''Xenocide'' (first published in 1991) is the third book in the Ender's Game series, a

science fiction Science fiction (often shortened to sci-fi or abbreviated SF) is a genre of speculative fiction that deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts. These concepts may include information technology and robotics, biological manipulations, space ...

series by the American author

Orson Scott Card Orson Scott Card (born August 24, 1951) is an American writer known best for his science fiction works. , he is the only person to have won a Hugo Award for Best Novel, Hugo Award and a Nebula Award for Best Novel, Nebula Award in List of joint ...

. It was first published during a period of increasing globalization and heightened awareness of cultural differences, and the writing reflects this in its techniques, mood, and emotive effect on the reader. ''Xenocide'' explores themes of

communication Communication is commonly defined as the transmission of information. Its precise definition is disputed and there are disagreements about whether Intention, unintentional or failed transmissions are included and whether communication not onl ...

xenophobia Xenophobia (from (), 'strange, foreign, or alien', and (), 'fear') is the fear or dislike of anything that is perceived as being foreign or strange. It is an expression that is based on the perception that a conflict exists between an in-gr ...

, and the potential dangers of advanced technology. ''Xenocide'' was nominated for both the

Hugo Award The Hugo Award is an annual literary award for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year, given at the World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon) and chosen by its members. The award is administered by th ...

and Locus Awards for Best Novel in 1992.

Background

Card incorporated elements from his earlier publication, '' Gloriously Bright'', from the January 1991 issue of ''

Analog Science Fiction and Fact ''Analog Science Fiction and Fact'' is an American science fiction magazine published under various titles since 1930. Originally titled ''Astounding Stories of Super-Science'', the first issue was dated January 1930, published by William Cla ...

'', into the novel''.'' ''Xenocide'' refers to the "killing or attempted killing of an entire alien species." ' ''Xeno-''' comes from the

Greek Greek may refer to: Anything of, from, or related to Greece, a country in Southern Europe: *Greeks, an ethnic group *Greek language, a branch of the Indo-European language family **Proto-Greek language, the assumed last common ancestor of all kno ...

word for "stranger, foreigner, or host;" -cide''' is a word-forming element meaning "killing." From French ''-cide'' and

Latin Latin ( or ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic languages, Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally spoken by the Latins (Italic tribe), Latins in Latium (now known as Lazio), the lower Tiber area aroun ...

''-cidium'' meaning "a cutting, a killing."

Plot summary

In ''Xenocide'', the third book in Orson Scott Card's ''Ender's Game'' series, the planet Lusitania faces annihilation as the Starways Congress sends a fleet armed with the deadly "Molecular Disruption Device" to destroy it. Home to the alien species Pequeninos, the sentient insect Hive Queen, and humans—including Ender Wiggin and his family—the planet's inhabitants race to find solutions to their existential threats. Meanwhile, the genetically engineered inhabitants of the planet Path grapple with their religious devotion and mental conditioning as they uncover the secrets of their oppression. As the Lusitanians work to neutralize the Descolada virus—vital to the planet's ecosystem but deadly to humans—they also uncover the nature of faster-than-light travel using the mysterious force known as the "Outside." Through this discovery, they transport the endangered species and themselves to safety, thwarting the Congress's fleet and preserving their world.

Reception

''Xenocide'' received recognition in the science fiction community with nominations for the

and the

Locus Award The Locus Awards are an annual set of literary awards voted on by readers of the science fiction and fantasy magazine '' Locus'', a monthly magazine based in Oakland, California. The awards are presented at an annual banquet. Originally a poll ...

for Best Novel in 1992. The

New York Times Book Review ''The New York Times Book Review'' (''NYTBR'') is a weekly paper-magazine supplement to the Sunday edition of ''The New York Times'' in which current non-fiction and fiction books are reviewed. It is one of the most influential and widely rea ...

offered a mixed assessment of ''Xenocide'' in 1991. The review recognized the novel's ambitious philosophical themes but also criticized its pacing and dialogue, suggesting that the complex ideas could have been more impactful in a more concise format.

References

External links

About the novel ''Xenocide'' from Card's website
* {{Orson Scott Card , enderstate=expanded 1991 American novels 1991 science fiction novels American science fiction novels Ender's Game series books Tor Books books Fiction set in the 6th millennium Novels about obsessive–compulsive disorder

Background

Plot summary

Reception

See also

References

External links