I had read the novel more than once - and I really like it. I thought that I had read the novelette as well but after reading it here, I realized I had not.

The story of the boys being trained to be soldiers is timeless. The ruthlessness of Ender, the 9 years old prodigy and his friends is one of the best known stories in science fiction. But if you had never read it, I would recommend the novel - the novelette is too short to build up the emotional response that the story is capable of. And the end of both works is the same so knowing how it finishes will spoil the novel - and the first time someone reads it, it needs to be a surprise.

If I am not comparing to the novel, it is a bit hollow - things happen too fast, there just isn't enough time. But the story works regardless - it is chilling and innocent at the same time. ( )

In this case I have to say that the novel has more impact than the novelette. If you read this first, it's a spoiler for the end of the novel. ( )