Children of the Mind

Orson Scott Card

The Starways Congress has gathered a fleet to destroy the planet Lusitania. Once again the human race has grown fearful.

Jane, the evolved computer intelligence, can save the world's three sentient races. She has learned how to move ships outside the universe, and then instantly back to a different world, abolishing the light speed limit. But it takes all the processing power available to her. With the Starways Congress shutting down the Net, world-by-world, soon Jane will not be able to move the ships. Ender's children must save her if they are to save themselves.

'The Ender saga stands as one of the very few serious moral tales set among the stars... enthralling... an extraordinary talented author.'

'Every volume of the Ender saga comprises some of the most hauntingly brilliant writing of the decade.'

Review by Nigel (010302) Rating (8/10)

Review by Nigel
If you have read my review of the third Ender novel, Xenocide, you will know I was a little disappointed by its meandering story. After the excellent Ender's Game and the equally good, but very different, Speaker for the Dead, I was expecting much of the same which unfortunately didn't materialise. For this reason I was therefore apprehensive about this fourth instalment and must admit nearly picked another book as my next read, putting this series on the 'back-burner' (where, as you will no doubt know, some books never recover). I'm happy to report I'm glad I stuck with it as Children of the Mind continues the tradition established in Ender's Game with lots of tension and paccy action.

The fleet sent by Starways Congress to destroy Lusitania with the Little Doctor has nearly completed its journey. Jane is about to die, shut off form the ansibles that link the hundred worlds and the computer memory she needs to survive. Ender is also on his last legs with his two 'children' roaming around the galaxy trying to solve various time dependent problems plus lots, lots more… if you have read any of the others this will all make sense. If you have also just finished Xenocide, don't despair, Children of the Mind is the book you thought you would have just finished.

This novel is much better than Xenocide and basically picks up the pace back in line with the first two books. Very good, with a happy ending that ties everything up nicely and might bring a tear to your eye if you are that way inclined... which I'm not of course. I suppose the only real criticism is the fact, deep down, despite all the tension, etc., the outcome of the four books and the Ender saga is never really in any doubt… you know how it's all going to end.

A very good, old style, science fiction saga with a few moral dilemmas thrown in for good measure…
Nigel (1st March 2002)