Xenocide

Orson Scott Card (author)

Legend Press, UK: 1991; 463pp

ISBN: 0712647740

Genres: science fiction

Issues: cultural differences, family, friendship, power, war

advanced concepts

Valentine has arrived on Lusitania to find that not only does the planet face the oncoming Congressional fleet with its destructive capacity, but there is a significant likelihood that the descolada virus will be taken off-planet to devestate other worlds inhabited by humans. In order to save all three species – the humans, the pequinnos and the buggers, Ender and Novinha's family must find a way to disable the virus.

In addition they must help Jane find out who she really is, how she came into existence and whether she can live if the ansibles are disconnected.

It seems that the mysterious philotes, mentioned late in Speaker for the Dead, will be the key to many of the remarkable and imaginative solutions required to resolve these difficulties. Although interesting as a conclusion to the dilemma in which Lusitania was left at the end of Speaker for the Dead, Xenocide seems to lack the consistent and rich character development that was one of the strengths of the earlier novel. In addition, some of the scientific and ethical discussions, verging as they do on the mystical, or involving somewhat obscure technical issues, interrupt the overall flow of the novel. While it is worth reading, Xenocide is only for those truly fascinated by the philosophical and sociological perambulations explored in Speaker for the Dead.

NB: Introductory chapters are somewhat slow to develop as, in order to allow it stand alone, summaries of earlier events have to be presented in a way comprehensible to readers new to the series.

Series: Ender's Game; Speaker for the Dead