Halo: Ghosts of Onyx: Ghosts of Onyx

by Eric S. Nylund

Book Overview

The New York Times bestseller--part of the expanded universe based on the award-winning video game series Halo The twenty-sixth century. Once considered clandestine, the Spartan-II program has now... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0765315688
• ISBN13: 9780765315687
• Release Date: October 2006
• Publisher: Tor Books
• Length: 383 Pages
• Weight: 0.54 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.7" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Review of Halo

"Spartans never die?" she whispered. Dr. Halsey swiveled out of the contour chair and pushed the monitors out of her way with sudden violence. "If only that was true." For those who have never picked up a Halo book before, Dr. Halsey is the person who made the first Spartans. Spartans are literally the best of the best, because they are genetically cloned and are given very severe military training at a very young age. Did I also forget to mention that after that they go through highly severe surgery to help induce bone density, adolescence, muscle strength, and anything else that can make a warrior better. After that, they are also given chemicals that also help in those areas. The military uses Spartans as elite warriors to help fight the Covenant. The Covenant is a mixture of alien species ruled by their prophets and they are technologically superior and their troops are physically imposing. Also, they are intent to wipe out the human race. But this book is about how the military took a Spartan out of active duty and sent him to the planet Onyx to train the new generation of Spartans with the help of Chief petty officer Mendez, (he also helped train the original Spartans). After the first wave of candidates finished their training, they were sent on a highly dangerous mission and the mission succeeded but only 2 of the 300 Spartans survived. It was considered a victory. So the Spartan in charge then got those two Spartans to help train the new ones. But the same exact thing happened with the next generation of Spartans and this time there were no survivors. So the Spartan in charge changed the chemical mixture slightly so that the third wave will survive. I personally considered this book one of the greatest books I've ever read. I mean even the boring parts were good. Also the theme of this book I thought was survival. I think this because there were many parts that talked about war and invasion. There were also many separate kinds of perspectives that made it so that you could see just enough of the big picture to be willing to turn the next page. I think that this was best use of money I've seen in a while (the first was Halo 1 the game). I mean I could see no fault in this book. So I give it a perfect grade, five stars, two thumbs up, A+, and any other symbol that means awesome.

The best put together & presented story I've ever read - literally

Honestly what can I say that already hasn't been said about this book? The writing is superb. Anybody remotely thinking about passing on this one because its major connection to a videogame property should think twice. This is exactly the type of book that after you read you wish you are alive long enough for there to be a movie on the exact same subject matter you just finished reading or if that is too out of reach you atleast want as many people to read it as possible so they can (like you) understand just how great a piece of work it truly is. This is coming from someone that has never touched any of the Halo Novels, but I'm thoroughly impressed and because of this I plan to go back and read the previous entries into the series by Eric Nylund. You get a take on the story from so many different perspectives its the complete package. You get to experience the story from the perspective of the Spartans, various UNSC ships and troops, Covenant, the genius that is Dr. Halsey.. just there is an all around variety to this book that I love. Now after becoming so impressed with what was happening with a specific group of characters naturally you'll be a bit disappointed when they go away from that group and start concentrating on another group, but as you read it becomes more clear as to why the author chose to present you with their perspective and you'll come to appreciate their inclusion. This book will get you to care about the characters and what is going on the universe. this book firmly puts Halo up there with the best of them if there were any doubts before. The Halo universe can be just as popular if not more so than the likes of Star Wars. It really does feel fresh, interesting and new. When I say this book will get you care about the characters and everything going on around them I really do mean that. Without spoiling too much there is one character in particular that will leave you in awe and command your utmost respect and that is Kurt. I may have singled him out, but that doesn't mean there wont be many other characters that you find yourself thoroughly impressed by, but Kurt's character will blow you away. This book is vivid, emotional and full of action. If there is anyone out there that is remotely interested in the games they'd be a complete fool to not read this book. I know there are some people that don't like to read, but I firmly believe that after reading this book it will be the catalyst that convinces you that books are just as entertaining if not more so than television. This in my opinion is a great book and when a book is very well written there are things that you can get from a book that you can't get from a game or television and sometimes its the very simple practice of seeing how a writer describes what is going on in a scene of their book that really sells the vision to you tenfold and its so well done that at so many critical points during your reading you just have to stop and tell someone aro

One step closer to Finishing the Fight

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.

Couldn't put it down

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!

OWNED! Action packed carnage

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