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A review by larry1138
Halo: First Strike by Eric S. Nylund
5.0
Eric Nylund is back to provide a thrilling end to the trilogy!
I typically try not to put spoilers into my reviews but after writing for a bit, I realize that even simple plot points will have some spoiler info in them. Spoiler alert from this point on for those who want to go in as blind as possible, though I will try to limit them! Check back at the end for the concluding recommendation!
.
.
.
In a nutshell, this book basically explains how Master Chief, Cortana, and Sergeant Johnson are alive in the opening cutscenes of Halo 2. In detail, Nylund provides the reader with closure on several important developments on Cortana, the fate of Master Chief, and even the status of Reach.
The particular strengths of this book lie once again in Nylund's action scenes whether they be on the ground or in space. There are a few thrilling curveballs in there to spice things up a little (and to provide Master Chief and Cortana, and the rest of the surviving humans a fighting chance).
For one, Forerunner technology shows off its weirder side in this book. Though Halo itself may have been Forerunner, that was a mere superweapon. The artifact discovered on Reach bends time and space itself, defying laws of physics and making life generally difficult for everyone.
Cortana shows off her hacking skills in this book a lot. It is not hyperbole to state that in this book, Cortana's ability to hack Covenant technologoy allowed her to solve some of the greatest mysteries of physics and space travel. Nylund doesn't make her too overpowered, however. She is overburdened by the information obtained from her time on Halo, much of her processing power dedicated to storage. She makes mistakes and becomes erratic at times. This vulnerability is quite new for the reader and adds a hint of danger to Cortana's usually unopposed activities.
It's not just Cortana that gets spotlight. Other characters get plenty of page time too, including many that the reader thought to be dead two books ago. I won't spoil exactly who besides Chief, Cortana, and Johnson (as stated earlier), but rest assured old and new characters alike add value to the story.
The book then culminates in the ultimate suicide mission, arguably less expansive than taking out Halo but through Nylund's writing style, no less important or thrilling. This "First Strike" gives the reader a quick glance at what is to come in Halo 2. New species, weapons, and characters are introduced in the final pages that make the ending bittersweet for both reader and gamer.
Spoilers End
.
.
.
For the life of me, I do not understand why novelizations of Halo 2 or 3 don't exist. This book leaves off at a perfect ending for Halo 2 to begin. Perhaps transferring those shooters into books might have been difficult. Perhaps the problems are more political or business related. Whatever the case, it is a shame that readers have this critical void in their timeline.
I find it difficult to even imagine a reading experience in Halo that will be as good as this one. The Fall of Reach was an amazing introduction to the Halo universe, The Flood was a perfect recreation and expansion of the game, and First Strike was a thrilling, high-stakes finale. Both Eric Nylund and William Dietz should be commended for putting together a trilogy that basically flows seamlessly from one book to the next. Both have an excellent talent at writing military sci-fi, and the result is a trilogy that is entertaining no matter how many times you read it.
A high recommend from me for First Strike, and a high recommend for the whole trilogy!
I typically try not to put spoilers into my reviews but after writing for a bit, I realize that even simple plot points will have some spoiler info in them. Spoiler alert from this point on for those who want to go in as blind as possible, though I will try to limit them! Check back at the end for the concluding recommendation!
.
.
.
In a nutshell, this book basically explains how Master Chief, Cortana, and Sergeant Johnson are alive in the opening cutscenes of Halo 2. In detail, Nylund provides the reader with closure on several important developments on Cortana, the fate of Master Chief, and even the status of Reach.
The particular strengths of this book lie once again in Nylund's action scenes whether they be on the ground or in space. There are a few thrilling curveballs in there to spice things up a little (and to provide Master Chief and Cortana, and the rest of the surviving humans a fighting chance).
For one, Forerunner technology shows off its weirder side in this book. Though Halo itself may have been Forerunner, that was a mere superweapon. The artifact discovered on Reach bends time and space itself, defying laws of physics and making life generally difficult for everyone.
Cortana shows off her hacking skills in this book a lot. It is not hyperbole to state that in this book, Cortana's ability to hack Covenant technologoy allowed her to solve some of the greatest mysteries of physics and space travel. Nylund doesn't make her too overpowered, however. She is overburdened by the information obtained from her time on Halo, much of her processing power dedicated to storage. She makes mistakes and becomes erratic at times. This vulnerability is quite new for the reader and adds a hint of danger to Cortana's usually unopposed activities.
It's not just Cortana that gets spotlight. Other characters get plenty of page time too, including many that the reader thought to be dead two books ago. I won't spoil exactly who besides Chief, Cortana, and Johnson (as stated earlier), but rest assured old and new characters alike add value to the story.
The book then culminates in the ultimate suicide mission, arguably less expansive than taking out Halo but through Nylund's writing style, no less important or thrilling. This "First Strike" gives the reader a quick glance at what is to come in Halo 2. New species, weapons, and characters are introduced in the final pages that make the ending bittersweet for both reader and gamer.
Spoilers End
.
.
.
For the life of me, I do not understand why novelizations of Halo 2 or 3 don't exist. This book leaves off at a perfect ending for Halo 2 to begin. Perhaps transferring those shooters into books might have been difficult. Perhaps the problems are more political or business related. Whatever the case, it is a shame that readers have this critical void in their timeline.
I find it difficult to even imagine a reading experience in Halo that will be as good as this one. The Fall of Reach was an amazing introduction to the Halo universe, The Flood was a perfect recreation and expansion of the game, and First Strike was a thrilling, high-stakes finale. Both Eric Nylund and William Dietz should be commended for putting together a trilogy that basically flows seamlessly from one book to the next. Both have an excellent talent at writing military sci-fi, and the result is a trilogy that is entertaining no matter how many times you read it.
A high recommend from me for First Strike, and a high recommend for the whole trilogy!