60 pages • 2 hours read
Orson Scott CardXenocide
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1991A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In Orson Scott Card’s Xenocide, the story unfolds across two planets: Lusitania and Path. On Lusitania, humans, Pequeninos, and the last Formic hive queen coexist with the deadly descolada virus essential to Pequenino life but lethal to others. On Path, genetically modified humans display superintelligence alongside obsessive-compulsive behaviors. The novel tackles ethical dilemmas in science, cross-species coexistence, and religious and moral questions, with characters striving to address the descolada threat and uncover their own origins. Violence and a depiction of an attempted suicide are present.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Orson Scott Card's Xenocide is praised for its philosophical depth and intricate plot development. Fans of the series appreciate its exploration of complex themes like morality and the nature of consciousness. However, some readers find the pacing slow and the narrative dense. Despite these flaws, it remains a compelling read for dedicated followers of the Ender Saga.
Who Should Read Xenocide?
A reader who would enjoy Xenocide by Orson Scott Card is likely a fan of intricate science fiction narratives that explore complex ethical and psychological themes. Similar to readers of Frank Herbert's Dune or Isaac Asimov's Foundation series, they appreciate well-developed characters, political intrigue, and philosophical questions regarding humanity and alien species.
RecommendedReading Age
16+yearsBook Details
Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction
Fantasy
Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality
Natural World: Space & The Universe
Relationships: Family
Politics / Government