Earth Awakens (The First Formic War)

Before the Third Formic War, when humans attacked the Formics on their homeworld, the Formics struck Earth. In Earth Awakens, we see how Earth first had contact with the Formics; how the humans discovered the Formic’s weaknesses; and how the humans managed to prevail over their attackers. After hundreds of years of strife on planet Earth, humans are forced to band together after a gigantic mothership begins orbiting Earth and deploying troops intent on wiping out human life. It is only through the combined efforts of all mankind are the humans able to conquer the threat.

Although ostensibly a prequel to Ender’s Game, this book serves mainly to expand the universe rather than provide origin stories for the separate characters. The only character shared between the two is Mazer Rackham, who plays only a minor role in both books. As is typical for author Card, the events of the first book of Ender’s Game and Earth Awakens fit together flawlessly to make a seamless narrative. Although the characters are different, they seem to react in similar ways to characters in Card’s other books, but since Card writes his characters so well this is not a detriment. The book was filled with action and was a great addition to this universe.