Shadow Puppets by Orson Scott Card

Shadow Puppets is the third book in Orson Scott Card's acclaimed Ender series, following the lives of Ender's fellow pupils from Battle School as they navigate complex personal and political challenges. The story picks up where Shadow of the Hegemon left off, with Peter Wiggin and Achilles locked in a deadly game of maneuvering through international politics and war, each determined to become the Hegemon. The stakes are raised when cloned embryos carrying Bean's brilliant intelligence fall into the hands of Achilles' people, setting off a race to protect the world from impending threats. /n/n Orson Scott Card's masterful storytelling and intricate world-building make Shadow Puppets a gripping addition to the Ender series. The novel explores themes of power, intelligence, and the consequences of war, all while delivering intense action and unexpected twists. Fans of science fiction and political thrillers will be captivated by this continuation of the epic saga.

Reviews

Attack of the Books · 2013-08-13

intriguing 3.80

The book opens with a flawed protagonist making a significant mistake, leading to a narrative focused on the consequences. The story explores the complexities of relationships and the impact of decisions.

This review highlights how the book begins with a character making a substantial error, which sets the stage for the rest of the story. The narrative delves into the aftermath of this mistake, showcasing the intricate dynamics between characters and the ripple effects of their actions. The reviewer appreciates the depth of character development and the exploration of moral dilemmas. However, they also note that the initial flaw in the protagonist's decision-making adds a layer of tension and realism to the story. Overall, it's a compelling read that keeps the reader engaged with its thoughtful portrayal of relationships and consequences.

Quick quotes

Shadow Puppets opens with one of the more flawed protagonists making a huge mistake, and the rest of the book features everyone dealing with the consequences.

The narrative delves into the aftermath of this mistake, showcasing the intricate dynamics between characters.

The story explores the complexities of relationships and the impact of decisions.

Joe Beernink · Joe Beernink · 2010-12-12

mixed 3.00

The story hits a lull in the middle, leading to frustration as very little happens for a significant portion of the book. Despite this, the ending is satisfying and makes up for the slow pace.

Joe Beernink's review points out that Shadow Puppets starts strong but then hits a noticeable lull around the 80% mark, which can be frustrating for readers. The pacing slows down considerably, and not much happens for a large chunk of the book. However, the ending is satisfying and manages to redeem the slower sections. Beernink appreciates the conclusion and the way it ties up the story's threads. While the middle part might be a bit of a slog, the payoff at the end makes it worth sticking through. Overall, it's a mixed bag, but the strong finish helps balance out the slower parts.

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But in Shadow Puppets, the story hits a lull, and I came away little frustrated, because, through the first 80% of the book, nothing happens.

The ending is satisfying and makes up for the slow pace.

The pacing slows down considerably, and not much happens for a large chunk of the book.

Roof Beam Reader · 2010-01-12

great 4.20

The writing is wonderful and the stories are magical, making it easy to overlook personal feelings about the author. The narrative is tightly written and engaging, despite some threats of unraveling.

This review emphasizes the high quality of the writing and the magical nature of the stories, which make it easy to set aside any personal feelings about the author. The narrative is tightly written and engaging, although there are moments where it threatens to unravel. The reviewer appreciates how the author manages to keep the story together, exploring complex themes and characters. The overall experience is positive, with the writing and storytelling standing out as the key strengths. The reviewer is able to enjoy the book despite any preconceived notions about the author, highlighting the power of good storytelling.

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Luckily, the writing is so wonderful and the stories so magical that it isn't too difficult to put aside my feelings for the author and simply enjoy the book.

Shadow Puppets comes together in a tightly written narrative that sometimes threatens to unravel but Card manages to keep it together mainly by exploring the themes and characters.

The narrative is tightly written and engaging, although there are moments where it threatens to unravel.

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