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misakattack's review against another edition
3.0
I tend to avoid books deriving from video games. Nothing against the genre in particular, but I prefer the interactive aspect of video games and I don't see much point in READING a video game (even if it's a backstory). Anyways, back to the review. The book shed some light on the main characters of Gears Of War, particularly Marcus and Dom. However, that's about it. Aspho Fields is a nice accompaniment to the video games, but doesn't stand on its own as a novel. If you want to know the backstory of the characters, it's definitely worth a read. If you don't care and/or haven't played the games, don't bother.
inkyteacups's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The book is split into two plots: one takes place in the present - following an evacuation of supplies right after the events of the first game - as well as meeting an old Gear named Bernie who fought her way through half of Sera to get back to the COG. Bernie also served alongside Marcus and Dom's brother Carlos in Aspho Fields. Now, Dom wants to learn of the full story of how his brother had died. Even when Bernie and Marcus swore to never to this.
This makes up the second plot: the past. There we see Marcus' first day in school and as he cautiously starts to befriend a boy named Carlos Santiago and his little brother Dom. As time passes, they become brothers. This story climaxes at Aspho Fields where Carlos and Marcus are in the infantry, while Dom is in a commando unit. The very mission Carlos died in.
While Carlos is not a character to ever appear in the games, the story is set up perfectly. You automatically start to feel the bond between him and Marcus. The sense of brothers and family is natural. This makes the truth even more painful ...
As to be expected the book focuses more on the "past" than it does on the present mission. Since Carlos is the key to the story, the relationship between Marcus and him is moved towards the spotlight. Which, sadly, means that Dom and Marcus get little kid and teen bonding.
However, their deep friendship is a given anyway, and not to be questioned. This does show perfectly in the present because all Marcus had tried to do was protect Dom from the brutal truth. As well as Dom being the only person to correctly read Marcus.
Furthermore, the writing is lovely. The pacing is good and comfortable to read when on a train ride. There are fighting scenes - obviously - but instead of going for full on gore, Traviss focuses more on suspense and tight places to get out of. This gives you a novel with proper pacing, emotional aspects as well as slice and dice: the typical Gears of War recipe.
I couldn't resist to write a in-depth review, which is available on the blog
This makes up the second plot: the past. There we see Marcus' first day in school and as he cautiously starts to befriend a boy named Carlos Santiago and his little brother Dom. As time passes, they become brothers. This story climaxes at Aspho Fields where Carlos and Marcus are in the infantry, while Dom is in a commando unit. The very mission Carlos died in.
While Carlos is not a character to ever appear in the games, the story is set up perfectly. You automatically start to feel the bond between him and Marcus. The sense of brothers and family is natural. This makes the truth even more painful ...
As to be expected the book focuses more on the "past" than it does on the present mission. Since Carlos is the key to the story, the relationship between Marcus and him is moved towards the spotlight. Which, sadly, means that Dom and Marcus get little kid and teen bonding.
However, their deep friendship is a given anyway, and not to be questioned. This does show perfectly in the present because all Marcus had tried to do was protect Dom from the brutal truth. As well as Dom being the only person to correctly read Marcus.
Furthermore, the writing is lovely. The pacing is good and comfortable to read when on a train ride. There are fighting scenes - obviously - but instead of going for full on gore, Traviss focuses more on suspense and tight places to get out of. This gives you a novel with proper pacing, emotional aspects as well as slice and dice: the typical Gears of War recipe.
I couldn't resist to write a in-depth review, which is available on the blog
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, and War
Moderate: Death and Grief
Minor: Abandonment
tomdabom64's review against another edition
5.0
Heck yeah, I read it! I also cried like a baby! Yeah, that's right! You probs weren't we expecting that, were you? Neither was I! I started reading this cause it was free to read on Hoopla (free library service thingy), and I had to wait for the next credit on Audible. Many hours later, I'm confusedly sobbing as the story unfolds like I knew it would, but it's so heartbreaking that I can hardly stand it. Guys, it's pretty good! Karen Traviss takes what very well could have been a real dum story that is 89% detailed descriptions of chainsawing grubs, and creates backstory and character from characters I already liked, but to whom I had never assigned this much depth, despite it being fairly evident once the book pointed it out. Well, yes, that does make sense that Marcus is very book smart, and Cole is an endless fountain of morale for the entire squad. Sure, but...that got deep. Highly recommend. Just go for it.
P.S. it's still a Gears of War book, there are indeed some graphic descriptions of chainsawing locust troops to death, and no one holds back on the language much. It's well done, but it didn't get a shojo manga treatment either.
P.S. it's still a Gears of War book, there are indeed some graphic descriptions of chainsawing locust troops to death, and no one holds back on the language much. It's well done, but it didn't get a shojo manga treatment either.
jlsigman's review against another edition
3.0
I probably would have gotten more out of it if I'd ever played the games, but it's still an enjoyable war novel.
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