Christopher's Reviews > Children of the Mind

Whoo, finished, finally. Sometimes you get sucked in a series and you just can't wait until its over because of the command over your whole attention that it has on you. Andrew Wiggin is somebody who we would all like to become; understanding, compassionate, brilliant, and charitable. Yet he is a tragic character who carries the burden of humanity on his shoulders, always taking on more responsibility than is seemed his share.

This final novel is the fast paced, engaging, climax to the series. Speaker for the Dead and Xenocide were mature, slow and ponderous; albeit very fascinating. (In my opinion, Xenocide could have done with a hundred less pages.) Yet all of them were anticlimactic; Card left much of the plot lines unresolved or those that were resolved done with diminished excitement. Children of the Mind made up for it. I found it satisfying and was unable to put it down. He developed and expounded all that was missing from the first two (yes, two, I don’t consider Ender’s Game part of this series, its character and mood and purpose are entirely different than these three. I view it as a prequel) novels. I’ve read complaints about Speaker or Xenocide that were resolved in this last one.
His characters drive his stories. Their challenges, brilliance, and road on life are the heart of the story. I do recommend the series. They read fairly quickly, are enjoyable and powerful.