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Formic Wars Trilogy Boxed Set: Earth Unaware, Earth Afire, Earth Awakens (The First Formic War) Mass Market Paperback – August 30, 2016

by Orson Scott Card (Author), Aaron Johnston (Author)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 254 ratings

This box set includes the First Formic War Trilogy by bestselling authors Orson Scott Card and Aaron Johnston: Earth Unaware, Earth Afire, Earth Awakens

One hundred years before Ender Wiggin decisively defeated the alien formics in Ender’s Game. A pulse-pounding tale of first contact gone horribly wrong. Before Ender Wiggin was born, before the Battle School was built, the aliens brought war to Earth

Earth Unaware ― When mining ship El Cavador's telescopes pick up a fast-moving object coming in-system, it's hard to know what to make of it. It's massive and moving at a significant fraction of the speed of light. But the ship has other problems. Their systems are old and failing. Worrying about a distant object that might or might not be an alien ship seems…not important.

Earth Afire ― Victor Delgado beat the alien ship to Earth, but not soon enough to convince skeptical governments that there was a threat. That is, until space stations and ships and colonies went up in sudden flame. And when that happened, only Mazer Rackham and the Mobile Operations Police could organize in time to meet the threat.

Earth Awakens ― Politics slowed the response on Earth, and on Luna, corporate power struggles seemed more urgent than distant deaths. It's up to Mazer Rackham's squad in China, who have developed a method to destroy the alien landers one by one; and Lem Jukes and his crew on the Moon, who may have the key to destroying the Formic mother ship in orbit.

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  1. Language
    English
  2. Publisher
    Tor Science Fiction
  3. Publication date
    August 30, 2016
  4. Dimensions
    4.25 x 3.75 x 6.75 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    0765390701
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0765390707
  7. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Orson Scott Card is best known for his science fiction novel Ender's Game and its many sequels that expand the Ender Universe into the far future and the near past. Those books are organized into the Ender Saga, which chronicles the life of Ender Wiggin; the Shadow Series, which follows on the novel Ender's Shadow and is set on Earth; and the Formic Wars series, written with co-author Aaron Johnston, which tells of the terrible first contact between humans and the alien "Buggers." Card has been a working writer since the 1970s. Beginning with dozens of plays and musical comedies produced in the 1960s and 70s, Card's first published fiction appeared in 1977--the short story "Gert Fram" in the July issue of The Ensign, and the novelette version of "Ender's Game" in the August issue of Analog. The novel-length version of Ender's Game, published in 1984 and continuously in print since then, became the basis of the 2013 film, starring Asa Butterfield, Harrison Ford, Ben Kingsley, Hailee Steinfeld, Viola Davis, and Abigail Breslin.

Card was born in Washington state, and grew up in California, Arizona, and Utah. He served a mission for the LDS Church in Brazil in the early 1970s. Besides his writing, he runs occasional writers' workshops and directs plays. He frequently teaches writing and literature courses at Southern Virginia University.

He is the author many science fiction and fantasy novels, including the American frontier fantasy series "The Tales of Alvin Maker" (beginning with Seventh Son), and stand-alone novels like Pastwatch and Hart's Hope. He has collaborated with his daughter Emily Card on a manga series, Laddertop. He has also written contemporary thrillers like Empire and historical novels like the monumental Saints and the religious novels Sarah and Rachel and Leah. Card's work also includes the Mithermages books (Lost Gate, Gate Thief), contemporary magical fantasy for readers both young and old.

Card lives in Greensboro, North Carolina, with his wife, Kristine Allen Card. He and Kristine are the parents of five children and several grandchildren.



AARON JOHNSTON is the coauthor of The New York Times bestselling novels Earth Unaware, Earth Afire, and other Ender's Game prequel novels. He was also the co-creator and showrunner for the sci-fi series Extinct, as well as an associate producer on the movie Ender’s Game. He and his wife are the parents of four children.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Tor Science Fiction; Box edition (August 30, 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0765390701
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0765390707
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.85 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.25 x 3.75 x 6.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 254 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Aaron Johnston

    Aaron Johnston

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    Aaron Johnston is a New York Times bestselling author who often collaborates with science-fiction legend Orson Scott Card. They are the creators and executive producers of the science-fiction television series EXTINCT from BYU TV. Aaron was also an associate producer on the film Ender’s Game. His comic book credits include Ender in Exile, Speaker for the Dead, Formic Wars, League War, and Mazer in Prison, all for Marvel. His screenplay adaptations include Alvin Maker, Sarah: Woman of Genesis, The Multiple Man, Feed the Baby of Love, and others. He and his wife are the parents of four children.

    See more on the author's page
  2. Orson Scott Card

    Orson Scott Card

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Orson Scott Card is the author of the novels Ender's Game, Ender's Shadow, and Speaker for the Dead, which are widely read by adults and younger readers, and are increasingly used in schools. His most recent series, the young adult Pathfinder series (Pathfinder, Ruins, Visitors) and the fantasy Mithermages series (Lost Gate, Gate Thief, Gatefather) are taking readers in new directions.

    Besides these and other science fiction novels, Card writes contemporary fantasy (Magic Street, Enchantment, Lost Boys), biblical novels (Stone Tables, Rachel and Leah), the American frontier fantasy series The Tales of Alvin Maker (beginning with Seventh Son), poetry (An Open Book), and many plays and scripts, including his "freshened" Shakespeare scripts for Romeo & Juliet, The Taming of the Shrew, and The Merchant of Venice.

    Card was born in Washington and grew up in California, Arizona, and Utah. He served a mission for the LDS Church in Brazil in the early 1970s. Besides his writing, he teaches occasional classes and workshops and directs plays. He frequently teaches writing and literature courses at Southern Virginia University.

    Card currently lives in Greensboro, North Carolina, with his wife, Kristine Allen Card, where his primary activities are writing a review column for the local Rhinoceros Times and feeding birds, squirrels, chipmunks, possums, and raccoons on the patio.

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
254 global ratings
Fantastic. A f****ing plus
5 Stars
Fantastic. A f****ing plus
My god, this book series was an amazing addition to help complete the Endervese. The writing was so spot on and the characters so involved and developed I could not put this down. The tense, realistic but heartfelt tactical action is nuts. I actually had nightmares about Buggers (sorry, Formic's) reading this, and I'm 40 years old. So vivid... A definite read and must have. I thought nothing could get better than the Bean storyline, and then this! I am so glad I ordered the box set, however my only downside was in the printing of the books. Some were off pages (to far away or to close to the binding) and I even had to separate the perforation on some pages. There were also many instances of poor ink, barely readable in places. But who cares when a story is told this well! Still a tsk-tsk to Tor manufacturing. This is something I will hand down to my nephew when he's old enough.
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Top reviews from the United States

Laura Dropps
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic. A f****ing plus
Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2021
Verified Purchase
My god, this book series was an amazing addition to help complete the Endervese. The writing was so spot on and the characters so involved and developed I could not put this down. The tense, realistic but heartfelt tactical action is nuts. I actually had nightmares about Buggers (sorry, Formic's) reading this, and I'm 40 years old. So vivid... A definite read and must have. I thought nothing could get better than the Bean storyline, and then this! I am so glad I ordered the box set, however my only downside was in the printing of the books. Some were off pages (to far away or to close to the binding) and I even had to separate the perforation on some pages. There were also many instances of poor ink, barely readable in places. But who cares when a story is told this well! Still a tsk-tsk to Tor manufacturing. This is something I will hand down to my nephew when he's old enough.
Customer image
Laura Dropps
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic. A f****ing plus
Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2021
My god, this book series was an amazing addition to help complete the Endervese. The writing was so spot on and the characters so involved and developed I could not put this down. The tense, realistic but heartfelt tactical action is nuts. I actually had nightmares about Buggers (sorry, Formic's) reading this, and I'm 40 years old. So vivid... A definite read and must have. I thought nothing could get better than the Bean storyline, and then this! I am so glad I ordered the box set, however my only downside was in the printing of the books. Some were off pages (to far away or to close to the binding) and I even had to separate the perforation on some pages. There were also many instances of poor ink, barely readable in places. But who cares when a story is told this well! Still a tsk-tsk to Tor manufacturing. This is something I will hand down to my nephew when he's old enough.
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4 people found this helpful
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Thomas Jackson
5.0 out of 5 stars What can I say, I'm a fan of the entire series.
Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2022
Verified Purchase
I love the writing style of Orson Scott Card. Love the entire Ender series and the Shadow series.
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Adrian in Phoenix
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent prequel to the Ender series.
Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2019
Verified Purchase
This trilogy helps us make sense of the transition from the world we know to the world Ender inhabits. In the first book, Earth is much like we know it today except that technology has advanced somewhat and asteroid mining has become common. It is set in our future, but not too far into the future.
The next two books advance the story in reasonable chunks with the the same characters. There are several enjoyable characters and a few villains that keep things real - they have human failings and desires we can relate to. Even in three books there are some situations and relationships left unexplored, but these are satisfying tales.
2 people found this helpful
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Belle
5.0 out of 5 stars Formic Wars Trilogy Boxed Set
Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2022
Verified Purchase
Great set of books. Everyone in my family enjoyed reading them. Arrived in perfect condition.
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Fellow Traveler
5.0 out of 5 stars Try it, you'll love it!!
Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2017
Verified Purchase
This prequel series to Ender's Game was fabulous! It was the story that needed to be told. Having completely enjoyed the Ender's Game series and the Shadow series, I was desperate to know more of the circumstances that brought the need for Ender, Bean, and the other Battle School grads. This series neatly and thoroughly accomplished that for me!

Card has painted a canvas rich in characters, drama, and science fiction. This series gives the entire Ender saga a scope and depth that, in some ways, rivals another of my favorites, the Dune series. I can't recommend this series highly enough to those who were as enthralled as I was when first reading Ender's Game. Try it, you'll love it!!
7 people found this helpful
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Jared
4.0 out of 5 stars Great series building up the Ender universe
Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2021
Verified Purchase
Interesting reading building up the Ender universe. All 3 books were great, kept me entertained and wanting to find out what happens next. All in all good stuff
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David Sukeforth
5.0 out of 5 stars Great series
Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2022
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Great series
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Kaleo Elliott
5.0 out of 5 stars Great
Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2021
Verified Purchase
Love this book saga
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Top reviews from other countries

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Momo
5.0 out of 5 stars El inicio del desastre.
Reviewed in Spain on August 14, 2022
Verified Purchase
Otro práctico estuche de TOR con el primer encuentro entre insectores y humanos. Buena lectura. Ahora estoy esperando a ver si terminan la segunda trilogía.
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JESUS
5.0 out of 5 stars Increíble
Reviewed in Mexico on January 6, 2020
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Un excelente producto, totalmente satisfecho con la compra
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CB
5.0 out of 5 stars Great writing - great story
Reviewed in Canada on November 21, 2019
Verified Purchase
Now I have to reread Ender's Game.
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AndyM
5.0 out of 5 stars Fanastic buy
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 25, 2020
Verified Purchase
Awesome box-set of the prequel to Enders Game
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bookspirit
4.0 out of 5 stars Für alle, die wissen möchten wie es anfing...
Reviewed in Germany on July 31, 2018
Verified Purchase
Diese Trilogie kommt in der Qualität nicht an Ender's Game und die Folgebände heran, entspricht eher dem Zugang der Folgebände von Ender's Shadow (viel Strategie und Kriegsschauplatz). Was Card jedoch immer wieder schafft, ist die Kreation beeindruckender Charaktere und deren Werdegang. Ein weiteres Highlight ist selbstredend das Aufrollen der Lebensgeschichte von Mazer Rackham! Es ist kein Muss diese Bände zu lesen, aber wer wirklich im EnderVersum aufgeht, der wird hier voll auf seine Kosten kommen.
3 people found this helpful
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