Reviews

Halo: The Flood by William C. Dietz

itcamefromthepage's review against another edition

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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? Yes

3.5

I enjoy some of the writing here, with some unique perspective from the humans, and the chief feeling more like an actual character here. 

Unfortunately the final third of this book gets bogged down in some very uninteresting action sequences. You can easily zone out after the 5th fight against hunters or the military writing style. 

Still glad I read it as it gave some extra substance to one of my favourite videogames of all time. 

Continues the trend of novelizations of first person shooters trying to fit in time for its characters to sleep.

balefulknight's review against another edition

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It's just the first game in novel form and the action scenes are pretty average.

carli096's review against another edition

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adventurous 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

3.0

aphelionconnection's review

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adventurous dark 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

2.25

sirloyne's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

ruark's review against another edition

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1.0

It’s just the first game. There is a double added perspectives but it doesn’t really add anything if you’ve played the first game don’t bother. 

fieldofhats's review against another edition

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It’s Halo: Combat Evolved in book form. It’s almost 100% action and very little interesting character interactions. The plot is fine, but it’s a video game plot. If you want to experience the story in all its glory, play the game. That’s how the story was originally meant to be consumed.

The varying perspectives are interesting in theory, but Dietz doesn’t do anything with them. And there’s this moment when one of Keyes’ officers feels shaken up by the battle situation and suggests retreat, and Keyes humiliates her in front of his whole team. She’s the only female character with any sort of agency up to that point, and she’s made to look like a fool. So if you’re wondering what other perspectives you’re missing if you don’t read this book, that’s one you’re better off missing.

And if you want Chief’s internal monologue and feelings about the whole situation, well you’re shit out of luck. Because you don’t get that here.

In short, play the game. It’s fun, one of the best Halo games.

the_at_man's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

ellalearns's review against another edition

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adventurous inspiring relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Brilliant sci-fi ☺️
You'll love it too

cjcardosa's review

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adventurous dark
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot

4.25