Ender's Game
Score Classic
What it's about
To survive the next attack by a hostile alien race, Earth's government breeds child geniuses and trains them as soldiers. Andrew "Ender" Wiggin is the youngest of three gifted siblings, between his cruel brother Peter and his beloved sister Valentine, and he's the one who gets drafted. At the orbiting Battle School, through zero-gravity war games, Ender becomes a leader, and the adults running the school push him harder and harder.
Why it's worth reading
It won both the Hugo and the Nebula, science fiction's two biggest awards, and it's one of the most widely read science fiction novels ever written. It's a page-turner that leaves you thinking hard about what we ask of children, and about the cost of winning.
You'll love it if you liked
The Hunger Games, Red Rising or Project Hail Mary
Good to know
It's short and fast, and the ending is famous for a reason: avoid spoilers if you can. It's the first of a series, but it stands on its own.
Quick answers
Is Ender's Game worth reading?
Yes. It won both the Hugo and the Nebula, science fiction's two biggest awards, and it's one of the most widely read science fiction novels ever written. It ranks #10 of the 2,819 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 94.2 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Ender's Game about?
To survive the next attack by a hostile alien race, Earth's government breeds child geniuses and trains them as soldiers. Andrew "Ender" Wiggin is the youngest of three gifted siblings, between his cruel brother Peter and his beloved sister Valentine, and he's the one who gets drafted. At the orbiting Battle School, through zero-gravity war games, Ender becomes a leader, and the adults running the school push him harder and harder.
How long does it take to read Ender's Game?
About 6 hours (256 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What awards has Ender's Game won?
Hugo Award winner (1986); Nebula Award winner (1985); Hugo Award winner (1987, for Speaker for the Dead).
What should I read after Ender's Game?
If you liked it, try The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Red Rising by Pierce Brown or Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir.
By the numbers
- Readers94 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics97 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller71 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Hugo Award winner (1986) and 3 more wins. 33 weeks on the New York Times bestseller lists since 2013.
Where it ranks
- #2 of the 313 science fiction books we rank
- #3 of the 763 classics we rank
- #10 of the 2,819 books we rank
Won
- Hugo Award winner (1986)
- Nebula Award winner (1985)
- Hugo Award winner (1987, for Speaker for the Dead)
Bestseller
- 33 weeks on the New York Times bestseller lists since 2013
Shortlisted
- Hugo Award finalist (1992, for Xenocide)
Reads as
Adventurous
More by Orson Scott Card
If you like this, read next
Invisible Man
Ready Player One
Double Star
Empire of the Sun
Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang
Tress of the Emerald Sea