In my opinion, this book has too much politics and war, and too little science fiction . . . but maybe that's the type of book you want. Frankly, the idea that children could be genius commanders in war is not really believable.
Another good book in the Ender's Shadow series. This book picks up where shadow of the hedgemon left off. My only complaint is that Card seems a bit more preachy/judgmental in this book compared to his relative neutrality of his previous ender books.
