Rating: 
Summary: A gripping look into the end of the world
Review: Bear tells a vivid tale of the end of the world, the reaction of humanity is wonderfully portrayed, however, I think bear missed a lot with the plot itself, making this book suitable for filming, but losing the depth that could have made this book a 5 starts winner.
Rating: 
Summary: The Forge of God is Hot
Review: Never have I read another novel that changed my outlook on the world the way that The Forge of God has. I read the book a little over three years ago and I still remember it vividly. Bear's portrayal of mankind's reaction to Earth's inevitable destruction is disturbingly true to reality. Despair, apathy, quiet rage, hopelessness, its all painted into this magic work with morbid mastery. I enjoy light sci-fi tales of alien destruction such as Independence Day (The day we fight back!). However, I would have to say that Bear's version of the story (The day we give up) is much more thought provoking. This is the book that got me hooked on Greg Bear, but just a warning to those of you who prefer ID4 endings... skip the last 50 pages. Simply the most stimulating novel that I have ever read.
Rating: 
Summary: The plot was fascinating but the end was pitufully hollywood
Review: The plot with its intriguing interaction between different characters trying to discover the mystery of some alien contacts in the 1990's greatly reflected the concerns and conflicting reactions we would encounter today. The description that the author builds for the scene of mass destruction is heart rendering; hence, it is well worth the read. The parts that made this book totally conventional and rediculous in the spirit of Hollywood, is the ending where the nerdy guy gets to fulfill his fantasy with the beautiful blonde, and where at the end we learn that rather than the author writing another 400 page book where a lot of questions would be answered, he decides to write only seven pages to cover a three hundred year period. In all, I think you should read the book, but to avoid disapointment, ignore the last chapter.
Rating:
Summary: A Haunting Novel That Leaves a Lasting Impression
Review: Novels don't get much better than this. Bear really penned a true classic here. I've read many different versions of the end of the Earth, but this one truly spooked me. The aliens Bear creates are so thoroughly cold, calculating, and without compassion that even the mere possibility of a race like that in existance is a frightening thought. Also, the way that Bear has the aliens destroy the earth is chilling in itself. The methodology that they employ in setting up the Earth's destruction is simply unforgettable. But what really got me about this book was the human element that Bear employed. Though Bear didn't do deep character development, he did enough so that the reader could identify with them. As the end approached, I was able to feel the total helplessness, anger, dismay, and unjustness of it all that Bear conveyed through his characters. That Bear set one of the scenes of the end in Yosemite, one of my favorite places, just got me all the more. Ultimately, what Bear succeeded in doing was to not only have us face our own mortality, but to have us ponder just how precious life really is. I for one was not aware that I was so afraid of dying, and one of his character's desire to stay alive as long as possible to experience all that he could was a sentiment I myself would feel all the way to the frightening end. This book affected me in ways thousands of other novels could not, and has left a haunting impression. Highly reccommended to anyone who enjoys great writing at its absolute best.
Rating:
Summary: Good, interesting story. But boring at times.
Review: I most confess. This was the first Bear book I read, so I'm not quite sure about his (Bear's) style, although I have "Eon" at my bookshelf waiting to be read (Once I finish God Eperor of Dune). This book was quite interesting in the issues that it raises, reanging from the bonds of friendship to the importance of family. The ways Bear summoned to destroy the planet are quite interesting and (I'm going to sound like the very same devil) they're a delight to read. Unfortunately, this book isn't flawless. Although Bears' intention of explaining complex ideas is understandable (and enjoyable) he sometimes did the process way too tedious to be standed. Also, some of the chapters he uses to get over with the non-technical plot are plain boring to keep reading and you'll be temped to skip some pages. To my point of view, I don't think that the affairs of two geologists and their failure in finding any women to hang on with is of any importance at all. Also, Martin's reason of vengance isn't quite convincing. It's somehow ridicule. But anyway, the book is terrific and I will read more from Bear. Add a half star to my rate.
Rating:
Summary: Forge Of God is Breathtaking - One of Greg Bear's best !!!
Review: Having read several of Gregs Books i have to rate this as one of the best. Forge of God is a perfect balance of science and story telling, a Tale of despair and salvation. The elusiveness and intelligence of his aliens give you a real sense of fear.The imagery in this book is spellbounding, the destruction scene at Yosemite left me speechless. It does start a little slowly but only due to a characterisation of the many different characters, which i found very enjoyable, although some of his characters are a bit thinly done. Gregs style of telling the story from several different characters perspective was a little bit annoying during the middle of the book, making it a little bit dis-jointed in places but it proved to be the books strength in the closing sequence. They Final Chapter seemed at bit rushed but it didnt detract from the overall feel but i think he had the sequel in mind when he finished writing this one. Still this book will grip you like not many others will. Try as you might you will not be able to put it down, i would find myself still reading at 3am. Greg just keeps doing it again and again, buy this book right know you wont regret it!! Im already looking forward to reading the sequel Anvil Of The Stars.
Rating:
Summary: Mother Earth?
Review: Didn't do much for me. A average read of alien invasion of earth. It's sort of a mystery on who is doing what to whom. Who are the good guys and who are the bad? The best part of the whole book was the theories of one character on what was going on. Sort of a Mother Earth type theory. Very provacative.
Rating:
Summary: The Forge of God is the genuine article
Review: The Forge of God chronicles what has to be the most effective demolition of the Earth since it was pulverized to make way for a new hyperspatial bypass (see The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams.) It's a fascinating question - short of using some kind of implausible Death Star-like superweapon, how do you convincingly destroy an entire planet? Well, Greg Bear provides the answer. In the buildup to the main event, strange landings and encounters take place and confusion abounds among the hapless life forms inhabiting the surface, as things gain a truly ominous momentum. I found The Forge of God extremely compelling, in a downbeat sort of way; as usual, Greg Bear strikes a near-perfect balance between the science and the storytelling. One question still remained in my mind - why? Genocide, it must be said, is not unknown among us humans, yet we usually require a few centuries of tit-for-tat mayhem before taking this option. On the other hand, these are aliens we're dealing with, who might regard us much as we regard your average garden pest. A couple of final thoughts; firstly, for anyone who still thinks that nuclear weapons would "blow up the world X times" - no chance. Secondly, that all our eggs are still in one basket; for the sake of future generations, we must expand offworld. Just in case.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best doomsday novels of all time
Review: This book starts out a bit slow, more like a mystery, and then turns into more of a Sci-Fi book toward the end. All in all, an exciting, suspenseful read. It's one of those books that leaves an impression on you for a long time afterward. The sequel, Anvil of Stars, is also excellent.
Rating: 
Summary: Inferior to Bear's other work
Review: "The Forge of God" read more like a best-selling spy novel -- the stuff that true science fiction fans distain. Everything felt like paint-by-numbers : the dialog, the scenic descriptions, and the characterizations. There was little that was genuine. The characters who were supposed to be scientists didn't act like scientists (with the exception of the geologists, Kemp, Sand, et al.). There was only one scientific gimick in the whole book that the author bothered to explain in detail. All in all, this book seemed less like a science fiction book and more like a setup for the *real* sci fi novel, the space-opera sequel (which I have not yet read.) I do not recommend this book. Instead, read "The Infinity Concerto" or "Queen of Angels," where Bear really shows his talent.
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