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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It took a bit to get going and hook me, but once it did, I really really enjoyed it! It's a YA book, so it's not everyone's cup of tea, and it pulls some punches in terms of the mortal danger Halo novels typically put their characters in, but I think it works well for the story being told and the intended audience, and I'm looking forward to Meridian Divide!
I enjoyed this one pretty well. I have to say, as a huge fan of Halo, I was not disappointed with the way familiar elements were portrayed in book form. The author was clearly knowledgeable about the series, and I didn’t really see anything that came into contradiction with established canon. If anything, the book made the Halo universe feel more intact, more real.
My only real gripes with the book are from a craft standpoint. I love that there’s now a YA series set in this world, but I almost felt the book was written with more of a middle-grade audience in mind. The plot was very straightforward, with lots of action pieces. And that’s fine, but what it lacked for me was enough subplots to make its characters really come alive. Saskia has the most potential as a complex, evolving character, and Dorian had a semblance of uniqueness. But the other two POV characters, as well as the SPARTAN Owen were almost lost in the mixture.
I just think the story was a bit too careful in terms of not trusting its audience to handle a more in-depth character study of our leads, not to mention a plot that doesn’t rely on the redundant pattern of “go on mission, regroup at house, repeat.”
Still, this was an enjoyable first entry, and I am definitely excited for the obvious sequel that will have to follow after that ending (the entire last third of the book was the most enjoyable part, with a satisfying ending that left me wanting more). I just hope all of the characters have more to lean on in the next one that just running around shooting guns and trying to keep from dying. I want to know more about who they are...both to themselves and to each other.
My only real gripes with the book are from a craft standpoint. I love that there’s now a YA series set in this world, but I almost felt the book was written with more of a middle-grade audience in mind. The plot was very straightforward, with lots of action pieces. And that’s fine, but what it lacked for me was enough subplots to make its characters really come alive. Saskia has the most potential as a complex, evolving character, and Dorian had a semblance of uniqueness. But the other two POV characters, as well as the SPARTAN Owen were almost lost in the mixture.
I just think the story was a bit too careful in terms of not trusting its audience to handle a more in-depth character study of our leads, not to mention a plot that doesn’t rely on the redundant pattern of “go on mission, regroup at house, repeat.”
Still, this was an enjoyable first entry, and I am definitely excited for the obvious sequel that will have to follow after that ending (the entire last third of the book was the most enjoyable part, with a satisfying ending that left me wanting more). I just hope all of the characters have more to lean on in the next one that just running around shooting guns and trying to keep from dying. I want to know more about who they are...both to themselves and to each other.
A well written Halo novel with an unexceptional, but still tense and exciting plot. It is simple, but it does simplicity very well, and sometimes you need that too. They can't all save the galaxy.
Even though it is listed as a young adult novel, the focus isn't too heavy on teen stuff and it just feels like 4 civilians getting caught up in a larger problem. Which was very well done. The characters are like the plot: realistic, not too out of the ordinary and relatable.
Seeing the civilian perspective on the Human Covenant war was VERY refreshing for the Halo universe, where almost everyone is a soldier or scientist for the military. (Which again the novel does very well: every character has someone close who is in the military and again this aspect is very refreshing).
All in all you won't miss anything in the large picture of the Halo story, but fresh point of view, relatable characters and a background of an important planet make it a well written, very good(relatively speaking) relaxing novel in the Halo Universe.
Even though it is listed as a young adult novel, the focus isn't too heavy on teen stuff and it just feels like 4 civilians getting caught up in a larger problem. Which was very well done. The characters are like the plot: realistic, not too out of the ordinary and relatable.
Seeing the civilian perspective on the Human Covenant war was VERY refreshing for the Halo universe, where almost everyone is a soldier or scientist for the military. (Which again the novel does very well: every character has someone close who is in the military and again this aspect is very refreshing).
All in all you won't miss anything in the large picture of the Halo story, but fresh point of view, relatable characters and a background of an important planet make it a well written, very good(relatively speaking) relaxing novel in the Halo Universe.
Imagine a PG version of Red Dawn but with the Covenant as the invasion force and the characters are playing Halo on Easy difficulty.
I enjoyed all of the Halo games and most of the Halo books that surround the Masterchief story. I was excited to see a YA book that was centered around a Spartan and not the forerunners. Great fun book, but I do wish that it had connected more to the existing universe.
Rating: B-
It's unfair to compare this to Aurora Cycle, but it gets the job done. Second half is stronger than the first. I appreciate the smaller scale of the conflict and the kids' lack of experience. (They barely escape getting killed by a single Jackal, and later a single wounded Elite.) Some of the teen drama could be annoying.
It's unfair to compare this to Aurora Cycle, but it gets the job done. Second half is stronger than the first. I appreciate the smaller scale of the conflict and the kids' lack of experience. (They barely escape getting killed by a single Jackal, and later a single wounded Elite.) Some of the teen drama could be annoying.
Pretty nice to have a look away from the main cast at the rest of the universe. Really enojyed listening to the audio book.
adventurous
emotional
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:
N/A
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
tense
fast-paced