Halo: The Flood is based off the award-winning first-person shooter, Halo: Combat Evolved. It follows the story of John-117 and his companion, the UNSC A.I. (Artificial Intelligence) known as Cortana. John-117 is also one of the last few members of an experimental super-soldier program, called SPARTAN-II.
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| MCPO (Master Chief Petty Officer). John-117. The main protagonist of the Halo series. |
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| The UNSC A.I. Cortana. John-117's "partner-in-crime". A character who I find disturbingly attractive. |
The book takes place after its previous title, Halo: The Fall of Reach
Halo: The Flood takes place between September 19, 2552 and September 23, 2552. It is based on the game Halo: Combat Evolved.
It begins as the UNSC cruiser Pillar of Autumn, on the run from the religious alien group known as The Covenant, exiting slipspace (Slipspace is something like a space jump from one point to another) after retreating from the fallen military base at the planet Reach.
The UNSC Pillar of Autumn arrives at Installation 04, also known as Alpha Halo.
One of a series of gigantic ring worlds, the Halo Array, left behind by the enigmatic, technologically advanced, and apparently extinct Forerunners (An ancient alien race).
Many fans of the franchise might find this book enjoyable because of the fact that it was based off the game. Thus, making it easier to picture things that take place in the book, as how things took place in the actual video game.
What was cool about this novel is that it's based on the actual game, so it was fun to say "Oh, I love that level." or "Haha, I always die there." The book answers the question "I wonder what John-117 would do."
Apart from that, there are also other scenarios that take place in the book, with the inclusion of a small Unggoy. (Grunt) named Yayap saving the life of a Sangheili (Elite) caled Zuka 'Zamamee. A member of the Covenant Special-Operations group who was wounded in the heated battle aboard the Pillar of Autumn.
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| The Unggoy (Latin, Monachus frigus, meaning "cold monk"). Known as Grunts by Humans. |
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| The Sangheili (Latin: Macto cognatus, meaning "I glorify my kin"). Known as the Elites by the humans. |
Another scenario includes the involvement of another group of soldiers in the plot. Mainly the ODST's (Orbital Drop Shock Troopers a.k.a. "The Helljumpers". An elite division of the UNSC Marine Corps), with Major Antonio Silva and 1Lt. Melissa McKay
What I like about the book is that the personality of John-117 was better depicted in the book compared to the games.
He displays human-like values and is shown to be a person who cares deeply for his men. Compared to the game where he was a near-mute character. Which is what I really liked.
Though the game depicts many of the game's scenes with the inclusion of many more intervals, and is arguably better than the actual game.
Overall, I'd give this book a 9.5/10
Halo: The Flood is a definite recommendation to any Halo fan. And also a great book to get for fans of the action and sci-fi genre. If you enjoyed the game, you'll absolutely enjoy this book.
Thanks for reading! This is Vergil signing off!
"恐怖を教えてやろう - I'll teach you the meaning of fear" - 風間 仁 /Jin Kazama
