Formic Wars

I understand that an “Ender’s Game” movie is coming out, or perhaps has already come out (Entertainment news is a bit slow to reach us!).  Over the years, I’ve enjoyed reading the various Ender books, written by Orson Scott Card.  There’s been a string of them.

When I was home in May, I discovered that several prequel books to Ender’s Game were also in the works.   These stories deal with the history of the “First and Second Formic Wars,” which are alluded to but never fully explained in “Ender’s Game.”

I picked up the first one new book in this series, “Earth Unaware” for my trip back to PNG and since I’ve been a science fiction fan since the days of the original Star Trek TV series, I was captivated by the story and the imaginative lives of deep space mining families – the first to encounter the alien species known as the Formics.

“Earth Afire” continues the story of man’s first encounters with the Formics and the First Formic War.  (Ender’s Game is about the Third Formic War, so you know there’s a lot to tell in these prequel books)

I wish I knew what the next books in the Formic War series will be but I haven’t been able to find that information.  It would be just my luck if I have to wait years for the next episodes to be published.

 

The alien race in the Ender stories are called “Formics”, a derivation of the Latin word for ants, which the aliens resemble.

You may have read in earlier posts that I’m fighting my own “Formic War” here at St. Fidelis.  The yellowish critters, sometimes called coconut tree ants, are quite formidable opponents.   During my latest invasion of their demesne to cut grass, I was bitten not less than 17 times.

I know that some of you are squeamish about the bug photos I post here, but you should see these suckers up close!  Have a look at the pinschers these mighty little creatures have and be thankful they are not four feet tall like they are in the Ender stories.

6 thoughts on “Formic Wars

    • Yeah, I’ve been a bit slow posting lately. The speed of the internet at the archdiocese offices on Friday reminds me of CompuServe on a 300 baud modem. It takes away all my motivation.

  1. Dude. I had no idea you were a fan of this series. I’ve read everything out there and I’m waiting on the movie.

    If you like Card, you should try Enchantment. It’s a fantastic story with time travel that created some funny scenarios for the protagonist.

    • I’ve never read any of his other stuff. Next time I can get a good connection to Amazon, I’ll take a look and see if there’s an eBook version. Thanks for the recommendation!

  2. Bug pictures don’t bother me. Actually, I’m rather fascinated by spiders. (I know some of our mutual friends are so not very enamoured of them. They know who they are. 😉 )

    I don’t think I’ve heard of the Ender stories. I should add them to my reading list. Nice to see you back in the blogosphere, Steve. xxx

    • I’ve heard that “Ender’s Game” is a part of some high school reading curricula. It’s a pretty unique story line and good science fiction.

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