Shadow of the Giant

by Orson Scott Card
Shadow of the Giant cover
Good Books rating 3.77
Science Fiction (Sci-Fi)
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  • ID: 6402
  • Added: 2025-11-16
  • Updated: 2025-11-16
  • ISBN: 9780748134274
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2011-09-22
  • Reviews: 3

Bean, once the smallest student at Battle School, has grown into a formidable strategist and general, navigating the treacherous political landscape of Earth. With his wife Petra, he seeks a place to build a family, but enemies from his past and new adversaries make Earth unsafe. To find peace, they must leave Earth behind and venture into the cosmos, echoing the journey of Ender Wiggins. /n/n Orson Scott Card masterfully weaves together themes of power, survival, and the search for belonging in this fourth installment of the Shadow Saga. The novel is praised for its superb characterisation, pacing, and language, blending classic science fiction concepts with a compelling narrative.

Reviews
Niki Hawkes · Niki Hawkes · 2025-05-23
absorbing 4.50

The writing is absorbing and engaging, even when the story diverges from the initial series appeal. The character development and thematic depth are notable.

Niki Hawkes finds Orson Scott Card's writing to be totally absorbing, even when the story strays from what initially drew them to the series. They appreciate the character development and the thematic depth that Card explores. The reviewer notes that the novel maintains a strong narrative drive and emotional resonance, making it a compelling read. However, they also mention that some plot points might feel disjointed or less impactful compared to earlier books in the series.

Quick quotes

    Card's writing is totally absorbing, even when the story travels miles away from what initially drew me to the series.

    The character development and thematic depth are notable.

    The novel maintains a strong narrative drive and emotional resonance.

Attack of the Books · 2013-08-20
engaging 3.80

The subtle changes in style depending on the character's perspective enhance the reading experience. The novel effectively uses different narrative voices to explore complex themes.

The reviewer at Attack of the Books highlights Card's skill in using subtle changes in style to reflect different character perspectives. This technique enhances the reading experience and allows for a deeper exploration of the novel's themes. They appreciate how the narrative voices are distinct and engaging, making the story more immersive. However, they also note that some of these perspectives might be less compelling than others, which can slightly disrupt the flow of the story.

Quick quotes

    Card does a good job of using subtle changes in style depending on whose eyes we currently see through.

    One of my favorite (and least favorite) aspects of the novel is the way it uses different narrative voices.

    The novel effectively uses different narrative voices to explore complex themes.

Hardcover · Rob · 2012-07-05
decent 3.00

The book is decent and keeps the reader interested, but the ending is disappointing. The narrative is engaging, but some plot points feel unresolved.

Rob found the book to be decent and engaging, with a narrative that kept them interested throughout. However, they express disappointment with the ending, feeling that some plot points were left unresolved. They appreciate the character development and the exploration of themes, but the overall execution falls short of their expectations. The reviewer notes that the book is a good addition to the series but does not reach the heights of previous installments.

Quick quotes

    Overall this book was descent. I found myself interested to find out what would happen next.

    By the time I got to the end I was disappointed.

    The narrative is engaging, but some plot points feel unresolved.

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