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Forgotten Heroes #5
Final Sacrifice
SERIES FINALE!
They built an alliance to challenge gods. Now they must prove it was enough.
The assault on Shub'Nigu begins—a desperate strike into darkness where Hayden and Caleb will discover just how much victory truly costs. Some will pay the ultimate price. Others will carry scars that never heal.
And waiting in the shadows, Iagorth grows stronger.
Every war demands sacrifice. This one may demand everything.
They built an alliance to challenge gods. Now they must prove it was enough.
The assault on Shub'Nigu begins—a desperate strike into darkness where Hayden and Caleb will discover just how much victory truly costs. Some will pay the ultimate price. Others will carry scars that never heal.
And waiting in the shadows, Iagorth grows stronger.
Every war demands sacrifice. This one may demand everything.
427 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2026
56 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
M.R. Forbes
171 books1,020 followersM.R. Forbes is the author of a growing number of science-fiction series including Rebellion, War Eternal, Chaos of the Covenant, Stars End, and the Forgotten novels. Having spent his childhood trying to read every sci-fi novel he could find (and write his own too), play every sci-fi video game he could get his hands on, and see every sci-fi movie that made it into the theater, he has a true love of the genre across every medium. He works hard to bring that same energy to his own stories, with a continuing goal to entertain, delight, fascinate, and surprise.
He maintains a true appreciation for his readers and is always happy to hear from them.
To learn more about M.R. Forbes or just say hello:
Visit his website:
mrforbes.com
Send him an e-mail:
michael@mrforbes.com
Check out his Facebook page:
facebook.com/mrforbes.author
Join his Facebook fan group:
facebook.com/groups/mrforbes
Follow him on Instagram:
instagram.com/mrforbes_author
Find him on Goodreads:
goodreads.com/mrforbes
Follow him on Bookbub:
bookbub.com/authors/m-r-forbes
He maintains a true appreciation for his readers and is always happy to hear from them.
To learn more about M.R. Forbes or just say hello:
Visit his website:
mrforbes.com
Send him an e-mail:
michael@mrforbes.com
Check out his Facebook page:
facebook.com/mrforbes.author
Join his Facebook fan group:
facebook.com/groups/mrforbes
Follow him on Instagram:
instagram.com/mrforbes_author
Find him on Goodreads:
goodreads.com/mrforbes
Follow him on Bookbub:
bookbub.com/authors/m-r-forbes
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 6, 2026
Totally amazing conclusion to the series.
I get so drawn into these books I've read the final chapters until 2am to see how it all goes...no spoilers! Loved it!
I get so drawn into these books I've read the final chapters until 2am to see how it all goes...no spoilers! Loved it!
January 15, 2026
A Perfect Ending
This is going to be a fairly long review so I apologize in advance. I'll avoid spoilers as best I can.
42 books. 9 years. This has been a long journey for me. I've followed the Forgotten Universe since the beginning. I was fascinated by the first book, watching Sheriff Hayden Duke searching for his wife in a massive starship hurtling through space, lost somewhere on it's way to a new home. As the mystery deepened so did my obsession with the series. And then the finale. My God. Everything Hayden knew was a lie. And then his journey really began.
So here we are 9 years later. Hayden and Caleb have to work together to take down not one but two Relyeh Ancients. Yidra is gone but she still has one more deadly trick up her sleeve. Hayden and Caleb to handle this new threat and not everyone makes it. One fault of mine is that I haven't read all of Forbes' series, something I'm currently working on, so when a character from those series dies, it doesn't have as much of an emotional impact on me. As the book progresses, more characters perish, one of whom I had really come to like even though they were a variant. I had hoped that they would finally get the happy ending they deserved and wanted. That didn't happen, but it helped fuel Hayden and Caleb's desire to see Shubbie gone.
When the focus shifts to Iagorth, it seems like it may be an easier fight. But it was anything but easy. Heroes fall and Hayden suffers loss after loss. And then finally, it's over. When one character died, I was genuinely sad, even though they sacrificed themselves. Without getting into spoilers, they do come back. Another major character dies so another one can live and I really respected the character arc they went on. Changing their nature to become more understanding and human. It was really touching.
The Sheriff gets to ride off into the sunset, finally getting the peace that he's desired for so long. When I finished the book, I teared up. A saga 9 years in the making. A fictional character that I enjoyed more than anything else since seeing Luke Skywalker for the first time at 8 years old. His sense of justice and doing the right thing, even when it's difficult or seemingly impossible, has shaped me as a person, a man, and a father. I've failed more times than I can count on trying to be like The Sheriff, but I keep trying. I teach those morals in my son, hoping that one day, he will grow up to read these books and be a better man than me. I've loved this series from start to finish. I'm glad Hayden got the ending he deserved and hope he gets to retire peacefully, but if another book comes along, I'll happily jump at the opportunity to read it. Mr. Forbes, if you happen to read this, I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for creating a world and a character that I adored. Thank you for creating a series of books that helped get me through the toughest years of my life. I've had a rough couple of years and your books have given me a much needed distraction. So thank you for everything. And to Sheriff Hayden Duke, thank you, good luck, and enjoy your peace. You've earned it.
This is going to be a fairly long review so I apologize in advance. I'll avoid spoilers as best I can.
42 books. 9 years. This has been a long journey for me. I've followed the Forgotten Universe since the beginning. I was fascinated by the first book, watching Sheriff Hayden Duke searching for his wife in a massive starship hurtling through space, lost somewhere on it's way to a new home. As the mystery deepened so did my obsession with the series. And then the finale. My God. Everything Hayden knew was a lie. And then his journey really began.
So here we are 9 years later. Hayden and Caleb have to work together to take down not one but two Relyeh Ancients. Yidra is gone but she still has one more deadly trick up her sleeve. Hayden and Caleb to handle this new threat and not everyone makes it. One fault of mine is that I haven't read all of Forbes' series, something I'm currently working on, so when a character from those series dies, it doesn't have as much of an emotional impact on me. As the book progresses, more characters perish, one of whom I had really come to like even though they were a variant. I had hoped that they would finally get the happy ending they deserved and wanted. That didn't happen, but it helped fuel Hayden and Caleb's desire to see Shubbie gone.
When the focus shifts to Iagorth, it seems like it may be an easier fight. But it was anything but easy. Heroes fall and Hayden suffers loss after loss. And then finally, it's over. When one character died, I was genuinely sad, even though they sacrificed themselves. Without getting into spoilers, they do come back. Another major character dies so another one can live and I really respected the character arc they went on. Changing their nature to become more understanding and human. It was really touching.
The Sheriff gets to ride off into the sunset, finally getting the peace that he's desired for so long. When I finished the book, I teared up. A saga 9 years in the making. A fictional character that I enjoyed more than anything else since seeing Luke Skywalker for the first time at 8 years old. His sense of justice and doing the right thing, even when it's difficult or seemingly impossible, has shaped me as a person, a man, and a father. I've failed more times than I can count on trying to be like The Sheriff, but I keep trying. I teach those morals in my son, hoping that one day, he will grow up to read these books and be a better man than me. I've loved this series from start to finish. I'm glad Hayden got the ending he deserved and hope he gets to retire peacefully, but if another book comes along, I'll happily jump at the opportunity to read it. Mr. Forbes, if you happen to read this, I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for creating a world and a character that I adored. Thank you for creating a series of books that helped get me through the toughest years of my life. I've had a rough couple of years and your books have given me a much needed distraction. So thank you for everything. And to Sheriff Hayden Duke, thank you, good luck, and enjoy your peace. You've earned it.
January 26, 2026
What a Ride
In a word, Brilliant!! This five book set of Forgotten Heroes was such fun to read. That it culminates 42 books is crazy. Saying hello to old friends and in some cases goodbye left me with a rollercoaster of emotions. I appreciate the effort these last five stories took and the efforts Mr Forbes took to bring them about. Five Stars once again for this author
In a word, Brilliant!! This five book set of Forgotten Heroes was such fun to read. That it culminates 42 books is crazy. Saying hello to old friends and in some cases goodbye left me with a rollercoaster of emotions. I appreciate the effort these last five stories took and the efforts Mr Forbes took to bring them about. Five Stars once again for this author
February 12, 2026
Mr. Forbes thank you for this great adventure! I have read all of the 42 books in this series in this multiverse that you created. The characters some my favorite in fiction. It has been a true pleasure to be a part of your genius. Keep writing and I will keep reading. It is true!
Hahahaha. Hahaha. Haha.
Hahahaha. Hahaha. Haha.
January 25, 2026
Sad as this seems the end of the Sherriff, if that's the case then I can say that this has been one of the best series of books I have read. Bit of John Wayne ending. Look forward to more great reads.
January 3, 2026
wow what an ending
What a way to end 42 books. It wrapped everything up nicely. Very satisfying ending to the forgotten universe. Highly recommended.
What a way to end 42 books. It wrapped everything up nicely. Very satisfying ending to the forgotten universe. Highly recommended.
January 20, 2026
Outstanding story. By a master story teller
Non stop action with many twists and turns. One of the most enjoyable binge reads I've read in a long
time. Really well written.
Non stop action with many twists and turns. One of the most enjoyable binge reads I've read in a long
time. Really well written.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews