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A review by medea_jade
Halo: The Fall of Reach by Eric S. Nylund
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
I’ve now read this book three times and enjoyed it just as much each time. I think having played the games helps with this and more recently having the visuals from the Halo tv series really adds to the experience.
The training of the Spartans reminded me a little of Ender’s Game. I like sci-fi war stories so that also adds to my high rating of the book. But it’s also just a fast paced and easy to breeze through book that’s exciting if you’ve played Halo.
I do wish there had been more focus on the Master Chief and stronger character development, however, at the time this was written the Master Chief was still intended very much as a blank slate for the player to write themselves onto. No emotions, no ethical dilemmas, no questions; just a solider that we get to be. I think the writers wanted to maintain that illusion and I like that I get to apply my own feelings to the character. It’s not something your often get in a book. I’m sure I’ll read it again some day.
The training of the Spartans reminded me a little of Ender’s Game. I like sci-fi war stories so that also adds to my high rating of the book. But it’s also just a fast paced and easy to breeze through book that’s exciting if you’ve played Halo.
I do wish there had been more focus on the Master Chief and stronger character development, however, at the time this was written the Master Chief was still intended very much as a blank slate for the player to write themselves onto. No emotions, no ethical dilemmas, no questions; just a solider that we get to be. I think the writers wanted to maintain that illusion and I like that I get to apply my own feelings to the character. It’s not something your often get in a book. I’m sure I’ll read it again some day.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail