"Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card

One of the seminal books of science fiction and on everybody's top 10 list, this book captivates with the strength of characters described as well as by the fullness of the universe and the story within which it is set, painting the timeless human characteristics and dilemmas with a new brush. Card is a Mormon, and has done missionary works for the Church of the Latter Day Saints in Brazil, however the book is all but devoid of Mormon symbolism, which is uncharacteristic for Mormon writers, though Card lives in North Carolina. The book is a first volume in a series, as all modern authors try to exploit their creations by writing a series of books, recycling the same characters. However, the first volume in the series was initially written, per Card, only as a scene setting for his actual novel, "Speaker for the Dead" which became the second book in the series, with Ender as the main protagonist.

The story is about a 6 year old boy, Andrew or better known as Ender, a name he chose for himself, who is the product of eugenics, as are his older sister Valentine and oldest brother, Peter, a sadistic boy, who is perpetually envious at Ender, and only when Ender is removed from Earth, does he develop into an arguably positive character. Ender is a part of a military program, from the IF, the International Forces, military of the united earth (more or less), created to fight the insectoid alien race "The Buggers", who attacked Earth and the Solar System twice in the last 70 years. The Earthlings are not waiting for a third attack, the Buggers having multiple star systems at their disposal for resources, while the humans barely have explored the inner Solar System.

The most promising kids are collected from the entire planet and sent into a low-orbit staton where they play "The Game" in the Battle Room in zero gravity. Ender makes friends and enemies here, but comes on top at the end, not thanking to any help from the administration, who advance him rapidly only to put him in a more difficult position. After graduating Battle School, Ender is sent to Command School, which trains the future highest strategic commanders of the IF. Ender has shown better than any student in the history of both schools, but at the Command School he is isolated from the rest of the kids and only given access to a "Simulator" which simulates real space battles, which Ender commands, but does personally pilot any of the crafts. Eventually, Ender graduates from Command School and his graduation day is the brightest day for humanity, which turns into the saddest day for Ender some time after, when he discovers the truth about their enemy, which was not supposed to be an enemy at all.

Very refreshingly, Ender wins his final battle with about 50 pages of the book left. The real twist is in the last 20 pages, which set the scene for the next volume, "Speaker for the Dead". An amazing book that anyone should read, whether sci-fi fan or not!