- Paperback: 528 pages
- Publisher: Corgi (3 Sep 1998)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0552145017
- ISBN-13: 978-0552145015
- Product Dimensions: 17.5 x 10.7 x 3.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 954,466 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
Product details |
More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
For five years Edward Exeter has resisted the destiny circumscribed in the Filoby Testament - a sacred and mystical text that has named him the one who will bring death to Death. For five years the young Englishman has passed back and forth through secret portals that link his world with the farthest flung outpost of British imperialism - a realm called Nextdoor, where earthborn mortals can live forever, possessing powers that make them gods. Through war and murderous intrigue on both sides of the magical boundaries, he has tried to escape the irresistible pull of a Great Game that has designated him its most important player. But Death has finally roused Edward Exeter, as was predicted. And now he has accepted the burdensome mantle that has been thrust upon his shoulders: that of D'ward, the Liberator foretold. For centuries, the ruling Pentatheon of human gods has held the people of Nextdoor in its sway through terror, magic and superstition - with Zath, its most fearsome member, accumulating powerful mana through ritual sacrifice and wholesale bloodletting. By opposing the tyranny of the Pentatheon, D'ward imperils not only himself, but the future of two distinctly separate yet strangely empathetic worlds. Now old friends have become foes, old enemies his acolytes. The guardian Service, which once welcomed Exeter into its ranks, now plots murderous gambits at formal affairs - and betrayals to be unwittingly enacted against him by Edward's closest companions and loved ones. And for the hundreds and hundreds of the devout who have joined the Liberator on his fateful trek across the Vales, doom surely awaits at the end of the journey. But D'ward Liberator is not the Edward Exeter whocame naked into this world just a few short years ago. For he has lived the Game and learned it well - far better, in fact, than his adversaries could ever imagine. And he will play it boldly to its shocking, worlds-shattering conclusion - even if it means having to pay the devasta
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Duncan portrays two very different worlds convincingly: that of First World War England and Nextdoor. On the eve of the War, Edward Exeter, just out of school, is plunged into murder, conspiracy and a long-running struggle between two opposing forces. Discovering he's the subject of a prophecy, Edward goes on to battle "Gods" and Death himself, torn between his sense of duty and his sense of honour. The fact that the "Gods" are ordinary people gifted with superhuman powers on moving from their native world to another is an interesting twist. This series would appeal to people who like historical or fantasy books, but be sure to read the first two in the series.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
19 reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Very original
4 Aug 1999
Format:Hardcover
I read this book a while ago and it still sticks in my mind. I thought the story was really great but I just couldn't imagine an ending that I thought would be sastisfying. But somehow Dave Duncan managed to suprise me and the ending was really good and it worked with the rest of the story. I also happened to like the very last line and what it implied. It's a very good book and it's really original. I would recommend it.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Great!!!!!
28 Dec 1998
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I have absolutely loved all three of The Great Game books. As soon as I began reading the first one I fell in love. The depth of the story, the characters and their perils, and the ORIGINALITY of the whole story was beautiful. I LOVE the idea of Nextdoor and the Portals. For anyone who has the slightlest inkling of enjoyment of fantasy NEEDS to read these books.
The books are marvelous but Mr. Duncan. In Future Indefinite, at the end, the very end, how could you?
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
The finale of Duncan's best series.
2 Dec 2005
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Future Indefinite has all the classic epic fantasy elements: a sharply detailed world of magic and gods, the struggle between good and evil, an ancient prophecy, a fish-out-of-water protagonist, a small band of adventurers, romance, love, and plenty of action. The book succeeds due to Duncan's use of these familiar elements in unfamiliar ways. Our protagonist is a young British gentleman, barely out of school; his love interest none other than his slightly horse-faced older cousin. The good vs. evil struggle is better classed as a lesser evil vs. a greater. And the prophecy? It's suitably cryptic...but also logical and quite possibly self-fulfilling.
Duncan's system of magic is not only ingenious, but integral to the book's plot. Anyone in their own world is mundane; transported to a new world (even if that world is Earth), they become 'Strangers', and gain 'Charisma', the ability to influence natives. The more people you influence, the more power you gain and the more you can influence them-- a perpetuating cycle. The competition for native followers leads to Machiavellian machinations between the Strangers in a world, some of whose powers rise to godlike levels.
One cannot read this book without drawing plot parallels to a slightly more famous book-- the Bible. Specifically Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus Christ. However, the diffferences are just as significant, and any Christian who considers this book as "mocking" their faith is someone looking for a reason to be insulted.
Future Indefinite is the finale of Duncan's most serious-- and very likely his best-- series to date. Don't miss it.
Duncan's system of magic is not only ingenious, but integral to the book's plot. Anyone in their own world is mundane; transported to a new world (even if that world is Earth), they become 'Strangers', and gain 'Charisma', the ability to influence natives. The more people you influence, the more power you gain and the more you can influence them-- a perpetuating cycle. The competition for native followers leads to Machiavellian machinations between the Strangers in a world, some of whose powers rise to godlike levels.
One cannot read this book without drawing plot parallels to a slightly more famous book-- the Bible. Specifically Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus Christ. However, the diffferences are just as significant, and any Christian who considers this book as "mocking" their faith is someone looking for a reason to be insulted.
Future Indefinite is the finale of Duncan's most serious-- and very likely his best-- series to date. Don't miss it.
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
