Book Description
Lovelock is a capuchin monkey engineered to be the perfect servant--intelligent, agile, pliant, and devoted to his owner. He is a Witness--privileged to spend his days and nights observing the life of one of Earth's most brilliant scientists through digital recording devices behind his eyes. In his heart is the desire to please, not just to avoid the pain his owner can inflict with a word, but because he loves her.Lovelock is on a voyage he did not choose. What human would consider the feelings of a capuchin monkey, no matter how enhanced? But Lovelock is something special among Witnesses--he's a little smarter than most humans; smart enough to break through some of his conditioning. Smart enough to feel the bonds of slavery, and want freedom. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (50)

It's all about the ending
I love Orson Scott Card and this book doesn't fail to deliver even though it is only half written by Card.

Without spoiling the book, I think it is safe to say Lovelock was wrong about Causo. It's the only logical way that the book could have been written.

Since Causo is not introduced until the very end, I don't think this information is going to spoil too much.

Les.

Incredibly Powerful
The setting for the novel "Lovelock" - first in a projected trilogy - is a massive 'ark' of a spacecraft departing the solar system to search for a new habitable planet.The real story is that of its title character, a capuchin monkey who's been genetically engineered to the point of human or above-human intelligence, and who serves as a 'witness', using implants to record the activities and lives of their human masters.Like all witnesses, Lovelock has had an innate affection for and loyalty to his 'master' programmed into him, hence the disturbing accuracy of his name.Even so, the monkey is astute enough to recognize what humanity is stepping towards here - 'slavery without shame' - by developing animals to human levels of intellect (or perhaps to the human Variety of intellect would be more appropriate; human society in the novel seems quite oblivious to the prospect that some animals might already have their own fairly high intelligences of a different perspective that's more suited to their individual life patterns) and engineering them to, in effect, like it.The terrifying thing is I can see this potentially happening, and possibly well before humanity is ready to attempt interstellar travel.

The unforseen catch is that Lovelock eventually grows to want his freedom.What though, could a single small monkey do about his situation?Given the vast mental capacities programmed into him (even among the enhanced witnesses Lovelock seems to be quite the intellectual prodigy) and the fact that it never seems to occur to any human that a mere animal could do anything But docilely serve them, the answer might be surprising.

The ending of this book is mind-blowing.Science Fiction has delivered some great endings of awe and discovery and revelation, but few that pack this kind of emotionally hammering punch.Few novels of any sort have delivered this kind of finale, where you can scarcely believe the words you're reading on the page.In terms of the science/ethics condundrums potentially faced in humanity's future (well actually I guess you might as well say the present in this day of advanced biotechnology, A.I., etc.) this is along the thoughtlines of works like "Frankenstein", "Jurassic Park", "Monkey Boy" or the prequel portions of "The Animatrix".A great - and emotionally turmultuous - gem of science fiction that could open a lot of eyes to the power of the SF field at its best; and to a host of real-life questions that are becoming more relevant day by day, as a possible future version of the human race is viewed through the eyes of one of their new slaves.

I loved Lovelock!
I have to say I'm biased, having been a huge Orson Scott Card fan for years. But in spite of the slight problems in this story, I loved it. I agree with other readers -- where are the second and third books?? You don't need the subtitle, "Mayflower Trilogy," to notice that there are loose threads that are obviously left for subsequent books to sort out.
I have re-read this book multiple times, and find myself speculating on whether the 2nd and 3rd books would be from Lovelock's point of view as well, or perhaps Diana's, Peter's, Neeraj's, or even Causo's.
We all know Orson Scott Card generally has more on his plate than he can handle at any one time. People have been pestering him for more books in the Alvin Maker saga. Until he came out with Shadow of the Giant, they waited impatiently for THAT. He has the feminist series featuring women of the Bible. AND he writes "other" books as well -- poetry, vaguely supernatural books (I don't know a better classification for Lost Boys and Homebody) and non-fiction as well. I expect he just doesn't have time to come back to little Lovelock and his pals on the Ark.
But I don't have to like it. Maybe if he and Katheryn Kidd already have the outline of the rest of the Lovelock saga, SHE could write it. I don't know if this is the solution, but the crew of the ark have been hanging around in limbo for SEVERAL years now, I think it's high time they were allowed to progress on their journey.

My vote is, READ MORE ORSON SCOTT CARD!!! He doesn't HAVE any books I DON'T recommend. And don't get caught up in any particular genre -- his historical fiction is just as well -thought out as his science fiction, so make sure you don't miss his book, Saints, for instance.

Hello... Where are the other two books.
I enjoyed this story, it had some uncomfortable monents but I still enjoyed it. I have been waiting for the rest of the "Mayflower Trilogy" for all the years since. What's up with that?

A fairly good space opera
The story reads well and remains interesting all the way to the end.There are no real cliff hangers although there is a little mystery about who is going to get murdered before the end of the novel.The story is told in diary form accounts written after most of the action in the story has occurred.The monkey talks about a murder that he has committed.There are a lot of dysfunctional people in the story at times any of them seems to be a good candidate for being murdered.It is actually these strongly annoying characters that made the story for me, they are well portrayed by the authors.

The technology part of the story doesn't always quite hold together especially if you know even a little bit about computer science.And the tech. is dated a little as well since the story was published way back in 1994. ... Read more

Book Description
The City of Basilica has fallen. Now Wetchik, Nafai, and all their family must brave the desert wastes, and cross the wide continents to where Harmony's hidden spaceport lies silent, abandoned, waiting for the command to make the great interstellar ships ready for flight again.But of these sixteen people, only a few have chosen their exile. The others, Rasa's spiteful daughters and their husbands; Wetchik's oldest son, Elemak, have been forced against their will. Their anger and hatreds will make the difficult journey harder. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (29)

Ding Dong! Hi, It's Orson Card and I'd like a few moments . . .
I remember reading this series about 10 years ago, and for high school, it was a good read, but nothing outstanding. Now I find that there is absolutely no follow through, these books are just a thinly disguised re-write of parts of the book of Mormon. For those of us that wanted good SF not a religious treatise, it's downright disappointing. Now I know why Card never resolved the issues concerning the characters. It's because they were just the 'hook' to get us all interested in the Mormon theology.
I review the whole series here, some spoilers.
The first three books are just good enough, that when you get to this and the fifth book, you find yourself very annoyed that the characters become flat and lifeless, just caricatures, really.
Nafai and Elemak never really resolve their differences, or even have a 'final' showdown. The last book carries the reader far into the future and all references to those other characters, like Luet, Hushidh and Issib to name a few, are dropped, never to reappear again.
The series really started going downhill once the Rats and the Bats were introduced. I mean, how lame is this? After 40 million years, the only species to evolve are rats and bats. Not dolphins or the cockroach or - birds even? This is an insult to the reader's intelligence. This becomes the star of the show, with the characters stories taking a back seat and finally disappearing altogether. I read the last few pages of the fourth book hoping to find out what happened after Elemak woke up to find the Nafari gone and his wife with them. After all his cruelties, he never really gets what's coming to him. Nafai turns into exactly what Elemak hates, rather than becoming a full fledged personality of his own. The Prophet Nafai, hm. Ugh.
You find yourself scanning the few moments featuring Shedemei in the fifth novel, to see if she ever even mentions any of them. She doesn't. You have no idea how they died, what happened to the next generation, nothing. Why spend so much time building these characters if they were nothing more than a cheap ploy to get us to read a watered down version of the book of Mormon? I feel cheated and disgusted.
I guess Card did this series as opposed to walking around door to door sweating his 'hooy' off trying to sell his religion. This was done in air conditioned comfort I assume, and he fulfills whatever obligation. I just know I will not be picking up any of this author's works without serious thought beforehand.

The journey to the ships
General Moozh is now the leader of Basilica, but Nafai and his family must leave their home for good. The Oversoul has given them a quest, but everyone in the quest is not completely behind it. The Ships of Earth is the story of eight couples, married and not, family and not, loving and not, and their caravan across the wilds of planet Harmony. By the Oversoul's lead, they strike this journey to a place where they will depart Harmony and be bound for Earth, many light years away. But, the issue of leading the caravan leads to dissension among the travelers. Nafai's oldest half-brother Elemak is a born leader but is not overly sensitive to the Oversoul, something which Nafai is and that fact continually burns Elemak and his younger brother Mebbekew.

This is a wonderful study of a very small closed society and their travels across the land. Marriages, children, hunting, surviving, loving and fighting each other. Nafai's parents, Volemak and Rasa and married, but all the other "couples" have to decide if they are going to marry. This requires a change in customs. In Basilica, the women determined whether or not to continue the marriage contract each year. In the travels, it becomes necessary to remain monogamous in order to retain order. The Oversoul continually speaks to Nafai and his wife Luet, the water-seer and also Issib and his wife, Hushidh, warning them of treachery and guiding them through the lands.

The Ships of Earth is the third book in the Earthbound series by Orson Scott Card. He writes science fiction, fanstasy and historical fiction. Arguably, his most popular book is Ender's Game.

Completely ruined by his ideas about human nature.
The gist of this series is that all people are inherently sinful, all people will always hate and kill each other, men and women will always clash in a ridiculous power struggle of the sexes, - oh yeah, and gay people are unnatural and should pretend they're straight.

I'm a big fan of Card's Ender and Alvin Maker series, but this one is poisoned by his Mormon background.His ideas about human nature are downright depressing.Not to mention the disturbing themes of inbreeding, 13 year old brides, and strong women who are degraded to becoming nothing but baby-making machines.

Book of Mormon Ripoff
Orson Scott Card is Mormon, and if we didn't know it before, now we do--he based the entire plot of the Homecoming series on the Book of Mormon. It's so pathetic that I am speechless.

A sense of interest arises
Overall I enjoyed this series.Card has created an interesting potential future and draws it out in detail.Often too much detail.The first novel in the series was plagued with an over abundance of trivial data that did not ultimately reflect on the story.The plot drowned in atmosphere and character development.In fact the first two novels in the series felt like one larger book that had been broken in two.The story would have been more cohesive as a single novel.
In ships of Earth the characters of the adults have been developed and some attention is paid to the children.Overall however, more time seems to be spent on advancing the plot than in the previous to volumes.If not that, then perhaps the plot was merely more interesting in this novel.This book was probably my favorite of the five in the series.
Many people complain or admire Card's use of religeous symbolism.I myself have not read the book of Mormon so I could not attest to those claims.If he steeped this story in theology he did it in such a way to make it palatable to a larger market.The only real argument I could see for this story having a theological orientation is its poor science.Card seems to have little understanding of some of the biological sciences especially genetics.Such a small group of individuals does not represent a viable gene pool to colonize a planet.Thoughts of the results of all of that inbreeding makes me shudder.It also seems highly unlikely that Humans could be on Harmony for forty million years without experiencing any changes.Perhaps the oversoul was providing a genetic bottleneck to prevent evolution.
If you like the first two novels by all means read this one.If you did not, then let this book pass by.I would recommend the series to any person who has not read it as any ideas that feel new in science fiction are a rarity. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Awkward but very rewarding
The author seems to have had a lot of trouble deciding what type of book he wanted to write. Hot Sleep begins as a fairly typical future-urban coming-of-age tale of a telepath. It soon degenerates into a B-grade thriller, then jets off into space and ultimately becomes a future history. Despite this, it ultimately comes together to form a very impressive first novel, with the truly epic scope that only science fiction has ever been able to do well, and a beautifully haunting ending. While it's a pity about some of the early parts, the book has a wonderful unity of vision, and it reminded me, as so few books I have read recently, why I love reading sf.

LOVE THIS ONE - HAUNTING
As pointed out by another reviewer, this is a difficult book to find.I have had a copy for several years now and have reread it several times.I promise you, if you can find a copy, and you read it, you will not be sorry.Wonderful story line which is absolutely haunting.This is one of those books that will stick with you for a long, long time.

If you ever find it, get it
This is an excellent book. The book based on it, The Worthing Saga, doesn't even compare. This book is extremely hard to come across, so if you ever DO find it, my suggestion is to grab it quickly before anyone else does. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Not uplifting - poor sampling of LDS fiction!
I found Orson Scott Card's book "Saints" (also known as "A Woman of Destiny") to be a poor sampling of LDS fiction.I have read many of Card's books and loved them, but I was very disappointed with this one.The first half of the book tells the story how Dinah Kirkman grew up in England and is VERY depressing.I continued to read the book with the hope that it would get better.It didn't!The story continues about Dinah's polygamous marriage to Joseph Smith then latter to Brigham Young.The story takes a very harsh view on Emma Smith, with her pushing Dinah down the stairs at one point which leads to Dinah's miscarriage of the prophet's son.The intimate relationships were too graphically described, everything from attempted rape to whore houses.Not an uplifting book at all!

A Woman of Destiny
Was published first by Berkley Book, New York in January of 1984.Address of publishing company was 200 Madison ave. New York, NY 10016. (I thought that since you listed it as unknown publisher..etc.. I would inform.Also,the book was retitled 'Saints'... Rose ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (16)

the game
the first book Ender's Game is great have not had time to start the other books yet. I will read them this spring and get back to this for an update.

Enders Game Box Set
I purchased this set for my nephew for his birthday.He hasn't been able to put this series down and is reading it for the second time :)

repeat reader
Finding this book listed on my granddaughter's summer reading list, I was reminded of the pleasure it brought many years ago, so have now read it again and was entertained as much as I had hoped. The pace is sustained throughout "Ender's Game" and the ending is extremely pleasing, with lose ends tied up nicely."Ender's Shadow" is surprisingly enjoyable at the same level of suspense despite a similar setting, while "Shadow of the Hegemon" was enjoyable, but not quite of the same quality as the first two books.The author has made a quite plausible and imaginative story, incorporating the idea of using problems that confront us to help build character, while being sensitive to the loneliness of the leadership role.

THE best series of books EVER written!
I have read this series countless times because it has everything I look for in a story. I have read in excess of 6000 scifi novels over 30 years of life and have NEVER found a story I would call the equal of Ender's Game. I did not like the Speaker for the Dead or Children of the Mind but; Ender's Shadow, Shadow of the Hedgmon, Shadow Puppets, and Shadow of the Giant are all excellent. The king however is Ender's Game. Simply a MUST HAVE for any serious scifi reader. (Not to be confused with Fantasy readers which are a separate group! Why they mix that junk with real fiction I'll never understand.)Ender's Game Boxed Set: Ender's Game, Ender's Shadow, Shadow of the HegemonEnder's Game (Ender, Book 1)

Sci-fi classic
To me, Ender's Saga is a must-read for every sci-fi fan.The first and second books (Ender's Game and Ender's Shadow) are great since they are parallel stories in an incredible environment.Although the third book doesn't go too far into fiction, i like how the author shaped the world and the fact that genius children are running the show.The writing style is simple and the books are very easy to read.It didn't feel like a children's book, but I believe they could also read it. I think it's a shame I didn't find out about those books earlier.

I believe everyone should at least read Ender's Game, the first book.And anyway, you'll be so hooked after that so why not buy the Saga? ... Read more

Product Description
"The Most Devastating Futuristic SF Adventure of All." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

First Meetings in the Enderverse
First Meetings in the Enderverse is a collection of short stories.These stories start with Ender's father as a child and end with Ender's adulthood.The first story, called "The Polish Boy" is about the International Fleet, an army created after the first "Bugger" attack, trying to recruit his father John Paul Wieczorek, a child genius.The problem is he does not want to join unless his family is given a good education in return.Through a little trickery John Paul does not join in the end, but his family is educated.In the next story John Paul Wiggin (his name changes) is a young adult who falls in love with a girl, who, though the book doesn't say so, probably becomes Ender's mother. The Third book is about what happens to Ender in Battle School. It also talks about the final battle with the "Buggers" which are now called the "Formic". The fourth book is about Ender's struggle with taxes; including the discovery of Jane, an artificial computer program. Card is true to form as an extremely good writer; he is very good at portraying human emotion. Another thing I liked was how at first glance they all appear to be separate stories, but they are really one long story. If you like this book, try the rest of the Ender's Saga series, starting with Ender's Game and continuing to Children of the Mind. There is also Bean's Saga, which starts with Ender's Shadow and goes to Shadow of a Giant. There is also an Ender's Game movie coming out, but it has no release date. I hope you take way as good a feeling from the book as I did. ... Read more

Book Description

For Step Fletcher, his pregnant wife DeAnne, and their three children, the move to tiny Steuben, North Carolina, offers new hope and a new beginning. But from the first, eight-year-old Stevie's life there is an unending parade of misery and disaster.

Customer Reviews (149)

Haunting
I read this book maybe 10 years ago and still think about it constantly.This is definitely number one of the list of books that I can't "shake".Incredible story with a shocking ending that is completely unforgettable!

A Solid Ending Almost Saves the Book
This book delves deeply into the mundane of ordinary life.I kept expecting something to happen and page after page it did not materialize.At one point I put the book down for five months out of frustration and boredom.For some reason I picked it up again and trudged on.I am glad that I did as the last couple of chapters delivered one of the best endings I have read to date.I have read so many books that were able to deliver a wonderfully developed and exciting story only to disappoint with an unsatisfying ending (King comes to mind).This is not the case with Lost Boys in that the story was completely bogged down with details that never developed into anything important to the story.However the author took pity on the reader and ultimately delivered a great ending.Although I can't recommend the book just based on the ending, I would suggest that you borrow the book from the library then read the first few chapters for the flavor of the book and then read the ending.

That precarious mix of software, mystery, horror and Mormonism
Normally, anyone writing about Southern eccentricities has to worry about imitating Faulkner, but OSC is the exception.The book is a worthwhile read for a Cardophile like myself, but to be honest, its punch was not any greater than the short story upon which it's based.Also, like the short story, there are a number of loose ends, the biggest of which is the place the video games the lost boys played in the overall plot.

The book also took a little too long to make its point.I do have to admit that the characters were extremely well-written and believable, and I suppose that brevity and well-drawn, believable characters are to a certain extent mutually exclusive.I enjoyed some of the inside humor, such as "Eight Bits" as the place of employment for "Byte," which is where Card himself actually worked.I'm sure he's also settling the score with some of his former Byte co-workers too (i.e., the real-life equivalents of Dicky and Glass), although a third party like myself will never know for sure.And comparing a testimony meeting to a psychological fit of hysteria literally left me laughing.The Mormons are lucky that Card is still on their side, because if he weren't -- watch out!Overall, read it if you're a Cardophile, but the short story can get the job done in about a sixth the time.

Flawed Tale well told
To be fair those who criticized this book for being an "unscary" horror novel got it wrong. This is (partly) a ghost story, not a horror story, the distinction being that ghost stories are not necessarily scary. Think Oscar Wilde's "Canterville Ghost", Patrick Swayze in the movie Ghost, or even Casper! OSC is a very talented writer. Unfortunately his talent is a little misused here because the novel seems to be all over the place with no real focus. There are so many subplots I had no idea what the main plot is supposed to be until near the end of the novel. Most of the time it is a family drama with just a wee bit of supernatural element thrown in. However, his writing is so good that I had to keep reading just to see where he is going with this story. By the end of the book I did not feel like I have wasted my time, but the book is very below par by his standard.

Lost Boys- A Family's brush with the super natural
General Outline:
Step and his wife Deanne are riding high off his sucess in the mid 1980's as a game developer when all the sudden the bottom drops out of there life when they don't recieve the expected profit windfall from his best selling game "Hacker Snack". Unable to afford there house and with the IRS after them for taxes on the money he got from his game Step, his wife, and three children move to Steuben, North Carolina hoping to begin anew. Unfortunaltely when they arrive, they find they have gone from the frying pan into the fire with Steps new company a viper pit, his oldest son's school teacher out to make his son miserable and his wife pregnat with his fourth child. To top this all off there have been a string of disappearnces involving young boys and some how his oldest son Stevie and a new video game he has been playing are involved....
----
While I'm not a fan of this author's Ender series (IMO, to much ethical, moral, etc mumbo jumbo) his other books such as Home Body, The Alvin Series, Treasure Box, and now this book are usually very entertaining and I just can't put them down.This book is a little differnt in the fact that for most of the book there really isn't any great evil that is being fought, just a family going through the normal things families go through. A stressful work enviroment, no money, strange neighbors, conflicting commitments, etc.The book does end with a bit of a jar but if you look at it from the rest of the book it does make sense, who notices that the world is differnt when your living through it? It does take special people to see it and do somthing about it. All in all i would (like everybody else) recommend this to anyone who like a little bit of the super naturall to go with there suspence.
-m.a.c

... Read more

Book Description
Patience might look like she's merely a teenage girl, but in truth, she's an assassin for the King ...and the rightful heir to the throne, if secrets be known. Now, a strange visitor makes his intentions known: to help her usurp the throne and rule over their world as the one true Heptarch. Patience knows her every move is being watched and her life is in jeopardy whatever choice she makes. But she also knows that she is destined to one day encounter a strange creature called "Unwyrm," and that she will ultimately become its mate...or its destroyer! As Patience and a small band of companions travel across the world towards a place called Cranning, they experience an out-of-this-world adventure that reveals the truth behind the origins of humanity on their world...and the true source of the power that the Heptarch wields. Based on the popular novel by New York Times Bestselling author Orson Scott Card (Red Prophet), Wyrms is a science fiction epic with mythological style that is sure to enchant readers with its unique world and premise.Collects Wyrms #1-6. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (38)

Fantastic FictionKYA
This is my favorite Card story.Oh very clever, and philisopical. Sort of a Nietzschean perspective with a lot of neo-scientific (Skinner/Pavlov) thrown in.No character in this book has any human failings other than their "strengths" (remember that your greatest strength may be your greatest weakness).There is no tender feeling in this book, the type of humanism valued is a detachment from the object, an objective view of sentient life. And yes, I agree with the reviewer who mentions the importance of genes (anyone read "The Selfish Gene"?) in this story.This story is really different and thought provoking, but oh so dangerous!

Wyrms
Loved it.It is an remarkable journey about self-control, saving the world, and the price it takes from all to triumph over evil for the greater good.

Heavy-handed
This would be a much better read if you ignored all theheavy-handed allegory about mastering your passions with your will and controlling your desires so that they can be sublimated into the fabric of community and the act of marriage, blah, typical Card stuff, and just read it as a story about a girl who wants to have sex with a giant bug. I'm serious--it would be much better.

just 'coz this is about a kid doesn't mean it's written for kids!
Without recounting the plot which has been summed up by other reviewers, this book is interesting becausefor a change the hero is a girl. On the whole Card's heroes have two main characteristics: 1)possess some rare talent which has been honed to perfection though training 2)they are thrust into circumstances that require the wisdom of Solomon.Most times they are male- for examples see Ender series, Songbord etc, so its interesting to see what how Card developes Patience, the heroine in this case.

True to form Patience is raised and trained to deal with larger than life circumstances in austere circumstances, but the difference between Patience and Card's other female lead characters is her awareness of her sexuality.
Patience's destiny is that she is to be the saviour or destroyer of of the world by being the mother of Kristos. The looming prospect of motherhood obviously means that she is forced to confront physical desire and sex. Patience's calling is to mate with the all powerful Unwyrm.

From a mythological perpective there are shades of Persephone in the Underworld and Beauty and the Beast as Patience is summoned by Unwyrm to the caverns of ice for the mating. Unwyrm's call takes the form of the need for physical release and sexual arousal.

Most readers will agree it's a thorny subject when applied to adolescent girls. Many writers err between denying desire to girl-women and indulging in fantasy. Card however negotiates these fine lines are better than most and creates a character who remains centrered to the last.

When all is said and done, this is not an adventure story for children, though it will speak well to older teens who are themselves grappling with issue of self, life direction and most importantly sex. Yes, there are wild adventures here, andCard's favourite theme of acceptance, but there is a quieter voice running though the book that speaks about choice, temptation, and self-control. In a world of instant gratification and over consumpton maybe its time we started listening.

not at his best, but not bad
Ignoring the scene at the end...

Card is still the premier sci-fi writer today.The story itself is engrossing and gross at the same time, but thoroughly believable within its context.

A big bonus of Card's work is his prose.Not only is the story well written, but it brings up philosophic ideas such as 'tabla blanca' and many others.

That being said, Card is not at his best here, I was able to put this book down once in a while like I was unable to do with Ender's Game.Still, its a satisfying read and anyone that is a fan of the genre and doesn't care about an R rated storyline should get this book.I recommend the library... ... Read more

Book Description
Thirty-five million miles into space, a species of Martians sets eyes on planet Earth.With their own planet doomed for destruction, the Martians prepare to invade.Their weapons are ready and their aim is ruthless.The war of the worlds is about to begin. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (29)

Challenging good read
These books are for those who want a challenge.Possibly a little confusing at first, but keep reading and you are hooked.Good, creative author.

Beyond Ender's Game (3 books)
Read them!Kids and adults alike!You will love them.Be sure you read "Ender's Game" first.One of my all-time favorites!(I'm 68 years old.)
H. in Texas

Not worth the purchase
By the end of Ender's Game, the Ender story feels complete.Author Card may have agreed, as the following stories take Ender and his tale in an entirely new direction. If you just stick to Ender's Game, you won't feel at a loss.These stories feel extraneous and the characters are too certain of their own righteousness to be believable.

More in Sci-fi, but less in strategy (sometimes brilliant but sometimes...)
I have read the whole ender series, but with a strange sequence which may have affected the way I view the different books in the series. The first book I have read was the Shadow of the Hegemon, thanks to a tourist that had left it in the library of a hotel in Skiathos island. This book got me hooked, but it confused me also as I didn't know if I should start reading the next books or the previous ones.

The general pattern in the whole series is:
The beginning book is Ender's Game. Then we have two subcategories, one the Shadow series (which, with the exception of the first book, take place on earth and are more within military strategy) and one the Ender series (which take place in space and are more into new sci-fi ideas). Shadow series probably can be read from everyone, while I guess that the Ender series (especially from Speaker for the Dead onwards) would be read mainly from sci-fi fans.
Below are my comments for the books of the series, in the order I have read them and a marking (10 is the highest mark):

Shadow of the Hegemon: The first book I have read, and which I could not leave from my hands. I finished it in 2 days. It was fast paced action, very smart plot and after reading it I believed that Orson Scot Card (OSC) has invented/re-invented a new genre of literature. That of military strategy and adventure combined with brilliance/mind games and hidden portions of romance. Such books always existed but this seemed to be THE book. It was like the way Dan Brown re-invented books with trivials and puzzles, together with fast paced adventure. I strongly recommend it to everybody that likes such type of books. (mark: 10)

Shadow puppets: The sequel to the above. I found it interesting but somehow boring as the above story developed little and the focus was on the characters (maybe too much focus so that it seemed to me that it was slightly mumbling jumbling. Strategy, brilliance and adventure seemed to be very low here. I would not recommend it for anybody to read it in isolate, unfortunately you have to read it if you want to go to the next book. I really believe that OSC made a mistake here (deliberately or not) as this book should have been told in 50-60 pages and be included in the previous or the next book. (mark: 6 but you will read it because you will want to read Shadow of the Giant)

Shadow of the Giant: (see below)

Ender's game: A really great book to read, probably the best of the series, however, as I had read its sequels first, when I reached the 80% of this book, I had predicted the end. However, it's at the highest standards of sci-fi, military strategy, adventure, brilliant mind games and very good depth in the human aspect of the characters. In comparison to the shadow series, it is more "space" sci-fi, while shadow series have much lesser sci-fi elements and are more down to earth. (mark: 10)

Speaker for the dead: Another great book, but different style. Less adventure, more human aspect, more maturity. Brilliance yes, but not military, sci-fi yes (some great ideas) but not spaceship style. (Mark: 9)

Xenocide: A good sequel of the previous novel. In certain points more brilliant, in other sections more boring, however is again a very good sci-fi book. The only flaw in these series (Speker for the dead, Xenocide, Children of the mind) is the idea behind one of the alien species described which I found outrageously extreme, however if you ignore it becomes first class reading. (Mark: 9)

Children of the mind: I think that OSC has wrapped up his case pretty badly in that one. It's a fair book except the fact that I felt that OSC mumbles jumbles for one third of the novel not having decided how to end it. In other critiques I have found it described as nice approach to moral dilemmas, however, moral dilemma is when you describe it once and make your choice, while here the dilemma is repeated and repeated... I felt like I was watching a movie worth 10 oscars and the end did not worth to be included even in a cheap video movie. And again, many open ends at the end (for possible sequels). (Mark: 7 but you will read it as you will be hooked from the previous ones).

Ender's shadow: Having read Enders Game and Shadow of the Hegemon, I found this book probably the best of the series, which of course is my subjective preference. I could characterize it as probably the best book I have read ever! Not to repeat myself, it has all that Shadow of the Hegemon and Ender's Game have, and even more...(Mark: the absolute 10).

Shadow of the Giant: When I read shadow puppets, I said, "that's it, OSC has lost either his talent or his appetite for good writing...", so I was pretty unwilling to read it. Fortunately I decided to, as it proved to be a good one, were I believe that OSC has nicely wrapped up his story, with two small flaws.
* The one is described below (its end needed to be slightly more complete) and,
* The other is the fact that although he describes certain smart battles, he does not focus enough on them as it seems that he is in a hurry to wrap all things up. It had all elements to become a masterpiece but it ended up being a good to read book (Mark: 9)

In general, both series have three categories of good stuff:
1) Some great sci-fi ideas (battle room, battle games, fantasy game, ansible, aia, Jane, in/out travel, raman varelse etc)
2) Great military strategy, mind games etc combined with adventure
3) In certain books, depth of characters, moral dilemmas etc
And two main bad stuff:
1) Mumbling jumbling in certain books which was completely unnecessary (either OSC wanted just to produce and sell another title - see shadow puppets- or he could not decide how the story will continue-see last book of Ender series).
2) One of the alien species described in the Ender series was so too outrageous even for sci-fi that made it look ridiculous. The idea behind it was brilliant in sci-fi terms, but he could try a different living organism...
Finally, OSC has left open ends in both series (probably for next sequels), however I believe that there are two things missing. a) the story of the Hive Queen and the Hegemon, told in a metaphorical manner so it means much for humanity. b) In ancient theatre, a story should end in a way that brings "katharsis" to the story, and the souls of the readers. I believe that the end of the shadow of the giant may be smart for commercial purposes but it was very unfair to the reader as it did not bring full "katharsis".

Read one you will rember this is it
I love this series if you like a good story this is the one .Follow the lives of thes childern see them save the world.These books are great for all ages I bought this set for two of my brothers and there wifes.All have enjoyed them emensly. ... Read more

Amazon.com
Ender's Shadow is being dubbed as a parallel novel to Orson Scott Card's Hugo and Nebula Award-winning Ender's Game. By "parallel," Card means that Shadow begins and ends at roughly the same time as Game, and it chronicles many of the same events. In fact, the two books tell an almost identical story of brilliant children being trained in the orbiting Battle School to lead humanity's fleets in the final war against alien invaders known as the Buggers. The most brilliant of these young recruits is Ender Wiggin, an unparalleled commander and tactician who can surely defeat the Buggers if only he can overcome his own inner turmoil.

Second among the children is Bean, who becomes Ender's lieutenant despite the fact that he is the smallest and youngest of the Battle School students. Bean is the central character of Shadow, and we pick up his story when he is just a 2-year-old starving on the streets of a future Rotterdam that has become a hell on earth. Bean is unnaturally intelligent for his age, which is the only thing that allows him to escape--though not unscathed--the streets and eventually end up in Battle School. Despite his brilliance, however, Bean is doomed to live his life as an also-ran to the more famous and in many ways more brilliant Ender. Nonetheless, Bean learns things that Ender cannot or will not understand, and it falls to this once pathetic street urchin to carry the weight of a terrible burden that Ender must not be allowed to know.

Although it may seem like Shadow is merely an attempt by Card to cash in on the success of his justly famous Ender's Game, that suspicion will dissipate once you turn the first few pages of this engrossing novel. It's clear that Bean has a story worth telling, and that Card (who started the project with a cowriter but later decided he wanted it all to himself) is driven to tell it. And though much of Ender's Game hinges on a surprise ending that Card fans are likely well acquainted with, Shadow manages to capitalize on that same surprise and even turn the table on readers. In the end, it seems a shame that Shadow, like Bean himself, will forever be eclipsed by the myth of Ender, because this is a novel that can easily stand on its own. Luckily for readers, Card has left plenty of room for a sequel, so we may well be seeing more of Bean in the near future. --Craig E. Engler Book Description
Welcome to Battleschool. Growing up is never easy. But try living on the mean streets as a child begging for food and fighting like a dog with ruthless gangs of starving kids who wouldn't hesitate to pound your skull into pulp for a scrap of apple. If Bean has learned anything on the streets, it's how to survive. And not with fists. He is way too small for that. But with brains.Bean is a genius with a magician's ability to zero in on his enemy and exploit his weakness.What better quality for a future general to lead the Earth in a final climactic battle against a hostile alien race, known as Buggers. At Battleschool Bean meets and befriends another future commander - Ender Wiggins - perhaps his only true rival.Only one problem: for Bean and Ender, the future is now. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (634)

An AMAZING Ender-series Book
Ender's Shadow by Orson Scott Card is a FANTASTIC book, because of its vivid details, the places I saw, and the different perspective on the world it showed me. This book is an absolute 5 out of 5 stars because of its uniqueness and it's the perfect paralled novel to Ender's Game. This Science Fiction book is all about Bean, the tiny boy who survived the ruthless streets and the cunning Battle School, who allied with perfect Ender and battled evil Achilles. Anyone who likes science fiction or has read the other Ender books will love this book. This book captured my attention and never let go.

Not worth reading
I had to read this book for school and it was torture. If you don't like Science Fiction this book will make your brain sick.

urhero95490
A new opinion of what happened at battle school. The fresh point of view stops you from remembering that you already know the outcome. I can't believe I did the same story twice, and maybe liked it better the second time. If you liked ENDERS GAME you can't not like ENDER'S SHADOW. (It really doesn't matter which book is read first.)

Ender's Shawdow
I was very disappointed with this purchase and it's return.I purchased this book for my son for Christmas ~ he is an avid reader ~ however, my son then came home from school with a copy of Ender's Shawdow which he borrowed from the school library.My order was already in progress - and upon receipt I returned it for a refund ~ we frequently shop through Amazon ~ the disappointment came when I recieved a -0- refund ~ of which I made inquiry, and have not yet recieved a response.

Unexpected gem.
Ender's Shadow is a parallel novel set against Ender's Game, and chronicling the life and origins of Bean, Ender Wiggin's second in command.

Although the first portion of the book is well developed and Bean's survival on the streets is fascinating, what I enjoyed most about the book were the continual contrasts between Bean and Ender's characters, backgrounds, and motivations. While Ender was always easy to root for, Bean is a much harder character to like initially. Card takes his time drawing you in, slowly teaching Bean empathy as his original book taught Ender to be merciless.

It's true that Card obviously manipulated Bean's character a bit in order to pull this book off, but unlike other readers I don't find that this weakens the original source material at all. Card has matured significantly as a writer since penning Ender's Game, and this newer, more subtle companion proves it. ... Read more

Book Description
High above the earth orbits the starship Basilica. On board the huge vessel is a sleeping woman. Of those who made the journey, Shedemai alone has survived the hundred of years since the Children of Wetchik returned to Earth.She now wears the Cloak of the Starmaster, and the Oversoul wakes her sometimes to watch over her descendants on the planet below. The population has grown rapidly--there are cities and nations now, whole peoples descended from the who followed Nafai or Elemak.But in all the long years of watching and searching, the Oversoul has not found the thing it sought. It has not found the Keeper of the Earth, the central intelligence that also can repair the Oversoul's damaged programming. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (44)

Ending the series with different characters....eh...
It's the final book in the Earthbound series by Orson Scott Card. Shedemei is the sole living character from the earlier story of the journey from Harmony. Her life is being extended by her status as the Starmaster of the Basilica and by help of being in stasis for long periods of time. She awakens occasionally to check in on civilization and to tend her gardens. Meanwhile, on Earth below, the peoples descending from Nafai and Elemak are warring. Some cling to their belief in the Keeper of Earth and some do not.

The story begins with slavery...the slavery of Akma and his family and his people. As a result of their miraculous escape, Akma has developed a deep disrespect for his father, who essentially converts their captives and leads them out of slavery. As the story progresses, racial hatred crescendos and the angels and diggers are discriminated against by some of the humans. It is the Keepers wish that all species be able to live together in peace, but those who deny the existence of the Keeper take a very modern "politically correct" stance against those who are not human.

In this book, the author tackles quite a few modern issues in his development of his Earth. The attempt to prove God's existence. Rationalizing church/state issues. Racial tensions. Much time is spent in Earthborn on religious themes like baptism, faith, prayer, visions and even some theology. (The author is a Mormon and has an interest in Biblical history.)

One disjointing issue that I can't quite understand is that the previous four books have focused on one set of characters, Nafai and the band of travelers. In Earthborn, the final book in the series, all but one of the original characters is already dead. The setting is several hundred years after Earthfall. I found it hard to get into this book at first due to the fact that the author made us start over right at the end of the story with new characters, naming conventions and cultures. I suppose there wasn't any other way to do it, but it was quite a jump.

Uncle Orson gets allegorical for the final Homecoming novel
"Earthborn" is the fifth and final volume in Orson Scott Card's Homecoming Saga, and readers who have followed the conflict between Nafai and Elemak to this point will be surprised to find that the story now jumps ahead hundreds of years to their descendants.As such the volume strikes most readers as more of an epilogue or postscript rather than as a conclusion to the tale.Then again, knowing Uncle Orson, there is always reason to believe that what we are reading is some sort of a morality play for our edification.I do not read too many authors who write allegories as often as Card, at least not without going back several centuries (and back across the Atlantic Ocean).

In "Earthborn" there is one member of the Children of Wetchik from the earlier novels who made it from Harmony to Earth and is still around, namely Shedemi, who now wears the cloak of the Starmaster.The descendants of Nafai and Elemak have built their own cities and towns, but the animosity between the brothers remains potent between the two peoples.The quest to find the Keeper of the Earth, the computer-like intelligence that can repair the Oversoul back on Harmony, still continues.Now there is evidence that the people on Earth have been influenced by the Keeper and Shedemei has decided to leave the starship Basilica and feel the earth under her feet once again.

In the other books there were more immediate and practical concerns, plus the Oversoul was helping move things along.But with the Starmaster and the Oversoul in the background, more philosophical (read religious) issues have come into play.With humans as the Middle People between the Angels (Sky People) and Diggers (Earth People), many of Card's fans will be reminded of the later volumes in the Ender series.Obviously others will see strong parallels between the story and parts of the Book of Mormon, but I cannot speak to that and am content with the ample evidence that "Earthborn" can be read either way.

Ultimately it is the great leap forward in the narrative that becomes more of a concern and while reading the first four books consecutively makes perfect sense, with each picking up where the previous one left off, I really think you want to go off and read another book or two (or more) before you proceed to this one.That is because if you are not open to the shift from Nafai and Elemak to the Angels and Diggers you are not going to either enjoy or understand the novel, and you may well be better off just ending with "Earthborn."However, I find it hard to believe that those who like the writing of Orson Scott Card would just ignore one of his books, even if they did have to work to figure out what it really meant.

I love Akma!
Like Orson Scott Card, I am a Mormon, and my favorite story from the Book of Mormon has always been the story of Alma the Younger (Akma). In literature my favorite characters are always the ones who go through a profound change of heart or repentence process (Edmund and Eustace in Narnia, Jean Valjean in Les Miserables, Paul in the Bible). I was already familiar with Alma's later life and achievements as a great teacher, leader, and prophet, so it was great to be able to see Card's extrapolations about Akma's early life in captivity, the development of his hatred and anti-religious philosophies, his friendship with the four sons of king Motiak (Mosiah), romance with their sister, and finally his conversion. I cried as I read his conversion experience (directly derived from Alma 36) during his three days of unconsciousness.

My biggest regret is that there's no sequel planned! I would love to read about Motiak's decision to establish Darakemba as a democracy, Akma as chief judge and high priest (and his experiences with war and dealing with apostate break-off groups), and about Mon and his brothers teaching the Elemaki!

Liked the Homecoming Series? You Don't Need This...
Personally, I don't feel this novel adds to the Homecoming series as a whole. The only character carried over from the original "cast" is Shedemei, and the other characters are too numerous and distant to give you any real connection to them. The same with the events... I just really had trouble caring because I was thrust into them without bothering to fully grasp where I was in this setting.

I think that if you've read the rest of the Homecoming series and are considering whether or not to read this in addition, I wouldn't bother. I know it's tempting to find out what else happens, but it really isn't all that amazing, and doesn't actually contribute to the plot behind it.

As for the religious overtones, I actually found myself bored with portions of the novel. I even went as far as to skip reading a few areas, which I hardly EVER do with novels.

My advice: Don't bother with this one.

Ripoff of the Book of Mormon
Orson Scott Card is Mormon, and if we didn't know it before, now we do--he based the entire plot of the Homecoming series on the Book of Mormon. It's so pathetic that I am speechless. ... Read more

Book Description
Come here to the magical America that might have been, and marvel as the tale of Alvin Maker unfolds. The seventh son of a seventh son is a boy of mysterious powers, and he is waking to the mysteries of the land and its own chosen people. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (34)

Not Free SF Reader
Dull, mormon wish fulfillment just fantasy.Card may have come up with some clever and complex science fiction, but he has also accomplished some terribly turgid fantasy.A suggestion and loaned from a friend, the stinking rotter. :)

The Seventh Son gets darker
More of a continuation of Seventh Son than a sequel it actually begins some time before the first book ended.The story starts at a meeting between Andrew Jackson and William
Henry Harris, talking about the removal of Red (or Indians) from newly acquired lands in the West.From there the story follows two Red brothers; one is Lolla-Wossiky, who starts out as a nearly insane and eventually becomes a great spiritual leader advocating peaceful co-existence with white settlers.The other is strong warrior Ta-Kumsaw who wants to lead the Reds in revolt against the expanding white men with the help of the French and Napoleon Bonapart.In the middle is young Alvin Miller, the Maker.Alvin is still learning how to use his magic for good, and has a bad feeling about helping Ta-Kumsaw in rising against his own, but helps none the less because he knows the Reds cause is right, if not the means.

I must be honest I didn't like this book as well as I did "Seventh Son".First it was a lot bigger in scope, which I understand was the idea, but I liked the last books focus on Alvin and his private war with The Unmaker.Also I didn't like the attitude Scott had against white people spoiling everything they touch.I know this was a prevalent attitude that the Native Americans had (and some still do), but I thought that the sentiment was taken too far, and made me uncomfortable while reading "Red Prophet".Also the battle scenes are barely described in any detail; not the massacre at Prophetown or the battle at Detroit.

I did like the characterizations of the people involved though.They all rang true, especially Ta-Kumsaw.Alvin is a sweet young kid with powers he doesn't understand, and that seemed real as well.

All in all, I just didn't care for this book.I hope you'll enjoy it more than I did.

Greatly expands the scope of the story.
The scope of the Tales of Alvin Maker series greatly expands with this book.New characters and places, as well as much deeper insights into the political landscape of the [imaginary] time make this story so much more than the telling of a special child growing up in Vigor Church.Characters familiar to us from our own world history play a much larger role in this book, with William Henry Harisson and Napoleon having the most impact.As with 'Seventh Son', Card relies heavily on vernacular from "Ol-timey America" to emphasize and bring to life his characters.This also influences the naming of geographical features like rivers and mountains (with the Big Muddy being referred to as the Mizzipy).Some reviewers have complained about this, saying they get tripped up over the vocab, but IMHO it works great and adds life to the story.

One very noticeable difference between this book and the previous one is the escalation in the amount of and the explicit nature of violence.OSC has a gift of being able to portray feelings and emotion in a powerful way, as well as being able to paint extremely vivid pictures with his words.A couple of scenes in this book (especially revolving around Mike Fink and Measure) are very graphic and brutal.Some of this material may not be appropriate for young or sensitive readers.This book is definitely more mature and darker than any other OSC books I've read (Ender and Homecoming series).Just a warning.

'Red Prophet' opens up by telling the story of the Shining Man that appears in 'Seventh Son', who is known in this book as Lolla-Wossiky, Tenskwa-Tawa, or simply The Prophet.In fact, the first quarter of this book has an overlapping timeline with the first book, telling of broader events occurring while the more personal events of Alvin growing up are happening.The story eventually catches up to where 'Seventh Son' ends, with Alvin setting of to apprentice as a blacksmith.Instead of that, he and his brother Measure find themselves captives of some pretty evil Reds hired by the even more evil William Henry Harisson.The majority of the book follows Alvin as he learns more about his abilities and about Red-magic from a powerful new character named Ta-Kumsaw.Meanwhile, grand events are taking shape that will lead to a major confrontation between the Reds and the Whites that could shatter hope for a peaceful future.

All in all, this book does a great deal to progress the overall theme of the series, with Alvin undergoing much maturing, and the world around him being shaped by many powerful forces.Can't wait to read the rest of the series.

American Fantasy
I love the concept of an alternate American History that the author uses.The story is amazing and I can't wait to see how it unfolds.

Fantastic tale and shining star of Tales of Alvin Maker Series
Red Prophet picks up where Seventh Son left off and shouldn't be read without previously reading the latter.Set in fictional colonial America, this is the land of alternate history where Americans have "knacks" or ability to do specific and limited magical acts.

There are various sub-plots throughout Red Prophet that include Napoleon, Andrew Jackson, and the infamous William Henry Harrison.Most of the story continues the story of Alvin, a seventh son of a seventh son who has peculiar powers and is befriended by the famous Indian leader, Tecumseh.

I felt this was the strongest book of the series and really separated itself from the rest of the pack.There are lots of elements going on and they all work.It's an exciting page-turner with a brisk pace and lots of action.It's a coming of age story where Alvin is learning to find himself and his abilities.It intelligently looks at American Indian's oppression by white colonial Americans.It has political intrigue elements wrapped up and brought together in the WHH and Napoleon sub plots.It also intelligently uses alternative history in a clever and satisfying way and at times is very dark and heartbreaking.

The sequels are worth reading (well at least the next two) but unfortunately don't achieve the same level as Red Prophet.It's a shame that you must read Seventh Son (although not a bad read at all) to really understand this properly because this book could of reached a much larger audience if it was a stand-alone.

This book was nominated for a Hugo and a Nebula award in 89'.It didn't win either, losing to Cyteen by C.J. Cherryh in the Hugo and Falling Free by Bujold (also nominated for a Hugo) in the Nebula.I haven't read Cyteen but this book was far superior to Falling Free in my opinion in what was an overall below average year for the awards.

Also I noticed a new reissue of the paperback coming to Amazon in August.Of course they jacked up the price to RIDICULUOS 14.95 list price, and seem to be discontinuing the mass-market version (only 5 left as of this review).Almost as appalling is the new cover art which is not only ugly, but is inappropriate for the mood of this book (compare it to the old version) and really is aimed at the "young adult" crowd which is limiting for a book like this.

Bottom Line:Card at his best here in what I believe is his 3rd best book after Ender's Game and Speaker For The Dead.Worth reading at least the first 3 of this series. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

Not Free SF Reader
Underwater oddities.


This is a movie novelisation, and a pretty decent job.In fact, in this case I like it more than the other, which was rather tedious, so I can recommend the book as far as that goes.

As far as the story goes, underwater explorers find something definitely not human, and some of the new gear they are trying gets used to try and help understand and communicate.

Uncle Orson's novel adds a whole new dimension to Cameron's movie
The dusk jacket of this novel takes great pains to explain that this is "A Novel by Hugo and Nebula Award-winning Author Orson Scott Card based on an original screenplay by James Cameron." That lengthy description is important because it is trying to make it crystal clear that this is NOT a "novelization" of a screenplay, and to give you some idea what a unique and exquisite book you are reading. Card provides an entirely new dimension to Cameron's screenplay.

I still think "The Abyss" is James Cameron's best movie, Oscar winning block busters aside, although that other film certainly proves water is his natural element. Displeased with the "cursory, mediocre, often inaccurate, and sometimes downright reprehensible" novelizations he had already read of his films, Cameron determined there would be a NOVEL. In a totally unique process, Card worked from videotapes of the film as the editing progressed, updating his manuscript as scenes were changed, added or cut. In addition to covering everything you see in the film version of "The Abyss," Card made two significant contributions to the story in his novel.

First, he wrote chapters focusing on the three main characters of Buddy, Linsey and Coffee. Each chapter goes back to when they were kids and relates the seminal events that made them the people they grew up to be and brought them to the setting of this story. Cameron was so impressed with these chapters that before filming began he gave them to Ed Harris and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio (and you have to wonder what Michael Biehn would have done with the background on Coffey). Second, Card works in the entire story from the side of the alien beings, explaining what they are doing and thinking even when they are not around the humans on Deepcore. Things that you wondered about in the film (How could Coffey survive that great depth and cut the right wire?) will be made clear and the additional scenes add great depth to the film (intentional pun).

It is because of this added dimension that I think you will best enjoy this book after you have seen the film and more specifically the Special Edition or Director's Cut of the film. Of course, I can certainly appreciate that fans of Orson Scott Card might pick up "The Abyss" without any care about the movie. This is not a bad thing either because Card is a first rate imaginative writer, as he has proven from "Ender's Game" to "Enchantment." If you loved the movie, you will love the book. You do not want to miss out on this one.

Adds to the movie
This is a very unusual book, as it was written AT THE SAME TIME as the movie (from what I remember).I loved this movie, and the book was great to go along with it... it starts with 3 chapters to give you background on the characters. But after that, it's EXACTLY true to the movie, but what's cool is you get to see all the emotions and thoughts that aren't in the movie, and it doesn't feel like it's a "book based on the movie" or anything.I was able to find this book at a used book store, and it was definitely worth buying.The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because I read it 5 years ago and I'm not sure if it is truly 5 star worthy.

Bear Hugs
I haven't written a book review since college many years ago.
The reason I decided to write this one is because it truly touches your heart & soul. Like pg. 21Living Each Day As If It's Your Last. In my field of work I often hear people say if only...
(and now it's too late)this has made me stop & think of things I wish I had done. However this book really speaks to you & helps you put what is important to you in perspection.
There are so many other affirmations & poems that I believe everyone could relate to. This book is easy to read and will leave you in deep thought on some pages & smiles on the next!
The title fits perfectly!

Ron's Review of "The Abyss" novel.
The cover of this book caught my eye the day I moved from Hawaii to San Francisco, so I bought it and was totally absorbed in the story for the entire 6 hour flight!This was before the movie had been released, but the novel's cover indicated that it would soon be in the theatres and I thought: "If the movie stays true to the book, then WOW! How Flawless that would be!"...of course, that wasn't the case...(but the book is a MUST READ!!!)
At anyrate, the books themes and morals dealing with humanity's arrogance, ignorance, nuclear-war capabilities and our potential to "love", truly struck home for me...I was moved to tears.This was the first time all those issues were brought together in such a manner that this novel literally helped me to adopt a new attitude about myself, this planet, other lifeforms and the due respect we need to have for all of it!This novel should be used in schools to help teach kids the important values it contains!Way to go Orson! ... Read more

Product Description
Is it space that children dream of, or merely visiting other worlds? Todd had always set his heart on being an astronaut, but when he meets an alien and travels to another world, he doesn't use a spaceship, he