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Why read it?

5 authors picked Halo as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

This book quickly immersed me into its alien culture, mysterious science, and surprisingly impactful character development – I was nearly an instant fan of this superbly fresh approach to interstellar combat.

I love space fiction and its myriad of conflicts arising from exploring new worlds, but apart from rare standout exceptions, I feel that a military focus weighs down a story and handicaps it with deafeningly overworn tropes.

Halo was the first military read that never left me drifting from the story because of thoughtless tropes or corny dialogue. Instead, it kept me engaged through continual mysteries, worldbuilding, and a…

I recommend this book because it can help give a reader a good idea of what to expect with the military aspect of my story. I was always a massive fan of the games and was sure to jump into the books when they were released. And I enjoyed the books just as much.

I like to think the overall franchise influenced the ideas I came up with for my battle school setting in book one and other factors pertaining to the story.

The Halo Universe is a massive, sprawling sci-fi series that many assume to be just a random sci-fi shooter franchise. The Fall of Reach acts as a prequel to the first game and to the Halo series as a whole. Focusing on the initial creation of the Spartan-II Super Soldier program, the growth of Spartan John-117 into a super soldier, and culminating in the defense of the planet he’s grown up on, The Fall of Reach serves to set the stage for the Halo franchise. I recommend picking up the reprints from 2011 or later, as it fixes many continuity…

If you love Halo...

Book cover of December on 5C4

December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

The “Halo” games are the stuff of legend and the exploits of Master Chief have grown to staggering proportions. Despite all the various forms of media, Eric Nylund’s novelization is a story worth its salt. With introspective passion, we learn the origin of John 117, and not just that, but what makes him tick. We experience the events that shaped him into Master Chief, and we feel the pain of loss for those who failed to complete the Spartan program. Each step of progression demands more of him, both physical and emotional, but how he reacts and feels makes this…

I’m a fan of the original Halo games, and this book gives the Master Chief a backstory that’s really impressive…and it’s not just his. There’s a bunch of other Spartans just like him, and it’s somewhat sad as they die off, but it explains who he is and who they are.

A lot of what you read in Fall of Reach was the inspiration for me to create the Archons. It’s also why they use the same numbering system. 

If you love Halo...

Book cover of December on 5C4

December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

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