Book Review: Earth Unaware

Earth Unaware, By Orson Scott Card and Aaron Johnston

Science Fiction, Prequel to Ender's Game

5 out of 5 stars

http://www.amazon.com/Earth-Unaware-First-Formic-War/dp/076536736X

When you pick up a book and finish it in 4 days, you know it's good. It might start out a little slow, there might be some almost cartoonishly cliched (but honestly still believable) characters, and the book might end in a really frustrating place (for a reader), but anytime a book can hook you into reading it for hours on end on a Saturday, you know it's good.

I saw The Hobbit in theaters a few days after it came out. After 3 hours of sitting, I was ready for 3 more hours. I was sad to realize that I would have to wait a year to see the next installment. I am sad that I have to wait a few days for Earth Afire, the sequel to Earth Unaware, to arrive at my local library.

If you liked (or loved) Ender's Game, you should like (or love) Earth Unaware. The characters are wonderfully developed, the action is intense, and the pacing is really well done. One of the most fun things for me was reading about the precursors to some of the critical technology from Ender's Game. Above all, it feels very, very real and possible. Along with the quibbles listed in the first paragraph up above, there were times where I felt like the characters understood each other and themselves a bit too much, but that's really a hallmark of OSC anyway. Knowing Spanish is a plus as well, but not required.

I read this book in 4 days. I would have been faster if I didn't have a family and a job. 5 out of 5 stars. Easily.

What's your take on Earth Unaware? Lave a comment :)