|
| The Fall of Reach (Halo, Bk. 1) | 
 enlarge | Author: Eric Nylund
Publisher: Del Rey
Category: Book
List Price: $7.99
Buy Used: $0.01
You Save: $7.98 (100%)
New (41) Used (121) from $0.01
Avg. Customer Rating:  251 reviews
Sales Rank: 51127
Media: Mass Market Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 352
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 6.7 x 4.2 x 1
ISBN: 0345451325
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780345451323
ASIN: 0345451325
Publication Date: October 30, 2001
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Help save a tree. Buy all your used books from Green Earth Books. Read -> Recycle -> Reuse!
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
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. . . .
Bungie, Halo, Xbox, and the Xbox Logos are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Used under license. (c) 2001 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 246 more reviews...
 Amazing, Remarkable, "Edge of Your Seat" Gripper November 15, 2008
My rating is 1 being the worst 10 being the best, 112. That's not a typo. This story is a grabber and could cause you to read it in one night! Yes, it's that amazing. That has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that I like the games. This story is way better than the story of halo 1,2, and 3.
Astoundingly Good September 16, 2008
You'd think that a prequel book written for a videogame would not have a very solid storyline. This couldn't be further from the truth. Eric Nylund paints a vivid picture of the Halo universe which centers around the Master Chief's life. He begins the story with "John" as a 6 year old boy. John is found to be a suitable candidate for the Spartan II program as he is physically and mentally superior to average children. In fact the first quarter or third of the book chronicles his life in this secretive super soldier Spartan program. His first combat experience occurs at the tender age of eight years old. Nylund quickly establishes the UNSC jargon. Everything you see in the game including the specifics of: the rounds used, types of weapons, both Covenant and human, vehicle names and descriptions, some of the science involved, the details about the legendary suit (which is actually the fourth incarnation)"The Chief" wears as well as how he acquired the energy shield surrounding it. The infrastructure and protocol of the Navy is also very well done.
Please stop reading if you don't want spoilers!!!
What is most impressive about the book is the psychology involved. Not only the thoughts of The Chief, but all the people he interacts with as well play into the vibrant plotline in The Fall of Reach. The Spartan II program kidnapped the children they used for training and replaced them with clones. So in a way the Spartans were John's family. Because of this his commanding officer (Chief Mendez) was like his father and even later on in the book he goes back to what Petty Officer Chief Mendez told him throughout his training. When he first talks to Captain Keyes, Keyes says "There are more important things than winning, son." John wonders what is more important than winning. Even at 42 and decades of combat experience, the Chief ponders what could be more important than winning. It also shows he still is a human inside that suit of armor.
In the beginning there were over 100 Spartan soldiers, but at 14 modifications were made to every one of them and around half died. Many of John's dear friends were permanently mangled. He of course took to the enhancements well, which increased his strength many times over, reinforced his skeletal structure, lowered his reaction time and subsequently took him one step further to becoming THE Master Chief.
The action sequences are also very well done and keep you captivated constantly. Each of the major characters in the game is also brought into the mix. Commander Keyes at first is the commanding officer on the Iriquois. Dr. Halsey - who isn't in the game, but is the Doctor who started the Spartan program and is the closest thing John has to a mother - is where the book starts out. The book is just a brilliant example of when the writer created a whole universe instead of a story. It almost appears as if Halo: Combat Evolved took it's story from Eric Nylund. I will be reading more of his books.
I was pleasently surprised August 2, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
In the terms of a direct videogame adaptation that is hands down the best I have ever read and that's saying something I didn't think anything could beat the Warcraft books. Its really great how the author fleshes out the personalities of each of the characters. In spite of that the book reads fairly quickly.
Overall-I had never heard of this author before but he is very good.
 Actually pretty good? July 31, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Cobra was the first of a series about medically "improved" warriors. In this book the plot also involves wars in space that remind one of Invaders from the Infinite which is one of the oldest space operas from the 30's. Earth is behind in a war with an Alien confederation/ society and must come up with new weapons fast or have all their planets "glassed". This book is obviously a serial type of
wars in space with a hero who is "designed" to be a deadly killer.
Dark Angel - The Complete Series is about a girl much like John 117 in this novel, but done better? Eric Nylund has done pretty good on a writing "contract" here, but it could have been better.
Very Impressed! Learn about the man behind the armor...and then some! April 27, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I had reservations about reading this book. Was this truly a good book to read or was all the great reviews on this site just fluff from Halo fans? Would reading this take the mystique away from the legendary Master Chief?
I just finished reading the e-book format on my Palm Z22 PDA and all I can say is WOW! WOW! WOW! This story blew me away!
Not only was this a fantastic book to read, it was incredibly well done and Master Chief is as legendary as ever. I was pleased to be able to put a human face on Master Chief in my imagination and know that it did not spoil who MC is or what he's all about - it only made him more respectable. I am in as much awe of John 117 (aka Master Chief) out of armor just as much as he is in armor. Kudos to the author for pulling this off in this very well written book.
I'm ready for the next book in the series!
|
|
|
Copyright
©
2006 Adminpal LLC | |
