keinbock's review
4.25
Solid end of the world stuff, cool stories from different perspectives, but mildly disappointed that we didn't get more resolution to the aliens' identities.
tbah926's review against another edition
3.0
Imaginative and thoughtful, but not the most gripping hard sci-fi novel I’ve read.
gullevek's review against another edition
3.0
While I really enjoyed this Sci-Fi pulp joy ride, I just can't get myself to give it more than three stars, simple because there are parts that are just a bit too much pulp joy ride. Still, if you want to read a nice sci-fi novel without exhausting all your energy this one is highly recommended.
eric_conrad's review
2.0
Flat characters that are easily forgotten. Some interesting bits of science, but the best part of the book was the ending.
taytayf's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
johnwillson's review
3.0
It's a peculiar writing style. Slow, with lots of characters. Pensive and expository. The story of any one character is not all that interesting, but the book on the whole is. The book is a discussion, disguised as a novel, of how alien civilizations would treat each other, and how humankind would react to an existential threat. That said, it is surprisingly moving towards the end.
One other curious choice. I noticed this because I happened to read the second book in the series, [b:Anvil of Stars|464609|Anvil of Stars (Forge of God, #2)|Greg Bear|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388964743s/464609.jpg|4283], first. In the last chapter of [b:The Forge of God|64732|The Forge of God (Forge of God, #1)|Greg Bear|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388465357s/64732.jpg|2235106], Bear gives away all the revelations of its sequel. Perhaps he hadn't yet decided to write a sequel when he wrote Forge. If you're going to read the series, I recommend not reading this book's final chapter.
One other curious choice. I noticed this because I happened to read the second book in the series, [b:Anvil of Stars|464609|Anvil of Stars (Forge of God, #2)|Greg Bear|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388964743s/464609.jpg|4283], first. In the last chapter of [b:The Forge of God|64732|The Forge of God (Forge of God, #1)|Greg Bear|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388465357s/64732.jpg|2235106], Bear gives away all the revelations of its sequel. Perhaps he hadn't yet decided to write a sequel when he wrote Forge. If you're going to read the series, I recommend not reading this book's final chapter.