What sequence is best?

[Fire-Quencher]

It had been about 5 years since I had read the Ender books, and I hadn't yet read Shadow of the Giant or Ender in Exile. So instead of just reading those two books, I decided to read the entire series over again.

However, I made the mistake of reading them in the wrong order. My original plan was to read the Shadow books first, so I started with Ender's Shadow... unfortunately my copy of Shadow of the Hegemon had been misplaced, and they didn't have it at the local bookstore. I ordered it online, but didn't want to wait a week for it to arrive, so I decided I would read the Ender series before going back to the Shadow books.


I read Ender's Game, and then Ender in Exile... which was a huge mistake, seeing as I had never read Shadow of the Giant. I realized this about halfway through the book... but obviously I wasn't going to stop reading it. I then went on with Speaker, Xenocide, and Children of the Mind.

I then went back to the Shadow books and read the remaining three sequentially.


My question is this:
When embarking on the journey into the EnderVerse, what order is best for reading the books?

I think the best order is as follows:
Ender's Shadow
Shadow of the Hegemon
Shadow Puppets
Shadow of the Giant
Ender's Game
Ender in Exile
Speaker for the Dead
Xenocide
Children of the Mind

However, I don't see a problem with reading Ender's Game first of all, but its obvious Ender in Exile needs to be read after the Shadow books. I wish I had known that before I reread them.

Also, if and when Shadows in Flight comes out, rumor is that it will pick up with Peter (from Children of the Mind), so it would be best to have that freshest in memory.


What are your thoughts? agree? disagree?

also, if you'd like to tell me more about Shadows in Flight, that would be appreciated.

[ptr.arkanian]

i think i read the series in the awkwardest way possible. being as follows:

1. enders game
2. enders shadow
3. speaker for the dead
4. shadow of the hegemon
5. xenocide
6. shadow puppets
7. children of the mind
8. shadow of the giant
(first meetings in Ender' universe)
(war of gifts)
9. ender in the exile

if you like the excitement of the war in the shadow series and the science in the ender series but you dont enjoy it squished together i suggest you read it like this. it was really entertaining and not confusing as long as you have a good enough memory to remember the characters and the final events from the previous book.

of course if i were to go with sequencial order, i would read like this:

(First meetings in Ender's universe)
1. ender's game
2. ender's shadow
(War of gifts)
3. shadow of the hegemon
4. shadow puppets
5. shadow of the giant
6. ender in exile
7. speaker for the dead
8. xenocide
9. children of the mind

either way the books are amazing. this way makes a hell of alot more sense though

[Jebus]

The best way to go through them is in this order:

1. Ender's Game
2. Speaker for the Dead
3. Speaker for the Dead
4. Xenocide
5. Children of the Mind
6. Speaker for the Dead

The rest of the books are best enjoyed by setting them on fire and basking in the warmth while you read the original series.


ETA: Except for a A War of Gifts. Do not under any circumstances burn this book unless you want to release the tortured souls of a million hell demons. Bury this book deep, deep underground and salt the earth so that no one will live there.

[CezeN]

^^^^I like the Shadow series just as much as the main one, if not better...

[Graff^]

I liked the shadow series the best as well. Especially ES and SotG.

[Jebus]

I am thoroughly unsurprised by the previous two comments.

[Gravity Defier]

ETA: Except for a A War of Gifts. Do not under any circumstances burn this book unless you want to release the tortured souls of a million hell demons. Bury this book deep, deep underground and salt the earth so that no one will live there.

This is why I want to name my firstborn after you. Well, the rest of that post has something to do with it, too, but especially this part.

[Jebus]

I think a child called Jebus would be awesome. Even better if it turns out to be a girl.