I really love the books and I think a fourth one is out!
The 1st book describes how the spartan II program started. A bunch of kids who have exceptional genes were chosen and basically abducted to go into this miltary program. John (Master Cheif) at age 6 was six years old at the time was just one of them.
The books begin by forcusing on LT. Keys who was a young officer at the time Who was responsible for the Doctor' s safety and Dr. Halsey (responsible for opperating the Spartan II program). The kids were immediately put through strenuous training. By the age of 14ish the Spartans were elite soldiers (not field tested) and at this time they were given their genetic and physical modifications . Bones were basically made indistructable their reflexes and senses greately enhanced and their strength multiplied buy by 20 fold (with the suit). To give you an idea, the spartans accidentally killed a few trainers during the adjustment periode to their new bodies. Half of the Spartans actually died during this proccess and some ended up with crippling deformities. Interesting stuff...I' m just giving an overview.
Aside form that the book focuses on Dr. Halsey' s perspective whom Cortana is based upon. Cortana is basically an AI that has all of DR. Halsey' s knowledge and likeness. Which explains The Chiefs relationship with Cortana. The books also give LT. Keys perspective, who is the Captain of a ship, and considered one of the best pilots. He' s one of the few captains that can survive in Space against the Covenant.
Speaking of Pilots... the books illustrate many ship battles and reveal that the Covenent have a huge advantage in Space. Which is largely why the humans are getting their asses handed to them in the war. The humans can hold their own on the ground with the Spartans but entire planets are falling due to Covenant dominance in Space.
The second book focuses on the flood...
The tone of the three books is desperation. Throughout the books all the spartans die in missions and the Chief is the only one left. In the last book they come up with a plan to attack the Covenant and that mission leads up to the first game.
I' m just rambling and I' m sure I don' t do the books justice, there is just too much ground to cover. but I highly recommend finding and buying the books if you have any interest in the videogames. For me it enhanced the games very much and really forces you to hate the covenant. I' m hooked on the story now. I need to play Halo 3 to kick their ass.
< Message edited by Agent Ghost -- 6 Dec 06 15:29:44 >