Part of Ender's Saga by Orson Scott Card, book 1
First published 2004
Six-year-old Andrew "Ender" Wiggin lives with his parents, cruel brother Peter, and beloved sister Valentine when military recruiters select him for Battle School. Government agencies have spent decades breeding and training child geniuses as soldiers to defend Earth against the insectoid Buggers, who attacked humanity twice before. At the orbital training facility, Ender excels in zero-gravity mock battles while struggling with isolation from his peers and pressure from adult commanders. His tactical brilliance makes him a natural leader, but he fears becoming as ruthless as Peter. Meanwhile, he clings to memories of gentle Valentine. As Ender advances through increasingly difficult simulations, he discovers the psychological toll of command. The military pushes him toward a final confrontation that will determine humanity's survival. Between Ender and his two siblings lies the potential to transform civilization itself, if Earth endures the coming war.
Genres: science-fiction, military-fiction, adventure, coming-of-age
Vibes: emotional, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: chosen-one, found-family
Setting: Earth
Period: Future
324 pages · Mass Market Paperback · Tor
Content warnings: violence