The Ender of All things Evil - Ender's Game

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card is set in a period where earth is at war with an alien race called the Buggers. Andrew "Ender" Wiggins is the third child in a family of geniuses. He has a loving sister name Valentine and semi-evil brother named Peter. Ender is recognized as a military genius by the leaders of a "Battle School" and is convinced to attend. He rises through the ranks and wins all of his battles and simulations. He is constantly tormented by rival commanders (other kids) and deals with their physical attacks by striking back fatally. He graduates from battle school and moves on to destroy the Bugger race unwittingly, thinking he is playing a game which is continuing his training.

Ender's Game was a lot of fun to read. The battle scenes are innovative and exciting and we really come to like and empathize with Ender as the picked on little boy. Perhaps the most surprising thing in the book is Ender killing several students. The author makes it out to be a "kill or be killed" scenario, but the mindset of killing your enemies as a way of ridding yourself of the threat seems extreme. However, this good destroys evil theme exists throughout all tween literture... albeit not as graphic. Overall, I found myself liking the characters and the dynamic between them as well as enjoying the fantasy story.