The bestselling adaptation of the iconic video game Halo: Combat Evolved featuring the Master Chief—part of the expanded universe based on the award-winning video game series!
2552. Having barely escaped the final battle for Reach against the vast alien alliance known as the Covenant, the crew of the Pillar of Autumn, including Spartan John-117—the Master Chief—and his AI companion Cortana, is forced to make a desperate escape into slipspace. But their destination brings them to an ancient mystery and an even greater struggle. In this far-flung corner of the universe floats a magnificently massive, artificial ringworld. The crew’s only hope of survival is to crash-land on its surface and take the battle opposing the Covenant to the ground.
But they soon discover that this enigmatic ringworld is much more than it seems. Built one hundred thousand years ago by a long-lost civilization known as the Forerunners, this “Halo” is worshipped by the Covenant—a sacred artifact they hope will complete their religious quest for supposed transcendence, and they will stop at nothing to control it. Engaging in fierce combat, Master Chief and Cortana will go deep into the Halo construct and uncover its dark secret and true purpose—even as a monstrous and far more vicious enemy than the Covenant emerges to threaten all sentient life on Halo and the galaxy beyond…
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"This is the second book in the series (The Fall Of Reach was the first one) and it is stuffed to the top with action. It and the other books in this series are full of heroes and destruction. The main character is the Master Chief who is a genetically engineered human made only for war with the Covenant (A group of alien alliances). These books are great for reading when you are stuck at home and board out of your mind. Or when you have a strong craving to play the game but can't."
— Aaron (5 out of 5 stars)
“When it comes to military science fiction, William Dietz can run with the best.”
— Steve Perry, author of The Tejano Conflict, praise for the author" I THINK THAT THIS BOOK IS A SUPERB ADAPTATION OF THE GAME. WORTH READING! "
— Antonio, 1/25/2014" I couldn't even finish this. The first book in the series was amazing but this was just so incredibly boring. I was also bothered by the fact that it was written to follow EXACTLY like the game. I know that sounds kind of stupid but for example there are parts mentioning Master Chief's health bar, the ammo he has left on his HUD, and the zoom on his pistol. I don't need to spend this much time being bored to recap what happens in the game; I'll just play it. "
— Paul, 1/24/2014" Excellent book. This manages to seemlessly marry the game, game play and game narration into a gripping action packed book. It adds extra story behind the game and the chiefs missions. I enjoyed reading this book and was amazed at how good it was. "
— Grimnir, 1/18/2014" I think master chief needs more stuff to win "
— Michael, 1/12/2014" supposedly this is the second book in the series. (The Fall Of Reach was the first one). It and the other books in this series are full of action and don't have a dull sentance in them. Ok maby one or two dull sentances but they are exciting books. These books are great for reading when you are stuck at home and board out of your mind. Or when you have a strong craving to play the game but can't. "
— Nathen, 1/9/2014" A lot more action than the first novel. However, it lacks the proper military edicate. "
— Chris, 1/8/2014" This is one of the most epic Halo adventures ever to be written in a novel form other than a video game form!! "
— Scott, 1/3/2014" Another brilliant halo book read and enjoyed. This book portrays the Master Chief's (The Main Character) stuggle agains't the infectious disease known as the flood. Great Book and I do Recommend to any halo follower "
— Sebastion, 12/22/2013" A well done book cant beet a good book based of the game. "
— Stephen, 12/20/2013" Other books bring something new and good, this is simply the script of a playthough of the first game. "
— Martin, 12/18/2013" Yikes!!! This book is intense, and a bit scary. But I like it. "
— Mark, 12/17/2013" I didn't even finish this book. If you have played the game you have read this book I felt that the author did not add anything to the story. "
— Kurt, 12/8/2013" Like Buckell, this auther is much better than Nylund. I really enjoyed his sub-plots that he added to the well known story of Halo. It helped prove that Halo isn't all about the Master Cheif. "
— Nick, 6/25/2013" Violence is common among most authors, but who am I to judge others "
— Paul, 3/25/2013" This book ties directly in with the video games but with more extra info. It's great! Don't worry, you can still easily read them if you never played the games. You won't know what's coming next! "
— Kristin, 1/1/2013" A cool book that follows the game: Halo Combat Evolved to the letter. If you have played that already (as I think you should have) the only real reason to read this is to get the behind the scenes look at other groups and people. The weakest of the books in the franchise but still interesting. "
— Joe, 3/6/2012" It brought back memories of highly stressful Flood levels from Halo: Combat Evolved. "
— Grant, 10/26/2011" Not as good as the first. But still an interesting read. Not a waste of time. "
— Kelli, 8/18/2011" Who ever likes or played halo this the book for u!!!!!!!!!!!! "
— Truman, 12/27/2010" When the covenant comes and finds out there biggest fear so Spartan comes in. I also have all the game series and the books are different to the games and this is when the adventure begins "
— Keoni, 11/6/2010" These books were very nice, the flood was pretty close to the actual halo: combat evolved video game and the fall of reach was a good prequel to the series. the first strike was ok but my favorites out of the 3 were the flood and the fall of reach "
— A.j., 7/16/2010" i want to read these becouse its alll about war and i love war and ive played the halo games becouse ive played it with my cousin and i loooooove it! "
— Brady, 10/8/2009" The Nylund books were great in this collection. The other one, well, it was not so good. "
— mookie, 9/17/2009" If you love the game - you will love the books. I was excited to read these 3 and was not dissappointed. It opens up the Halo universe and makes the game even better. "
— Joey, 2/25/2009" While the background info from the books is really interesting, and I love the Halo universe, it was really painful trying to read these books. "
— Adam, 12/14/2008" based on the first game of the halo trilogy theses three books are the best, i wish they made a halo 2 and 3 but they have not so i wish they do. but other than that any body who likes the halo story line should read this box set. "
— coty, 11/2/2008" Rich and descriptive story about the plot of the video game. "
— Enaida, 6/11/2008" If you are one of the millions that play Halo, this series is a must read. Gives you the back story of Spartan 117 and how he became the Master Chief as we know him. Highly recommed it to Halo and Sci-fi fans alike. "
— Mike, 4/11/2008" I learned the enite story of Halo. I learned how he became one of the strongest warriors ever. It's a good book and if you like Halo I'd recommend you reading this book. "
— Ryan, 3/4/2008" The trilogy is easy reading. I like the game, so the books were interesting to me. I received further information about the background of the story, and I wish the author had written more. "
— Ammon, 2/27/2008" If you liked the halo video games, you should read these books. They provide more depth and storyline for the game. I liked learning more about Master Chief, who he was and where he came from. "
— Wachlin007, 2/21/2008" Bizarrely good for a book based off a video game. "
— nooker, 1/29/2008William C. Dietz is the New York Times bestselling author of more than fifty novels, including Halo: The Flood and the Legion of the Damned series. He grew up in the Seattle area, served as a medic with the navy and marines, and graduated from the University of Washington. He worked as a surgical technician, a news writer, a college instructor, a television producer, and a director of public relations for an international telephone company prior to embarking on a full-time writing career.
Todd McLaren, an Earphones Award–winning narrator, was involved in radio for more than twenty years in cities on both coasts, including Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. He left broadcasting for a full-time career in voice acting, where he has been heard on more than five thousand television and radio commercials, as well as television promos; narrations for documentaries on such networks as A&E, Discovery, and the History Channel; and films, including Who Framed Roger Rabbit?