The War is over, won by Ender Wiggin and his team of brilliant child-warriors. The enemy is destroyed, the human race is saved. Ender himself refuses to return to the planet, but his crew has gone home to their families, scattered across the globe. The battle school is no more.
But with the external threat gone, the Earth has become a battlefield once more. The children of the Battle School are more than heros; they are potential weapons that can bring power to the countries that control them. One by one, all of Ender's Dragon Army are kidnapped. Only Bean escapes; and he turns for help to Ender's brother Peter.
Peter Wiggin, Ender's older brother, has already been manipulating the politics of Earth from behind the scenes. With Bean's help, he will eventually rule the world.
List Price:
Our Price:
$7.99
& eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25.
You Save:
Product Promotions
This item is eligible for our 4-for-3 promotion. Eligible products include select Books, Single Copy Magazines, and Home & Garden items. Buy any 4 eligible items and get the lowest-priced item free. Here's how (restrictions apply)
Product Details
Author:
Orson Scott Card
Mass Market Paperback:
464 pages
Publisher:
Tor Books
Publication Date:
December 09, 2001
Language:
English
ISBN:
0812565959
Package Length:
6.69 inches
Package Width:
4.17 inches
Package Height:
1.18 inches
Package Weight:
0.49 pounds
Average Customer Rating:
based on 235 reviews
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review: Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Awesome Continuation Dec 08, 2008 I absolutely loved Ender's Shadow and have reread it multiple times. I was so fascinated by the life and students of Battle School, that I was actually upset when the book ended right at the end of the war. So, when I realized that there were more books about Bean, I was thrilled, and I could not wait to read about what the Battle School children did with the rest of their lives after the war. Orson Scott Card hit a home run with the book Shadow of the Hegemon. It was so interesting to follow Bean through early post-war life, and to see how he dealt with the repercussions of the war. The reader can really understand the characters and how they think through Card's writing. I always love reading this series because the characters are described so well that, in a way, I start to think of them as real people. The action of escape is so thrilling, and when you add in the suspense, and even some mystery, of kidnapping, it makes for such a great book. Relating to the characters is easy because they are adolescents, even if they are extremely brilliant. I really enjoyed learning a lot more about some of the smaller characters in the previous books such as Peter and Petra. In Shadow of the Hegemon, they are much more important to the story and play bigger roles than before. There were definitely some surprises and just a little too much military history from Card, but overall, this book was very enjoyable to read.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
A Humble Quibble for an Excellent Book Nov 29, 2008 Shadow of the Hegemon is the sixth chronologically written book of the Ender's Game Series, the first sequel of Ender's Shadow (book five). Orsen Scott Card is an indisputable literary genius, and to critique his book is to dabble the black arts. Flawless characterization and storytelling is expected, and again, Scott Card weaves and stuns with each keystroke. Therefore, expect this 'review' to be only the most humble quibble and sigh.
Shadow of the Hegemon follows the storyline of Bean and the rest of Ender's jeesh after the end of the Formic War. Following the known facts from previous (chronologically written) books, more was expected along the storyline of Peter, whom we know becomes a great political figure as the Hegemon. Instead, the story is almost usurped by Petra Arkanian; 'Hegemon' revolves around Petra's kidnapping and Bean's well-plotted endeavors to rescue her (perfectly setting up the scene for the next book, Shadow puppets).
This is because of one of Card's greatest assets: his humility toward his inner circle of wise readers. Hegemon's afterward explains how a wise reader changed the scope of the book by suggesting (in an early manuscript) that the kidnapping plot of Ender's jeesh was too easily resolved. Card responded by extending the conflict of Petra's storyline, therefore changing the account of the entire book which ultimately spilled the expanding story into the next book, Shadow Puppets. Petra carries her part of the story superbly-- a perfect trade off for deviating from what we expected from Hegemon's title.
Which brings me to Peter Wiggin, our Hegemon. Although Scott Card has stated that the order of reading the Ender Series matters little, with the exception of Xenocide and Children of the Mind (http://www.hatrack.com/faq/003.shtml), I must make the case for reading 'Hegemon' after Speaker for the Dead, Xenocide, and Children of the Mind. Shadow of the Hegemon illustrates the classic struggle of deciding between the better of two evils, in this case, between Achilles de Flandres and Peter Wiggin. Except, it's an obvious choice. Achilles makes another chilling bow in 'Hegemon' as Bean's arch nemesis with a terrifying performance as the resident sociopath and psychopath, the all around bad-guy. Peter, however, makes a mild case as a contending antagonist. Not only is he unconvincing as the barely-better villain, reading 'Hegemon' before the above mentioned books aggressively dilutes the shocking and genius plot twist in Children of the Mind.
Lastly, our hero, Bean. Within a single chapter, we are reminded ten-fold why we love Bean. While the scope of the Formic War in Ender's Shadow may have been arguably riskier, Hegemon deals with War on earth which strikes closer to the reader's heart, and Bean is just as confident and reassuring. Never are we left with the mediocre feeling that Bean is smart for smart's sake; Card grows this character with craft, balancing Bean's brilliance with an equally trying plot reeking of the despicable Achilles. Bean carries this book with his irresistible aplomb while Card continues to branch his Ender's Series with their two distinct story lines and unique tones.
Conclusion: Never are we left with the feeling that the author is wringing the last drops from his previous success; Hegemon proves possible that the limits of literary mastery can be shattered, yet again.
4 Stars, and only because of the 5 Stars I must reserve for 'Speaker of the Dead'. Because 'Speaker' outranks Amazon's star system.
The Shadow Sep 16, 2008 In truth no matter how good this book may be it is not ever going to gain the same level of popularity that Ender's game has. Personally I like where these books go as they give a in depth look at the other children from battle school and what they return home to. If you were a fan of the Ender's Game and want to know about the characters that remain behind after Ender leaves this is a pretty good read. HOWEVER be warned that you will never be able to look at Ender's Game in the same light again.
Book is great, but the Audio recording is lackluster Apr 15, 2008 I thoroughly enjoyed the story.
I, however, did not enjoy the audio presentation. There were several voice overs where the narrator voice was over written with a different voice. The last track on each CD was blank. I am not sure if this was by design. I had the impression that there was missing material. I listen to many books on tape, many where the books author is Orson Scott Card and I have never had issues until this particular book.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Unforgettable characters Mar 06, 2008 Ender Wiggin and his sister, Valentine, have left Earth on the advice of their older brother, Peter. That's a good thing, because the other former Battle School "students" who were part of Ender's jeesh, who fought to victory against the insectoid alien Formics, are kidnapped shortly after this book opens. They are still children - the oldest are in their early teens - and that makes them even more valuable to the captors who want to use their tactical expertise in wars of nationalism. For that ancient scourge is rampant once again, now that Earth no longer needs to be united in order to fight the Formics.
Voluntarily working with those who have kidnapped Ender's jeesh is Achilles, an orphan recruited for Battle School by Sister Carlotta. Achilles didn't last long in Battle School because Bean, the most brilliant student of all, recognized him and got rid of him. For Bean was also an orphan on the streets of Rotterdam, and Carlotta also recruited Bean. What's different about Achilles is that he's a serial killer. And now the lives of Bean's dearest friends are in that mad young man's hands...including the life of Petra, the only girl in Ender's jeesh and the closest friend Bean has ever had.
Politics bore me, even when they are part of a future universe lovingly created by a master storyteller. This book's plot revolves around politics. I enjoyed it thoroughly nevertheless, because its characters never take a back seat to its plot. Peter Wiggin, who in his 'Net identity of the mysterious "Locke" can sway opinions and influence events all over the world. Carlotta, the nun who takes the risk of loving someone else's child as if he were her own. The Wiggin parents, whose religions (yes, that word definitely must be plural) put them at odds with the world in which they must live their lives and rear their children. Petra, who failed Ender during the final battle and can't forgive herself. And Bean himself, this tale's hero, a pint-sized military genius who never had a chance to be a child - not even before Battle School, to which children went at 5 or 6 years old because only a child's unfettered creativity could hope to defeat the Formics...these characters are unforgettable.
Fun even for a reader who hasn't been exposed to the rest of the "Enderverse" books!
Not finding what you're looking for??
Not to worry, you can also search Amazon from right here at The Savvant Store, and we'll still be paid a referral fee, and you know Amazon has everyhing!
based on 235 reviews
Awesome Continuation Dec 08, 2008
Book is great, but the Audio recording is lackluster Apr 15, 2008
