Written by Orson Scott Card in 1985, the novel Ender’s Game marked the start of the extensive media franchise that has since encompassed sixteen novels, thirteen short stories, 47 comic book issues, an audio play, and a major feature film starring Asa Butterfield, Harrison Ford, and Sir Ben Kingsley.
Beginning with the first novel, the series takes us to a dystopian point in Earth’s future, where mankind had become growingly imperialistic and has been locked in a vicious and unrelenting war with an insectoid species (‘Formics’) whom the people dubbed ‘the Buggers’.
Following the exploits of protagonist Andrew ‘Ender’ Wiggin, a child soldier trained at ‘battle school’ to fight the creatures, the Ender’s Game series sees the titular hero rise through the ranks – questioning the war itself, and the motivations of his superiors.
Ender’s Game: Definitive Reading Order
Now that you know a little more about the Ender’s Game series, and the wider work of Orson Scott Card, it’s time to examine the series itself.
As with any large franchise, knowing where to begin can be daunting to new readers.
While the novels themselves were designed to be enjoyed as stand alone outings, there is still a reading order for those looking to engage with the entire series.
The first in the Ender’s Game series, this novel establishes the world of the series, wherein governments breed genetically modified, genius child soldiers to be the leaders of tomorrow in the war against the Formics – an insectoid race of hostile invading aliens.
Pros
Well written
Solid world-building
Action-packed
Dramatic
Well rounded characters
Cons
Doesn’t age as well as it could
Themes: War, legacy, genocide, guilt, duty, destiny
Following his begrudging victory over the Formics, Ender Wiggin vanished for years – returning years later under the moniker ‘the speaker of the dead’, espousing the travesties of the bloody war he took part in, and telling the truth of the crimes committed.
Pros
Interesting concept
Strong world-building
Lore building
Good development of mythology
Strong character development
Cons
Very little fan service
Themes: War, regret, genocide, imperialism, duty, honor
After choosing Lusitania as a suitable planet for the re-establishment of the Formic species, Ender finds himself bombarded by the threats of war, a new breed of child soldiers, and a deadly virus that has a fatal impact on the human colonists on the planet.
Reconnecting with an old friend ‘Jane’ – a sophisticated AI whose computer world is being purged by the Congress – Ender must fight to save his friends and the planet he has helped to develop.
Recounting Bean’s hard upbringing, Ender’s Shadow sees the rise of this mysterious yet loyal character as he transitions from a lost young boy into one of the pivotal players in the Human-Formic war.
Pros
Interesting perspective
Good character development
Well written
Good change of pace
Action-packed and exciting
Good return to form
Cons
Could be seen as repetitive
Themes: War, genocide, good vs evil, loyalty, duty, honor
The third novel in the Shadow Saga, Shadow Puppets focuses on the power vacuum created by the Formic invasion, and how the forced alliances quickly crumbled to dust once this shared enemy had been defeated.
Recounting the origins of Ender’s father (John Paul Wiggin), who himself was a veteran of the first two Bugger wars, First Meetings is a collection of novellas leading into the events of the first book (also included in this collection).
Pros
Good source of background information
Good storytelling
Well written
Interesting characterization
Cons
Somewhat contrived
Themes: War, peace, morality, genocide, honor, duty
Years after the wars that shaped the course of Earth, Bean and his wife Petra seek to find a place to settle down and raise a family – leaving the Earth in search of a new world they can call their home.
Pros
Good character development
Nice change of pace
Tense
Action-packed
Well written
Cons
Slow burning
Themes: War, peace, the past, the future, new beginnings, family
Focusing on the Battle School that trains the children, A War of Gifts sees the small acts of rebellion that marked the drastic changes that were forced to take place within the organization.
Recounting the stories surrounding Ender’s exile to the colonies following the revelation of the war crimes against the Formics, Ender in Exile shows how the young man with a heavy heart became the pivotal yet wayward character known as the ‘Speaker for the Dead’.
Shadows In Flight is the last book in the Shadow Saga and focuses on Bean and three of his genetically modified children as they flee to the stars in search of a cure for their doomed, shortened lifespan.
Taking place 100 years before Ender’s Game, Earth Unaware focuses on the events of the first Formic war and the crew of the ‘El Cavador’ – a mining vessel in the depths of space that detects the coming invasion.
Despite beating the Formic ships to Earth, Victor Delgado is still not believed by the skeptical governments around the world – that is until space stations and vessels begin exploding in unison.
As the first Formic war gets underway, and the need for allies grows pivotal to humanity’s survival, the governments of the Earth form a tenuous global alliance that will help them in holding back the tide of Formic invaders.
Focusing on the start of the second Formic war, The Swarm sees the return of the Formics as they arrive from deep space seeking revenge for the losses they suffered in the first war.
Pros
Good history
Good world-building
Action-packed
Tense
Cons
Some inconsistencies in the plot
Themes: War, peace, legacy, duty, honor, alliances
Focusing on the child soldiers of the fleet – whose journey out in space mirrors the one on Earth during the third Formic war – Children of the Fleet shows the dangers faced by the daring, space-faring crews.
Yes. While the Ender’s Game series might be primarily written for the young adult fiction market, there are many adults who are fans of the franchise.
Is The Ender’s Game Series Suitable For Children?
Even though most of the characters in the novel are children, the story itself has many elements considered too mature for anyone under the age of 12 years old.
Hi, my name is Anna Davis and I have been working with books for five years now. I got a job at my local library, so I could be closer to all of the books! I created this website in the hopes of inspiring others to start reading again. Who knows, maybe you’ll find your new favorite book from my site!
![Ender In Exile: Ender Series, book 6 (Ender Saga) [Paperback] Card, Orson Scott](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxIDEiIHdpZHRoPSIxIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjEiIGRhdGEtdT0iaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZtLm1lZGlhLWFtYXpvbi5jb20lMkZpbWFnZXMlMkZJJTJGNTFNQ3JPMEtVZUwuanBnIiBkYXRhLXc9IjEiIGRhdGEtaD0iMSIgZGF0YS1iaXA9IiI+PC9zdmc+)
