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Summary: Customer Review of Halo: The Fall of Reach
Review: Written as a prequel to the upcoming Xbox game, Halo, you couldn't ask for a better source of background and timeline information with this book. The book borrows heavily from information known about the game, but everything is a completely original story. For example, the same enemy types that appear in Halo are frequently mentioned in the book, which gives a more profound sense of "constant struggle" between the human race and the deadly and ruthless alien species known as the Covenant. I feel this will really make the game an even more immersive experience; by reading this book, you're getting to know a lot of information that you otherwise wouldn't know while playing the game. Caught on a plotline twist or snag? Maybe if you read the book you would understand it a bit more. The book itself is very well written, and it keeps you immersed in the story page-to-page. The only thing I can really criticize is the fact that some action sequences can get a little repetitive and drawn-out (such as space battles between the humans and the Covenant). It's not enough to make you want to stop reading, though. I got this book Friday (Nov. 2nd), and finished it Sunday night (Nov. 4th), and it's well over 300 pages. That's how good it is. Of course, you may not be quite as interested in the story if you're not anticipating the game - but if you are, this is a definite must-read. I'd suggest to anyone who is looking for the best Halo experience on Xbox come Nov. 15th, get this book as soon as possible, and read the entire thing through before starting the game. I doubt a whole lot from the book will leak into the game, but you never know.
Rating:
Summary: A good book, for what it is...
Review: For those that found the game entertaining, this book offers an interesting prequel story that provides a lot of detailed background information about the Spartan supersoldiers, and the Human/Covenant war. If you got into the game's story, this book will be a fun read. It's actually not a bad sci-fi book in itself. Nothing thought provoking or revolutionary, but written intelligently enough and pretty interesting. It definitely borrows heavily from classic military sci-fi books such as Ender's Game and The Forever War and can't really compare to books of their caliber. But for a novel based on a videogame, it exceeded my expectations. The evolution and training of the Spartans was well thought out. The starship battles showed an aspect of the war that was not really covered by the game (after all, it is a first person shooter). And of course, the mysterious character of the Master Chief is fleshed out. All in all, a very worthy companion story to the HALO game that will enrich the HALO franchise. I'm actually hoping for a sequel (for both the game, and the book).
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Summary: Halo:the fall of reach
Review: This book is fantastic, not only was the language and story line exquisite but it helped me grasp a better concept of halo (Xbox game) I would suggest any fan of halo to purchase this book.
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Summary: HALO IS A HELLUVA READ!
Review: I dont even play computer games but the novel intrigued me in its presentation and book cover. Now, I have heard of this game and its new system coming out and I have tried a few game/novels out and have not been impressed - UNTIL NOW! Eric Nylund's writing is great and I already have two other books from him since I read this novel. Mr. Nylund's story telling and bigger than life characters in this book make it clearly above and beyond just a game book. The story starts out with a woman named Dr. Halsey who is creating a super soldier for the future war that is coming in the guise of an alien race that seems unstoppable and unknown to earthlings in any way shape or form. Dr. Halsey and her accomplice Jacob Keyes take a dozen children from orphanages and make them into super beings thru endless surgeries, drugs, and a battle school that is far superior and secret than normal military. The leader, and main character comes from a boy/man they call number 117, or John. John is not the strongest or the fastest, but he has the mind of a leader. The reader then goes on a journey thru these poor kid's boot camp and watch them fail as well as conquer their own fears and others prejudice. This insight and character development, mixed with great action sequences is what saves this novel from being just another fast written game book for the boys. The author's writing style is made for this type of novel and it shows in every space battle as well as groundside wars as well. This novel goes thru about 25 years or so, so you get to follow the kid's growth, as well as some of the other normal humans rise and falls thru the years. The aliens are introduced slowly and revealed for who and what they are in a way that keeps the reader wanting to read more to find out - very smart! If you love military space opera with lots of great action with lots of great characters written in - then you will find that this is not just another game novel - I can't wait for the new book!
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Summary: Best BOOK EVER!!! Intill new halo books come out
Review: This book is awesome!!!! The author put lots of details and blood into the story and talks about John (master cheifs0 and his life before the game. I wont tell you anymore because you need to buy the book!! Also if you want a fun book and impress you friends buy this book!! I cant wait intill i get the other Halo books!!! :-)
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Summary: TimeLine: for 3 HALO books
Review: Here is a quick timeline on where FAll of Reach fits in:
The Fall of Reach >>> HALO + The Flood >>>First Strike >>> HALO 2 (Nov 9th 2004)
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The Fall of Reach: Planet Reach is one of major Human Colonies and the Humans are confident that it will not fall to the Covenant. Its one of the Inner colonies and is basically second to planet EARTH. It has SUPER-MAC orbital defence guns and hundreds of UNSC ships patrol the space around planet REACH-It cannot fall...but it does.
This books introduces most of the terms and charachters, so is a must read. sort of "read this first"
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HALO (Xbox game): you have to play the game to find out what happens. Believe it or not the game has a very strong storyline to it.
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The Flood: Ok, you cannot play the game because you don't have $200 to invest, read all about it in "The Flood". This one tells you what really happens on HALO. plus a lot more...
There are things in this book that are not in the game. Also this is the only book that tells the Covenant part of the story. So you get to know Covenant Elite names, like Zuka Zamamee the Elite, Gagaw the Grunt and Yayap the Grunt.
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First Strike: After you have played the game or read "The Flood" you would want to know what happens before HALO 2. So "First Strike" fills the gap.
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HALO 2 (Xbox game): Comes out Nov 6th 2004...I hope they release a book for it.
Hope this helps
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Summary: Halo
Review: As the bloody Human-Covenant War rages on Halo, the fate of humankind may rest with one warrior, the lone SPARTAN survivor of another legendary battle . . . the desperate, take-no-prisoners struggle that led humanity to Halo--the fall of the planet Reach. Now, brought to life for the first time, here is the full story of that glorious, doomed conflict. While the brutal Covenant juggernaut sweeps inexorably through space, intent on wiping out humankind, only one stronghold remains--the planet Reach. Practically on Earth's doorstep, it is the last military fortress to defy the onslaught. But the personnel here have another, higher priority: to prevent the Covenant from discovering the location of Earth. Outnumbered and outgunned, the soldiers seem to have little chance against the Covenant, but Reach holds a closely guarded secret. It is the training ground for the very first "super soldiers." Code-named SPARTANs, these highly advanced warriors, specially bioengineered and technologically augmented, are the best in the universe--quiet, professional, and deadly. Now, as the ferocious Covenant attack begins, a handful of SPARTANs stand ready to wage ultimate war. They will kill, they will be destroyed, but they will never surrender. And at least one of them--the SPARTAN known as Master Chief--will live to fight another day on a mysterious and ancient, artificial world called Halo. . . .
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Summary: Halo "The Fall of Reach"
Review: My son used this book for a book report project at school. He loved the book so much he read the whole thing in two days. I would caution other parents that this book does have adult language,however, it was so exciting and engaging I couldnt help but love it. I will definately buy the other "Halo" books for him as well.
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Summary: This should be made into a movie
Review: This book is one of my favorites. It turned me into a big Halo fan. It is really exciting and very well written. You do not have to be a Halo fan to like this book. Its great for anyone who likes science fiction.
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Summary: Halo
Review: As a person who enjoys reading and playing video games, I think that it really is a good idea to continue the stories of our favorite games in different forms of media. Just to clue everyone in, Halo is the story of the Master Chief, a cybernetically enhanced soldier who is humanity's best chance against a collective of alien races, known as the Covenant, who are bent on destroying the human race. The first book, part one of a trilogy, tells how the Chief, as a young boy, along with other children, were abducted from their parents and trained from the age of six to be the greatest soldiers in history. Eventually, the Covenant attack Earth's various planet colonies, and the soldiers, codenamed "Spartans," are the only thing that can save humanity. This is an enthralling read, especially for fans of the game, but even those who haven't played the game will surely be pleased with this tale of hardships, sacrifice, loss, and war.
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