This installment tells more of the story of Bean's (AKA Julian Delphiki) life. You do need to have read the previous books to really understand what's going on in Shadow of the Giant.

Bean and Petra are married, and looking for their stolen children. But they must also help save the world from ambitious members of Ender's jeesh, who have come into power in their own countries, and appear intent on conquest.

This book is when many of the members of Ender's jeesh come into their own. Previously used as puppets, with or without their knowledge, by those who would rule, they step up and take power into their own hands. However, not everyone's intentions are benign.

This is one of Card's better books. The later Ender ones frankly disappointed, but he has done much better in telling Bean's story.

You may tire of hearing about the search for Bean and Petra's missing children, and certainly it would be nice for Petra to have a bit more on her mind. Then again, I'm a mother and I can empathize; if any of my children were to vanish, I'd be quite obsessed with finding them too. It makes the story drag a bit at times, but it's honest.