Shadow of the Giant by Orson Scott Card

Reviewed by: Kimball, age 15

This book is the last book in the Shadow series (unless you count the sequel, Shadows in Flight.) I thought it was a good conclusion to the series and it was interesting to see how the story played out after the main antagonist had been killed in the previous book. I enjoyed rereading it.

Genre: Sci-Fi

Setting: Future Earth

Introduction:

The major powers of the world are torn by war. China, India and the Muslim empire are busy making alliances and attacks, headed by each country's respective Battle School graduate: Han Tzu in China, Virlomi in India and Alai as the Caliph. The only person who stands between these three nations, trying to create world peace, is the Hegemon Peter Wiggin. As Peter struggles to create a world to rule in which there is peace and freedom, Bean and Petra search for their lost embryo children, implanted in different mothers. And what with the world being torn by war and Peter Wiggin wanting them to help him fix it, it is no easy task. And Bean and Petra don't know how many of the babies have the same condition as Bean, which is killing him even as they search in a race against Bean's ever-growing body.

Themes: The world should be based on American principles not America, power corrupts, a true religion is one that allows freedom of choice

Recommended Age: 14 and up

Full Disclosure:There is one scene with nudity in this book. There is also violence and crude language.

Rating: 4 stars

Other Books: Ender's Shadow, Shadow of the Hegemon, Shadow Puppets, Shadows in Flight, Ender in Exile