Book Review: A War of Gifts: An Ender Story Orson Scott Card

This is a very interesting story involving some of the other students at Battle School, but also Ender.  Zeck is a child, who has exceptional learning ability, but is a pacifist.  This is based on his father, who is a preacher, and has taught that war is of the devil.  However his father also abused him, leaving scars on his back.  Zeck goes to school, but never hits anyone with his weapon in the games.  Any display of religion is forbidden at Battle School, and those who have religious believes are exempted from the need to pray or other religious displays.  Zeck is against anything pagan, and when he observes other students giving Sinterklaas gifts, he reports them.  The students are disciplined and instigate a minor rebellion, giving gifts in stockings representing Santa Claus gifts.  Zeck’s father taught that Santa was another word for Satan.  He complains, but is unable to get anyone to pay attention to his complaints.  So he goes to the Islamic students, and suggests if Santa gifts are OK, daily prayers should also be OK.  This gets the students (and staff who join in) in trouble, and a feeling that things are unfair.  Ender points out that this may lead to future conflicts in the future back on Earth.  As Zeck initiated this problem, he is blamed and ostracized.  He begins to feel worse and worse.  Dink, who was the one who started the gift giving rebellion, feels bad for Zeck, and tries to intervene, but Colonel Graff knows that Ender will deal with the situation. 

The climax of Ender getting to the bottom of Zeck’s problems, and getting back to a place where they can exist together.  Dink also plays a part, and things get back to “normal” Battle School.

This book was enjoyable.  It showed people in a different light, as well as battle School, and dealt with different cultural and religious views in a very enjoyable manner.  It is good to have a book with religion as a central part of the plot, and what to do when you have people form varied backgrounds working together.

Movie Review: ****^Ender's Game

Any movie with Harrison Ford is going to be good, and this is no exception.  Ford portrays Colonel Hyrum Graf and Ender Wiggin is portrayed by Asa Butterfield.  I read the Ender series some time ago, and this movie captures the essence, but it is impossible for a movie to capture the depth.  Instead of many games in the arena, we see only two, but we do see Ender progress, to where he is given command of the entire fleet, without really knowing it.  Many years earlier the formics invaded earth, and now the humans are making sure it never happens again by attacking them.  Ender thinks he is only doing simulations, and practice for the real battles to come.  The animated computer game plays an intriguing part in the movie, because the Formaks have infiltrated it, and are trying to use it to communicate with Ender, before the end of their species. 

The last battle of the war, sees Ender make the decisions needed to destroy the formic planet.  In doing so he loses many men, and their cruise ships.  It is after the destruction of the planet that Ender realizes he has been used to kill a species.  But maybe he has a second chance, as do the Formak race. 

The relationship between Colonel and Ender is key to this movie.  He drives Ender, and then backs off, manipulating him to get what he wants.  Ender confronts him at the end, and they stand toe-to-toe.  It would be hard to stand up to the Colonel or Harrison Ford for that matter.  Ben Kingsley portrays Mazer Rackham, the hero from the first war, who becomes a tutor to Ender.
I found this review in the Deseret News and thought others might find it interesting
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865590187/The-fatal-flaw-of-the-Enders-Game-movie.html