| | Comment from (2005-03-21) |
| The order of this series can be confusing. Here is an explanation.
The books in the series are listed (as they should be) in the order they were published. However, this is not the chronological order of the books. Book 2 is 3000 years after book 1 and books 3 & 4 follow them. Book 5 happens in parallel to book 1 and books 6-7 happen between books 1 & 2. You can think of them as two series, 1 to 4 and 5 to 8, with the first books in parallel.
Also, books 3 & 4 are really parts 1 and 2 of a single book. The book was too long and Card split it into two books while writing it.
So the chronological (event) order of the books is:
1 Ender's Game
5 Ender's Shadow
6 Shadow of the Hegemon
7 Shadow Puppets
8 Shadow of the Giant
2 Speaker for the Dead
3 Xenocide
4 Children of the Mind
The burning question for the prospective reader then is, “In what order should I read them?”
Either in the published order or the chronological order. In either case, start with book 1. If you like the parts of the book with Ender’s siblings, I suggest you continue with 5, 6, 7, and 8 next. If you like the last 20% of the book more, I suggest you continue with 2, 3, and 4 next. In either case, picking one order over the other is not necessary to follow the series. It is just a matter of reading first the books that interest you most.
Or, just read books 1 & 5. In books 2, 3, and 4, Card shifts towards “literary fiction” and away from the style in “Ender’s Game.” If what you really liked was the battle school, then you might not like the rest.
One caveat, I’m only read books 1 - 4 so far, but have read about the series. I’ll update this when I finish the rest. |
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| | Comment from (2005-02-14) |
| So hard to put down once you've become absorbed in the content of these books. I reccommend reading by chronological order. |
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| | Comment from (2004-07-02) |
| Truly quality literature. This would have to be one of my favorite series. If you haven't read them, I suggest you head over to your local library right now. |
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| | Comment from (2003-03-09) |
| This is an excellent series. Start Reading NOW! |
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| | Comment from (2003-03-08) |
| The best series ever written. Read it and you will grow! |
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