Xenocide

by Orson Scott Card
Xenocide cover
Good Books rating 3.5
Science Fiction (Sci-Fi)
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  • ID: 6415
  • Added: 2025-11-16
  • Updated: 2025-11-29
  • ISBN: 9781429963961
  • Publisher: Tor Books
  • Published: 2009-11-30
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Xenocide, the third novel in Orson Scott Card's The Ender Saga, delves into the intricate relationships between humans, pequininos, and the Hive Queen on the planet Lusitania. The story revolves around the young child Gloriously Bright, whose fate is intertwined with the survival of the planet. The descolada virus, which is fatal to humans but essential for the pequininos' development, poses a grave threat. As the Starways Congress prepares to destroy Lusitania to contain the virus, Ender must find a way to prevent a second xenocide and ensure the coexistence of these diverse species. This novel explores themes of morality, survival, and the ethical dilemmas of interspecies coexistence. It is part of the larger Ender Universe, which includes multiple series and novellas, all set in a richly imagined sci-fi landscape.

Reviews
Fantasy Literature · 2025-11-16
thought-provoking 3.50

The novel is intense, emotional, and thought-provoking, with a strong narrative and style. However, the lack of resolution and the effort required to follow the plot were noted as drawbacks.

This reviewer found Xenocide to be an intense and emotional read, much like its predecessors. They appreciated the strong narrative and the thought-provoking elements that kept them engaged. However, they noted that the book lacked resolution in key areas, which left them feeling unsatisfied. The effort required to follow the plot was also mentioned as a drawback, but overall, they found the book to be a compelling and thought-provoking experience.

Quick quotes

    Like its predecessors, Xenocide is an intense, emotional, and thought-provoking novel.

    Most of the text doesn't actually deal with the action that the plot summary would suggest.

    The over-arching narrative and Card's style are still strong, but I was left unsatisfied by the lack of resolution in the book.

Reddit - Books · 2025-11-16
insightful 4.00

The book delves deeply into the role of religion in human life, offering a profound exploration of human nature. The narrative is engaging and thought-provoking, making it a standout read.

This reviewer found the book to be particularly insightful in its portrayal of how religion can deeply influence a person's worldview and actions. They appreciated the way the story highlighted the complexities of human nature, making it a compelling and engaging read. The discussion around religion was not preachy but rather a nuanced exploration that added depth to the narrative. Overall, they found the book to be a thought-provoking and enjoyable experience.

Quick quotes

    I really enjoyed the book, the depiction of how pervasive and deeply religion can root itself in your mind really showed me a lot about human nature.

    The narrative is engaging and thought-provoking, making it a standout read.

    The discussion around religion was not preachy but rather a nuanced exploration that added depth to the narrative.

Medium · Emmanuel Hale · 2022-01-01
mixed 3.00

While the book has its strengths, particularly in character development, it falls short in delivering a satisfying conclusion. The pacing and intensity are commendable, but the narrative leaves much to be desired.

Emmanuel Hale appreciated seeing beloved characters again and learning more about their stories, which added a layer of enjoyment to the reading experience. However, they felt that the book failed to live up to its potential, particularly in terms of resolution and narrative satisfaction. The pacing and intensity were praised, but the overall story left them feeling unsatisfied. They acknowledged the good points but ultimately found the book to be lacking in key areas.

Quick quotes

    Xenocide still has some good points (it was great to see the beloved characters again and learn more of their story).

    But it fails to live up to the expectations set by its predecessors.

    The over-arching narrative and Card's style are still strong, but I was left unsatisfied by the lack of resolution in the book.

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