The Cole Protocol (Halo) by Tobias S. Buckell
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Book Reviews of The Cole Protocol (Halo)
Book Review: Not Up to Par
Summary: 3 Stars
I have read each of the Halo novels prior to this one, and although I appreciate Buckell's efforts to carry on the Halo legend, I must say that this particular work somewhat disappointed me. Granted, when "The Powers that Be" decided to let not one, not two, not three, but FOUR authors pen the Halo series, they were asking for trouble. I digress; I suppose the greatest disappointment with the book was the lack of detail. Or perhaps it was the complete departure from the style of the other books. Or maybe it was the sullying of the Spartans' good names by breathing life into three "Spartans" that were utterly dissimilar from everything instilled in the readers' minds about Spartans in the other novels. It could have been the fact that although a plethora of characters were introduced, Buckell made no appreciable attempt to establish an emotional bond between the reader and the characters. Nylund and Staten expertly achieved such a bond in some of the other novels, but after reading "The Cole Protocol" I was left feeling that the story was unfulfilled, anti-climactic, and impersonal. And I can't get over those characters and their dialogue... I felt like I was watching a spaghetti-western in outer space. I'm just going to pretend that this book wasn't published and fill in the gaps and holes with my own imagination. If you are a serious fan, I recommend you do the same.
So why three stars instead of none? The number of Halo fans is gigantic, and the amount of pressure put on someone to deliver satisfying content to those imaginative and detail-hungry fans is not a task for a small boy. I challenge the individual who thinks they could do it, and I applaud the one that tries. Atta boy, Buckell.
Book Review: it's like Revenge of the Sith all over again
Summary: 3 Stars
This book kind of surprised me. For those who have read the books, Gray Team has been mentioned since Reach fell. Since then, we've overheard other characters remark something to the effect of "Wonder what Gray Team is up to..." So, I hear about this book, and how it deals with Gray Team, and I think to myself "all right! Now I can finally hear what happened to the other three SPARTAN-II's while Earth is under siege!"
And... that doesn't happen. Not long into the book, you realize that it doesn't take place in 2552 (like Halo 1, 2, and most of 3) - it's between Contact Harvest and Fall of Reach. Thus, it kind of turns into Star Wars Episode III. I say that because you know what happened before, you know what happened after (as far as the SPARTANs and other big characters), you just don't know how they got from point A to point B.
That said, it's not bad. While I do miss having Eric Nylund at the helm, Tobias Buckell did a better job engaging me as a reader than William C. Dietz. Also, I for one don't mind him making the SPARTANs more human. I'm also a fan of the pace. The book moves quick - much quicker than The Flood.
But, it's still the Episode III of the Halo Books. The execution was good, but the premise itself was lacking. The established audience will read it out of a need to better understand the universe the story takes place in, but when the desire to revisit the franchise hits, this particular chapter will likely be overlooked in favor of its superior forebears.
Book Review: It could've been MUCH better, still good though...
Summary: 3 Stars
By looking at the cover, you'd inevitably believe that this book would cover the "Cole Protocol" and that oft-mentioned, but obscure "Gray Team" that's hinted at thoughtout the Halo genre. As a halo FAN myself, I had high hopes for this book, especailly since the author, given something as obscure as the Gray Team, could've went in any direction with it.
Unfortunately, the book's climax is never reached. I read through an endless progression of "checkpoints" before the climax which was over in a few pages. The Gray team remains obscure and we hardly even get to see ANY of their capabilities. If you're looking for something more about SPARTANs and how awesome they are then look elsewhere. Killing nothing but a few Jackals and Grunts doesn't raise the coolness of what could've been an awesome storyline with the Gray Team. I'd have to say that this book did better than The Flood but it ranks just above it and above nothing else. I wanted more Gray Team and I didn't get that.
Book Review: More (or less) of the same.
Summary: 3 Stars
This installment in the halo novel series, focuses on Key's early days. And the back story to how he became as respected as he was during the first Halo Game (Halo: Combat Evolved). It is a decent novel if you enjoyed the first five books then you'll enjoy this one. But to me something was missing this time around. Most likely its just because hes a new author trying to fit into a new mold.Book Review: Decently Entertaining
Summary: 3 Stars
I enjoyed this book but I didn't think it was as interesting as the other Halo novels. There were also a few grammatical errors as well. Overall, I think readers need to be versed in the Halo universe to get the most out of it.