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theeternaldodo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
absurtiddy's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
brandonhickey's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
nooker's review
4.0
Great origin story of Sgt. Johnson. Also very topical with the insurrection that he's fighting at the beginning. Neat to see the origin of the minor character of Jenkins who makes an appearance in Halo: Combat Evolved. No Spartans in this one, but it does not suffer for it.
PARENTAL WARNING! There is a sex scene at the very end. While not terribly graphic or anything, it is obvious what's going on. It was the last 5 min in the epilogue on the audio version. If you miss it, it's not that bad, they actually care about each other.
PARENTAL WARNING! There is a sex scene at the very end. While not terribly graphic or anything, it is obvious what's going on. It was the last 5 min in the epilogue on the audio version. If you miss it, it's not that bad, they actually care about each other.
robliophile's review
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.0
Part of my 2021-2022 Halo Timeline-order read-a-thon series.
Joe Staten's foray into the novelization of Halo came at a great time in the series: With Halo 3 well on its way and the extended universe (EU) having covered everything else from pre-first contact to the end of the war, it was time to delve into how the Human-Covenant War all began.
To Joe's credit, multiple lenses are cast on the start of the war: An Unggoy (the lowest caste of the Covenant's hierarchical empire) whose deep faith is challenged in the face of the discovery of humankind; a clever and enterprising tribe of Jiralhanae well-positioned to set history; the politically fraught heart of the Covenant Empire as seen through the eyes of its to-be leaders; and most importantly, the human and A.I. characters who are the staple of most of Halo's EU, who shepherd us through those uncertain early days of first contact.
The read is engaging and rewarding for both lore enthusiasts and character-driven readers alike, and although I have read this book multiple times, it is always a pleasure to return to.
Joe Staten's foray into the novelization of Halo came at a great time in the series: With Halo 3 well on its way and the extended universe (EU) having covered everything else from pre-first contact to the end of the war, it was time to delve into how the Human-Covenant War all began.
To Joe's credit, multiple lenses are cast on the start of the war: An Unggoy (the lowest caste of the Covenant's hierarchical empire) whose deep faith is challenged in the face of the discovery of humankind; a clever and enterprising tribe of Jiralhanae well-positioned to set history; the politically fraught heart of the Covenant Empire as seen through the eyes of its to-be leaders; and most importantly, the human and A.I. characters who are the staple of most of Halo's EU, who shepherd us through those uncertain early days of first contact.
The read is engaging and rewarding for both lore enthusiasts and character-driven readers alike, and although I have read this book multiple times, it is always a pleasure to return to.
lennartvn's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
chloecantread's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book back in middle school... it was the first book I read that had sex in it LMAO
chloecantread's review
4.0
I read this book back in middle school... it was the first book I read that had sex in it LMAO
adelaidemetzger_robotprophet's review
1.0
Terrible story! Terrible intentions! Terrible book! Sure the writing was okay, and it is essential if you truly want to dig into how the war with The Covenant started, but--UGH! I couldn't stand it! Definately not my favorite!!