Ender’s Game – Orson Scott Card
Reviewed by Rebecca Dawes
A fantastically written book about interstellar and interspecies warfare, Ender’s Game features a meticulously crafted world, gripping plot and a profound examination of moral dilemmas, unravelling the essence of personal identity and humanity. If you’ve watched the (frankly disappointing) Ender’s Game film starring Asa Butterfield, forget everything you know.
Since the first time I read this book, Ender’s Game has consistently secured a spot in my top 10 reads; 7 years later each subsequent read only magnifies my enthusiasm for this book. Ender’s Game is an exhilarating, character-driven narrative showcasing exceptional writing – only potentially being surpassed by its sequels, Speaker for the Dead and Ender’s Shadow, with Ender’s Game originally only being written as the prequel for Speaker for the Dead. If you’re looking for a first-time sci-fi read, this could very well be the one for you.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – Douglas Adams
Reviewed by Charlotte Clowes
If you’re looking for a funny and chaotic tale, packed full of hundreds of inventive sci-fi technologies and aliens, then The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy could be your perfect read.
The first in Douglas Adams’ “trilogy of five books”, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy follows Arthur Dent, a human who narrowly escapes the demolition of Earth thanks to his friend Ford Prefect, who, for the last 15 years has been stuck on Earth.
Expect perhaps the silliest story centred around the search for the meaning of ‘Life, the Universe and Everything’, scattered with characters such as Marvin, the depressed robot, Zaphod Beeblebrox, the two-headed president of the galaxy, and many many more. Most importantly, remember – DON’T PANIC and never forget your towel!
Image credits: Wikimedia Commons