Xenocide

Xenocide is a science fiction novel by Orson Scott Card, published in 1991. It is the third book in the Speaker for the Dead series, continuing the story of Ender Wiggen and his struggles to deal with the consequences of his actions in the Bugger Wars.

The novel takes place two hundred years after the events of the first Speaker for the Dead book, and follows a new Speaker, Xenocide, as he is sent to the planet of Lusitania, where a mysterious "descolada" or unmaking germ is spreading, threatening to destroy the native inhabitants. The Speaker, Pipo, is a skilled but troubled Seconder, whose Losban family is heavily involved in the descolada's development. As Pipo delves deeper into the mystery behind the descolada, he uncovers a complex web of human and alien motivations, leading to a devastating confrontation.

Throughout the novel, Card continues to explore themes of identity, humanity, and the destructive nature of war. The novel also introduces the concept of "biomech" technology, which allows for the fusion of human and machine. The alien species of the Starways Congress and the Losban are central characters in the novel, and their motivations and actions drive the plot forward.

Xenocide explores the ethical and emotional aftermath of the first novel, Ender's Game, and examines the consequences of humanity's actions in a futuristic era. The Speaker for the Dead series is known for its insight into human psychology and Card's ability to balance complex science fiction with emotional character development.