PSA: Greg Bear's Halo: Cryptum novel out now
Just as promised, Greg Bear's Halo: Cryptum is now available for purchase on your reading device or, dare we say, at your favorite book store -- as if people still buy books! Cryptum is the first of three planned novels focusing on the Forerunners, the race of aliens preceding humans and the Covenant in the Halo universe. The books will finally shed some light on what pushed the Forerunners to extinction and offer greater detail on the Precursors, the other super advanced race which preceded the Forerunners.
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HALO: Cryptum
HALO: Cryptum begins a three-book arc set in the era of the
Forerunners, the ancient and enigmatic creators and builders of the
Halos, and the events leading to one of the great mysteries of the
Halo universe: their complete disappearance from existence. Devoted
fans of the books and games will be introduced to wholly original
characters and aspects of Forerunner society, culture and technology
previously only hinted at in the deep annals of their history and the
relics they left behind.
HALO: Cryptum is the story of a young, rebellious Manipular - yet to
become a part of the adult Forerunner society. He comes from a family
of Builders, who create the grand technology that facilitates
Forerunner dominance over the known universe. But his obsession with
artifacts old and forgotten, left behind by the Precursors -
long-vanished superbeings of unknowable power and intent - begins a
chain of events with vast and unpredictable consequences. This is a
tale of life, death, intergalactic horror, exile, and maturity. It is
a story of overwhelming change - and of human origins. For the Mantle
may not lie upon the shoulders of Forerunners forever...
An icon in the science fiction community, Greg Bear has penned such
critically celebrated international bestsellers as Eon and The Forge
of God. His recent novel Hull Zero Three was published in November to
widespread acclaim. Bear's talent for taut narratives, intellectually
rigorous themes, and realistic, appealing characters shine in this
all-new series that looks into the deep history of one of science
fiction's most successful franchises.
"The great part about what Greg has just begun with HALO: Cryptum is
that it opens up this amazing universe that emerged from the game
industry to anyone curious about HALO," says Tor senior editor Eric
Raab. "It takes place thousands of years before the games themselves,
making it a great place to enter the world. And the fact it's a human
origins story from one of the genre's masters, makes it a substantial
science fiction offering on its own."
"Halo" has emerged from the videogame world as a global entertainment
phenomenon. To date, more than 40 million copies of "Halo" games have
been sold worldwide, driving more than 3.3 billion hours of game play
by people connected to Xbox LIVE. In 2007, the "Halo 3" launch broke
all previous sales records for a videogame launch and also became the
biggest day-one entertainment launch in history. In September, the
"Halo" video game franchise made history once again when "Halo: Reach"
generated more than $200 million in sales in the United States and
Europe in the first 24 hours of its release. With a fully fleshed-out
universe of heroes, villains and epic scenarios in place, the novels
will continue to expand the "Halo" universe and offer a grander view
of the places and characters fans have learned about from the games.
About the Author
GREG BEAR is the author of some of Tor's most iconic titles, including
Eon and The Forge of God. He has won multiple Hugo and Nebula Awards
for his novels and short fiction. Bear lives in the Seattle,
Washington, area with his wife, Astrid, and their two children.
