The Fall of Reach (Halo, Bk. 1) [Mass Market Paperback]

Eric Nylund (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 30, 2001

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

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

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

About the Author

Eric Nylund has a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry and a Master’s degree in chemical physics. He has published five novels: virtual reality thrillers A Signal Shattered and Signal To Noise; contemporary fantasy novels Pawn’s Dream and Dry Water (nominated for the 1997 World Fantasy Award); and the science fantasy novel A Game of Universe. Nylund attended the 1994 Clarion West Writer’s Workshop. He lives near Seattle on a rain-drenched mountain with his wife, Syne Mitchell.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Del Rey; First Edition edition (October 30, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345451325
• ISBN-13: 978-0345451323
• Product Dimensions: 4.1 x 1 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (293 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #175,434 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Eric Nylund is a New York Times bestselling and World Fantasy Award nominated author of several novels (including HALO: GHOSTS OF ONYX and DRY WATER) which have sold over two million copies.

THE RESISTERS, his latest novel for Middle Readers, is out April 2011.

Nylund is Head Writer for Microsoft Game Studios where he helps shape the intellectual property for some the world's best videogame developers.

Nylund attended the 1994 Clarion West Writer's Workshop and has a Bachelor's degree in chemistry and a Master's degree in theoretical chemical physics.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A MUST READ novel if you enjoy the game!, January 3, 2002

By 

"mackdaddie" (Fayetteville, NC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Fall of Reach (Halo, Bk. 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

The Fall of Reach is a prequel telling the story of humanity's war against a technologically superior race called the Covenant, a mysterious race on a religious crusade to destroy humanity. The story focuses on the hero of the Halo Xbox game and his fellow Spartans, enhanced human beings bred as soldiers for humanity's military and the best chance the humans have for victory in the losing war against the Covenant. The events in the book directly lead into the events in the game.

Even without playing the game, it's a pretty good book by itself. The sci-fi universe created by Bungie (the makers of the game) which Nylund expands on is detailed and believable. Nylund's descriptions of space battles and futuristic militaries are excellent, as well as his portrayals of the human military strategy and tactics while fighting against a superior enemy. The book flows well and is an easy read.

But the book is raised to a new level if you play the game alongside reading the novel. Nylund's otherwise average character development and background instead become outstanding insight into the life of the game's hero and opens your eyes to the bigger picture of the Halo universe. You become truly immersed, which makes both the book reading and video game experience that much more rich.

Sci-fi nitpickers will criticize some of the technological aspects of the Halo universe (for example, it is 500 years in the future where humans have mastered faster-than-light travel and true artificial intelligence, yet soldiers and ships still use solid ammo as their primary weapons), but those issues are minor. Nylund is still able to suspend disbelief. And it doesn't hinder the overall good story.

Overall, good book by itself. But I recommend you play the game as well. If you enjoy the game, then this novel is a must read! I can't wait until the sequel for both!

47 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars HALO IS A HELLUVA READ!, November 13, 2001

By 

Apollo Reader (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Fall of Reach (Halo, Bk. 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

I dont even play computer games but the novel intrigued me in its presentation and book cover. Now, I have heard of this game and its new system coming out and I have tried a few game/novels out and have not been impressed - UNTIL NOW! Eric Nylund's writing is great and I already have two other books from him since I read this novel. Mr. Nylund's story telling and bigger than life characters in this book make it clearly above and beyond just a game book. The story starts out with a woman named Dr. Halsey who is creating a super soldier for the future war that is coming in the guise of an alien race that seems unstoppable and unknown to earthlings in any way shape or form. Dr. Halsey and her accomplice Jacob Keyes take a dozen children from orphanages and make them into super beings thru endless surgeries, drugs, and a battle school that is far superior and secret than normal military. The leader, and main character comes from a boy/man they call number 117, or John. John is not the strongest or the fastest, but he has the mind of a leader. The reader then goes on a journey thru these poor kid's boot camp and watch them fail as well as conquer their own fears and others prejudice. This insight and character development, mixed with great action sequences is what saves this novel from being just another fast written game book for the boys. The author's writing style is made for this type of novel and it shows in every space battle as well as groundside wars as well. This novel goes thru about 25 years or so, so you get to follow the kid's growth, as well as some of the other normal humans rise and falls thru the years. The aliens are introduced slowly and revealed for who and what they are in a way that keeps the reader wanting to read more to find out - very smart! If you love military space opera with lots of great action with lots of great characters written in - then you will find that this is not just another game novel - I can't wait for the new book!

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book even if you don't play the game, November 28, 2001

By 

Chainsawash "rustygrisw" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Fall of Reach (Halo, Bk. 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

As many people have said, most books of this type (based on a game) seem to be quickly written and rather unexciting. This book is the exception to the rule. I was rather apprehensive going into this book but found myself hooked very quickly. From the training of the new breed of 'supersoldiers' to the fantastic space and ground battles this book never slows down. The characters are wonderfully well developed, the action is intense and exciting (loved the battle for Sigma Octanus), and the book as a whole is perfectly paced (you'll never say 'it was good, but slowed down a bit in the middle'). If you are planning on playing the game (I'm halfway through it myself) this book is a must read. Even if you don't plan on playing Halo but are a fan of military sci-fi action this book will satisfy. I will also be seeking out Nylunds other novels.