Ruins

by Orson Scott Card
Ruins cover
Good Books rating 3.17
Science Fiction (Sci-Fi)
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  • ID: 6404
  • Added: 2025-11-16
  • Updated: 2025-11-16
  • ISBN: 9781416991809
  • Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  • Published: 2013-09-03
  • Reviews: 3

Rigg Sessamekesh is a teenager with an extraordinary ability: he can see the paths of people's pasts and manipulate time. When his planet faces imminent destruction, Rigg is thrust into a mission that will take him and others back 11,000 years to the arrival of human starships. This journey is not just about saving his world; it's about understanding the past and the choices that shaped it./n/nAs Rigg navigates through time, he must grapple with the weight of his newfound responsibilities and the consequences of his actions. The story explores themes of identity, destiny, and the power of choice, all set against the backdrop of a vast and intricate universe.

Reviews
Metaphorosis Reviews · 2022-05-22
thoughtful 4.00

The book is a little too earnest and philosophical for some, but the reviewer enjoys it. It features a pseudo-ensemble cast.

The reviewer finds RUINS to be earnest and philosophical, which might not appeal to everyone. However, they enjoy the book's depth and the way it presents a pseudo-ensemble cast. The philosophical elements add a layer of complexity that the reviewer appreciates, making the reading experience more engaging and thought-provoking.

Quick quotes

    I suspect they're a little too earnest and philosophical for some, but I enjoy it.

    Card also makes a point of making this a pseudo-ensemble cast.

    The philosophical elements add a layer of complexity.

King of the Nerds · 2013-02-27
mixed 2.50

The novel grows tiresome at times but overall, it was enjoyed. The huge threat introduced in the novel was detracted from by some parts.

The reviewer had mixed feelings about RUINS, finding it enjoyable overall but noting that it can become tiresome at times. They appreciated the significant threat introduced in the novel but felt that certain parts detracted from the overall impact. The reviewer suggests that while the book has its moments, it doesn't consistently maintain the same level of engagement throughout.

Quick quotes

    It grows tiresome at times and definitely detracted greatly from the huge threat introduced in the novel.

    For the most part I enjoyed Ruins but ...

    The huge threat introduced in the novel was detracted from by some parts.

Elitist Book Reviews · Shawn · 2012-12-26
enjoyable 3.00

RUINS is a fun read with some heart, though it lacks the action of other works by the same author. It's a worthwhile young adult novel.

The reviewer found RUINS to be an enjoyable read, though it's not as action-packed as other works by Orson Scott Card. They appreciate the heart and young adult themes in the novel, making it a worthwhile read despite the lack of intense action sequences. The reviewer suggests that the book's strength lies in its character development and emotional depth, which resonate well with the target audience.

Quick quotes

    RUINS is a fun read.

    It's not as action packed as OSC's other stuff, but still worth the time spent reading.

    A YA novel with some heart.

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