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fontofstrife30's review
adventurous
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book was riveting. I didn't know how much to expect from a book based on a video game but Joseph Staten killed it. I want to interview this author about his process. The pacing was insane it keeps me glued to the book. 386 pages ain't nothing for these plots. Somehow this man beautifully wrapped up time, space, character, theme, and sympathy for his characters as well as a Fukushima drive does deep space slips. I was astounded. I can't wait to read the next one and I'm a little sad he didn't write all the halo books on the market.
I was rooting for every character on every side. This man...this man is king of his craft. The plot was deeply well crafted, somehow exploring the perfect stars have aligned mistakes of sensible character flaws from a diverse group of aliens. And the humans are aliens in some parts of this book!
The cultural descriptions are incredible, the world building is insane. Not one part of the world building didn't also drive the plot. Every single part of this story was so beautifully in sync. Literally, blown away.
I was rooting for every character on every side. This man...this man is king of his craft. The plot was deeply well crafted, somehow exploring the perfect stars have aligned mistakes of sensible character flaws from a diverse group of aliens. And the humans are aliens in some parts of this book!
The cultural descriptions are incredible, the world building is insane. Not one part of the world building didn't also drive the plot. Every single part of this story was so beautifully in sync. Literally, blown away.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence, and War
wonderbreadhero's review
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
wyrmbergmalcolm's review against another edition
4.0
This was a pretty good prequel to the series that sets up the events leading to the Human Covenant War. The book is a bit of a slow burn with the kick off, so to speak, taking place in the final few chapters. The lead up to it was good, though, and it was nice seeing it also from the Prophet's side and how the great lie came about.
It does help to have played the games and have some understanding of the lore, but this is an entertaining book regardless.
It does help to have played the games and have some understanding of the lore, but this is an entertaining book regardless.
whdesigns's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
echoesofwinter's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
This is book 8 of the 12 books for 12 months recommended by friends.
I never.. expect too much when it comes to books from video games. Boring, line-for-line of the game, not-canon, makes no sense, or all of the above is what you usually get from them.
This wasn't one of those. It was good.
Not my favorite, but it was an enjoyable read. The characters were interesting. Had me rooting for more than one side.
Sif and Mack were my favorite characters. :]
I never.. expect too much when it comes to books from video games. Boring, line-for-line of the game, not-canon, makes no sense, or all of the above is what you usually get from them.
This wasn't one of those. It was good.
Not my favorite, but it was an enjoyable read. The characters were interesting. Had me rooting for more than one side.
Sif and Mack were my favorite characters. :]
graff_fuller's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
There was a lot good about this story, but there was also an equal amount of things that frustrated me...while reading this story.
This is a prequel...and we get to see the beginning of the nightmare of the Covenant and what they do...when they want a planet...even though the humans on the planet are not doing anything wrong, but just existing. The Covenant does NOT care.
So, it was sad to watch the naive human government of the planet Harvest...when dealing with the Covenant.
The people that survived this first encounter...are people that we know and love.
What we hadn't known up till now, was ALL the people that died...to forge these heroes.
It was also interesting to peak behind the curtain and watch the different races and characters that inhabit the Covenant, but that in turn also made them more relatable in a weird way. We are NOT supposed to know WHY they do what they do...so, in learning it, it made them less terrifying, but more stupid IMO.
I think it would've been better to leave THAT mystery within the heads of the readers...to always want to know, but to be shut out. Oh, well...cat's out the bag now.
Overall I'm still enjoying my time in this world/universe.
This is a prequel...and we get to see the beginning of the nightmare of the Covenant and what they do...when they want a planet...even though the humans on the planet are not doing anything wrong, but just existing. The Covenant does NOT care.
So, it was sad to watch the naive human government of the planet Harvest...when dealing with the Covenant.
The people that survived this first encounter...are people that we know and love.
What we hadn't known up till now, was ALL the people that died...to forge these heroes.
It was also interesting to peak behind the curtain and watch the different races and characters that inhabit the Covenant, but that in turn also made them more relatable in a weird way. We are NOT supposed to know WHY they do what they do...so, in learning it, it made them less terrifying, but more stupid IMO.
I think it would've been better to leave THAT mystery within the heads of the readers...to always want to know, but to be shut out. Oh, well...cat's out the bag now.
Overall I'm still enjoying my time in this world/universe.
altoid's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
It's exactly what you would expect. Good world building and solid storytelling.