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penguin_emperor_of_the_north's review against another edition
Man, I don't know the last time I played Halo. Good to get back to that universe.
Anyway, the standout feature of this book was how much it just drops you into the universe. I don't know if that's a stylistic choice or a result of this being the 8th Halo book but things like how Forerunner tech works or what a war sphinx is aren't really explained (for example, war sphinx immediately makes me think of Egyptian sphinxes but when they're described as 'unfolding' I don't know how to picture that).
But a lot of the book was like that, which at times led to some really cool mental images as I worked out what was being being described but other times just made me shrug and move on after trying to picture it.
Another cool idea was the 'geas', being a kind of genetically implanted memory or response that could be triggered by given stimuli. A few characters have geases activated and it's interesting how they're suddenly dealing with memories that aren't there own or are suddenly behaving in ways they don't understand or can't control.
Finally, calling Mars 'Edom' was a nice touch and in keeping with Halo's random Biblical references. (in the Bible, the country of Edom is descended from Esau who is described as red)
Anyway, the standout feature of this book was how much it just drops you into the universe. I don't know if that's a stylistic choice or a result of this being the 8th Halo book but things like how Forerunner tech works or what a war sphinx is aren't really explained (for example, war sphinx immediately makes me think of Egyptian sphinxes but when they're described as 'unfolding' I don't know how to picture that).
But a lot of the book was like that, which at times led to some really cool mental images as I worked out what was being being described but other times just made me shrug and move on after trying to picture it.
Another cool idea was the 'geas', being a kind of genetically implanted memory or response that could be triggered by given stimuli. A few characters have geases activated and it's interesting how they're suddenly dealing with memories that aren't there own or are suddenly behaving in ways they don't understand or can't control.
Finally, calling Mars 'Edom' was a nice touch and in keeping with Halo's random Biblical references. (in the Bible, the country of Edom is descended from Esau who is described as red)
bmobley's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
slow-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
3.0
laurntiu's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
adrianduffy's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
essjay's review against another edition
Kinda mad that my oldest was like "oh, start here, you'll love this" when I know literally none of the existing storylines. Might come back after reading the earlier stuff, but also might not.
bruhmoment87's review against another edition
4.0
Like the other Halo books, this one lacks compelling characters. However, I really enjoyed this book because it deals with the Precursors, Forerunners, the Flood, and how humans and other races fit into the Halo Universe.
gryph117's review against another edition
4.0
Great beginning to the mystery of the Halo rings. I think Greg Bear did a very good job showing us the point of view from a Forerunner. I feel like he got a little too wordy and complex sometimes though.
dsty292's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
simon_'s review against another edition
1.0
Because of the way it was written, it was an incredibly difficult read. So much so that it took away any enjoyment in reading it. Too many times did I have to stop, re-read something and then guess at what was going on.
anthonybanthony's review against another edition
DNF at 66%. Technobabble exposition dump disguised as a science fiction novel. Stuff just happens and we go along with it, which is fine up to a point, but I was dismayed when I noted I was only two-thirds through. Characters are either complete weirdos (not in a good way) or ciphers.