Ghosts of Onyx (Halo) (Mass Market Paperback)

~ Eric Nylund (Author) "John, SPARTAN-117, despite being encased in a half ton of angular MJOLNIR armor, moved like a shadow through the twilight forest underbrush..." (more)
Key Phrases: green acknowledgment lights, slipstream space, bio signs, Blue Team, Chief Mendez, Team Saber (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Continuing the saga of the award-winning Xbox™ game! 
 
The Spartan-II program has gone public. Tales of super-soldiers fending off thousands of Covenant attacks have become the stuff of legend. 

But just how many Spartans are left?

While the Master Chief defends a besieged Earth, and the myriad factions of the Covenant continue their crusade to eliminate humanity, an ultrasecret cell of the Office of Naval Intelligence known as “Section Three” devises a plan to buy the UNSC vital time. They’re going to need hundreds of willing soldiers, though . . . and one more Spartan to get the job done.

The planet Onyx is virtually abandoned and the perfect place to set this new plan in motion. But when the Master Chief destroys Halo, something is triggered deep within Onyx: Ancient Forerunner technology stirs, and fleets of UNSC and Covenant race to claim it to change the course of the Human-Covenant War.

But this reawakened and ancient force may have plans of its own  . . . 

This novel is based on a mature-rated game.    
 

Microsoft, the Microsoft Game Studios Logo, Bungie, the Bungie Logo, Halo, the Halo logo, Xbox, and the Xbox logos are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries and are used under license from owner.

           

About the Author

Eric Nylund has a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry and a Master’s degree in chemical physics. His novels include: 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, as well as Halo: The Fall of Reach and Halo: First Strike. 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: 384 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books (April 3, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0765354705
• ISBN-13: 978-0765354709
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (119 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,197 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One step closer to Finishing the Fight, November 5, 2006

By	Chris Lee Mullins (Highlands Ranch, CO) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Ghosts of Onyx (Halo) (Paperback)

As usual, Eric Nylund delivers.

Lets face it. If you are a huge Halo universe fan, 'Ghosts of Onyx' is a must-read. The games don't give you the full picture of what's going on in the Halo-verse. Without reading the books (of which there are now four), you'll never know the full story behind the genesis of the SPARTAN project, Master Chief's origin, what started the conflict between us and the Convenant or the scope of the Forerunner's domain.

And if you are like me, you were pretty annoyed with the ending of Halo 2 and MC's cryptic statement "I'm finishing this fight, sir."

'Ghosts of Onyx' brings you up to speed with what's been happening to the other SPARTAN warriors whilst MC galavants around the galaxy throwing monkeywrenches in the Covenant's plan for universal suicide. He details the creation of yet another SPARTAN unit (the SPARTAN III) from orphans left behind by our war with the Covenant. He brings back some familiar characters from his previous Halo novels (Dr. Halsey, Col. Ackerman) and continues his penchant for giving these brave SPARTAN warriors overly simplistic names like Tom, Kelly and Kurt.

If yer a Halo fan, you'll be pleased as punch. Maybe its a bad thing that to get the full picture of the Halo-verse, you simply have to read the Halo books. But hey, it'd be kinda hard to cram all of that narrative between every reload of your assault rifle. Me? I'm of the mind that anything that gets you to read is inherently good. Maybe this series will get a few kids to drop their XBox360 controllers and head to a bookstore.

This book whetted my Halo appetite, if only for a little while. Finishing 'Ghosts of Onyx', you feel as if we are one step closer to finishing the fight.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars OWNED! Action packed carnage, October 31, 2006

By	Noob_In_a_Can (charlotte, NC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ghosts of Onyx (Halo) (Paperback)

EPIC. yes yes that's the word. This book is packed with action, packed so hard that you'll trip! Picked it up yesterday and could not stop reading it. For those of you who have read the first three books, you will not be disappointed. This book will answer some key unanswered questions. Love the way Eric Nylund describes the battle/fight scenes, the intensity of fire fights and the brotherhood of SPARTANS. Stories of courage, valor and heroism from the farthest reaches of space. Rock on!
Other books you should read first or you'll be lost:
Book 1: Fall of Reach
Book 2: The Flood
Book 3: First Strike
Book 4: Ghosts of Onyx

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put it down, November 3, 2006

By	Jeffrey S. Nikoletich "HaloFanatic" (El Segundo, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Ghosts of Onyx (Halo) (Paperback)

This book is great. The action and fight scenes come to life in you mind. Eric's mastery of describing a characters emotions and thought is perfect. This is a must read for all Halo and non-Halo fans. Can not wait for the next one!