Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card (1994, Paperback, Reissue)

My Expectations: I read Ender's Game and Ender's Shadow so I expected similar story telling. I thought, like the other two books, Card would focus on complex strategies of war and social hierarchies.

Though there was some elements of what I expected, most of the book revolved a family of what I thought were forgettable characters and awkward dialogue. In the introduction of the book, Card explains that much of this book relies on the stories of this family and giving the hero, Ender, an adult life rather than being stuck in adolescents. I found the relationships of these characters revealed themselves in matter of fact ways. As a reader I felt no connection to any of these characters. I also didn't connect with Ender or completely believe or understand his development in this book. One can argue that this is a science fiction novel and should be driven by plot but if Card prefaces this novel by stating that this novel almost completely relies on it's characters I'd expect them to be merely plot tools.

I was very disappointed with this book. I obviously expected much more and after reading Xenocide, I felt this book was merely a segueway to Xenocide.

Speaker for the Dead, the Second book in the Ender series, represents the main characters passage from the First book - to the rest of the series, which stands alone from Enders Game(1st book). Enders Game requires no sequel, but is so magnificent that readers demand the continuation of it's legacy still to this day. SftD Brings you to a new time in Ender's world without delay. The universe has changed, and so has the Main Character. This book allows readers to broaden their views of our existence, and push them to understand how both amazingly strong and delicate we are as a people. There is much to learn about life, family, community, faith, and science in this chapter of the Ender Series. The reader will create a tight bond with these incredible new characters and the world on which they live.

I enjoy Orson Scott Card. His books make you think. They are not particularly easy reads but they are very thought provoking and worth the time. I read Enders Game which precedes this one. It made me want to follow up with Speaker for the dead. Glad I did!

So you have read Card's classic 80's Sci Fi novel, "Ender's Game". This is the sequel. It's a bit of an unexpected and Portuguese sequel, nevertheless it's a good one. I like Card's idea of a "Speaker for the Dead", or one who goes to funerals and tells exactly what the person was like, no BS, hardcore facts. I must admit that I find the Alien race here--the "Piggies"--to be somewhat disturbing. They remind me of the little people who are evil that the Native American's tell stories about. You will come to understand the mysteries of the Piggies, the Hive Queen, a family that Ender becomes involved with, and indeed some of the mysteries of Ender himself. Hurry up and read it so you can get started on the rest of the Ender series!

This book is different from the previous books of Ender (Ender's Game and Ender's Shadow). This particular book was written in a different voice, and an intriguing one for that matter. Speaker for the Dead is a book about just that, a speaker that speaks the truth of passed species. A very interesting read, and makes me wonder how I would be reviewed if Ender would to speak for me after my time; thus, leads me to think a lot of my own personal life and purpose.
In general, a great read!
Kat