Shadow of the Hegemon by Orson Scott Card

Reviewed by: Kimball, age 15

This book was an exciting sequel to Ender's Shadow (a parallel novel to Ender's Game) that takes Bean's story in its own direction and sees the rise of Peter Wiggin to power. It left me wondering just how smart Orson Scott Card is to be able to put some of that stuff in his writing. You will not be able to keep up with the minds of the prodigies in his book.

Genre: Spy-Fi, military/political fiction

Setting: Future Earth

Introduction:

After the defeat of the Formic "Bugger" invasion by Ender Wiggin and his army of geniuses, the world begins to lose its cause to be united. People who would have the veterans of Battle School to use for their own purposes, such as Russia, are making moves to secure the children before they are placed under IF protection. Russians, posing as Turks, kidnap Petra Arkanian and nine other members of the group which fought alongside Ender Wiggin in the Bugger Wars. Bean, the smartest of Ender's "jeesh" (slang for army) has an attempt on his life made on him when his house is bombed. The machinator of these operations is Bean's old nemesis, Achilles, escaped from the mental institution where he was held for his many murders. In hiding, presumed dead and with the help of Ender's brother Peter, who wants to become Hegemon and rule the world, Bean must find a way to rescue Petra and stop Achilles from taking over the world before Peter does.

Themes: don't underestimate children (especially if they're geniuses), don't start wars, ambition corrupts before you even obtain power

Recommended Age: 13 and up

Full Disclosure:

There is swearing in this book (no F word), and violence.

Rating: 4 stars

Other Books:  Ender's Shadow (previous book) Shadow Puppets, Shadow of the Giant, Shadows in Flight