Reviews

Halo: First Strike by Eric S. Nylund

coopercodes's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted fast-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

4.25

I just love how these books a quick and snappy, there’s no boring bits, it’s just one impossible mission to the next with no time to blink inbetween.

The pulpy nature of these books aside, the story of religious aliens using more powerful technology to try wipe out the human race from the planet because they see us as a scurge, is handled pretty well.

It’s good reading

jrod_62's review

adventurous hopeful medium-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? No

4.0

Solid edition to the Halo universe, picking up immediately after Halo: CE and taking us right to the beginning of Halo 2. The story was slightly less compelling than The Fall of Reach but still interesting enough. Character focus was done well, and I felt that I understood who the characters were and what they felt better than in the first novel. We got more humanization of the Spartans, limitations of Cortana, a solid supporting cast, and critical decision-making (outside of battle strategy) from Chief. I look forward to diving into the wider universe after this book.

graff_fuller's review against another edition

challenging dark hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I really enjoyed this story, though...towards the end...I felt it was a little long in the tooth.

I'm glad that most of this story is with Master Chief...where I think it should be. Glad that we got Dr. Halsey back...and that NOT all the Spartans are dead. That was a MASSIVE bummer for me in book two. 

I do not trust the Admiral in this book. I felt he was incompetent and did so many stupid moves.

Really worried about Captain Keyes. I will not believe he is actually dead...till we have his body (sorry), not going to fall for that move (again).

Most of the story is in 2552...with a small period of time when the Spartan were training (very small section).

I am now invested into this story, and am looking forward to picking up the next story. I really love the worldbuilding and want to see how they save Earth, for that is the biggest worry IMO.

xeno2318's review

adventurous dark 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? No

3.75

readingsaxophone's review

adventurous tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

5.0

afesant's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

blindchoice's review

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

3.25

thurminator's review

5.0

Eric Nylund is an absolutely incredible author. This and The Fall of Reach are not just interesting Halo books, but phenomenal works of fiction that could easily interest someone who has never even heard of Halo. This was no exception, answering every question I had about the events between Halo 1 and 2. The characters were awesome, the plot was compelling, and I have no complaints whatsoever. This book, written in 2003, sets up plot elements for the series up to 8 years later. Easy 5 stars.

chogangoof's review

4.0

This book was absolutely amazing. I don't think it's quite at a "masterpiece" level, but it's very impressive. This book isn't all that action-based like the last one and has a lot of cool narrative things going on. This book tells a really well handled dual-narrative that works wonderfully. It's also nice that this isn't just a page adaptation is Halo 2 like how The Flood was to Halo: CE. The character work was also shockingly good. This is a great book that will keep you invested the whole way through.

damreader's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful medium-paced

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

4.5