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Open Library readers: 4.35 / 5 from 417 ratings. Separate from ratings here.Catalogue checked 2026-10-02.
Ender's Game is a 1985 military science fiction novel by American author Orson Scott Card. Set at an unspecified date in Earth's future, the novel presents an imperiled humankind after two conflicts with the Formics, an insectoid alien species they dub the "buggers". In preparation for an anticipated third invasion, children, including the novel's protagonist, Andrew "Ender" Wiggin, are trained from a very young age by putting them through increasingly difficult games, including some in zero gravity, where Ender's tactical genius is revealed.
The book originated as a short story of the same name, published in the August 1977 issue of Analog Science Fiction and Fact. The novel was published…
Ender's Game is a 1985 military science fiction novel by American author Orson Scott Card. Set at an unspecified date in Earth's future, the novel presents an imperiled humankind after two conflicts with the Formics, an insectoid alien species they dub the "buggers". In preparation for an anticipated third invasion, children, including the novel's protagonist, Andrew "Ender" Wiggin, are trained from a very young age by putting them through increasingly difficult games, including some in zero gravity, where Ender's tactical genius is revealed.
The book originated as a short story of the same name, published in the August 1977 issue of Analog Science Fiction and Fact. The novel was published on January 15, 1985. Later, by elaborating on characters and plotlines depicted in the novel, Card was able to write additional books in the Ender's Game series. Card also released an updated version of Ender's Game in 1991, changing some political facts to reflect the times more accurately (e.g., to include the recent collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War). The novel has been translated into 34 languages.
Reception of the book has been mostly positive. It has become suggested reading for many military organizations, including the United States Marine Corps. Ender's Game was recognized as "best novel" by the 1985 Nebula Award\[3\] and the 1986 Hugo Award\[4\] in the genres of science fiction and fantasy. Its four sequels—Speaker for the Dead (1986), Xenocide (1991), Children of the Mind (1996), and Ender in Exile (2008)—follow Ender's subsequent travels to many different worlds in the galaxy. In addition, the later novella A War of Gifts (2007) and novel Ender's Shadow (1999), plus other novels in the Shadow saga, take place during the same time period as the original.
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Ender's Game is by Orson Scott Card. The catalogue records its first publication in 1985. A later edition may have a different publication date on its copyright page.
The catalogue records 330 pages for a representative edition. Pagination varies with the publisher, format, type size and translation, so check the edition you intend to read.
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Look for a copyEnder's Game
Tor, 2021 / Mass market, 324 pp.
ISBN 9781250773012
Ender's Game
TOR, 2021 / Ebook, 256 pp.
ISBN 9781429963930
Ender's Game
Tor, 2017 / Hardcover
ISBN 9780765394866
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Tor, 2013 / Paperback, 380 pp.
ISBN 9780765337320
Ender's Game
Tor, 2013
ISBN 9780765337542
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ATOM, 2013 / Paperback, 326 pp.
ISBN 9781904233022
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Tom Doherty Associates, 2013 / Paperback
ISBN 9780765370624
Ender's Game
Macmillan Audio, 2013 / Audiobook
ISBN 9781427235398
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