Shadow of the Hegemon - Audiobook Review

Kliatt, March, 2002 by Bette D. Ammon

Orson Scott Card. 2001. Read by David Birney, Scott Brick & Gabrielle De Cuir. 8 tapes, 13 hrs. Fantastic Audio, American Audio Literature. 1-57453-410-6. $39.95. Cardboard, plastic; plot, author, reader notes. JS

Taking up the Ender saga after Ender's Game (1985), Speaker for the Dead (1986), and Ender's Shadow (1999), Shadow of the Hegemon continues the story of Bean, previously Ender's second-in-command and an amazing young man. The bugger war is over but peace is interrupted when the young soldiers of the Batrtle School are abducted. All are taken save Bean who escapes and hides with Sister Carlotta. The kidnapper is Achilles, a psychopath who plans to rule the world with the help of the Battle School students. Bean is forced to enlist the help of the politically savvy Peter Wiggin (Ender's brother who yearns to be the ruler, the Hegemon) and together they attempt to thwart Achilles, and save their friends and the world.

Three veteran actors interpret Card's action-packed SF novel. Birney, Brick, and de Cuir alternate voices, keeping attention focused on the well-drawn characters and intriguing story. Card's books and audio books are always very popular and of outstanding quality. Shadow of the Hegemon is no exception. Bette D. Ammon, Director, Missoula P.L., Missoula, MT