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Audiobooks > Science Fiction >  Military > Ender’s Game: Special 20th Anniversary Edition
Ender’s Game: Special 20th Anniversary Edition Audiobook, by Orson Scott Card Play Audiobook Sample

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Ender’s Game: Special 20th Anniversary Edition Audiobook, by Orson Scott Card Play Audiobook Sample
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Author: Orson Scott Card Narrator: Stefan Rudnicki, Harlan Ellison, Gabrielle de Cuir, Scott Brick, others Publisher: Macmillan Audio Audio Length: Series:The Ender Saga Release Date: April 2004 Format: Unabridged Audiobook Delivery: Instant Download ISBN: 9781593974756
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Plot Summary

The Hugo Award-winning novel Ender's Game, now available as an audiobook, is the first book in a popular series that follows the eponymous Ender, his brother Peter and sister Valentine, as well as a number of other characters in a sprawling and intriguing story that spans thousands of years. While we won't try to determine which is best, Ender's Game is likely the best known of the series, and for good reason. Once you hear it, you won't soon forget it.

Ender's Game follows Ender Wiggin, the youngest of three children, born by special government decree because most families are not allowed more than two children. For some time, Earth has been at war with the Formics, a bug-like alien species that said 'hi' to humanity by killing thousands. The military hopes that Ender will be the great military leader to defeat the Formics once and for all. While he is still quite young, they send him to Battle School, an intense training program that molds him into a soldier, tactician, and leader.

All of this training eventually leads Ender to his final test, a massive battle simulation which will have lasting consequences for him, for humanity, and for the Formics. Fans of The Hunger Games will recognize some of the themes in Ender's Game, though they are very different books. The story is intense, unsparing, and always gripping.

Orson Scott Card is an American science fiction writer. Besides Ender's Game and its sequels, he has written a number of other science fiction series and standalone novels. A well-known figure in the world of science fiction and fantasy, he initially conceived of Ender's Game as a short story, later transforming it into a novel.

Publisher Summary

The worldwide bestseller, Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card comes to the screen at last in a major motion picture event in November 2013. Starring Hugo's Asa Butterfield, Harrison Ford, and Ben Kingsley, the movie is sure to inspire a new audience of fans to read the book that started it all. Once again, Earth is under attack. An alien species is poised for a final assault. The survival of humanity depends on a military genius who can defeat the aliens. But who? Ender Wiggin. Brilliant. Ruthless. Cunning. A tactical and strategic master. And a child. Recruited for military training by the world government, Ender's childhood ends the moment he enters his new home: Battle School. Among the elite recruits Ender proves himself to be a genius among geniuses. He excels in simulated war games. But is the pressure and loneliness taking its toll on Ender? Simulations are one thing. How will Ender perform in real combat conditions? After all, Battle School is just a game. Isn't it?

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Quotes

  • “An affecting novel full of surprises that seem inevitable once they are explained.”

    - New York Times Book Review

  • “A powerful book about war, that ranges in topic from reflex-training video games to combat between our inner-and other-directed selves.”

    - Christian Science Monitor

  • “Layers fold with immaculate timing, transforming an almost juvenile adventure into a tragic tale of the destruction.”

    - Houston Post

  • “Card’s phenomenal emotional depth comes through in the quiet, carefully paced speech of each performer. No narrator tries overmuch to create separate character voices, though each is clearly discernible, and the understated delivery will draw in listeners. In particular, Rudnicki, with his lulling, sonorous voice, does a fine job articulating Ender’s inner struggle between the kind, peaceful boy he wants to be and the savage, violent actions he is frequently forced to take. This is a wonderful way to experience Card’s best-known and most celebrated work, both for longtime fans and for newcomers.”

    - Publishers Weekly (audio review)

  • “This audio version was created in celebration of the twentieth anniversary of the novel, and it’s a gem. The audiobook is narrated by a full cast. Stefan Rudniki is particularly good as Ender.”

    - School Library Journal (starred audio review)

  • “Superb characterization, pacing and language, combined them into a seamless story of compelling power.”

    - Booklist

  • “Read Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game before the big-screen adaptation, starring Harrison Ford and Hugo's Asa Butterfield, hits theaters Nov. 1.

    - Entertainment Weekly, 13 Ways to Get Ready for '13

  • Superb! This is Card at the height of his very considerable powers--a major SF novel by any reasonable standard.

    - Booklist

  • An affecting novel full of surprises. Card never makes the mistake of patronizing or sentimentalizing his hero.

    - The New York Times Book Review

  • A pleasure to listen to. Refreshing, highly entertaining and fast-paced. Orson Scott Card is a phenomenal writer.

    - USA TODAY

Awards

  • Winner of the 1986 Hugo Award for Best Novel
  • Winner of the 1985 Nebula Award for Best Novel
  • A USA Today bestseller
  • A Washington Post bestseller
  • An Apple iBooks bestseller in Science Fiction & Fantasy
  • A New York Times bestseller
  • Winner of Hugo Award - Winner, 1986
  • Winner of Nebula Awards - Winner, 1985
  • Among longlisted titles for ALA Best Books for Young Adults, 1985
  • Among longlisted titles for ALA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults, 2015

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Customer Reviews

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  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Excellent plot! So why do I give it only 1 star? I was shocked at the language in a book written by a Mormon. I expected much better. At the end of this audiobook, there is an interview with the author where he actually says he didn't want his child to learn bad language from the book, so he cleaned it up. He didn't clean it up nearly enough. This was the first time I've read or listened to an Orson Scott Card novel, and it will likely be the last. "

    - quartus, 6/19/2022
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I get something new out of this book every time I read it. Obviously a great classic. "

    - Screwfist , 1/29/2017
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " "Ender's Game" is one of the science fiction classics and should be required reading for every high school and re-reading for every adult. It tells the story of Ender Wiggim, a boy genius who grew up in a world at war and gripped in its subsequent fear. It is about strategy, ambition, and the potentially inhuman decisions made during a (fictional) war by one child who could tilt history. If you watched the film and thought that was the whole story, an injustice was done. The book tells the minutiae that no film has successfully covered. It tells the whole story and highlights the genius of character of Ender. "

    - Matthew, 4/3/2016
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " 4 1/2 **** Fantastically written. Kept me captivated all the way through until the end. I wanted to give 5 stars but I wasn't crazy about the ending. Otherwise, great read! "

    - Lori, 2/7/2014
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Yuck. Interesting story, but ultimately I got sick of all the crudeness, cussing and endless comments about male genitalia (no, I'm not kidding). Why does everyone pretend like this is such a great book?? Even though it is a creative story, I don't feel like I could ever recommend it to anyone. "

    - Ginny, 2/1/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Ive read this several times and never tire of it. Follow this book with "Enders Shadow" and you"ll get an awesome view of the same story through the eyes of a great character named Bean. "

    - Mari, 2/1/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Well, it's not the greatest book of its generation, but it's pretty good. "

    - Laz, 1/14/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " It was an interesting read. Very cutting edge (for then) battle tactics and futuristic video games. A little bit mentioned about the nature/nurture of man thrown into the mix, but it was just kind of boring for me the way it ended. "

    - Jeff, 1/6/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " The writing style was great, however, I had a hard time picking the book up once I put it down. I also had a hard time with the mind game issue in the book, especially when it involved someone so young. "

    - Kristin, 1/5/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " It was an amazingly thought-provoking book. It's observations into human psychology and its exploitation of emotions is dark but very real. It's main character, Ender is portrayed brilliantly. Hard to out the book down. Hope to get my kids to read it some day. "

    - Suzy, 12/18/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Excellent book, I've re-read it at least three times... Really looking forward to the movie. "

    - Bill, 10/3/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " WOW... just WOW... I just couldn't stop reading it. Some stuff was a bit too much but nevertheless, it got me hooked "

    - Ulol, 7/18/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " To date, one of my favourite books for character development. "

    - Jennifer, 6/16/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Card is definitely one of my favorite authors. His books touch so many different political science topics and is much deeper than the simple story might suggest. Also they are filming the movie to be released 2013! "

    - Johnny, 9/2/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I've been reading a lot of dystopian YA novels but this is probably the first one I've read through a boy's perspective. It's interesting to read through the inner workings of a boy and how he coped with his situation in comparison to how girls might react. "

    - Jasmine, 6/2/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Wow, I didn't expect that ending! I loved it! "

    - Jeannie, 10/8/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Obvious why this became a classic so fast. "

    - Gerrie, 10/4/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I loved this book, I was genuinely surprised near the end, it totally got me! I would highly recommend this book. It's not something I'd normally read but I'll definitely be reading the rest of the books in the series. "

    - Shauna, 6/22/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Yes, I finished Ender's Game in three days. I kept reading it every break I got. What a great SF novel, a reminder of the kind of SF that I loved so much. "

    - Benjamin, 4/12/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " The writing is ordinary but the story is undeniable. Card is a great storyteller. "

    - Megan, 2/11/2008
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This book was given to me by my 7th grade Honors English Teacher, Mrs. Lamb. I remember that moment with perfect clarity. I'd always enjoyed reading, but this specific book brought me into my LOVE for them. "

    - Jinhee, 9/29/2007
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Clean short sentences. Technology does not age. Great concept. Great story. Improved my understand of leadership. "

    - Richard, 9/29/2007
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I have read the Enders Game series 4 to 5 times. I really like the books and Orson Scott Card other books. "

    - Ray, 9/20/2005
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " This bookis ok for a one time read but if you don't like future world ideas and kids killing eachother then noooot for you! "

    - Bubbles013, 5/31/2004
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Amazing book! Recommend it to anyone who likes philosophical, thought provoking and of course, science-fiction books. "

    - Grant, 8/12/2003
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " A little slow in spots but I enjoyed the characters and it has been a while since I have read scifi which I really enjoyed. I could see reading this to/ with Owen when he is a little older. "

    - Carrie, 8/6/2003
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This was a super exciting book! I couldn't put it down. "

    - Charlie, 5/27/2003

About the Author

Orson Scott Card, the author of the New York Times bestseller Ender’s Game, has won several Hugo and Nebula awards for his works of speculative fiction. His Ender novels are widely read by adults and younger readers and are increasingly used in schools. Besides these and other science fiction novels, Card writes contemporary fantasy, American-frontier fantasy, biblical novels, poetry, plays, and scripts.

About the Narrators

Stefan Rudnicki first became involved with audiobooks in 1994. Now a Grammy-winning audiobook producer, he has worked on more than three thousand audiobooks as a narrator, writer, producer, or director. He has narrated more than three hundred audiobooks. A recipient of multiple AudioFile Earphones Awards, he was presented the coveted Audie Award for solo narration in 2005, 2007, and 2014, and was named one of AudioFile’s Golden Voices in 2012.

Gabrielle de Cuir, award-winning narrator, has narrated over three hundred titles and specializes in fantasy, humor, and titles requiring extensive foreign language and accent skills. She was a cowinner of the Audie Award for best narration in 2011 and a three-time finalist for the Audie and has garnered six AudioFile Earphones Awards. Her “velvet touch” as an actor’s director has earned her a special place in the audiobook world as the foremost producer for bestselling authors and celebrities.

Gabrielle de Cuir, award-winning narrator, has narrated over three hundred titles and specializes in fantasy, humor, and titles requiring extensive foreign language and accent skills. She was a cowinner of the Audie Award for best narration in 2011 and a three-time finalist for the Audie and has garnered six AudioFile Earphones Awards. Her “velvet touch” as an actor’s director has earned her a special place in the audiobook world as the foremost producer for bestselling authors and celebrities.

Scott Brick, an acclaimed voice artist, screenwriter, and actor, has performed on film, television, and radio. He attended UCLA and spent ten years in a traveling Shakespeare company. Passionate about the spoken word, he has narrated a wide variety of audiobooks. winning won more than fifty AudioFile Earphones Awards and several of the prestigious Audie Awards. He was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine and the Voice of Choice for 2016 by Booklist magazine.

Scott Brick, an acclaimed voice artist, screenwriter, and actor, has performed on film, television, and radio. He attended UCLA and spent ten years in a traveling Shakespeare company. Passionate about the spoken word, he has narrated a wide variety of audiobooks. winning won more than fifty AudioFile Earphones Awards and several of the prestigious Audie Awards. He was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine and the Voice of Choice for 2016 by Booklist magazine.