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Forever Hero #3
In Endless Twilight
L.E. Modesitt, Jr.s first major work was a trilogy of SF adventure novels published as paperback originals in the 1980 Dawn for a Distant Earth, The Silent Warrior, and In Endless Twilight. Together they form The Forever Hero. Thousands of years in the future, Earth is a desolate ruin. The first human ship to return in millennia discovers primitive remnants of humanity. And among them is a boy of immense native intelligence and determination who grows up to become the force behind a plan to make Earth flower again.
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 15, 1988
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About the author
L.E. Modesitt Jr.
191 books2,604 followersL. E. (Leland Exton) Modesitt, Jr. is an author of science fiction and fantasy novels. He is best known for the fantasy series The Saga of Recluce. He graduated from Williams College in Massachusetts, lived in Washington, D.C. for 20 years, then moved to New Hampshire in 1989 where he met his wife. They relocated to Cedar City, Utah in 1993.
He has worked as a Navy pilot, lifeguard, delivery boy, unpaid radio disc jockey, real estate agent, market research analyst, director of research for a political campaign, legislative assistant for a Congressman, Director of Legislation and Congressional Relations for the United States Environmental Protection Agency, a consultant on environmental, regulatory, and communications issues, and a college lecturer and writer in residence.
In addition to his novels, Mr. Modesitt has published technical studies and articles, columns, poetry, and a number of science fiction stories. His first short story, "The Great American Economy", was published in 1973 in Analog Science Fiction and Science Fact.
-Wikipedia
He has worked as a Navy pilot, lifeguard, delivery boy, unpaid radio disc jockey, real estate agent, market research analyst, director of research for a political campaign, legislative assistant for a Congressman, Director of Legislation and Congressional Relations for the United States Environmental Protection Agency, a consultant on environmental, regulatory, and communications issues, and a college lecturer and writer in residence.
In addition to his novels, Mr. Modesitt has published technical studies and articles, columns, poetry, and a number of science fiction stories. His first short story, "The Great American Economy", was published in 1973 in Analog Science Fiction and Science Fact.
-Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 15, 2022
The first part is a continuation of his quest to undermine and play a long game to end the Empire by taking away its means to coerce anyone. That was pretty awesome. But it IS a long game and he kinda loses himself, retiring in effect on Old Earth, where ecological damage slowly repairs, thanks to his long efforts.
All of that was pretty cool.
The later bits are where it becomes both a bit creepy and really neat when seen another way.
And that's where I'm of two minds on this last book in the trilogy.
If I judge it by modern sensibilities it is fine up to a few certain scenes when Gershwin is overwhelmed with the weight of all his many, many centuries of memories and he goes kinda nuts. Even that is ok... except for the rapey bits where he imagines that he's reunited with his early, early love. Then it's tragic. And even though it apparently didn't happen more than that once over millennia, he did get a lot of women wanting him naturally, easily, because he IS, after all, a prime specimen. Much smarter than the norm, effectively immortal, and stronger, faster. And he can pass that on.
Much later, many, many people share his characteristics. Mythology surrounds him, the immortal, and the remnants of the old empire are just a memory. I admit I LOVE this kind of thing. So, we win some, we lose some. Overall I think I liked this novel better than the other two because it went out on a strange limb and did something different.
I deduct a star mainly for the rapey bits. No, it's not fair even if the women attack him first, either by stunning him or trying to outright kill him. Maybe I'm weird to think that it's fairer to just kill your attackers. *shrug*
So this is just one of those things, I guess. It doesn't destroy the novel but it sure makes me uncomfortable in a bad way.
All of that was pretty cool.
The later bits are where it becomes both a bit creepy and really neat when seen another way.
And that's where I'm of two minds on this last book in the trilogy.
If I judge it by modern sensibilities it is fine up to a few certain scenes when Gershwin is overwhelmed with the weight of all his many, many centuries of memories and he goes kinda nuts. Even that is ok... except for the rapey bits where he imagines that he's reunited with his early, early love. Then it's tragic. And even though it apparently didn't happen more than that once over millennia, he did get a lot of women wanting him naturally, easily, because he IS, after all, a prime specimen. Much smarter than the norm, effectively immortal, and stronger, faster. And he can pass that on.
Much later, many, many people share his characteristics. Mythology surrounds him, the immortal, and the remnants of the old empire are just a memory. I admit I LOVE this kind of thing. So, we win some, we lose some. Overall I think I liked this novel better than the other two because it went out on a strange limb and did something different.
I deduct a star mainly for the rapey bits. No, it's not fair even if the women attack him first, either by stunning him or trying to outright kill him. Maybe I'm weird to think that it's fairer to just kill your attackers. *shrug*
So this is just one of those things, I guess. It doesn't destroy the novel but it sure makes me uncomfortable in a bad way.
January 2, 2018
A fantastic end to a great trilogy. I previously gave all 3 books a 4 star rating & kept that for the first 2, but this one does such an incredible job drawing all the threads together that it deserves 5 stars, my overall rating for the trilogy.
This book picks up directly after the last & finishes out many of the missions that Gerswin set for himself last time. How they end for him is interesting & the action picks up as opposing forces finally realize just what he is & what he is doing threatens their survival. They attempt to strike back in some cases.
When an immortal fanatic's mission is accomplished, what happens then? That's the overriding theme of this book. In an age of records similar to our own, how can anything less than the truth be passed along? We've been treated to the myths & scholarly assumptions in bits throughout the books, but now we see how they really came to be & why. Short term needs outweighing historical truth, sort of. What is the truth? In some ways the myths are more accurate for their ability to simplify the complex story we've just read.
There is a short, final scene with Gerswin's ship AI that asks a resounding question that is answered in the final pages of the book. It's one we face often on a smaller scale with our pets & loved ones. We put down animals so they won't suffer, but don't do so with our old relatives who often linger for years.
My son & I discussed this ending & came to no conclusions save that it's great & awful. It's also very well done.
Again, I've read this several times, but always as text & I reviewed it here. This audio was even better as it didn't allow me to skim the familiar pages. Well narrated.
This book picks up directly after the last & finishes out many of the missions that Gerswin set for himself last time. How they end for him is interesting & the action picks up as opposing forces finally realize just what he is & what he is doing threatens their survival. They attempt to strike back in some cases.
When an immortal fanatic's mission is accomplished, what happens then? That's the overriding theme of this book. In an age of records similar to our own, how can anything less than the truth be passed along? We've been treated to the myths & scholarly assumptions in bits throughout the books, but now we see how they really came to be & why. Short term needs outweighing historical truth, sort of. What is the truth? In some ways the myths are more accurate for their ability to simplify the complex story we've just read.
There is a short, final scene with Gerswin's ship AI that asks a resounding question that is answered in the final pages of the book. It's one we face often on a smaller scale with our pets & loved ones. We put down animals so they won't suffer, but don't do so with our old relatives who often linger for years.
My son & I discussed this ending & came to no conclusions save that it's great & awful. It's also very well done.
Again, I've read this several times, but always as text & I reviewed it here. This audio was even better as it didn't allow me to skim the familiar pages. Well narrated.
December 9, 2017
I don't understand what Modesitt was thinking with the third book. I enjoyed it for the most part but it's like he wrote himself into a corner at the end. I have no idea why he added the Captain forcing himself on women. It wasn't true to his character at all. He could have ended it much sooner and given a much more satisfying ending.
December 1, 2017
If the book had ended at chapter 48 it would have been a great ending and satisfying bringing all the elements of Gershwin's travels and planning.
Instead we get 16 chapters of hermit Gershwin "retiring" on Earth who apparently is now a rapist in response to threat or to "teach a woman a lesson". I felt like it was a complete betrayal of the character and ruined the series for me.
Instead we get 16 chapters of hermit Gershwin "retiring" on Earth who apparently is now a rapist in response to threat or to "teach a woman a lesson". I felt like it was a complete betrayal of the character and ruined the series for me.
February 1, 2019
I thought it was excellent until it became a sad story of a immortal who has no purpose in life but to just continue existing and being a sad man. The book should have ended when he reached his goal, the rest made me loose respect for him.
March 27, 2017
The ultimate vigilantly story!!! I really enjoyed reading this. It kept me interested we'll pass bedtime just to finish.
April 1, 2019
Thought he destroyed the series with ending of 3rd book - too bad!
July 6, 2023
Mercifully, this is the final entry in to the Forever Hero series. In addition to all the writing problems the first two books, this one was also very boring. It was like, "Devil Kid Does Spring Cleaning" or "Devil Kid Does His Taxes one Last Time Then Retires". In addition to this, the main character's actions and motivations in the latter half of the book are opaque and kinda monstrous. If you've read the first two books and want to know what happens, probably best to just try and find a detailed plot summary of this one, unless you are trapped on a desert island with just this book for entertainment.
Quick plot recap below:
1.5 of 5 stars
Quick plot recap below:
1.5 of 5 stars
May 26, 2021
The ending for Gerswin is poor. The author could have come up with something better than how he Gerswin meets his end. Of the three book series, book two remains the best. Then book one, and finally this book is in last place. Mulling through it is like wading through a day filled with all day to do it, and nothing to do. Gerswin flits around winding things down, and finally life winds down to. Except you look back across what he's accomplished and wonder if any of it was worth it. Maybe that was Modesitt's intent. Just know that if you choose to read this last installment in the Forever Hero series, be ready to be disappointed.
November 24, 2017
Not much happened in the second book but 1 & 3 were good. Don't know how to feel about how it ended, but it was a good book.
December 4, 2017
Not as good as his recluse novels. But an okay listen.
June 27, 2020
Gerswin continues his centuries-long fight to find a way to bring Earth back from the dead.
September 18, 2022
The series as a whole… great… this as a stand alone book? Not so much
October 1, 2019
Oooh yeah... finally got done with this series on the second go and what an awesome finisher. The book as a whole I mean.. the actual ending kinda felt weird, as if some sex god whose genes create good leaders is needed for a sustainable long term future.
However the concepts brought out in this book and the series has blown my mind. From Societal implications to sustainable solutions and very fabric of human greed. It churns out really well.
An amazing read. Hope you pick up the series and have a go.
However the concepts brought out in this book and the series has blown my mind. From Societal implications to sustainable solutions and very fabric of human greed. It churns out really well.
An amazing read. Hope you pick up the series and have a go.
October 23, 2014
An excellent end to a wonderful trilogy. I really like the way it was handled, wrapping up both the world & the man, sort of. About half of it continues the mission he was on in the 2d book & we get to see what happens to legends. Can't say more without a spoiler, but Modesitt certainly paints an interesting picture.
July 5, 2020
Strangely enough I think the middle book of this series is the strongest. Still, a fun read, with plenty of action and some interesting pondering on what happens when you finally get what you've been working for. However, there's some (purposefully) disturbing and rapey bits at the end, so CW for readers.
May 8, 2016
3.5 Stars.
The weakest book in the trilogy, and definitely not Modesitt at his best.
Somewhat disjoint, pretty slow and drawn out.
Not as enjoyable as I would have liked, but not really a bad book either.
The weakest book in the trilogy, and definitely not Modesitt at his best.
Somewhat disjoint, pretty slow and drawn out.
Not as enjoyable as I would have liked, but not really a bad book either.
December 14, 2016
The final installment in the "Forever Hero" trilogy which is one of my all-time favorites.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews