Science fiction · Young adult
Ender's Game
A gifted six-year-old is taken to an orbiting military school to be trained as humanity's commander against an alien enemy. The games and pressure become harder and lonelier at every step.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1985
- Pace
- Fast
- Length
- Medium
- Pages
- 256
- Format
- Book 1 of 6 in Ender's Saga
Read this if you like smart, tense stories about a young prodigy under pressure and the ethics of using children in war.
Skip this if you dislike stories where children face bullying and brutal violence, which are central here.
The feel
Content warnings
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about Ender's Game
- What is Ender's Game about?
- A gifted six-year-old is taken to an orbiting military school to be trained as humanity's commander against an alien enemy. The games and pressure become harder and lonelier at every step.
- Who should read Ender's Game?
- Read it if you like smart, tense stories about a young prodigy under pressure and the ethics of using children in war. Skip it if you dislike stories where children face bullying and brutal violence, which are central here.
- How long and how fast is Ender's Game?
- It is a fast-paced, medium read of about 256 pages, first published in 1985.
- Does Ender's Game have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Violence, Bullying, Death.
- Can I borrow Ender's Game for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Ender's Game; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after Ender's Game?
- Readers who liked it often move on to The Hunger Games, Starship Troopers, Red Rising.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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Because you might love it
If you loved Ender's Game
-
The Hunger Games
Another story of young people trained and used by adults for a battle that is also a spectacle.
-
Starship Troopers A different and much more militaristic look at the same questions of training, duty and war.
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Red Rising
A brutal, high-stakes school of rivals where a gifted outsider learns to lead.
Science fiction
