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Beacon 23 #5
Visitor
The worst part about having it all, is having it all taken away.
34 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 8, 2015
42 people are currently reading
398 people want to read
About the author
Hugh Howey
151 books57.6k followersI'm the author of WOOL, a top 5 science fiction book on Amazon. I also wrote the Molly Fyde saga, a tale of a teenager from the 25th century who is repeatedly told that girls can't do certain things -- and then does them anyway.
A theme in my books is the celebration of overcoming odds and of not allowing the cruelty of the universe to change who you are in the process. Most of them are classified as science fiction, since they often take place in the future, but if you love great stories and memorable characters, you'll dig what you find here. I promise.
A theme in my books is the celebration of overcoming odds and of not allowing the cruelty of the universe to change who you are in the process. Most of them are classified as science fiction, since they often take place in the future, but if you love great stories and memorable characters, you'll dig what you find here. I promise.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
June 15, 2017
End reminded me a little of Metro 2033, and I thought it will ruin everything, but somehow everything turned out to be pretty nice. I think book was wrapped up nicely.
Of course, I could have pointed out few -, but I am in a forgiving mood today.
August 9, 2015
Because in Space, No One Can Hear You Sob
Beacon 23 has been a breathe of fresh air and a wonderful story to boot. My love for Howey's works continues to grow deeper and deeper, but I hate that this one had to end. Our "hero?", after all this time, finally shows us what he is made of. He finally gets the chance to make up for the mistakes of his past. But how will his decision impact the constant war being fought between Earth and the Ryph? I'll let you find out.
Thanks, Hugh. You are awesome!
Beacon 23 has been a breathe of fresh air and a wonderful story to boot. My love for Howey's works continues to grow deeper and deeper, but I hate that this one had to end. Our "hero?", after all this time, finally shows us what he is made of. He finally gets the chance to make up for the mistakes of his past. But how will his decision impact the constant war being fought between Earth and the Ryph? I'll let you find out.
Thanks, Hugh. You are awesome!
August 10, 2015
The end of this series definitely took a 90 degree turn as far as events and action goes, as well as overall tone of the writing. I loved this serial series, and thought it was fantastic and extremely well executed. I am very eager to get my hands on a hard copy.
February 14, 2025
This isn't exactly how I thought this would end but thought it was a fitting conclusion to this series and story.
Had me tearing up again too dammit 😭🙈
Had me tearing up again too dammit 😭🙈
September 22, 2015
OK, I truly like Howey, both as a writer and as a good soul. And Beacon's Part Five displays the best writing of the five-part series. The Beacon series is filled with thoughtfulness and humor, and stars a very likable, troubled "lighthouse operator," who had me rooting for him right away. However. The story's ending ... it seemed to erase the very character Howey took so much care to build.
At it's heart, Beacon 23 is a story about PTSD and the senselessness of war, or violence, and the internal struggles created by war and violence -- wars with outsiders and wars within ourselves. The "Give Peace A Chance" melody hums along throughout this story, throughout the character building, throughout the humor, and rightly so. And it's not too heavy-handed. It works. But then something unexpected happens: To wrap things up, the lead character makes a choice that (maybe) runs counter to everything he's discovered / self-discovered along the way. Over all, I enjoyed this series beginning to end. Just ... no sure about the end. But it made me think -- made me second-guess both the protagonist and the writer. And, really, that's what happens with good writing.
OK, now that I've thought about the story for 24 hours, I'll amend this review. I liked the story more than the review lets on. And perhaps I judged the ending too quickly. Perhaps the intention was less "Give Peace A Chance" and more "Will The Circle Be Unbroken," meaning, perhaps the epilogue IS necessary and is intended to show that, despite the ideals of change, and the surface appearance of change, the new boss is "same as the old boss." So ... there are at least two ways to interpret the ending. Both, in my humble opinion, are a bit depressing, but, yeah, made me think.
At it's heart, Beacon 23 is a story about PTSD and the senselessness of war, or violence, and the internal struggles created by war and violence -- wars with outsiders and wars within ourselves. The "Give Peace A Chance" melody hums along throughout this story, throughout the character building, throughout the humor, and rightly so. And it's not too heavy-handed. It works. But then something unexpected happens: To wrap things up, the lead character makes a choice that (maybe) runs counter to everything he's discovered / self-discovered along the way. Over all, I enjoyed this series beginning to end. Just ... no sure about the end. But it made me think -- made me second-guess both the protagonist and the writer. And, really, that's what happens with good writing.
OK, now that I've thought about the story for 24 hours, I'll amend this review. I liked the story more than the review lets on. And perhaps I judged the ending too quickly. Perhaps the intention was less "Give Peace A Chance" and more "Will The Circle Be Unbroken," meaning, perhaps the epilogue IS necessary and is intended to show that, despite the ideals of change, and the surface appearance of change, the new boss is "same as the old boss." So ... there are at least two ways to interpret the ending. Both, in my humble opinion, are a bit depressing, but, yeah, made me think.
August 21, 2015
I was so upset when this didn't finish as strongly as the other parts. I had no idea how the series was going to end, but I wasn't happy with the way it did. I just didn't buy the crazy method of bringing piece. First off I found it hard to believe hundreds of millions of people participated in a single fleet (Don't they have any technology or robots in the future?) and a mutual mass-murder didn't seem like a viable peace process to me. The whole thing kind of ruined all the awesome soldier anecdotes sprinkled through the series so far.
August 30, 2015
Poor Digger. He left the war behind, but never stopped fighting it in his mind. When the war comes looking for him, he’s dismayed, but not especially surprised. The choice he has to make is an unexpected twist in his story, both for him and for the reader. I enjoyed cheering for him. This installment is a satisfying and all-round great ending to an excellent series.
January 6, 2016
Great, meaningful conclusion to this series. It took elements from the four previous installments and tied them all together. I had honestly expected it to end a little differently but I really like the way it DID end. Very fitting for the character(s).
Loved this little series.
Loved this little series.
August 21, 2015
A fitting conclusion to a great series.
August 26, 2015
What a weird end to this thing.
October 26, 2024
not what I thought it would be
I’m not sure what I thought this book would be at first, but I found myself not being able to put it down, it actually started with the TV show , I saw the first episode and want to find out if it was a book, and then I read the first book and then the second and so and so on. I find it a book of hope, facing your demons and asking for help by not asking for it, but seeing it and accepting it when it comes. I know I’m rambling but I really can’t just say “ it’s a good book and recommended it” which it is and I do. It’s more then that, oh so much more then just a good book, it’s a great story, a hard story, but one of loss and hope, it reminds me of a saying I read everyday, “ if you look for the light you can often find it, but if you look for the dark that is all you well ever see”.
Thank you for your story
I’m not sure what I thought this book would be at first, but I found myself not being able to put it down, it actually started with the TV show , I saw the first episode and want to find out if it was a book, and then I read the first book and then the second and so and so on. I find it a book of hope, facing your demons and asking for help by not asking for it, but seeing it and accepting it when it comes. I know I’m rambling but I really can’t just say “ it’s a good book and recommended it” which it is and I do. It’s more then that, oh so much more then just a good book, it’s a great story, a hard story, but one of loss and hope, it reminds me of a saying I read everyday, “ if you look for the light you can often find it, but if you look for the dark that is all you well ever see”.
Thank you for your story
September 21, 2017
I’ve previously enjoyed Howey’s work, but I admittedly struggled through this five episode series as the writing style just wasn’t the usual Howey – was this written by a ghost writer? If you’ve read the other four episodes of the series, I’d highly recommend you just put the memory away and not read this “final” episode. Similar to the last installment of the Wool series, I think he just has a hard time finishing titles / stories as this ending was just unrealistic, which made you feel as if you wasted your time investment with this and the other episodes. Luckily, I am not out of pocket as I picked this up for free with a borrow via Kindle Unlimited.
October 24, 2016
This is the story of my life, I suppose: always in the right place at the right time, and then I don't do anything.
War is coming to sector eight. If you had the opportunity to do something that might - only might, not would - bring peace, would you? Could you look past the years of fear and hate and all the indoctrination that comes with those feelings and risk everything you have, and are?
War is coming to sector eight. If you had the opportunity to do something that might - only might, not would - bring peace, would you? Could you look past the years of fear and hate and all the indoctrination that comes with those feelings and risk everything you have, and are?
March 9, 2024
A good little series of stories
They were a bit odd, but none the less, quite good. The last of the five was the least satisfactory, but it was still good. It wasn't smooth, and needed editing for form and grammar. Still, quite interesting.
They were a bit odd, but none the less, quite good. The last of the five was the least satisfactory, but it was still good. It wasn't smooth, and needed editing for form and grammar. Still, quite interesting.
May 2, 2025
I'm conflicted. i like the ending in theory but it doesn't feel setup in anyway. everything in this book feels like it came out of nowhere, and doesn't fit with the rest of the series at all. but I do like the idea.
October 21, 2018
Interesting series that makes you think. Not everything is what it seems.
March 6, 2022
Nicely wrapped up... Hope the author thinks about a more fleshed out version of this story - a full-scale novel perhaps ♥️
December 21, 2023
#️⃣2️⃣ Little Noises 🙉
#️⃣1️⃣ Pet Rocks 🪨
#️⃣4️⃣ Bounty 🕴🏻
#️⃣3️⃣ Company 🐆
#️⃣5️⃣ Visitor 🤯
#️⃣1️⃣ Pet Rocks 🪨
#️⃣4️⃣ Bounty 🕴🏻
#️⃣3️⃣ Company 🐆
#️⃣5️⃣ Visitor 🤯
February 2, 2024
Nice end to an interesting series.
9 doomsday buttons out of 10
9 doomsday buttons out of 10
March 17, 2024
Wow, that was amazing. I thought it had finished and we would have to decide the outcome for ourselves but there was an epilogue, a very good epilogue.
February 1, 2025
incredible
Tough to put words to this story but simply amazing. All five books are excellent. Howey writes beautifully. A must read.
Tough to put words to this story but simply amazing. All five books are excellent. Howey writes beautifully. A must read.
February 20, 2017
A fitting end to what has been an enjoyable series. Like previous episodes, the pacing on this felt a little inconsistent but overall I thoroughly enjoyed the story, the characters and the universe Howey has created. Recommended!
August 25, 2015
Check out my Booklikes Blog, Dang Rover: Cover to Cover
The Value of a Star: Ratings Explained
Hugh Howey knows how to tell all story, that's for sure.
So, I don't do serials well. I read the first installment, thought it was great, then waited until they were all published. I read them all as one book, so I'm going to review them all as one book.
The blurbs on the 5 installments say this book is about a guy manning a Beacon in a remote sector of space. Think a space light house, warning ships traveling through hyperspace of an asteroid field they need to avoid if they don't want to crash and die. He's all alone. Like really, really alone. Is something bad going to happen? Uh...duh.
That's what you learn about by reading the outside of the book. But it's not what you read on the inside of the book...
Well, okay--not true. That stuff does happen. But that is NOT what Beacon 23 is about.
This is a very strong, character-driven story about a guy and his demons--with a strong dose of war-sucks-but-violence-is-sometimes-necessary-for-peace message. It gets pretty deep and pretty dark. Certainly not a popcorn read. I didn't particularly enjoy reading Beacon--there isn't much joy to be found. But there is a strong message here, and I suspect there will be many, many people who find they can relate to the path the hero must follow as he struggles with his demons, learns to deal with them, and finds a measure of peace in the end. He doesn't excise his demons, I think this guy's path is too true to life to give him a Disneyland ending. But that's exactly what makes this story accessible.
You might enjoy Hugh's own thoughts on the series here.
Watch out for the swearing. Hugh Howey isn't shy. These guys swear like soldiers--but that's because they are.
The Value of a Star: Ratings Explained
Hugh Howey knows how to tell all story, that's for sure.
So, I don't do serials well. I read the first installment, thought it was great, then waited until they were all published. I read them all as one book, so I'm going to review them all as one book.
The blurbs on the 5 installments say this book is about a guy manning a Beacon in a remote sector of space. Think a space light house, warning ships traveling through hyperspace of an asteroid field they need to avoid if they don't want to crash and die. He's all alone. Like really, really alone. Is something bad going to happen? Uh...duh.
That's what you learn about by reading the outside of the book. But it's not what you read on the inside of the book...
Well, okay--not true. That stuff does happen. But that is NOT what Beacon 23 is about.
This is a very strong, character-driven story about a guy and his demons--with a strong dose of war-sucks-but-violence-is-sometimes-necessary-for-peace message. It gets pretty deep and pretty dark. Certainly not a popcorn read. I didn't particularly enjoy reading Beacon--there isn't much joy to be found. But there is a strong message here, and I suspect there will be many, many people who find they can relate to the path the hero must follow as he struggles with his demons, learns to deal with them, and finds a measure of peace in the end. He doesn't excise his demons, I think this guy's path is too true to life to give him a Disneyland ending. But that's exactly what makes this story accessible.
You might enjoy Hugh's own thoughts on the series here.
Watch out for the swearing. Hugh Howey isn't shy. These guys swear like soldiers--but that's because they are.
February 21, 2017
Finally a book with some meat in it. Real characters, real decisions and real circumstances. The best of the series... But still an utterly overrated one in my opinion.
September 26, 2015
Now that I've reached the end of Beacon 23 everything finally coalesces into a whole that is really good.
Hugh has created a wonderful story broken into 5 parts that reveals the deeper inner workings of the protagonist's mind. We get to watch him doubt himself, think himself insane, find his weakness and his strength. It's a great dive into the mind of someone who is doubting himself but willing to take the risks needed to grow and discover the truth of himself.
It's a war story, a love story and a story of self discovery. There are very funny moments, very tense moments and even times where you ask yourself 'what the F is going on?'
This is the kind of story that makes reading fun. It doesn't necessarily answer the great questions of life but it does let you watch a person grow and change. It leads you to think about the nature of conflict and why people fight - each other and themselves.
If that isn't enough reason to make you think about reading this, nothing will. I don't want to give a recap because it spoils the things that happen and build up to the finale.
Hugh has created a wonderful story broken into 5 parts that reveals the deeper inner workings of the protagonist's mind. We get to watch him doubt himself, think himself insane, find his weakness and his strength. It's a great dive into the mind of someone who is doubting himself but willing to take the risks needed to grow and discover the truth of himself.
It's a war story, a love story and a story of self discovery. There are very funny moments, very tense moments and even times where you ask yourself 'what the F is going on?'
This is the kind of story that makes reading fun. It doesn't necessarily answer the great questions of life but it does let you watch a person grow and change. It leads you to think about the nature of conflict and why people fight - each other and themselves.
If that isn't enough reason to make you think about reading this, nothing will. I don't want to give a recap because it spoils the things that happen and build up to the finale.
August 13, 2015
I'm using part 5 to review the entire story. I'd give it a 3.5 but that's not an option. I love the way Hugh Howey writes, it's very real and easy to imagine and I like that I don't have to work too hard to get it. This 5 piece story was lovely, as a whole I really like it but it tells the exact same story that I've already read this summer. Warring worlds and the war is ending but how will it end. I literally just read this! Which isn't Howey's fault but they did both come out this summer, but whatever. I like the individual parts of the story, the first two were so fun! I think I liked those best looking back because on their own they're just fun. The last two need each other to make sense so maybe that's why I didn't like them.
You could read all 5 parts in about an hour or hour and a half, if you're wanting to spend a nice summer night or summer morning I can think of worse ways to spend it than reading these stories.
You could read all 5 parts in about an hour or hour and a half, if you're wanting to spend a nice summer night or summer morning I can think of worse ways to spend it than reading these stories.
August 12, 2015
I liked the way Hugh ended it. It was poetic, and felt true to the rest of the story. I did feel like he was milking it a little with all the brief flashbacks in his mind to the war, and all the random tangents the narrator goes on, but in the end this does help ratchet up the tension in the final moments of the story, but it's really the least interesting stuff to read in the series. I wanted to read more about the story, and less about what the guy was thinking about all the time. I think I would have appreciated a little more development of Claire and Narrator's relationship, but it was believable enough to give the ending of the story weight.
I also like that this story is much different than the writing in Sand or Wool. The story telling is completely different. The whole thing is so much more small scale in this one (up until the end, of course), and a little more personal, and I really liked that.
I also like that this story is much different than the writing in Sand or Wool. The story telling is completely different. The whole thing is so much more small scale in this one (up until the end, of course), and a little more personal, and I really liked that.
February 6, 2024
Hugh Howey is trouble! I started with #1 and I can't stop.
And now I've finished. This is a wow. I'm not sure I like the process of the end, but the result--can't argue with it. Not at all. Howey has done it again!
UPDATE: Somehow this final installment found its way into my unread books. I read it again, not remembering having done so in 2015. Well, I enjoyed it so much that I had to go get #1-4. Amazon said I have them already and I've read them! Well I knew that was BS, so I just moved them from my library to my current unread list. Then I went to review this one, #5, and sure enough. Amazon was telling the truth! Now I just have to reread #1-4. Yes, #5 is so good that I have to go back to the beginning; apparently "the process" of the end no longer bothers me.
And now I've finished. This is a wow. I'm not sure I like the process of the end, but the result--can't argue with it. Not at all. Howey has done it again!
UPDATE: Somehow this final installment found its way into my unread books. I read it again, not remembering having done so in 2015. Well, I enjoyed it so much that I had to go get #1-4. Amazon said I have them already and I've read them! Well I knew that was BS, so I just moved them from my library to my current unread list. Then I went to review this one, #5, and sure enough. Amazon was telling the truth! Now I just have to reread #1-4. Yes, #5 is so good that I have to go back to the beginning; apparently "the process" of the end no longer bothers me.
February 24, 2016
I'll provide the same review for each of Beacon 23's five parts.
Hugh Howey established himself with Wool. I count Wool as one of my favorite pieces of sci-fi. It was compelling, utterly original and, dare I say, groundbreaking (figuratively and literally). I've followed Howey since but never found his output to be nearly as compelling as Wool. Until now. The Beacon 23 stories - that together form a wonderful novel - are so wonderful, so heartfelt, so funny, and human that it's virtually impossible not to embrace and love them. This is old-school, character driven science fiction that truly revitalized my interest in the genre.
Hugh Howey established himself with Wool. I count Wool as one of my favorite pieces of sci-fi. It was compelling, utterly original and, dare I say, groundbreaking (figuratively and literally). I've followed Howey since but never found his output to be nearly as compelling as Wool. Until now. The Beacon 23 stories - that together form a wonderful novel - are so wonderful, so heartfelt, so funny, and human that it's virtually impossible not to embrace and love them. This is old-school, character driven science fiction that truly revitalized my interest in the genre.
September 10, 2015
I got suckered in to the Beacon 23 series by Hugh Howey's sparse and effective writing, thinking it was going to be an enjoyable tale about a man running from his past to the far corners of space. With the fifth and final installment, Visitor, Howey shows that the whole time he's had a meaningful, epic tale in mind. Our beacon operator, Digger, must confront the greatest choice of his life, one with gut-wrenching impact. Howey's talent for bringing this story home is remarkable, and I really enjoyed reading this as a serial.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews