Ender's Game Alive: The Full Cast Audioplay

By: Orson Scott Card

Narrated by: Full Cast Recording

Length: 7 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Finalist, Multi-Voiced Performance, 2014

Audie Award Finalist, Original Work, 2014

Experience Ender's Game as you've never heard it before! With an all-new, original script written by Orson Scott Card, Ender's Game Alive is a full cast audio drama that reimagines the Hugo and Nebula Award-winning classic.

Ender’s Game Alive puts you into Battle School with young Andrew "Ender" Wiggin, as he trains to become the general who will lead Earth against the Formics, the alien "buggers". Removed from his family at the age of six, Ender must prove his strength and his leadership, even as he fights his own doubts. The stakes are nothing less than the fate of humankind.

Ender's Game Alive is performed by Kirby Heyborne, Stefan Rudnicki, Theodore Bikel, Scott Brick, Samantha Eggar, Harlan Ellison, Susan Hanfield, Roxanne Hernandez, Janis Ian, Rex Linn, Richard McGonagle, Jim Meskimen, Emily Rankin, John Rubinstein, Christian Rummel, and a full cast.

Directed by Gabrielle de Cuir

Original Score by John Rubinstein

Valentine's Theme by Janis Ian

Additional music and arrangements by Mark Mitchell

©2013 Orson Scott Card (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Listeners will feel surrounded by Card's sophisticated, high-stakes universe. With a stately musical score and video-game sound effects, this "re-imagined" production sticks close to the novel while offering listeners an entertaining new way to enjoy one of science fiction's best loved stories.” ( AudioFile)

Be careful, this story is addictive

Before now, I have never read or listened to Orson Scott Card’s Ender’s Game epic. It is possible that I might never have done so, was it not for the hype created by Audible releasing the first three chapters of “Ender’s Game Alive” before the official release this full cast audio drama. It was while listening to the first free chapters that I got seriously hooked.

I understand that Orson Scott Card rewrote his original Ender’s Game into this audio drama. Performed by a full cast directed by Gabrielle de Cuir this is probably one of the best audio drama’s I have listened to. A good story coloured presented by an excellent voice cast and music specially adapted for this audio drama makes it not only a winner, it becomes an addiction. Be warned, you might not stop listening until the very end. This is one of the best audio drama’s I have ever heard.

The storyline is very basic. The listener finds him-/herself in the Wiggin’s home on earth some years in the future. One is aware that something is amiss because married couples may only have two children. You become aware that the genetically engineered Peter and Valentine Wiggin’s parents are allowed to have a third child, because Peter and Valentine weren’t completely the right material to enter Battle School. Thus came about Andrew “Ender” Wiggin. All humankind’s hope seems to be fixed on him to free the human race from an extra-terrestrial threat called the Formics. To do so, however, Ender Wiggen is admitted to Battle School at the age of 6 years.

The audio drama is based on these formative years of Ender. What makes it very effective is the way the line between what is real and what is practise are blurred until almost the very end when the pieces of the puzzle falls in place. I thought it was done neatly and convincingly.

This audio drama is an excellent suspense drama wrapped in a science fiction cloak. I believe that those who have enjoyed Ender’s Game in the past as well as those of us who are new to this science fiction classic will enjoy a five star performance of a five star story.

Outstanding presentation of a SciFi classic

The 'Ender' series has been one of my favorites since it's release. This presentation is first-class.

To me, the quality of a work of fiction is defined in two parts, the basic idea/ideas of the story and the execution. IMHO 'Ender's Game' rates among the best in both areas. The unique storyline constantly revolves around the ethical question of whether the end justifies the means. Given a choice, in our daily lives, to win, or to stand on our principles; which is correct? Is true victory the art of finding a way to do both? Ender and his teachers face these questions daily.

This version is basically true to the intent of the original. Since it is dialog, rather than narration, some changes were necessary to fill-in the missing narrative. I found the net result to be entirely positive. The performances range from pretty good to outstanding.

Overall, this is an excellent way to enjoy the beginning of this epic SciFi series; however, I recommend that those who are new to Ender begin by reading/listening to the original.

Best Listened to After Reading the Book

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would absolutely recommend this audiobook, and I have done just that.

What did you like best about this story?

Ender's Game has long been one of my favorites. This audio play gave a quick review in a very entertaining voice acted reading.

Which scene was your favorite?

There are so many, but I think it would be the scene at the lake.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Again, there are so many. I think the moments the man in charge showed that he was doing what he had to do, but it also was hurting him to do it.

One of my favorites

I do love it but I wish they found a way to cover everything in the book. I feel I missed out on some of the little engrossing details. the self thoughts instead of just the dialog would be the main.

Just watch the movie

There wasn’t anything in the audiobook that wasn’t in the movie. Sound effects were slightly obnoxious and pauses between chapters drag on. Actors were pretty good. Great story. Worth listening if you haven’t seen or read it before.

epic from start to finish

I could not put this one down. Even listened on lunch at work. This is a must have.

Great listen

With the full cast audio this is an amazing piece; do yourself a favor and give it a listen or two :)

Couldn't put it down!!!

This live adaptation was immersive and captivating. I loved every second of it. It helped bring Enders Game to.life for me in so many new ways. I wish they would do this with other books in the series.

I was able to deep dive in to the story

I love I'd more then a movie! Absolutely fantastic performance, great story. Highly recommended to any science fiction fan.

you either love or hate enders game

it is a competent reading of Enders game, so much better then the poor movie.