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Ender's Saga
Ender's Tribe
"Whatever your gravity is when you get to the door, remember -- the enemy's gate is down..."
Ender's Tribe is special compilation of eight stories from the Ender Universe, including the original short story "Ender's Game" that would later become the bestselling novel. Each story contains a thread from the multi-series franchise. With focuses on Mazer Rackham, Bonito, Han Tzu, Peter Wiggin, Sel Menach, Dabeet Ochoa, and of course Ender Wiggin himself, these tales are essential reading for longtime and new fans of the beloved Ender books.
Full Contents:
Ender's Game
Mazer in Prison
Pretty Boy
Cheater
Ender's Stockings
The Gold Bug
Governor Wiggin
Renegat
Ender's Tribe is special compilation of eight stories from the Ender Universe, including the original short story "Ender's Game" that would later become the bestselling novel. Each story contains a thread from the multi-series franchise. With focuses on Mazer Rackham, Bonito, Han Tzu, Peter Wiggin, Sel Menach, Dabeet Ochoa, and of course Ender Wiggin himself, these tales are essential reading for longtime and new fans of the beloved Ender books.
Full Contents:
Ender's Game
Mazer in Prison
Pretty Boy
Cheater
Ender's Stockings
The Gold Bug
Governor Wiggin
Renegat
- GenresScience Fiction
MP3 CD
Published October 21, 2025
About the author
Orson Scott Card
853 books21k followersOrson Scott Card is an American writer known best for his science fiction works. He is (as of 2023) the only person to have won a Hugo Award and a Nebula Award in consecutive years, winning both awards for his novel Ender's Game (1985) and its sequel Speaker for the Dead (1986). A feature film adaptation of Ender's Game, which Card co-produced, was released in 2013. Card also wrote the Locus Fantasy Award-winning series The Tales of Alvin Maker (1987–2003).
Card's fiction often features characters with exceptional gifts who make difficult choices with high stakes. Card has also written political, religious, and social commentary in his columns and other writing; his opposition to homosexuality has provoked public criticism.
Card, who is a great-great-grandson of Brigham Young, was born in Richland, Washington, and grew up in Utah and California. While he was a student at Brigham Young University (BYU), his plays were performed on stage. He served in Brazil as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and headed a community theater for two summers. Card had 27 short stories published between 1978 and 1979, and he won the John W. Campbell Award for best new writer in 1978. He earned a master's degree in English from the University of Utah in 1981 and wrote novels in science fiction, fantasy, non-fiction, and historical fiction genres starting in 1979. Card continued to write prolifically, and he has published over 50 novels and 45 short stories.
Card teaches English at Southern Virginia University; he has written two books on creative writing and serves as a judge in the Writers of the Future contest. He has taught many successful writers at his "literary boot camps". He remains a practicing member of the LDS Church and Mormon fiction writers Stephenie Meyer, Brandon Sanderson, and Dave Wolverton have cited his works as a major influence.
Card's fiction often features characters with exceptional gifts who make difficult choices with high stakes. Card has also written political, religious, and social commentary in his columns and other writing; his opposition to homosexuality has provoked public criticism.
Card, who is a great-great-grandson of Brigham Young, was born in Richland, Washington, and grew up in Utah and California. While he was a student at Brigham Young University (BYU), his plays were performed on stage. He served in Brazil as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and headed a community theater for two summers. Card had 27 short stories published between 1978 and 1979, and he won the John W. Campbell Award for best new writer in 1978. He earned a master's degree in English from the University of Utah in 1981 and wrote novels in science fiction, fantasy, non-fiction, and historical fiction genres starting in 1979. Card continued to write prolifically, and he has published over 50 novels and 45 short stories.
Card teaches English at Southern Virginia University; he has written two books on creative writing and serves as a judge in the Writers of the Future contest. He has taught many successful writers at his "literary boot camps". He remains a practicing member of the LDS Church and Mormon fiction writers Stephenie Meyer, Brandon Sanderson, and Dave Wolverton have cited his works as a major influence.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 2, 2026
To date, this 2026 collection of Enderverse short stories has been released only as an audiobook. (Hardcover, paperback, and e-book releases are tentatively announced for next October.) Most of these stories have appeared in various multi-authors anthologies, although “Governor Wiggin” was written especially for a pricey limited-edition hardcover of OSC stories.
On the plus side, these are all fun, thoughtful stories read by excellent narrators.
On the other hand, I cannot help but feel this book is a missed opportunity. There have been fifteen Ender short stories in all. Some are standalone, some got incorporated into the novels--although rarely without alteration. This collection only includes eight of those stories. There has never been a complete collection. Ender's Way (2021) came close with thirteen stories.
"Mazer in Prison" (2005) -- After defeating the Hive Queen in the Second Formic War, Mazer Rackham is sent on an interstellar voyage at near light speed, so that he will age slowly and can return to lead Earth's forces again. However, he spends those years in communication with Hyrum Graff, plotting to train a younger, better leader for the third and final conflict. Takes place between The Second Formic War trilogy and Ender's Game.
"Pretty Boy" (2006) -- Five-year-old Bonito de Madrid is a bright boy, so much so he is being monitored by the International Fleet for its command training program. However, he is spoiled by his flamboyant Spanish father. After finding out his father has been keeping a mistress in secret, Bonito becomes prideful and bitter, vowing to become the sort of man who prizes duty and honor above all else. Takes place before Ender's Game.
"Ender’s Game" (1977) -- Ender Wiggin is an army leader at Battle School whose ingenuity and leadership skills propel him to the top of his class, but it is a grueling life. He won't get the chance to defeat the Formic invaders if he can't survive the training program first. This oft-reprinted novelette is a curiosity. It contains the bare bones of the story but falls well short of the Hugo- and Nebula-winning novel.
"Cheater" (2006) -- Han Tsu is a prisoner in his father's mansion, compelled to spend his days preparing for the Battle School tests. His father believes Han can return China to its former status as a world power, and he is willing to cheat to make sure his son is chosen. Takes place before Ender's Game.
"Ender’s Stockings" (2007) -- Peter Wiggin clashes with his family over Ender's absence at Christmas. This story explains how Peter transitions from psychopath to a flatterer and manipulator capable of influencing events on the world stage. Takes place during the Battle School section of Ender's Game.
"The Gold Bug" (2007) -- Sel Menach fought above the Formic home world under Ender Wiggin. When the war was won, he could not return to Earth, so he settled down on a colony planet as a xenobiologist. Decades later, he discovers organic technology in abandoned Formic tunnels that provides new insights into their culture. Takes place during Ender in Exile. The events of this story are woven into the novel itself in a significantly altered form.
"Governor Wiggin" (2021) -- Two problems intersect in Ender's second year as governor of a colony planet. Two young adults want to get married, but they both possess the recessive gene of a disease that cannot be allowed to proliferate. Scientists must figure out how to get enough iron from the planet to produce their own tools. This standalone story takes place during the events of Ender in Exile.
"Renegat" (2017) -- Five hundred years after leaving Fleet School, Dabeet Ochoa is now acting governor over a colony planet seeking independence. He asks Ender Wiggins to do a Speaking for a dead biologist. The cause of death is unclear, but the biologist had many enemies because he refused to certify one of the local species as non-sentient. The mystery revolves around the unusual biology of the Llop and their niche in the local ecology. Takes place between Shadows in Flight and Speaker for the Dead.
I would rate this collection 4 stars for quality, but I’m docking 1 star for lack of completeness.
On the plus side, these are all fun, thoughtful stories read by excellent narrators.
On the other hand, I cannot help but feel this book is a missed opportunity. There have been fifteen Ender short stories in all. Some are standalone, some got incorporated into the novels--although rarely without alteration. This collection only includes eight of those stories. There has never been a complete collection. Ender's Way (2021) came close with thirteen stories.
"Mazer in Prison" (2005) -- After defeating the Hive Queen in the Second Formic War, Mazer Rackham is sent on an interstellar voyage at near light speed, so that he will age slowly and can return to lead Earth's forces again. However, he spends those years in communication with Hyrum Graff, plotting to train a younger, better leader for the third and final conflict. Takes place between The Second Formic War trilogy and Ender's Game.
"Pretty Boy" (2006) -- Five-year-old Bonito de Madrid is a bright boy, so much so he is being monitored by the International Fleet for its command training program. However, he is spoiled by his flamboyant Spanish father. After finding out his father has been keeping a mistress in secret, Bonito becomes prideful and bitter, vowing to become the sort of man who prizes duty and honor above all else. Takes place before Ender's Game.
"Ender’s Game" (1977) -- Ender Wiggin is an army leader at Battle School whose ingenuity and leadership skills propel him to the top of his class, but it is a grueling life. He won't get the chance to defeat the Formic invaders if he can't survive the training program first. This oft-reprinted novelette is a curiosity. It contains the bare bones of the story but falls well short of the Hugo- and Nebula-winning novel.
"Cheater" (2006) -- Han Tsu is a prisoner in his father's mansion, compelled to spend his days preparing for the Battle School tests. His father believes Han can return China to its former status as a world power, and he is willing to cheat to make sure his son is chosen. Takes place before Ender's Game.
"Ender’s Stockings" (2007) -- Peter Wiggin clashes with his family over Ender's absence at Christmas. This story explains how Peter transitions from psychopath to a flatterer and manipulator capable of influencing events on the world stage. Takes place during the Battle School section of Ender's Game.
"The Gold Bug" (2007) -- Sel Menach fought above the Formic home world under Ender Wiggin. When the war was won, he could not return to Earth, so he settled down on a colony planet as a xenobiologist. Decades later, he discovers organic technology in abandoned Formic tunnels that provides new insights into their culture. Takes place during Ender in Exile. The events of this story are woven into the novel itself in a significantly altered form.
"Governor Wiggin" (2021) -- Two problems intersect in Ender's second year as governor of a colony planet. Two young adults want to get married, but they both possess the recessive gene of a disease that cannot be allowed to proliferate. Scientists must figure out how to get enough iron from the planet to produce their own tools. This standalone story takes place during the events of Ender in Exile.
"Renegat" (2017) -- Five hundred years after leaving Fleet School, Dabeet Ochoa is now acting governor over a colony planet seeking independence. He asks Ender Wiggins to do a Speaking for a dead biologist. The cause of death is unclear, but the biologist had many enemies because he refused to certify one of the local species as non-sentient. The mystery revolves around the unusual biology of the Llop and their niche in the local ecology. Takes place between Shadows in Flight and Speaker for the Dead.
I would rate this collection 4 stars for quality, but I’m docking 1 star for lack of completeness.
January 2, 2026
I had read/heard most of these short stories already, but I don't regret the time. I didn't realize how much I'd missed this universe.
Excellent narration.
Excellent narration.
July 28, 2026
Ender's Tribe is a collection of 8 stories set in the Ender Universe. Those who are familiar with Ender's Game - the novel, NOT the mediocre film adaptation from 2013 - will feel right at home diving into this collection which includes, among others, the original Ender's Game short story.
Each of these stories involves at least one character from the Ender Universe, and reading them is like visiting with an old friend, and hearing tales of their adventures since the last time we got together.
What this collection is missing is something new. The 8 stories included here have all been published elsewhere, but collecting them as they are in this book provides a nice overview of the events that occur before, during, and after the final battle with the Formics. All in all, this is a solid, enjoyable collection, but I recommend reading the Ender's Game novel first, to avoid spoilers and gain some familiarity with many of the characters featured here.
Some of my favorites from this collection are:
Ender’s Game -
The original short story that was the basis for the longer Ender's Game novel and the series of stories that followed. I read this when it was first published in Analog magazine many years ago and it is as compelling a tale today as it was back then.
Ender’s Stocking -
Focuses on the Wiggins family, mainly older brother Peter and his mother, as Christmas approaches and they each deal with their reactions to Andrew (Ender) being away at Battle School. Ever ambitious, and jealous, Peter tries to find ways to gain influence and recognition, while his mother mourns the absence of her youngest and the impact that the Formic Wars have had on her family.
The Gold Bug -
A story set on one of the Formic colony worlds which has been occupied by humans since the total destruction of the "Buggers." In this story a pair of colonists head out on an expedition to explore more of the planet and find some unusual, and dangerous, remnants of the Formic colonization.
Renegat -
This story stood out for me in large part because it reminded me of the original Speaker For The Dead novel. Andrew Wiggin, and his sister Valentine, arrive on a planet "speak the death" of a brilliant xenobiologist, and to learn whether his death was connected to his study of possible intelligence within local creatures.
Thanks to Blackstone Publishing for providing an eARC to review via NetGalley!
Ender's Tribe releases on Oct 20, 2026
Each of these stories involves at least one character from the Ender Universe, and reading them is like visiting with an old friend, and hearing tales of their adventures since the last time we got together.
What this collection is missing is something new. The 8 stories included here have all been published elsewhere, but collecting them as they are in this book provides a nice overview of the events that occur before, during, and after the final battle with the Formics. All in all, this is a solid, enjoyable collection, but I recommend reading the Ender's Game novel first, to avoid spoilers and gain some familiarity with many of the characters featured here.
Some of my favorites from this collection are:
Ender’s Game -
The original short story that was the basis for the longer Ender's Game novel and the series of stories that followed. I read this when it was first published in Analog magazine many years ago and it is as compelling a tale today as it was back then.
Ender’s Stocking -
Focuses on the Wiggins family, mainly older brother Peter and his mother, as Christmas approaches and they each deal with their reactions to Andrew (Ender) being away at Battle School. Ever ambitious, and jealous, Peter tries to find ways to gain influence and recognition, while his mother mourns the absence of her youngest and the impact that the Formic Wars have had on her family.
The Gold Bug -
A story set on one of the Formic colony worlds which has been occupied by humans since the total destruction of the "Buggers." In this story a pair of colonists head out on an expedition to explore more of the planet and find some unusual, and dangerous, remnants of the Formic colonization.
Renegat -
This story stood out for me in large part because it reminded me of the original Speaker For The Dead novel. Andrew Wiggin, and his sister Valentine, arrive on a planet "speak the death" of a brilliant xenobiologist, and to learn whether his death was connected to his study of possible intelligence within local creatures.
Thanks to Blackstone Publishing for providing an eARC to review via NetGalley!
Ender's Tribe releases on Oct 20, 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4 stars, Metaphorosis reviews
Summary
A collection of short stories about characters from Orson Scott Card's 'Enderverse', including the original "Ender's Game" story.
Review
I’ve mentioned before how important the short story “Ender’s Game” was to my appreciation of science fiction. I still think it’s a great story and was happy to read it here again. The rest of the collection is more interesting than essential.
Broadly, while each of these entries is a legitimate story with a plot and resolution, I see most of them more as character studies – who was Maezr (or Mazer) Rackham, why was Bonzo Madrid the way he was, etc. There are also some gap-filling stories.
By and large, they’re pleasant, well-written, and have Card’s usual observational skill and somewhat unrealistic character self-awareness. (Granted, he’s often writing about geniuses.). I enjoyed returning to and discovering new aspects of the ‘Enderverse’. This is a collection for real fans, though. If you haven’t read most of the Ender (or Bean) books I think you’ll get less out of it than you might. I say that having not read the Aaron Johnston Formic War books (I’ve stuck to those actually written by Card); there were one or two stories here I felt I missed nuances of.
If you’re already a fan of Card or Ender, you’ll enjoy this. If you’ve never read the original “Ender’s Game”, here’s a good chance. But beyond that, there really is nothing essential about this, and I found Card’s worldview leaking into these stories more than it used to. Nothing terrible, but a little distracting. I believe there are also other Enderverse stories that are not included, for reasons that elude me; there’s a long preface about Card’s philosophy, about the the movie script he wrote that wasn’t used (why?), and some other matters, but little explanation of why these particular stories were chosen for inclusion. (This ARC version also had really sloppy proofreading, which will presumably be fixed.)
Card has written many books, and I guess I can’t hold it against him that he keeps returning to his biggest hit, but I wish he’d put more effort into a really good new novel instead.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Summary
A collection of short stories about characters from Orson Scott Card's 'Enderverse', including the original "Ender's Game" story.
Review
I’ve mentioned before how important the short story “Ender’s Game” was to my appreciation of science fiction. I still think it’s a great story and was happy to read it here again. The rest of the collection is more interesting than essential.
Broadly, while each of these entries is a legitimate story with a plot and resolution, I see most of them more as character studies – who was Maezr (or Mazer) Rackham, why was Bonzo Madrid the way he was, etc. There are also some gap-filling stories.
By and large, they’re pleasant, well-written, and have Card’s usual observational skill and somewhat unrealistic character self-awareness. (Granted, he’s often writing about geniuses.). I enjoyed returning to and discovering new aspects of the ‘Enderverse’. This is a collection for real fans, though. If you haven’t read most of the Ender (or Bean) books I think you’ll get less out of it than you might. I say that having not read the Aaron Johnston Formic War books (I’ve stuck to those actually written by Card); there were one or two stories here I felt I missed nuances of.
If you’re already a fan of Card or Ender, you’ll enjoy this. If you’ve never read the original “Ender’s Game”, here’s a good chance. But beyond that, there really is nothing essential about this, and I found Card’s worldview leaking into these stories more than it used to. Nothing terrible, but a little distracting. I believe there are also other Enderverse stories that are not included, for reasons that elude me; there’s a long preface about Card’s philosophy, about the the movie script he wrote that wasn’t used (why?), and some other matters, but little explanation of why these particular stories were chosen for inclusion. (This ARC version also had really sloppy proofreading, which will presumably be fixed.)
Card has written many books, and I guess I can’t hold it against him that he keeps returning to his biggest hit, but I wish he’d put more effort into a really good new novel instead.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
May 31, 2026
This audio anthology is Card’s selection of the best stories that support the Enderverse. Some were published in his Intergalactic Medicine Show, others in War of Gifts or Ender in Exile. I had previously read about half (Mazer in Prison, Pretty Boy, Ender’s Stocking, The Gold Bug).
It is a good, representative collection of Card’s best writing, but it is not comprehensive. It might serve as an introduction to the novels, but I would always recommend starting with the novels Ender’s Game and Ender’s Shadow. Some of the stories are straight narration by Stefan Rudnicki and Scott Brick; others are cast recordings. The collection is mixed in quality. I disliked the novella, Renegat.
It is a good, representative collection of Card’s best writing, but it is not comprehensive. It might serve as an introduction to the novels, but I would always recommend starting with the novels Ender’s Game and Ender’s Shadow. Some of the stories are straight narration by Stefan Rudnicki and Scott Brick; others are cast recordings. The collection is mixed in quality. I disliked the novella, Renegat.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to Orson Scott Card, Blackstone Publishing, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Ender’s Tribe is an excellent collection of stories from Ender’s universe. Chronologically, they span the time from before Ender’s Game to the time of Speaker For the Dead in the novels.
I found the stories to be interesting and engaging. Ender himself is in many of them, as are Bean, Valentine and others, for those familiar with the Ender’s game novels. For those not familiar, this set of short stories is an excellent introduction. Recommended.
Ender’s Tribe is an excellent collection of stories from Ender’s universe. Chronologically, they span the time from before Ender’s Game to the time of Speaker For the Dead in the novels.
I found the stories to be interesting and engaging. Ender himself is in many of them, as are Bean, Valentine and others, for those familiar with the Ender’s game novels. For those not familiar, this set of short stories is an excellent introduction. Recommended.
July 19, 2026
3.5**
My favorite stories were “Mazer in Prison” and “Cheater”. One of these stories I had read in full before and two others were longer versions of passages from man series novels. I enjoyed this overall, it only makes sense to read if you have already read Ender’s Game and Speaker for the Dead at a minimum.
My favorite stories were “Mazer in Prison” and “Cheater”. One of these stories I had read in full before and two others were longer versions of passages from man series novels. I enjoyed this overall, it only makes sense to read if you have already read Ender’s Game and Speaker for the Dead at a minimum.
Read
December 27, 2025I really enjoyed this. Ever since I read Ender’s Game I’ve been drawn to Card’s writing. Also, it was fun to be back in Ender’s world through some of these short stories. Definitely a comfort read for me.
March 5, 2026
It's fine. Better as a collection than individually, I suppose. I read them in release order with the novels.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews