Twilight at the Well of Souls (Saga of the Well World, #5) by Jack L. Chalker

Twilight at the Well of Souls (Saga of the Well World, #5) Reviews

• 
  Phil

  This finishes up the second story arc of the Saga of the Well Worlds, but Chalker later added several to the Saga a few decades or so later. The subtitle of this is The Legacy of Nathan Brazil which is apt, as the entire point/plot of this involves trying to get Nathan Brazil to the Well to 'reset' the universe to fix the rent in space the Com opened up in their war with the strange aliens from the last installment. The inhabitants of the Well World are rather mixed about this, however. While they know if the rent is not fixed, it will mean the end of the Well World eventually, they also know that if it is 'reset', then half of them will be the colonists on new worlds, so selfishly, many decide to stop Brazil...
  
  This really follows in the footsteps of prior installments as various strange aliens coalesce into 'pro' and 'anti' Brazil camps, with just about as many trying to help Nathan as those opposing him, so Nathan has to resort to some deep intrigue to slip into the Well World and all kinds of trickery to actually get to the Well itself. Chalker treats us to some rather ham fisted speculations on the meaning of life, human motivations/nature, as well as religion; he has done this in previous volumes, but it really features here because if Nathen does the 'reset', the existing universe will end and all life with it (except for the Well World itself). Mavra plays a prominent role here, but Nathen is largely in the shadows until the denouement. Good pulpy fun, but not great; this series got a little tired as it went on, but I liked the ending so I could put up with a little slog along the way. 2.5 stars, rounding up!
• 
  Scott

  Although the books in this series are fairly consistent, I'm not sure the follow-ups really add anything to the original concept. In fact this last installment wipes out any mystery surrounding Nathan Brazil and the Well World. Midnight at the Well of Souls was originally intended as a singular novel, and Chalker only wrote more because of popular demand. I'd recommend just reading that one, and leaving any unanswered questions to your imagination.
• 
  Jacob Guy Segalov

  An appropriate ending for this space opera. As always with Chalker, fast pace. A little repetitive (could be deliberate, reflecting on previous books in the series). The last scene is weird, not compiling with the character's arc.
  Not the deepest series (although there are attempts at philosophical and religion thoughts), But easy read and great 80's fun.
• 
  Margaret Russell

  Had no idea this was a series. Read the first book decades ago and then came across the final book in the series at a funky bookstore containing piles and piles of old books in Vancouver BC. Probably should have read the previous 3 in the series and maybe brushed up on the story’s premise. Still held my interest in the many types of creatures that lived on Well World.
• 
  Brandi Vawter

  I have loved this series my whole life. I've read it through several times when I was younger. Now though I realize how Chalker did Mavra dirty. She's dumbed down a bit in this book which doesn't suit her personality as was established earlier in the series. She lost her grittiness. It was alright and was an interesting end to the saga.
• 
  Nathan

  Very good series of books. One of those that really makes you think.
• 
  Serge Fjetland

  an interesting piece of Sci-Fi, set in a world where computer can rule all, the storytelling bumps around as the character move through zones...
• 
  Lijadora del Prado

  Excelently readable guilty pleasure SF.
  The universe is rebooted. In six days. At the seventh day Nathan Brazil and Mavra Chang rest
• 
  Jay DeVine

  Really enjoyed re-reading this whole series. Held up very well over 40 years.
• 
  Debra Harrison

  The end of the storyline about Nathan Brazil and the well World. There are 2 more books in the series that take place after brazil "refreshes" the universe. This is an excellent series!
• 
  Rubén

  So many conflicting feelings about how it ended, and the possible retcons it made. Some of it worked so well though.
• 
  Ben Brommell

  A good conclusion to the arc begun the book prior, though bogged down a little by a lot of exposition and preachy philosophy towards the end.
• 
  Roxanne

  I found this pretty satisfying. I think I'm probably done with this series, though--apparently there are two more Well World books, and then a spin-off trilogy with Nathan Brazil and Mavra Chang far in the future, but I'm just not interested. This book wrapped it up well enough for me, although I was disappointed that, as soon as Brazil and Mavra got into the control room, we didn't hear anything more about the other characters. We spent a lot of time getting attached to Ortega, Marquoz, and Gypsy, and with the big reveal of Gypsy's true identity, I would have liked some closure as to what ultimately happened to them before Brazil and Mavra headed off into the cosmos. Still, a solid book.
• 
  Jim Razinha

  [2020] Yeah, I have to finish a bunch of other books, but I couldn't leave the second half of Nathan Brazil's Return hanging! Boosting it a star, because my system has evolved in the past eight years. Now, to those other books before I stumble into another Well Gate!
  
  [2012]The storytelling is excellent. Still scratching the head as to how he made mistakes in his own series...especially a planned sequel (the descriptions of a main character at the end of Nathan Brazil and the start of this one differ).
• 
  Jim

  A fantastic conclusion to the Well World series. Mysteries that have lingered since the first book are revealed, and the whole thing is brought to an emotionally resonant conclusion. The Well World combines epic scope with believable character study. I would recommend this to anyone who likes their sci-fi strange and wonderful.
• 
  Kevin Driskill

  This is the series by Chalker that everyone asked me about. I had read his work extensively before trying it and I understand why they asked. It is an amazing adventure that brings together the stories everyone has heard. It explain almost everything you believe. It is glaringly iconoclastic but an entertaining fiction for sure.
• 
  Mark Palmer

  I enjoyed this book, although I felt the ending was a bit over the top. I also thought that some elements of the story were not adequately explained (this is consistent with a few other series by Chalker).
• 
  Allison

  great so far.
• 
  Doris

  Shows that social injustice and prejudice are pretty universal.
• 
  Aaron Anderson

  See Midnight At The Well of Souls, for my discussion of this series.
• 
  SciFiOne

  Grade B. Book Ws5.
• 
  Sarah Hanson vargas

  A predictable conclusion to the Well of Souls saga, and far too religious for a good sci-fi read. A decent story that wraps up loose ends, but I would have preferred to be surprised by the ending.
• 
  Bookworm01

  See "Midnight at the Well of Souls" for review.
• 
  Jeannine Covan

  Love the series....... Started my love of sci-fi
• 
  Timothy Boyd

  If you love aliens and alien culture in SiFi stories then this series is for you. Great story and characters. Very recommended