Enders Game

Enders Game is a science fiction novel about a future world where the only enemy is not of Earth. Called the buggers, they are aliens intent on destroying the human race and claiming the world for their own diabolical purposes. With both advanced weaponry and intellect, the government has created laws, rules to be abided at all costs. With the rule NO MORE THAN TWO CHILDREN, the government creates genius children to defend earth and distributes them to be raised until the age of six, in which case the government will offer them a choice: Go to Battleschool and defend Earth or stay at home and forever be a Third, a third child, which is a bad thing. Ender (Andrew) Wiggen is a Third with a cruel and maniac older brother and a sweet and clever older sister. He is approached after beating up a bully (who, as we later discover, dies from his wounds) and offered a chance in Battleschool. Needless to say, he accepts. Now, after a rough first year as a "launchy" (the program is in outer space), and beating down bullies while learning the ropes, he is the best soldier the government has ever produced; some say he's even greater than the legendary Mazer Rackman. The ending is a twist that you won't foresee coming, but is something that will stick with you for life. This book was an instant New York Times bestseller, but it's kind of slow in the beginning. However, you won't understand anything if you don't read the beginning, so just stick it out and you'll love the book in the end.