Halo: The Fall of Reach Novel Impression

Halo: Reach for the Xbox 360 releasing this Fall will be an epic and monumental gaming experience that puts gamers on Reach as the Covenant move in. Take up the fight as a member of Spartan Noble Team and prepare for sadness. Sadness? Why, well that is where Tor’s release of Eric Nylund’s masterpiece Halo: The Fall of Reach comes into play. Why is the novel The Fall of Reach so important to the upcoming Halo: Reach video game? Let’s take a quick peek at the story then relay why.

The Story: Spartan 117, John. Not the fastest or strongest Spartan but one blessed with amazing luck and skill. Follow John’s tale as Dr. Halsey and a young pilot named Keyes; discover John on a playground, a scouting mission of children that are to become the hope for humanity. Entered into the Spartan II program with seventy four other children, John distinguishes himself and learns teamwork and how to command as well as follow order. Eventually these children undergo the genetic modifications that will make them physically amazing as they also are introduced to their MJOLNIR armor which only a Spartan can handle. Encounters with Insurrectionist and pirates soon earns John the honor of becoming Master Chief then the Covenant attack Harvest and the enemy changes as does the wars stakes. Master Chief is no put in charge of the remaining Spartans on a specially equipped ship The Pillar of Autumn commanded by Captain Keyes. Introduced to the Smart AI Cortana, Master Chief’s plans take a turn for the worse as the Covenant unleash 700 ships on Reach. In order to save the orbital guns Master Chief deploys all but three Spartans, himself included, surface side to save the reactors from the Covenant but will it be enough? Eventually Cortana, Master Chief and the Pillar of Autumn must flee the system only to find themselves face-to-face with a large ring structure in space. The story of Halo begins but what happened planet side to the Spartans left behind?

Why Gamers Should Care: Last sentence folks. It’s no secret that Reach fell to the Covenant but what happened planet side? The novel covers the action in space as Master Chief takes on swarms of Covenant on a space platform but the action, the fate of the remaining Spartans is not covered. Were they lost? Is Master Chief truly the last Spartan? Learning about Master Chief, John, how he and the other Spartans were recruited, trained and came to care for one another will allow gamers to create an emotional bond with the tragic members of Noble Team. While the overall outcome cannot be changed, Reach will fall; victories can still be won against the Covenant. Gamers should care about the Fall of Reach as no matter how amazing Spartans may be they are not faceless soldiers, they are human a fact Eric Nylund establishes for Master Chief and every member of the Spartan project.

Potential Plot Holes: Timing and personnel. How much time did Noble team have planet side? Where are the rest of the Spartans Master Chief sent planet side? Will Reach follow the events of The Fall of Reach? Will John, Master Chief, be mentioned by Noble Teams members? These are a few potential plot holes that one prays are avoided but just add to the intrigue of reading the novel then seeing how the game plays out.

Overall the title The Fall of Reach is a bit misleading. Yes it shows Master Chief’s role, his events while Reach fell but it does not touch on the planet side events or what happened as the Pillar of Autumn departed the system. Having a chance to experience these events in Halo: Reach makes reading, or re-reading Halo: The Fall of Reach all the more enjoyable. So many questions to be answered from both the game and novel. Can’t wait for Reach then pick up a copy of The Fall of Reach and make the wait all the more painful … in a good way.

Dragon Ships: Secret of the Dragon Impression

Poor Skylan. Being young and full of ambition does not always guarantee success and leads to hard lessons learned, if not death. The brash youthful leader seen in Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman’s Bones of the Dragon is learning that the favored of a god does not guarantee success and many lessons must be learned through hardships and suffering. So where is Skylan on his journey of hardship and discovery … how about in the shackles of a slave …

Secret of the Dragon, what secret do the gods hold that can save mortals left to fend for themselves while their gods battle for their own survival? Skylan’s crew, fresh off their battle on the Dragon Isles now finds itself prisoner to one of their own, the betrayer Raegar. They sail into enemy lands and must serve a very benevolent master who looks to enter these warriors into a game called the Para Dix. Learning the game is not all Skylan will need to learn as he must adapt to serving another while keeping his hopes for freedom alive and burning. He must also recapture the faith of his crew and learn a secret about the Vektia Dragons that could be the salvation of the entire Vindrash nation.

Skylan sees a level of growth that will amaze readers as he is so different from the brash youth seen in Bones of the Dragon. The world is suddenly much, much larger than Skylan could have ever dreamed and journeying with him as he changes in such drastic manners is fun. The other characters around, different parties with their own agendas and a few mysteries make this another fine story and world. Telling more would be a disservice to those waiting to read Secret of the Dragon, just know that this Viking type world is as deep and engaging as Krynn … a bit more realistic even.

Why Should Gamers Care? Why, because these are the folks who helped build the D&D, board game based, stat building game genre to what it is today. For you video game only gamers these are the hobby shops with cool miniatures, multi-sided dye and tons of D&D, Warhammer type posters. The world of Dragonships is deep, engaging and deserving of a video game in the vein of Dragon Age (hint, hint BioWare). The D&D roots of the authors and potential for a truly interactive game world is too much to pass on and the world is still young so get in now before tons of offshoots.

Read the Bones of the Dragon interview with Margaret Weiss & Tracy Hickman

Overall the Dragonships series is shaping up to be a fine a series ever created by any fantasy writer, ever. Yes, it’s that good and pulls together the years, decades, of experience that both Margaret and Tracy have established. The world they have created is so very realistic to human past yet brings to life the fantasy heritage they are known for. The fate of man is influenced by gods but in the end its man who makes the choices and when this fact is paired with the realism brought by Dragonships then the winner is the reader. Gritty hardships await Skylan and his crew but only reading bliss awaits fans of Dragonships.

The Bloodstained Man, Netherworld Book 2 Impression

Heavy Metal Pulp

In Netherworld Book 1 readers were introduced to Detective Rook Venner, a man caught up in a government conspiracy that seems to gravitate to a certain pleasure model he’s protecting. With his life all but forfeit Rook and Plesur go on the run, hunted, and keep learning more about why they are targets and just how big the conspiracy is. As the first story ends the second volume of Heavy Metal Pulp’s Netherworld, The Bloodstained Man, kicks in. How are Rook and Plesur doing? That’s what you have to read for.

Having just seen an ex-presidents head go boom Rook, Plesur and Julia make their escape thanks to an upgraded Plesur. Instantly they look for more names tied to the recently uncovered Taste Imperative, a deadly government secret which the shadowy Sable Ranch will kill to keep secret. While on the run the trio is captured by the Latin gang located in the uninsured wild just outside the city where Rook must fight while Julia puts her unique skills to work. The trio encounters not only Latin gangs and gators but some very finicky robotic kitties. Not all pleasure mods are created equal but a secret underground soon reveals they can be free but is this enough for Rook as his feelings for Plesur grow?

This second volume picks up where the first left off and never misses a beat. The story is frantic; fast paced and cannot be put down once begun. It’s actually a very quick read with tons of comic style pics thrown in to give a visual to the story. It’s not War & Peace but seeing Rook grown closer to Plesur is enjoyable while this huge conspiracy unravels around them. That is the story, Rook on the run and government conspiracy. Nope, it’s not resolved in this volume but if you are a fan of the first book you’ve just got to get Bloodstained Man. My only gripe is the story ends with such a surprise and now I’ve got to wait for volume 3 … dang it all.

Halo: Evolutions Novel Impression

Halo: Evolutions, the latest Halo novel from Tor Press is like an expansion pack for fuller novels already released. These eleven stories are not meant to fill in the gaps of the larger plot points but rather they show different experiences during the Halo wars from the average marine to the iconic Master Chief. Knowledge of the fuller story is beneficial but won’t detract from the full enjoyment of this novel. The short stories break into four sections one which takes a look at the everyday troops, the next the Spartans, third Master Chief and finally one legend and one Covenant well after the conflict ends. Let’s take a look at each story.

Beyond – Think of this as level 1 for the novel. The stories contained cover some of the lower level characters, the grunts and regular troops in the Halo universe.

• Pariah by B.K. Evenson – The story of Soren, a Spartan candidate with an unusual background and end results shows a depth and side of Dr. Halsey not often seen and also shows a side of the Spartan program never talked about. A great story of one who did not become all he was meant to be.
• Stomping on the Heels of a Fuss by Eric Raab – The Brute society is, well brutal, and this isolated pack shows a side of the Halo universe that is gory and repulsing. There are worse things than being killed in battle, just ask the survivors captive to these Brutes. An interesting look into the Brute society and what they are capable of.
• Midnight in the Heart of Midlothian by Frank O’Connor – If not for great sacrifice by individual marines how much sooner would the Covenant have found Earth? That question is answered in part in a story of an ambushed ship and one lone survivor who does his party to keep the Covenant away.
• Dirt by Tobias S. Buckell – As one enlisted Marine, an ODST at that, sits dying he tells his story from his life on Harvest as a farmer to fights with Innies and then the Covenant and eventually a confrontation with his own. This story is excellent and shows so many levels and layers not touched on in any game and mentioned in many novels. This is the true grunt story not to be missed.

Acheron-VII – Two Spartan stories and one about the dreaded Flood. A step up in character profile and one this reader has been wanting as the stories and missions of the Spartans are so riveting.

• Headhunters by Jonathan Goff – Two Spartans, one planet way behind Covenant lines and some good old seeking and destroying. The stories of the non Master Chief Spartans deserve telling and while they all may not end well seeing these incredibly powerful soldiers in action is worth the purchase by itself.
• Blunt Instruments by Fred Van Lente – Speaking of Spartans this team of four finds themselves disrupting an entire Covenant fleet’s energy supply and their help comes from an unexpected source. From two to four, seeing a larger team of Spartans in action shows that the dynamics don’t actually change that much, it’s a well oiled machine of destruction.
• The Mona Lisa by Jeff Vandermeer and Tessa Kum – This tale feels more like a Dead Space or Sci-Fi horror flick than a Halo adventure. The Flood is front and center and the fate of The Mona Lisa is revealed in a nice post-Halo story dealing with the remnants of Halo.

Icon – Master Chief and Cortana; need more be said? Two tales, one for each, both should be familiar to gamers.

• Palace Hotel by Robt McLees – Like playing the first Earth level of Halo 2 but from a narrative standpoint. The best thing about this story is the play between Cortana and Master Chief and a little surprise at the end which gives a glimpse into John’s past.
• Human Weakness by Karen Traviss – Gravemind vs. Cortana. She was broken down and stripped of so much of what she is but seeing how the battle plays out, not this is a well told story.

Connectivity – An interesting section as the story of Cole and The Return don’t share much in common other than they enjoy ability.

• The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole by Eric Nylund – Told in a very unique manner this collection of mission reports, letters to family and speculation is an investigation into the life and mysterious end of the legendary Preston J. Cole. The universe is a big place, so big even a legend could hide if he wanted too.
• The Return by Kevin Grace – This tale of a lone Elite Shipmaster is essentially the only true Covenant story. The greatest part of this story is the ending which leaves a very big question mark on ‘what if’ the Shipmaster succeeds in what he’s searching for? It could mean more games, novels, toys … the point is of every story this is the most open ended for the franchise a very interesting read.

Overall Halo: Evolutions offers some great story telling. The way each tale is told is reflective of the variety of players that have made the Halo universe so successful. From an enlisted grunts tale as he dies to the legendary Preston J. Cole, all angles are explored from the first Halo through Halo 3. Pieces of the game feel fleshed out, pieces of prior novels explained a bit more. Gaps are filled in, information revealed but it’s all done in a manner that stands by itself as a read, not needing to have the background. The few pieces of included artwork beg for coloring as they are pretty, oh so pretty.

Bottom line, Halo fans need to get this novel for its short and excellent stories that span the whole of the Halo universe from start to finish.

Pleasure Model Impression

Heavy Metal invokes memories of magazines with insane art, buff and bare ladies and men set in fantasy settings as well as one VHS at Blockbuster which housed a series of animated stories set in this same universe. Heavy Metal was that which a child of my age should not have seen but which is burned into my mind. Now as an adult I get to experience that first impression all over again with Pleasure Model from Tor which falls under the new Heave Metal Pulp: Netherworld Book 1 (whew!) heading. The story is written by Christopher Rowley with cover art by Gregory Manchess and interior art by Justin Norman. As I read Pleasure Model I was treated to a few characteristics which reminded me of my first encounters with Heavy Metal but left with an impression of having read a combination of Blade Runner and CSI. Let’s take a look at the story then head back to examination.

Rook has seen a lot of strange cases but his latest involving the murder of a high-ranking, former military commander will top any experience he’s ever had. While the murder seems fairly straight forward the discovery of an illegal pleasure mod as well as the strong arm tactics of some government agencies, Rook begins to think this murder was anything but. As his life is put into the cross hairs his suspicions are confirmed in a very explosive way. As Rook finds himself on the run with Plesur, the genetically grown, child-like pleasure mod, he must rely on friends old and new to stay alive long enough to unlock the secrets within Plesur. Hidden friends in the government, enemies in high-places with advanced weapons is just the beginning of what Rook must deal with, not to mention his growing feelings for Plesur.

The cover art fits in perfect with what Heavy Metal is known for. It’s erotic, seductive and menacing all at the same time. The internal art which breaks up the copy and chapters nicely, is just begging for its own fully fleshed out comics. The style gives readers just enough to form the entire Pleasure Model world and enhance the reading experience. The story is well told and follows a flow that only a murder can put into motion. Rook is an ordinary cop put into an extraordinary situation. The technology of the future from Rook’s very smart Nokia to internally implanted chips hints at a world much, much different than our own, yet containing the same wants and desires. What I’m getting at is this is our world in the future, almost a time before what’s seen in a film like Bladerunner. The sexual encounters, fetish encounters and settings all speak to what Heavy Metal is all about but this book is deeper, much deeper than just smut. The story is engaging, mystery just waiting to be solved and the conspiracy deep, so deep in fact this book is just the beginning.

Pleasure Model is not going to set any new standards in writing, but it does what it’s supposed to, and does it well. Reader get a fast paced action packed story that goes into the underbelly of society in a technological future where any fantasy or desire is possible down to genetically engineered mods. Rook’s adventure will hook readers are the mystery is more than half the fun, as is the budding emotions of Plesur … and just when it all gets really good, well you’ll just have to read to know what I’m talking about.

Inukami! vol. 4 Impression

Inukami! is a fun manga with great art. If that’s not to the point enough for you volume 4 of Inukami! from Tor/Seven Seas Publishing shows what makes this a great series and also (at times) a frustrating one. Let me explain after a quick look at the story.

Kaita and Yoko take on a new job after being approached by the butler to the wealthy Shindo family. The job is simple, protect Kei Shindo as she is about to turn 20. The catch is the Shindo family is cursed as each member and anyone trying to protect them, will die on their 20th birthday, carried off by Death himself. The history of the Shindo family is a sad one, but it means nothing for Keita and Yoko as they are determined to face down Death and begin training to do so. They get an added advantage as Death seems to not be the best time keeper and he makes an early appearance thus showing some of his power. The clock is ticking on Kei. Will Keita and Yoko be able to save her or will they follow her to the grave?

Yup, that’s it for story which is my main frustration. The story is way too short as a third of the book is a ‘bonus’ story titled Inukami Girl’s Academy. This story is fun, about Yoko and Keita in a school, but I for one would much rather have had the fight with Death. There is not too much exploration into Yoko and Keita’s relationship and just when we get to the good stuff, the fight, its bonus manga time. Just feels a bit jipped. If this was not a good manga I would not be bothered, but it is good thus I’m a bit peeved. The art is excellent, all I’ll say there. New characters, Shindo’s butler for example, a pure trip in his wrestling shorts, and Death ... not exactly what one expects death to look like. So the art of Mari Matsuzawa and story by Mamizu Arisawa continues to deliver, just not enough of it.

Overall this is a very good series that fans of the awkward love, violent love, human/demon love will dig. Pick up a copy and know this. If you like volume 1, volume 4 will just continue to entertain.

Hayate Cross Blade vol.3 Impression

Shizuru Hayashiya has created a very fun and enjoyable series in Hayate Cross Blade but in volume 3 there is a deep Keeling of been there, done that which just nags this manga fan. Hayate is still a fine series but keeping it fresh in a combat manga where one moves up the ranks is not an easy task. No doubts that the series will keep moving ahead, it is very popular, but why did it hit a snag, lets see.

Ayana and Hayate continue to move up the ranks and its time for another battle as the duo must take on Ayana’s roommate Kuga Jun and her ever sick sister-in-arms Shizuma Yuho. The history behind this rivalry is revealed and no quarter is given as Ayana honors Kuga Jun with a worthy match.

Short synopsis, the same a what is says in the book but what else can I add. The story takes a familiar path with Ayana and Hayate facing an opponent with a grudge. There is history told followed by some intense fighting. Hayate’s humor continues and does not get old but most of the story revolves around history … again. The encounters with the yakuza girl’s mother is funny and what makes this series such a joy to read, but do we need to know every detail about every major opponent? Can’t a fight just happen with little to no talking at least once in a while? The girls are moving up the ranks and the fights look to get even crazier so we have that to look forward to as fans so if you feel as I do about volume 3, don’t fret too much. The excellent design really focus on the characters in volume 3, backgrounds are inconsequential and while the story hits a lull this beast of a manga will not remain slumbering for long.

Hayate Cross Blade vol. 2 Impression

To save an orphanage from the Yakuza debt, this is the task Hayate has undertaken at the exclusive Tenchi Academy, a quest that continues in Hayate Cross Blade volume 2 from Tor/Seven Seas.

Hayate is now on her own, no longer needing to pretend to be injured sister Nagi. Her mission to earn money with sister in-arms Ayana, is accelerated as the Yakuza step up the payment deadline. Hayate’s roomate Momoka reveals her reasons for being a lone wolf and she is in turn seeked by the creepy Isuzu. Her reason, a childhood friend and promise, the challenge and task eventually fulfulled but the results are not as they seem but a sister in-arms is gained. The best part, the makeover of the new partner. With their minds back on the collection of money Hayate and Ayana look to the upcoming sports day where they can challenge a higher ranked couple. The side-bar, they are now targeted by the Yakuza leaders daughter Mizuchi, who has her own bone to pickwith Ayana and her very Hayate-ish sidekick Sou who shows the underhanded way things go down at Tenchi. Fight day appraches, will Hayate be able to earn the money she needs, time will tell.

The story and art of Shizuru Hayashiya continues to prove why no manga fan to just pass this by. Each character is unique and very detailed. The backgrounds are decent, not overly complex but not bland. The charactrers, the humerous beattins Hayate takes and now the creepy Isuzu, they are what make this story so enjoyable. Each story segment ends nicly and deepens the charactes while expanding upon their background. Rules are introduced at a nice speed so even Hayate can comprehend and the fact the specail abilites of Hayate are not even touched on but readers will still be engaged is just great storytelling. Yes, Hayate Cross Blade is a good and enjoyable manga with great action, funny moments and leads that take themselves not too serious.

Hayate X Blade vol. 1 Impression

Hayate X Blade, or Hayate Cross Blade from Tor/Seven Seas is another pleasing manga that offers up the action and humor any Shonen fan will enjoy and a few Shojo fans will be intrigued by for the relationships.

Tenchi Academy, prestigious all-girls school where the students don’t strive just for good greats but also for great fights, sword fights. Tenchi Academy allows for these fights for both money and fame as the head of the school, a student herself, Amachi Hitsugi, determines who stays in school and supplies the money as combatants obtain wins. These “Sword Bearer” along with their sister-in-arms challenge other girls in fights, 2-on-2 or 2 against many in bouts which take place in ranks, D being the lowest. Conditions for winning mean taking stars from your opponents within the match timeframe. These rules as well as many more await the latest entrant into the school Kurogane Hayate, a young girl taking her sick sisters place at the school so she does not lose her place. What begins as a venture in blending in turns into full fledged indoctrination into the ranks of the fights once Hayate learns of the dept her orphanage owes to the Yakuza. Now to find a proper sister-in-arms, problem is starting late in school there are only lone-wolfs to choose from, most freaky looking, but there is one girl, Mudou Ayana.

Shizuru Hayashiya has created one fine manga, a fun take on the whole fighting school genre. It does not hurt that the art, pencils, are so crisp, backgrounds pleasant and characters look and relay their personality. Hayate is goofy, quite funny while Ayana is the serious one offering beat downs that don’t seem to hurt more than the funny bone of the reader. Hitsugi looks the part of the rich, smug girl but with her assistants is also humorous in a serious way, really. The story is just perfect for anime, which I believe is in Japan now, and looks to offer up the fights and powering-up seen in so many Shonen manga and anime. The characters are very likeable with issues besides fighting and fame. Hayate’s dealing with the Yakuza, Ayana’s history with her former sister-in-arms as well as what happens when Hayate’s sister is better.

The story is just getting started but has done what a volume 1 manga should do, hook the reader with good story points, engaging characters, great art and a mixture of humor and action that any Shonen fan will dig. I must give extra props for not taking the overly … busty, approach to the female students design. Less is more, this is a good manga.

Inukami! vol. 1 Impression

Inukami! volume 1 will feel instantly familiar to any fan of InuYasha. Inukami are doglike, tails, mystical being’s that contract with a human tamer to form a team that hunts demons who prey on humans. One such would-be tamer Keita Kawahira, is a shame to his family. He was unable to attract an Inukami when he came of age and went into the mountain where they reside. That was until the Inukami Yoko shows up. She is both attractive and very docile … until the contract is struck. Keita thought he would be getting a maid, servant, submissive servant, instead he has a rowdy and wild Inukami to deal with, one that even makes him wear a collar as a sign of their contract (she waits till his life is on the line to finalize the contract and force him to wear collar). As a new relationship begins one can only wonder how this new pair will do as they begin to take on assignments hunting demons and dealing with each other.

The duo of Mari Matsuzawa (art) and Mamizu Arisawa (story) really clicks in Inukami! The art is beautifully drawn, perfect for poster, pencil boards with an immature hero (loosely used) and a very attractive if not immature mystical creature in Yoko. The style will feel very anime, meaning it looks like what most fans would expect anime/manga to look like, big eyes and all. The lead characters are well drawn but don’t hold nay out of the ordinary traits beyond the collar worn by Keita and Yoko’s large tail. The story of hunting demons in modern Japan does not break new ground but serves well for this story. The duo, besides meeting each other, also deal with some hotel demons a wandering cat demon as well as the assignment of a new Inukami, temporarily, named Nadeshiko, which ends the volume and speaks to more zaniness and possible secret feelings for ones master. The story is fun and really shines thanks to the art.

Earlier I mentioned a comparison to InuYasha, here is why. First you’ve got a school age kid in Keita, and a dog demon. There is a collar worn, they fight demons and there is some kind of feelings going on between the two. It’s a twist as gender is reversed and everything is in modern day but otherwise I feel very safe saying InuYasha fans will enjoy Inukami! and vice-versa. A good manga from a lesser known manga publisher (Tor) but worth the purchase.