This set contains the last 3 books in the quartet of books that began with Ender's Game. They tell a gripping story of the neverending struggle of diverse peoples (human and alien species) to learn to understand each other, live in harmony, and learn to cooperate for the common good.

I'd read "Ender's Game" over a year ago and thoroughly enjoyed it, but fiddly-farted about getting to "Speaker for the Dead". What a mistake! "Speaker..." is an outstanding follow-up chronicling Ender's life post the Bugger's War. The introduction of the seemingly primitive, simple, and indigenous pequeninos, their mysterious evolution, their social structures, their propagation, and what seems like their murderous ritual makes for great sci-fi reading...well, as far as this newbie to sci-fi reading goes. The moral and ethical dilemmas inherent between two alien species who've little understanding of the other and whose ways may seem honorable to one, but abhorent to the other reflects the same complexities of human life and understanding among us. If understanding isn't pursued, questions truthfully answered, and prejudices destroyed, conflict, death, destruction...and as ender learned as a child, xenocide likely follows. It was a fantastic read!

On the other hand, while "Xenocide" took the moral and ethical conflicts even deeper, there was an excessive amount of "tearing up" and crying for me to remain completely engrossed in the "us or them" debate. (I sided in favor of the pequeninos. They were there first. Humans came later. They were certainly sentient and intelligent. Fortunately... ;-) ) Anyway, despite successfully weaving the many complex relationships among the extremely compelling and realistic characters, the story line in "Xenocide" took on an overly sentimental tone. This may be appealing to some, but way over the top for my tastes.

Perhaps when I've read more sci-fi, I'll be able to write a more technical and open-minded review devoid of my personality quirks. "Speaker..." rates a FIVE. "Xenocide" rates a THREE. "Children of the Mind" is pending...

These books are for those who want a challenge. Possibly a little confusing at first, but keep reading and you are hooked. Good, creative author.

Read them! Kids and adults alike! You will love them. Be sure you read "Ender's Game" first. One of my all-time favorites! (I'm 68 years old.)
H. in Texas

By the end of Ender's Game, the Ender story feels complete. Author Card may have agreed, as the following stories take Ender and his tale in an entirely new direction. If you just stick to Ender's Game, you won't feel at a loss. These stories feel extraneous and the characters are too certain of their own righteousness to be believable.

I have read the whole ender series, but with a strange sequence which may have affected the way I view the different books in the series. The first book I have read was the Shadow of the Hegemon, thanks to a tourist that had left it in the library of a hotel in Skiathos island. This book got me hooked, but it confused me also as I didn't know if I should start reading the next books or the previous ones.

The general pattern in the whole series is:
The beginning book is Ender's Game. Then we have two subcategories, one the Shadow series (which, with the exception of the first book, take place on earth and are more within military strategy) and one the Ender series (which take place in space and are more into new sci-fi ideas). Shadow series probably can be read from everyone, while I guess that the Ender series (especially from Speaker for the Dead onwards) would be read mainly from sci-fi fans.
Below are my comments for the books of the series, in the order I have read them and a marking (10 is the highest mark):

Shadow of the Hegemon: The first book I have read, and which I could not leave from my hands. I finished it in 2 days. It was fast paced action, very smart plot and after reading it I believed that Orson Scot Card (OSC) has invented/re-invented a new genre of literature. That of military strategy and adventure combined with brilliance/mind games and hidden portions of romance. Such books always existed but this seemed to be THE book. It was like the way Dan Brown re-invented books with trivials and puzzles, together with fast paced adventure. I strongly recommend it to everybody that likes such type of books. (mark: 10)

Shadow puppets: The sequel to the above. I found it interesting but somehow boring as the above story developed little and the focus was on the characters (maybe too much focus so that it seemed to me that it was slightly mumbling jumbling. Strategy, brilliance and adventure seemed to be very low here. I would not recommend it for anybody to read it in isolate, unfortunately you have to read it if you want to go to the next book. I really believe that OSC made a mistake here (deliberately or not) as this book should have been told in 50-60 pages and be included in the previous or the next book. (mark: 6 but you will read it because you will want to read Shadow of the Giant)

Shadow of the Giant: (see below)

Ender's game: A really great book to read, probably the best of the series, however, as I had read its sequels first, when I reached the 80% of this book, I had predicted the end. However, it's at the highest standards of sci-fi, military strategy, adventure, brilliant mind games and very good depth in the human aspect of the characters. In comparison to the shadow series, it is more "space" sci-fi, while shadow series have much lesser sci-fi elements and are more down to earth. (mark: 10)

Speaker for the dead: Another great book, but different style. Less adventure, more human aspect, more maturity. Brilliance yes, but not military, sci-fi yes (some great ideas) but not spaceship style. (Mark: 9)

Xenocide: A good sequel of the previous novel. In certain points more brilliant, in other sections more boring, however is again a very good sci-fi book. The only flaw in these series (Speker for the dead, Xenocide, Children of the mind) is the idea behind one of the alien species described which I found outrageously extreme, however if you ignore it becomes first class reading. (Mark: 9)

Children of the mind: I think that OSC has wrapped up his case pretty badly in that one. It's a fair book except the fact that I felt that OSC mumbles jumbles for one third of the novel not having decided how to end it. In other critiques I have found it described as nice approach to moral dilemmas, however, moral dilemma is when you describe it once and make your choice, while here the dilemma is repeated and repeated... I felt like I was watching a movie worth 10 oscars and the end did not worth to be included even in a cheap video movie. And again, many open ends at the end (for possible sequels). (Mark: 7 but you will read it as you will be hooked from the previous ones).

Ender's shadow: Having read Enders Game and Shadow of the Hegemon, I found this book probably the best of the series, which of course is my subjective preference. I could characterize it as probably the best book I have read ever! Not to repeat myself, it has all that Shadow of the Hegemon and Ender's Game have, and even more...(Mark: the absolute 10).

Shadow of the Giant: When I read shadow puppets, I said, "that's it, OSC has lost either his talent or his appetite for good writing...", so I was pretty unwilling to read it. Fortunately I decided to, as it proved to be a good one, were I believe that OSC has nicely wrapped up his story, with two small flaws.
* The one is described below (its end needed to be slightly more complete) and,
* The other is the fact that although he describes certain smart battles, he does not focus enough on them as it seems that he is in a hurry to wrap all things up. It had all elements to become a masterpiece but it ended up being a good to read book (Mark: 9)

In general, both series have three categories of good stuff:
1) Some great sci-fi ideas (battle room, battle games, fantasy game, ansible, aia, Jane, in/out travel, raman varelse etc)
2) Great military strategy, mind games etc combined with adventure
3) In certain books, depth of characters, moral dilemmas etc
And two main bad stuff:
1) Mumbling jumbling in certain books which was completely unnecessary (either OSC wanted just to produce and sell another title - see shadow puppets- or he could not decide how the story will continue-see last book of Ender series).
2) One of the alien species described in the Ender series was so too outrageous even for sci-fi that made it look ridiculous. The idea behind it was brilliant in sci-fi terms, but he could try a different living organism...
Finally, OSC has left open ends in both series (probably for next sequels), however I believe that there are two things missing. a) the story of the Hive Queen and the Hegemon, told in a metaphorical manner so it means much for humanity. b) In ancient theatre, a story should end in a way that brings "katharsis" to the story, and the souls of the readers. I believe that the end of the shadow of the giant may be smart for commercial purposes but it was very unfair to the reader as it did not bring full "katharsis".

The package is great. I really enjoyed the books. Delivery of the items were great.

I love this series if you like a good story this is the one . Follow the lives of thes childern see them save the world. These books are great for all ages I bought this set for two of my brothers and there wifes. All have enjoyed them emensly.

I love this series if you like a good story this is the one . Follow the lives of thes childern see them save the world. These books are great for all ages I bought this set for two of my brothers and there wifes. All have enjoyed them emensly.

You don't want to be left wondering do you? The imagination is fed and the enjoyment is even richer with this second series.

None of these books should be compared to the Ender's Game (which is fantastic). They are a very different style and are not packed with as much excitement. That being said, I enjoyed Speaker for the Dead. It would have been better if Orson had stopped there.

None of these books should be compared to the Ender's Game (which is fantastic). They are a very different style and are not packed with as much excitement. That being said, I enjoyed Speaker for the Dead. It would have been better if Orson had stopped there.

The books were brand new and weren't damaged at all. Fast shipping!

I'll admit it: "Ender's Game" had been on my list of books to read for some time. So, as soon as I finished it I ordered this collection to complete the quartet. I'm amazed at how Orson Scott Card is able to weave so many complex issues into this series. What's interesting, too, is that depending on your perspective you will bring a great deal to the table as a reader. In other words, each reader will see him or herself in these stories in some way. I suppose this series belongs in the Sci-Fi genre, but like all good novels the themes are universal. As a high school educator, I will certainly recommend the entire "Ender's Game" series to my students.

the first of these 3, Speaker is an excellent book. it takes us into enders adulthood, provides a fantasic storyline, superbly done character development, and good plotlines. also, if you keep the concept of what a "speaker" is in card's universe in the back of your mind it makes the novel even more powerful. ender really is about using truth to heal the pains of the past and make things right. speaker gets 5 stars from me.

after reading xenocide and children i got the feeling they could have been one book. they're both good stories but i couldn't help but feeling that a lot of the storytelling was forced in some way. like Card felt the need to introduce yet another plotline (the destruction of a planet and a second xenocide) just to keep ender and his new family in the mix. The series as a whole could have ended with Speaker and i wouldn't have thought less of Card. The big plus of these 2 books is his "vilians". quara and gloriously bright are 2 characters that you just want to gain the ability to reach through the pages and strangle them. bear in mind i mark this as a good quality, the ability to create pain-in-the-butt characters that seems so real to the reader he/she actually hates them. overall i give these 2 books 3 1/2 stars and 3 stars respectively.

I really enjoyed these books. They were smart and clever. I found them to be deeply engrossing, and I couldn't put them down, (even when I should have been doing homework.) One of the greatest examples of science-fiction novels out there.

An incredible set of literature's finest science fiction, the Beyond Ender's Game box set is an unquestionably nessissary addition to anyone's library, especially fans of the original Ender's Game.

The characters are so very well developed, you're lost in their personalities and even more engulfed trying to understand them not as characters but as real entities within the 'enderverse.'

For fans of sensary detail, you will never be dissappointed as you can taste the air the character's breathe, you can feel the tools they use, and you are never short on surroundings.

All three novels make great reads seperately, however, they are merely chapters of this incredible series. Flawless and seamless are two understatements when describing the transition book to book.

How is a war to save the human race won and what sacrifices is an individual willing to make? If a man would trade the whole world to save his soul, will a child trade his soul to save the world?

Andrew Ender Wiggin is a child, a hero, a savior, and a sacrifice, this is a story of the end of the world and the dawn of an republic. Epic in proportions but personal in scope, these brilliant works stand alone, but are better as a set.

One of Card's strengths is the way he writes about moral decisions. There is a right and wrong that can be discerned, but not without price. His characters are believable, think like real people, and he creates a world that you want to revisit. See also the Tales of Alvin Maker and the other Ender universe books for more great fiction.

I am an Ender adict, and have read all of these many times over. I found that while the Bean series were action packed and fast paced, Speaker for the Dead was by far the best of them all. The continuation of the Ender series expanded on the last chapter in the novel and gave it somewhat more of an ending.
Speaker for the dead I stayed up all night to finish and immediatly went out to buy the next. Xenocide was the hardest to get through. I found it was slow going, but still fast enough to keep one interested. Children of the Mind was an interesting concept and I liked it through and through. All in all I think this is a great buy.

Ender's Game is one of my favorite books of all time.

These three books are not. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying these are straight drivel or anything. They are worth the read. They just don't live up to Ender's Game, Shadow Puppets, and Shadow of the hedgemon. The off world sequels got a bit too "magic" for scifi. One of the things I hated about the science in these books is that they never resolved where the energy for the ansible based creation/movement came from. The thinking program idea started off well but ultimately became a deus ex machina solution to just about every conflict in the book.

The ansible based death was a bit tacky too. There was no good explaination as to why he disolved the way he did. Even assuming that all the ansibles in his body would dissociate, that wouldn't leave a goo behind. And if the ansibles weren't dissociating why wasn't it a normal death?

The giant virus was done decently, though they would have had more tools to research it since it had to replicate. That's getting a bit picky though.

Nice to see that Card and company packaged all the rest of the Ender Quarter into a box-set. The average customer saves about $7 and you can finish the entire series. However, price and convienence are not the only things that are great about this box set. Speaker For The Dead, Xenocide, and Children Of The Mind are all very different than Ender's Game, but very good reads to follow up the original with. Whether you are a casual fan of science fiction or a hard core fan of Card, all of the remaining books in this set will do well to quench the thirst of the reader. If you haven't read Ender's Game yet, then none of these books will make much sense even though Card meant for Speaker For The Dead is meant to be standalone. It really is better to start with Ender's Game, you won't be sorry after reading these 3 books + Ender's Game.

-Travis S.

I've seen a few reviews that state that none of the ender books are as good as the first one. This really surprised me. As far as I am concerned this series represents the only series I can think of where the books get better and better. The ideas become so much more complex but you completely fall in love with the characters and the plot is good throughout the first 6 books. The spin offs that follow are not quite as good. They are more action oriented like Ender's Game and they are worth reading but it's the philosophy that really amazes me.

Don't be fooled, these sequels have little to do with "Ender's Game," despite the marketing hook into Card's early work that remains his opus magnum. They are literal sequels and center on the same main character of Ender, but other than that have as little to do with "Ender's Game" as possible: they happen on another planet decades after the original, with only one other overlapping character. However, they take the intriguing step of asking, after the hero saves the day, then what? Ender saved humanity in the first installment - where does anyone go from there to live happily ever after? The second through fourth novels explore Ender's quest to live a life that means something more than merely saving the world - by meaning something to the people around him. The best one is Xenocide. By the end of Children of the Mind, it seems like the author has run out of steam - as witnessed by a highly contrived magical return of Ender's siblings, while minor characters flip-flop on their motivation in a way that uncomfortably seems like the author himself considers it arbitrary by this point. It's no wonder that Card found greater inspiration by going back to the setting of the original Ender's Game to start a new thread of novels with the Shadow series. Still, Card's novels are the greatest and most human of any living sci-fi writer, and with few exceptions, he's never in better form than here.