Just as the sequels to Ender’s Game were totally different to that book, so is Shadow of the Hegemon very different to Ender’s Shadow. I think it’s because the action is moved out of the claustrophobic atmosphere of Battleschool, and the genius-children have to face a wider world.

In this book, Bean’s (the eponymous shadow of Ender) nemesis, the serial-killing, mental institute escapee, Achilles, is playing Risk – for real! The Battleschool graduates have become pawns in a world on the brink of war.

I found the story… enjoyable, but… I dunno. Nowhere near as gripping as the original, although the political machinations are very well done. Still worth a read, and I’ll be thumbing through the next in the series (Shadow Puppets) to get the end of the story.