I can see how this book became a sci-fi classic. Interesting premise and the sci-fi elements don’t overshadow the human drama. It has the vibe of YA fiction, but some argue the book’s themes are quite sophisticated. I felt it bogged down in spots. While I had a hard time visualizing Card’s battle sequences, of which there are many, I was always able to get the gist. I wasn’t a fan of how adult-like the children talked — even for kids that are supposedly elite and gifted. The last section of the book suddenly became very spiritual. I didn’t mind, but it was jarring based on what preceded the pivot. This may have been Card’s attempt to build empathy for the aliens (the buggers) and I wonder if it wouldn’t have been more effective if this was done sooner and in a more central way—similar to The Three-Body Problem. I’m glad I made time for this book, but I do not have any interest in continuing on in the series.