Spotlight on:

Shadow of the Hegemon

By Orson Scott Card

Published:  2000
Genre: Sci-fi

Info:  Shadow of the Hegemon is a sequel to Ender's Shadow and is followed by Shadow Puppets.

Synopsis:  Those who have read the Ender Saga know that everything from Speaker for the Dead onwards takes place about 3,000 years after Ender's Game. Shadow of the Hegemon, however, is about events immediately after the end of the Formic War (when Ender destroys the buggers' home planet).
This book deals with Peter Wiggin's rise to the position of Hegemon and the role Bean plays in helping him there. The children who were in the final battle with Ender are all kidnapped, except for Bean, who has several attempts made on his life instead. The reason for this is Achilles (pronounced Ah-SHEEL). He is behind the kidnappings, for he is thirsting for power. Since he has broken out of the mental institution, who will stop him?
Card seems to be using female characters more prominently, and it is to the benefit of the novel. Petra Arkanian turns out to be a comic and lends levity to a serious novel with her acerbic but insightful wisecracks. Achilles allows all the other kidnapped children to be rescued, but he keeps Petra with him as an advisor. Bean now has two goals--to prevent Achilles from taking over the world and to save Petra from the fate of Poke. There are several major events in the book, but this reviewer is keeping them secret.

Analysis:  With excellent professional writing from Card, this book fulfills the high standards we have set for him. As previously mentioned, the development of strong female characters improved the story. Bean's uncanny brilliance will not disappoint, and Petra's sharp wit, never pulling the punch, is well-appreciated. Card seems to be feeling his age, however, and more than one portion of the book is overtly sentimental. I'm looking forward to seeing what Bean is like when he is older.

Recommendation:  This book is not recommended for someone who has not read Ender's Shadow. Any prior knowledge gained from Ender's Game is useful but not necessary. This book also centers around international politics and military tactics, so it would not necessarily be appreciated by someone who enjoyed Ender's Game or Ender's Shadow. Some knowledge of Homer's The Iliad might also be beneficial. Other than that, both readers who have learned to love Card's work and readers who have recently become acquainted with Mr. Card's work should enjoy this.

Literary Rating: * *