Hammer of Darkness

By L.E. Modesitt Jr.

Book Overview

The reader's decisions will determine whether Parras Corbalin can find and rescue Lord Valentine's kidnapped son before the planet is plunged into war.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0812563220
• ISBN13: 9780812563221
• Release Date: January 1996
• Publisher: Tom Doherty Assoc Llc
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.8" x 0.8" x 4.0"

Customer Reviews

Great book

i read this originaly when i was younger and happened to find it again a definate good read.

One of his best novels!

The Hammer of Darkness is one of Modesitt's best novels. It's also one of the hardest to read and understand. It was about the third time I read the book before I realized that everything is written in the present tense. Modesitt also doesn't take the time to explain the broken dialog, the half thoughts of the characters, nor does he provide background for the characters. As a result I think many will find the narrative confusing and difficult to get through. I first purchased this novel back in 1985 or 1986. I've read it at least a dozen times and I always find something new every time I read it. Like many of Modesitts later novels, this novel deals with power, it's uses and abuses, religion, and tyranny. There are also many references to greek history and mythology that may confuse a reader if they are not familiar with those subjects. Here's the basic story with minor spoilers. The main character Martin Martel is discovered to be a full range esper. He's banished to the world of Aurore. Aurore is a unique planet with a 'energy field' that amplifies ESP. On Aurore, Martin discovers that he could be one of the 'gods', the espers that basically rule the planet. All espers fall into classes based upon the strength of their powers. Gods, demi-gods, heros, etc. Martin would rather be just a man and that sets up his confrontations with the 'gods' of Aurore. There's more, but I won't spoil it.

Personal Favorite

This book was either the first or one of the first I'd read of Modesitt's back around 1989-1990. I remember reading it once and thinking it was good...and then re-reading it and everything just sort of clicked. I remember doing atypical things as a College Student (in those days) and going to the trouble to buy another copy just to give to a friend to encourage him to read it - at the time, buying versus merely loaning was a "big thing". This story isn't Recluce although it's clearly in the same universe as all of Modesitt's stories...I believe the Recluce tie in was dropped as a ships crew that crash landed on the planet. Fuzzy on memory - think it was "Fall of Angels" that re-told the blurb and then greatly expanded it. Modesitt seems to have a fascination with Time Travel storylines such as in later books (Time Divers Dawn) and I found his versions a catch read - I was hooked to read the entire thing and didn't want to put it down. I have run out of steam on some of his series but I suspect that's because of other demands and impatience waiting for the next book to release. One day I expect to go back and catch up.

twilight of the gods

This book is not for everybody. The first time I read it I didn't like it. However, I picked it up again at a later time and read it again when my memories of my first reading had somewhat blurred. Somewhat to my own surprise I found that I really enjoyed the novel and I found much in it that I had missed when I first read it and have since read it more than twice.Martin Martel is a rebel. He fell in love with the daughter of the ruler of his planet. For this crime, and also because he was found to have high esper potential, he was exiled to "the planet of the gods, " where for all intents and purposes he became one himself. However, Martel does not believe in "gods" no matter what fancy name or titles they use and he knows that he is human and is determined to live like one despite what the other "gods" and local mortals try to force him to acknowledge. He is a stubborn man beyond all reason at times and more powerful than anyone else realizes.This book is almost abstract to read, it leaves a lot the to readers imagination, but it is also lyrical and almost poetical at times. It is my favorite book by this author. The story itself is an allegory of the fall of the gods of ancient Greece in a scifi setting, about the consequences of denying the truth of your own abilities and the risks people take in forcing action when some things are better left alone.The individual qualities of this book my be blurred if you have read much of this authors later work as his writing style has in many ways remained remarkably unchanged, and he continually explores similar themes and hero-types, but for me, this the first book of this author that I read before he become well known will always remain my favorite.

One of the Best Authors I have Ever Read!!!!!!!

This book has a bit of every thing! Magic (Psionics) Science Gods and the story of a how a man can become the God that he must be and still stay human. It also shows the truth of the saying "Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutly".