tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post7674693706301038128..comments2023-06-16T09:58:50.486-06:00Comments on Elitist Book Reviews: Hidden EmpireVanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04260091806667958196noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post-69343401135188590272013-05-14T04:36:08.819-06:002013-05-14T04:36:08.819-06:00I have loved Card's work for a long, long time...I have loved Card's work for a long, long time. I grew up with it, "Ender's Game" is the second actual book that I remember reading - I'm not counting children's paperbacks like "Maniac Magee" & "Island of the Blue Dolphins" - after "Lord of the Flies." Card's always put morality and ethics at the center of his stories but in the earlier work, such as the original "Ender" series (not the neverending fanservice he's pumping out now), it wasn't overtly political or religious. Unfortunately that has been changing, and "Empire" was, for me, that proverbial straw - the Card camel is going to be in traction a loooong time, ESPECIALLY after "Hidden Empire." Why is it that in the world that Card creates in this "duet" the main causes of madness, violence, and suffering are progressivism / liberalism? Why are so many of the overly evil antagonist characters dark-skinned minorities, and why do they act so horrifyingly brutal - bestial, even? As for the characters and dialogue being just... Terribly done, I can totally concur. A little background on me to put this in perspective: I come from a tiny town in the South, I was in the Marines for 9 years (2 voluntary tours in Iraq) and now that I'm in my 30s I know a LOT of kids. If I hadn't gotten that divorce (but man am I ever glad I did) I'd have kids of my own right now, because that's just what you do where I'm from. So I can say these things with no reservation - kids that young are NOT that clever & incisive, heck most adults aren't. When you're in combat I don't care who you are - you ain't cracking jokes or engaging in witty banter. Finally, I never thought I'd need to point this out, but does anyone else find it HIGHLY unlikely that a bunch of left-winger hippies are going to go stockpiling weapons and then invading cities, shooting anything that moves?! (...and in Manhattan & San Francisco no less? I mean... Come ON!!). I really, really hope that Card can pull it together. I'm already bombarded nonstop by this constant, shrill, obnoxious and insufferable whining, accusing, finger-pointing and frankly utterly baseless propaganda from the right & left wing nutjobs: "That HUSSEIN O'dumby is gonna take ALL the guns!" / "Those crazy tea-baggers wanna invade EVERYTHING!" - I don't need that junk in novel-format. Card - watch out, my man...you're turning into Ayn Rand.primehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17677276048803837107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post-62529641660711693532010-03-15T15:15:38.367-06:002010-03-15T15:15:38.367-06:00Hi it is me again!! Finally got a chance to read H...Hi it is me again!! Finally got a chance to read Hidden Empire. I enjoy but agree with you on many things, it is hard to picture the kids as kids. I felt it finally came across for Chinma when he truly mourns for Mark and the rest that were lost. I did truly almost hate the ending, I almost wanted Torrent Exposed and couldn't believe Cole was helping him. Even if Torrent did just "take advantage" of a situation. Do you know if there will be another in the series? It seems like it ended with a question leaving it open to the option.Anjuli Fryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08242198460969393823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post-83107065629130523182010-01-21T11:56:18.627-07:002010-01-21T11:56:18.627-07:00Rube's jeesh has some of that kind of dialog b...Rube's jeesh has some of that kind of dialog but it wasn't nearly as distracting as Empire.-Slamel-https://www.blogger.com/profile/00787490247900515547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post-22033422614320566432010-01-21T11:14:24.611-07:002010-01-21T11:14:24.611-07:00There is one thing you don't mention, and I...There is one thing you don't mention, and I'm curious to know your opinion. When I read Empire, the witty banter between Reuben and Cole went overboard. They would be in the most deadly and life threatening situations and still be cracking jokes left and right. Was this more of the same (knowing of course that Reuben is now absent)?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post-40717595987400275342010-01-14T16:28:53.484-07:002010-01-14T16:28:53.484-07:00Card is a decent read if I'm bored, otherwise ...Card is a decent read if I'm bored, otherwise I tend to avoid him for the above reasons.Kazhttp://www.timewastersguide.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post-35432421489732582272010-01-12T21:45:58.607-07:002010-01-12T21:45:58.607-07:00The guy can't write character in general, not ...The guy can't write character in general, not just the kids. All his characters are unbelievable geniuses, with the occasional spattering of idiots.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post-25529985022378072572010-01-12T18:41:23.337-07:002010-01-12T18:41:23.337-07:00Glad you are enjoying a few of our recommendations...Glad you are enjoying a few of our recommendations. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a note. We like to hear from our visitors.-Slamel-https://www.blogger.com/profile/00787490247900515547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post-9275271173513705322010-01-12T09:38:52.752-07:002010-01-12T09:38:52.752-07:00Thanks for the Review!!! I have read most of Card&...Thanks for the Review!!! I have read most of Card's novels and tend to enjoy them. I am disappointed to hear about not reading more about Torrent. But thank you for reviewing the book, I hadn't even realized it had come out. I haven't commented before but I have read numerous books that you have reviewed and have enjoyed them. So Thank you from a busy mother that loves books but doesn't have time to search them out!!Anjuli Fryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08242198460969393823noreply@blogger.com