Forever After (Mass Market Paperback)

~ (Author), David Mattingly (Author) "Gar Quithnick fought the boredom of the ceremony by calculating the number of ways he could kill the Chief Priest of the Temple without using..." (more)
Key Phrases: Udan Kann, Prince Rango, Calla Mallanik (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The heroes of a millennium-long battle against the forces of evil prepare to enjoy life after winning the war, unaware that they have unearthed four mantic objects whose combined powers unleash chaos throughout the world.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Baen; 1st THUS edition (December 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671876996
• ISBN-13: 978-0671876999
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #232,718 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This last work of a great one is, well, great, August 18, 2001

By	G. Swift "97jedi" (Southwestern Missouri) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

In this last work of Roger Zelazny, he culled together a grouping of four absolutely top-notch authors for a collaborative effort. Mike Stackpole, David Drake, Robert Asprin and Jane Lindskold each chronicle an individual quest of recently separated companions. The quests are to return to safekeeping various magical items whose combined presence is tearing up the very fabric of reality.

Stackpole gives us the story of the loyal assassin and his mission to return a powerful amulet to its former resting place, now that it's use is no longer required. In his quest for the most absolutely perfect ways of killing his enemies, the assassin has surpassed all others, confronting his former teacher in a climactic battle over ownership of the powerful item. I personally feel this to have been one of Stackpole's best works, and on its merit alone is this book an excellent read.

David Drake gives us the story of an elf and a norse woman determined to rid themselves of a powerful ring. They set out across a terribly desolate region to dispose of the ring, with incredible danger and death hounding them the whole way. Personally I considered this the least of the stories -- I just could not get into it, although the dialogue between the questors and the ring is amusing at times.

Asprin provides the funniest of the stories, with a dragon's perspective of an encounter with a warrior. You see, the warrior figures to get the dragon to guard the deadly sword he has been commissioned to dispose of. The dragon has other ideas. The solution to the dilemma is very nicely devised by the hero, as is the slight twist ending. I really enjoyed this story.

Lindskold gives us the quest of the Army's best commander to return an ancient scroll from whence it came. During the journey, various things arouse her suspicions as to the true motives behind the quests on which she and her erstwhile companions have been sent. Realizing a great danger is building, she hastens home to the upcoming wedding and coronation of the nation's newly acknowledged monarchs.

Preceding each story, and wrapping up the saga is a bridging story by Zelazny himself. These stories form the backbone of the global picture, as it were. In fact, these could almost be read as a well-written story unto themselves, with the intervening stories merely fleshing out the details. Since that was the plan, it was carried off quite successfully. I highly recommend this book, especially for those who enjoy slightly off-the-wall fantasy, as this book possesses that in spades. Happy reading!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Fun., July 15, 2001

By	Richard La Fianza (San Bernardino) - See all my reviews

To my knowledge this is the last work of Roger Zelanzny probably best known for his "Amber" series. To the end he was a great writer and I am sure that anyone who has read his work will regret the fact that no new masterpieces will be coming. I am glad, however, that he finished as he started - working on a fun book which any fantasy readers should enjoy.

"Forever After," is a fantasy story which is reportedly about what happens after the villain is defeated. What happens after the hero and heroine live "happily ever after?" Here some of the closest friends and companions of the hero Rango, soon to be King, are sent on four separate quests to hide the magic tools needed to win the war, but which now, by being so close together, disrupt reality and threaten the kingdom itself.

Each quest is written was by a different author. They include Michael Stackpole, David Drake, Robert Lynn Aspirin and Jane Lindskold. The prefaces, interlude and postlude are written by Roger Zelazny. Remarkably, the quality of most of the stories is very high. I especially enjoyed reading Robert Aspin, one of the funniest fantasy writers around, (Remember Skeeve?) telling the story of a noble knight and a dragon, from the dragon's perspective.

Stackpole's story, about a gloomy assassin heart sick over a woman general who has rejected him, burdened by a fat, but well meaning servant, and searching for his father's killer, his former master, was outstanding. In the end, my discovery of Mr. Stackpole, probably was the best thing about reading this book. He is a superb writer and I look forward to reading his other work in the future.

It is fitting that "Forever After's" theme, that life continues even after the story is over, was Zelanzy's last work. Life does go on. But, if it does, does that mean we can't stop and say thank you to someone who entertained so much and so well over the years? Thanks and good bye Mr. Zelazny. I hope the afterlife appreciates you as much as your fans down here do.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Nice idea, didn't work., January 21, 2000

By	Danny (Bristol, England) - See all my reviews

The idea is nice, the settings work - had Zelazny written it, it would probably have been a great book. As it is, it's simply a missed opportunity. Too bad. One or two of the chapters are OK, most are just boring, and none are Zelazny - style. Don't bother.