Rating: 
Summary: Forever in back of shelf
Review: I hated
I won't even comment on it. It has a terrible, terrible ending and explanation, even though the character, William Mandella is memorable. But that's it. I wish I hadn't spent 6,99 on this book, instead I should have bought another one
Rating:
Summary: Forever Avoid This Book
Review: I would rate this as the second worst book I've ever read in my whole life. Don't get me wrong, I love Haldeman's original "The Forever War". It's a true classic and highly recommended. The only strength of this book is the narration of "The Forever War's" protagonist, William Mandella. Mandella's telling of the story is brisk and down-to-earth, which is just as well because this book needed to be as short as possible, as in 0 pages.The main problem is that 25 years after "The Forever War", Haldeman concocts this sequel, but he has no material to work with. There were no lingering questions or problems from the original book to be dealt with. William and Marygay went riding off in the sunset, Happily Ever After, so to speak, at the end of "The Forever War". So now Haldeman is forced to create a completely far-fetched plot that concludes with the most insane ending I've ever read (wherein "God" reveals the secrets of the universe to William and Marygay at Disney World, circa 3200 AD). Let me be blunt, this book is terrible. It isn't worthy of Haldeman or those who appreciate his earlier work. From start to finish the book lacks a believable or interesting premise, any kind of dramatic action, and well-developed suuporting characters. To quote from the Grinch, the three words that best describe "Forever Free" are as follows: stink, stank, STUNK! Don't waste your time on such trash.
Rating: 
Summary: Gorsh...
Review: OK...I have to say I had a big problem with the ending...which seems to be a common theme. I loved The Coming until the end. But what I really want to do is respond to the guy from New York (March 26, 2001) who says science fiction isn't about literature. Yeah, you walk through the Sci-Fi/Fantasy section in most book stores these days and see a lot of mass market paperbacks and you think that's what science fiction is. But there are some really serious authors out there, Joe being one of them, who write about more than planet-hopping in spaceships and swinging lightsabers. And if you had had a lit teacher who knew anything, you would have found out that many of the literary classics we all read in high school (Jane Eyre, for instanced) were considered fluff pieces back in their day. So don't condem a whole genre by what dominates the shelves...and certainly Joe's books don't uphold your arguements...even if some of the endings aren't as satisfying as we'd like. That probably was the point, anyway. Though, I do have to say, it might have been funny, but what the heck was up with the whole Disneyworld thing?
Rating:
Summary: Wouldn't recommend this book if it was Forever Free (haha)
Review: I don't agree with the reviewer who said this would surpass Forever War as Haldeman's best novel. I found it to be relatively weak compared to both earlier "Forever" works (even considering that Forever Peace was not related to either War or Free). Many of the characters lacked the definition required to be unique or contribute substantially to the story line. Some scenes seemed ridiculously out of place when put in the context of the universe Haldeman has created. And of course, many reviewers have pointed out that the ending "plain old stinks". It's an abrupt shift from a mediocre quest of discovery to an eigth grader's sci-fi fantasy finale at the last possible minute and impossible to take seriously. If you've read Haldeman's other works, then this should be on your list only if you must read them all to satisify your Forever Lust. Otherwise, skip it. If you've never read Haldeman, drop what you're doing and order Forever War right now!
Rating: 
Summary: Ending
Review: What's with the ending? can anybody explain that? The impression I get is that the author just had a nervous breakdown right when writing the last 20 pages of this book.
Rating:
Summary: good start, strong middle, terrible ending ...
Review: This sequel to the Forever War starts off well. The life that William Mandella has built for himself on Middle Finger is what we would have expected. The action in the first half of the book is good. Not as rousing or interesting as the Forever War, but we don't have an inter-stellar war to work with here. The book revolves around a central mystery revealed at around the mid-point of the story. The problem is that the mystery is so profound and massive that it's hard to imagine a satisfactory resolution. Unfortunately Haldeman does not give us one. His ending seems forced and rushed with the hurried introduction of characters and concepts. On the upside, there are small hidden gems within the text. William Mandella was always an good character and seeing the world through his eyes is interesting. For example, late in the book, unable to completely let go of his distrust of his erstwhile enemy, the Taurans, he ponders whether or not the Taurans are to blame for the central mystery and have left a note saying "Die, human scum." Borrow the book from the library or from a friend. Or better yet, just read the Forever War again. Worth a read, but it's not going to be something you read over and over again (like the Forever War).
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: In this book, Haldeman returns to the characters he introduced in Forever War about 18 years later in their lives. Now living in a cold world, they go about their lives with little enthusiasm while the civilization of Man runs everything that matters. Bored and unable to accept their role, they decide to take a relativistic cruise through space just to return home thousands of years later and see if they like it better then. The book starts fine with a steady rhythm and pace and an engaging premise. It all kind of falls apart half-way through the characters' journey. Why? Well I would spoil the book if I told you. Let's just say that the author resorts to the fantastic and we end up with a kind of Deus Ex Machina ending that satisfies no one. Ultimately the endeavor doesn't amount to anything. What can I say? If you change the rules half-way through the book without really explaining how, it's very unfulfilling. As I said, a bit disappointing in terms of plot. As Haldeman is an accomplished and good author you don't actually dislike it, but this isn't one to remember.
Rating:
Summary: Deus ex machina!
Review: The "forever" series seems to be forever declining with each sequel. The thrilling "Forever War" degenerated into the so-so "Forever Peace" and then now, the horrible "Forever Free." Let us hope to be forever free of this series. The book suffers from weak storytelling and a sense of disappointment when what seems to be the focus of the story - the starship excursion - falls out of the picture. The ending is classic deus-ex-machina. Using it is the kiss of death. Nothing in the plot prepared us for the ridiculous ending.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I really enjoyed the Forever War and found Forever Peace to be very readable. Forever Free is not quite up to the same standards as the other two. It is still an enjoyable book, but not memorable the way the the Forever War was. It was nice to be reacquainted with the original characters, but the plot was just off a little bit. The plans of the characters for the first 1/3 to 1/2 of the book were exciting and a page turner, but then the book just gets weird. It was more like Douglas Adams or Stephen King from the gunslinger series by the end when everything is explained. Not the best. The book is also a little on the short side. Its pretty tough to have a really good book with an elaborate plot be less than 400 pages. Otherwise it seems rushed (as it does here).
Rating:
Summary: Rushed
Review: As the sequel to one of the great works of Science Fiction (literature) of that last 25 years, "Forever Free" had a lot to measure up to. Unfotunately it comes up short. the premise is intriguing enough; pick up with characters from "The Forever War" and see what they've been up to. In particular, I was excited to see how nearly 25 years had changed Haldeman's perspective about his characters and the universe he had created. In the beggining it looks like he'll be up to the task. The characters are superbly written and the pace of the book is excellent. Unfortunately, as the novel progresses, these attributes are never built upon. Ultimately the book doesn't really go anywhere; I don't want to give away the plot, but towards the end, Haldeman doesn't seem to be able to unravel what he has created, so he resorts to the fantastic. That's fine in some instances, but it's out of place here. This was a novel that I really wanted to like, but in the end it just fell short. It was too rushed, and didn't make use of a solid foundation. While I can't say that I hated it, I didn't love it either. Ultimately, "Forever Free" wasn't a bad way to kill and afternoon, but it hasn't really stayed with me.
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