Halo: Glasslands (Paperback Review)

As with the last book review this is posted in full on http://thefoundingfields.com/

If you want to see the worst way in which to behave in relation to writing for an expanded universe you need only look at the works of Karen Traviss. Infamous for her borderline preaching, infighting with other authors, bloated tumorous additions to series’ plotlines for the sake of pure self-satisfaction, mass fan insults and a sheer lack of research or respect for the canon; how she retains not only a career but also a fandom is a complete mystery.

Having written for both the Star Wars expanded universe and Gears of War series, she set her sights on Halo and proceeded to repeat many of her past mistakes.

Serving as a sequel to Ghosts of Onyx and supposedly the start of a post-Covenant War trilogy, Glasslands follows the story of the war’s survivors. Having endured the destruction of Onyx the small band of humans and SPARTAN II and IIIs search for a way off of the dyson sphere and back to their reality. Meanwhile tensions between the Sanghili have reached fever pitch. Despite his best efforts former Arbiter Thel Vadam finds many of his people are still heavily bound to worship of the Forerunners and seek to return to war against all unbelievers. As peace talks break down, the UNSC’s ONI branch seeks to take advantage of the fighting. To weaken the potentially threatening species and secure human dominance among the stars…

This setting is perfectly fine and seems to work overall. Where it falls apart is with the author and execution of such ideas, who turns something potentially exciting into wallpaper paste levels of drivel.