A New York Times bestseller! In the first of three official tie-in novels to the hugely successful videogame from Microsoft and Epic Games, the last human survivors of a vicious alien attack fight a pivotal battle for the fate of mankind. As kids, the three of them were inseparable; as soldiers, they would be torn apart. Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago fought alongside Dom’s elder brother Carlos at Aspho Fields in the epic battle that changed the course of the Pendulum Wars. There’s a new war to fight now, a war for mankind’s very survival. But while the last human stronghold on Sera braces itself for another onslaught from the Locust Horde, ghosts come back to haunt Marcus and Dom. For Marcus—decorated war hero, convicted traitor—the return of an old comrade threatens to dredge up an agonizing secret he’s sworn to keep. As the beleaguered Gears of the Coalition of Ordered Governments take a last stand to save mankind from extermination, the harrowing decisions made at Aspho Fields have to be relived and made again. Marcus and Dom can take anything the Locust Horde throws at them—but will their friendship survive the truth about Carlos Santiago?
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"This book offers a rich look at the world only hinted at in the Gears of War games. I found out about this book completely by accident and fell in love with it. THe only thing that I can say that comes close to being a criticism, is that the bouncing back and forth in time (indicated by headings at the beginning of relevant sections) was really confusing, right at first. But that didn't detract from a truly amazing work."
— Charlene (5 out of 5 stars)
" If you are familiar with the Gear of War video games, you will like this book. I listened to the audio book, though, and just be forewarned that it takes a bit of concentration to listen to because the story goes back and forth between 3 different time periods. Good story, though and a lot of good background info on the characters and their experiences together. "
— Krista, 2/15/2014" Was interesting. Left me wanting more pieces of the puzzle. Just didn't like the time-shifting, that could have been done a lot better. "
— Benjamin, 2/12/2014" As a standalone story this may not hold up as well than if you're a fan of the game. However, anyone who is of the latter stripe will find that the book weaves two stories about the past and present lives of Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago while bridging the gap between Gears of War 1 & 2, as well as answering some questions (and perhaps a little bit of retconning) about the universe canon. "
— Bill, 2/11/2014" Marcus and Dom are back with Dom's brother Carlos. Except their not fighting the locust their fighting rebels. While there are some post Gears of War scenes most of it is Pendulum war era. Marcus fights alongside lots of new faces and some old ones as well. With Dom as a commando and Marcus as a grunt they have two different missions to get the Hammer of Dawn blueprints. Will the get the plans or get discovered "
— Gavin, 2/1/2014" Very quick read. Good for young adults, moving fictional story and personal touches to a soldiers life. "
— Henry, 1/26/2014" This book was so well written. I want more!!!! "
— Allison, 1/24/2014" I will do this one with Mword due to trouble with adding a picture. "
— Gabriel, 1/23/2014" Great book, gives readers a good back ground to the games "
— Adam, 1/19/2014" So the Gear's Verse is something that a friend of mine got me into. The Games are amazing and I'm so glad that there are books to fill in the missing pieces and time spent waiting till the next game. Yes I am a game addict and proud of it lol. "
— Jason, 11/16/2013" Gran trabajo de Karen Traviss, no solo se encarga de ampliar un tanto el universo del juego, sino que logra llenar de personalidad a todos los personajes. "
— Tonchi, 10/29/2013" This is the best book i have ever read. I loved the storyline in this book. Its not like the video game as much. This book tells the story of Doms brother, callos. YOU HAVE TO READ IT!!!!! "
— Wyatt, 10/28/2013" As a fan of the video game series, I was intrigued when I heard there were books out to help build more background to the Gears story. I loved the first one and I hope to get around to reading the rest of the series. "
— Jason, 10/13/2013" aside from often shift of time line of story which might confuse you especially if u listen from audio book (like me) this is A MUST read for all gears fan and warmonger ; ) "
— Singtong, 8/16/2013" Good backstory to the games, truly fleshes out the characters "
— Matthew, 7/30/2013" Wow, what a great book. Really adds to the Gears universe and gives the characters a lot more depth. Plus you get more insight into why Marcus is the way he is. Also you meet a badass character, Bernie Mataki, who will be in Gears 3! "
— Felipe, 12/6/2012" Amazing story - definite must-read for any fan of the Gears series. This book really lets you get to know more about the characters you love in the game. "
— Amy-rebecca, 7/5/2012" Yep, and now I'm started on a new series. This is a well written book that gives a large amount of back story. "
— Johnny, 7/3/2012" Wow, there really is a story in the Gears franchise. The book paints a more bleak picture than the game and it does so well. It makes me wonder why there wasn't more story content in the first game. "
— Cannibalcrowley, 2/8/2012" A very good book, I love the games and the author really shows the desparation and the characterisation is first class, roll on the other books.... "
— Mike, 1/1/2012" i love gears of war and this book is a great gap filler "
— Mollify, 8/12/2011" Awesome!! Great addition to the video game storyline. "
— Stuart, 7/6/2011" Excellent book, sheds some light on the history of Marcus and Dom's relationship while filling in the gap between the first and second games. "
— Connor, 3/25/2011" The story fills in a lot of questions about the details of Delta's history and gives you an idea of why their group dynamic works the way it does, and why they tolerate guys like Baird. If you like GoW its a worthwhile addition to the depth of the universe. "
— Patrick, 2/18/2011" omg i cant i founld this book on goodreads this book is bassed on my favite game gears of war cant wait to read more books and cant wait for gears of war 3 going going to be the best game you ever seen. "
— Rafael, 2/8/2011" Wow, what a great book. Really adds to the Gears universe and gives the characters a lot more depth. Plus you get more insight into why Marcus is the way he is. Also you meet a badass character, Bernie Mataki, who will be in Gears 3! "
— Felipe, 1/20/2011" Wow, there really is a story in the Gears franchise. The book paints a more bleak picture than the game and it does so well. It makes me wonder why there wasn't more story content in the first game. "
— Cannibalcrowley, 11/23/2010" Definitely a must-read for fans of the games. Traviss' writing is immersive and gripping, giving the reader a real sense of the Gears' backstories. Can't wait to get my hands on the next 3 books of the series! "
— Allie, 10/24/2010" Great book, a real advantage to understand the upcoming videogame! <br/>The book ends with a nice cliffhanger, can't wait to read the new book (GoW : Anvil Gate) "
— Gabriel, 9/1/2010" Great book if you like the story behind the Video Game. "
— Daniel, 8/18/2010" You'd never guess a book based on Gears Of War would be any good. If you go in it thinking like that, be prepared to be blown away. This book is a damn good read. "
— Tommy, 7/25/2010" I probably would have gotten more out of it if I'd ever played the games, but it's still an enjoyable war novel. "
— Jennifer, 6/7/2010" Gran trabajo de Karen Traviss, no solo se encarga de ampliar un tanto el universo del juego, sino que logra llenar de personalidad a todos los personajes. "
— Tonchi, 5/27/2010" Amazing story - definite must-read for any fan of the Gears series. This book really lets you get to know more about the characters you love in the game. "
— Amy-rebecca, 3/29/2010" So far ive learned more about the characters then i learned in the video game it is a very intresting book and it is also includse alot of killing "
— David, 12/4/2009Karen Traviss is a screenwriter, comic book author, and a #1 New York Times bestselling novelist. She has received critical acclaim for her award-nominated Wess’har series, as well as regularly hitting the bestseller lists with her Star Wars, Gears of War, and Halo work. She was also the lead writer on the blockbuster Gears of War 3 video game. A former defense correspondent and television and newspaper journalist, she lives in Wiltshire, England.
Nan McNamara has performed on stage, television, film, and behind the microphone in voice-overs for over twenty years. Her passion is to tell good stories—no matter what the medium. Originally from St. Paul, Nan received a BA cum laude in theater.