Orson Scott Card

Shadow Puppets (Ender, Book 7)

Erik Horton

Todd Luallen

The last two books in this series I rated 5 stars, so it was a huge disappointment as I read through this book and didn't find it nearly as good. I do disagree with another review that stated the dialogue was bland. I actually thought the dialogue was the best part of the book. Unfortunately, the reason I love the Ender and Shadow stories is because they typically have a variety of "no win" situations that somehow Bean or Ender are able to navigate - I love that about these books. It comes across like Moriarty and Sherlock going head to head in a battle of wits, except it's less mystery and more action oriented - which is another reason I like these books (the action). But this book had only 1 such "no win" scenario. I was hoping for much more.

Evan Petrack

There is nothing I can add here that hasn't already been said, but I wanted to leave a written review so that any potential readers don't think it's just a hateful one-star review. The quality of the writing is indeed a shame, and the espousement of traditional, almost-archaic Judeo-Christian values (regardless of your level of agreement or disagreement with them) distract and detract from a story that could have been an excellent climax of childhood rivalries put to past. 

I've challenged myself to read the entire Enderverse series in order and will continue to do so...but seriously I'm going to have to stop if this quality of writing continues. Shame on you, Tor.

Ben Nathan

The parts that were about war and strategy would be pretty good. Every human to human interaction was pretty terrible otherwise. The obsession with babies and religion, all the preaching made the book almost unbearable. Also, turned an incredibly strong and smart female character (Petra) into a stupid broodmare that only cares about having babies. It was pretty awful, but the few non-crap moments made it a 2 star instead of 1

Kireth Sandhu

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.

Les Reynolds

Nice continuation about the Earth that Ender left behind. All the political parts are a bit slow, but there are some nice nuggets of truth hidden within.

Cody Degen

Hobbes

Max L

'Certain to be one of the most sought-after books of the year' - The Times 'Full of surprises ... Intense is the word for Orson Scott Card's ENDER'S GAME' - LOCUS Manoeuvring through international politics and war, Peter Wiggin and Achilles are each determined to defeat the other and become Hegemon. When cloned embryos carrying Bean's brilliant intelligence fall into the hands of Achilles' people, the race to protect the world has only just begun... Orson Scott Card's award-winning Ender series is a genuine classic of science fiction. In SHADOW PUPPETS, the third book in the new series following ENDER'S SHADOW and SHADOW OF THE HEGEMON, he follows the fates of Ender's fellow pupils from Battle School - now facing terrible new challenges, both personal and political. Books by Orson Scott Card: Alvin Maker novels Seventh Son Red Prophet Prentice Alvin Alvin Journeyman Heartfire The Crystal City Ender Wiggin Saga Ender's Game Speaker for the Dead Xenocide Children of the Mind Ender in Exile Homecoming The Memory of the Earth The Call of the Earth The Ships of the Earth Earthfall Earthborn First Formic War (with Aaron Johnston) Earth Unaware Earth Afire Earth Awakens

Shadow Puppets (Ender, Book 7)

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