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The Forever #4
The Forever Quest
Life is the cure for happiness. Someone always wants what you have. If you have a lot to lose, you better watch your back very closely. Jon Ryan has lived two centuries. He has save humanity, bested hostile alien races, and helped create an ideal society on a new world. He should be able to rest for the first time in centuries, and enjoy the fruits of his labor. But, he's never been that lucky. There's an alternate time-line version of Jon out there somewhere, one who suffered the loss of his species. Jon must find his duplicate who's lost in time and space. He must ease his pain. Along the way, an immensely evil man allies with an unbelievably vicious race to end the humanity once and for all. Jon must also decide if he believes in magic. There is truly no rest for the weary. As the chances of failure skyrocket, can one good man stand against unbeatable odds one more time?
- GenresScience FictionAudiobook
210 pages, Paperback
Published December 2, 2016
About the author
Craig A. Robertson
75 books181 followersThe Seven Lives of Craig A. Robertson
Dr. Craig A. Robertson is a physician and the author of more than forty-five published science fiction novels. Getting there, however, was anything but a typical path.
His first life was that of a shoe salesman. This "profession" helped him to work his way through college. His first experience was at Kinney Shoes. leveling up to Sears, and eventually became a shoe manager at Montgomery Ward. All three companies later went bankrupt. Not. His. Fault. But he did meet his wife, Karen, at Sears, which made working there most rewarding.
His second life embraced the physical sciences. A childhood fascination with astronomy led him to UC Berkeley. However, he eventually switched to geophysics after realizing that astronomers spent an inordinate amount of time alone on cold, remote mountaintops. Somewhere along the way, physical science gave way to his true passion: medicine.
For his third life he
became a doctor. Medical school and residency were like being sentenced to an abusive gulag, but they provided two lasting benefits. First, he learned that nothing he encountered afterward would ever be harder. Second—and rather more importantly—he got to be a doctor.
His career began in academic medicine, when he became a professor of Emergency Medicine at a Level One Trauma Center. That was followed by yet another incarnation, this time as a research immunologist at UC Davis, where his work included a cloned antibody directed against human melanoma cells and research into primary biliary cirrhosis.
Eventually, Craig settled into the life of a practicing physician. But somewhere among patients, science, family, and all those previous incarnations, another life crept onto the scene.
He became a science fiction writer.
More than forty-five novels later, Craig spends a psychiatrically questionable amount of time destroying planets, rebuilding civilizations, tormenting his delicious evil villains, and making Jon Ryan traverse the universe ... forever.
It seems doubtful, given his past inclinations, that seven lives will be enough for Craig A. Robertson.
Dr. Craig A. Robertson is a physician and the author of more than forty-five published science fiction novels. Getting there, however, was anything but a typical path.
His first life was that of a shoe salesman. This "profession" helped him to work his way through college. His first experience was at Kinney Shoes. leveling up to Sears, and eventually became a shoe manager at Montgomery Ward. All three companies later went bankrupt. Not. His. Fault. But he did meet his wife, Karen, at Sears, which made working there most rewarding.
His second life embraced the physical sciences. A childhood fascination with astronomy led him to UC Berkeley. However, he eventually switched to geophysics after realizing that astronomers spent an inordinate amount of time alone on cold, remote mountaintops. Somewhere along the way, physical science gave way to his true passion: medicine.
For his third life he
became a doctor. Medical school and residency were like being sentenced to an abusive gulag, but they provided two lasting benefits. First, he learned that nothing he encountered afterward would ever be harder. Second—and rather more importantly—he got to be a doctor.
His career began in academic medicine, when he became a professor of Emergency Medicine at a Level One Trauma Center. That was followed by yet another incarnation, this time as a research immunologist at UC Davis, where his work included a cloned antibody directed against human melanoma cells and research into primary biliary cirrhosis.
Eventually, Craig settled into the life of a practicing physician. But somewhere among patients, science, family, and all those previous incarnations, another life crept onto the scene.
He became a science fiction writer.
More than forty-five novels later, Craig spends a psychiatrically questionable amount of time destroying planets, rebuilding civilizations, tormenting his delicious evil villains, and making Jon Ryan traverse the universe ... forever.
It seems doubtful, given his past inclinations, that seven lives will be enough for Craig A. Robertson.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 2, 2020
Robertson, like Tchaikovsky, Asimov and Banks, deserves to be studied in depth at the finest literary academies and institutes of higher learning; but for entirely opposite reasons.
So where does our seriously overpowered android go from here? Why, how silly of you to ask! He must become a Pirate of course. Casually overhearing a conversation barely mentioning the diaspora's world ships (whilst feigning unconsciousness), our fearless adventurer embarks on a demeaning 10-year diversion rather than simply interrogating his abductors. That the diversion eventually leads to an answer of sorts appears entirely random, as the tenuous link back to why the original abductors would be party to the relevant information is never unmasked.
For Robertson though, this is forgivable, even expected by book 4. That the original intent was for our protagonist to quite literally 'find himself' requires our author to invent a crazy scheme to get our Android back in dire straits, just for the ultimate MacGuffin to allow our prey to mysteriously appear, by magic. I'm not being metaphorical, that's exactly how the feat is explained. YouToo appears by magic, and immediately leaves, by magic. Oh, and that's the point that our protagonists best friend shows his true colours by miraculously revealing that a main plot character has actually been backed up, but only so she can appear for a few pages.
Wow, I've written more joined-up thoughts in a pointless review than appear in the entire series to date. I really don't want to be unkind, there's some nice moments in here, but the lack of effort shines through on every page.
So where does our seriously overpowered android go from here? Why, how silly of you to ask! He must become a Pirate of course. Casually overhearing a conversation barely mentioning the diaspora's world ships (whilst feigning unconsciousness), our fearless adventurer embarks on a demeaning 10-year diversion rather than simply interrogating his abductors. That the diversion eventually leads to an answer of sorts appears entirely random, as the tenuous link back to why the original abductors would be party to the relevant information is never unmasked.
For Robertson though, this is forgivable, even expected by book 4. That the original intent was for our protagonist to quite literally 'find himself' requires our author to invent a crazy scheme to get our Android back in dire straits, just for the ultimate MacGuffin to allow our prey to mysteriously appear, by magic. I'm not being metaphorical, that's exactly how the feat is explained. YouToo appears by magic, and immediately leaves, by magic. Oh, and that's the point that our protagonists best friend shows his true colours by miraculously revealing that a main plot character has actually been backed up, but only so she can appear for a few pages.
Wow, I've written more joined-up thoughts in a pointless review than appear in the entire series to date. I really don't want to be unkind, there's some nice moments in here, but the lack of effort shines through on every page.
May 5, 2025
The Forever Quest
Well. I tried. I really tried not to like this series. But dammit I couldn't help myself. I highly recommend this series anyway though. Read them. Take a chance. Be brave.
You'll be shocked at how much you come to enjoy these books. Plenty of action, and pretty funny at times too.
Well. I tried. I really tried not to like this series. But dammit I couldn't help myself. I highly recommend this series anyway though. Read them. Take a chance. Be brave.
You'll be shocked at how much you come to enjoy these books. Plenty of action, and pretty funny at times too.
January 20, 2018
It's getting so much better!
I thought book four was a barn burner.
Number five is even better. A bit more fantastical, but way more exciting. I'm going right into Book five even though it's 4am.
I thought book four was a barn burner.
Number five is even better. A bit more fantastical, but way more exciting. I'm going right into Book five even though it's 4am.
June 25, 2019
Has Yet To Disappoint
This series continues to surprise and delight. The way the characters are continually build on a the series progress is beyond outstanding. This is a must read series. On to more adventure.
This series continues to surprise and delight. The way the characters are continually build on a the series progress is beyond outstanding. This is a must read series. On to more adventure.
October 15, 2017
It continues.
Still holding my interest in the continuing story of Jon Ryan. Written well, but the few grammatical errors glare. Proofreading is also not complete.
Still holding my interest in the continuing story of Jon Ryan. Written well, but the few grammatical errors glare. Proofreading is also not complete.
September 28, 2018
Not a bad series
A good series but maybe the author should slow down and proofread the text. The later in the series, the more typos - and its getting distracting.
A good series but maybe the author should slow down and proofread the text. The later in the series, the more typos - and its getting distracting.
February 12, 2019
Another good one
Story keeps on keeping on. Only complaint is Al has taken a back seat. Miss the banter. But still a solid story
Story keeps on keeping on. Only complaint is Al has taken a back seat. Miss the banter. But still a solid story
April 7, 2022
Still liking the series
November 24, 2022
Fun. You’ve gotta love multiverse twins. It may be over done but I find tropes like this familiar and comforting
I couldn’t believe it when Sapale’s preserved consciousness is revealed and she decides to fly off with older Jon. I guess he needed to be invested in his new family with Kayla.
I couldn’t believe it when Sapale’s preserved consciousness is revealed and she decides to fly off with older Jon. I guess he needed to be invested in his new family with Kayla.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2023
Great book loved the story and the book narration can’t wait to listen to the next one I highly recommend listening to this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 4, 2024
Onto the final two books of this series. I have found them very enjoyable to listen to. I'll probably finish the next book by the end of this week.
August 27, 2024
Humanity is mostly saved, now he's trying to balance family life, setting up a new society with his desire to protect humanity.
July 30, 2026
The Forever Quest continues the story
Bring on book five please! Can’t get enough of this series!
Be sure to pick up your copy of this series today!
Bring on book five please! Can’t get enough of this series!
Be sure to pick up your copy of this series today!
February 5, 2017
Jon Ryan is suffering grief after the death of his brood mate Sapale. He realises that he needs to move forward and so goes on the hunt for the other like him Uto.
Adventure abound as he gets himself kidnapped and conscripted to a pirate ship realising someone wants to take the world ships.
The story flows great and Jon is his usual humorous self to make the people around both love and want to strangle him.
Can't wait for the next book in this series Jon Ryan is my favourite spaceman.
Adventure abound as he gets himself kidnapped and conscripted to a pirate ship realising someone wants to take the world ships.
The story flows great and Jon is his usual humorous self to make the people around both love and want to strangle him.
Can't wait for the next book in this series Jon Ryan is my favourite spaceman.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews