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[Slightly Live]

Halo: Primordium is the second novel in The Forerunner Saga by Greg Bear and is the sequel to Halo: Cryptum.

In the wake of apparent self-destruction of the Forerunner empire, two humans—Chakas and Riser—are like flotsam washed up on very strange shores indeed.

Captured by the Master Builder, misplaced during a furious battle in space, they now find themselves on an inverted world where horizons rise into the sky, and where humans of all kinds are trapped in a perilous cycle of horror and neglect. For they have become both research animals and strategic pawns in a cosmic game whose madness knows no end—a game of ancient vengeance between the powers who seeded the galaxy with life, and the Forerunners who expect to inherit their sacred Mantle of duty to all living things.

In the company of a young girl and an old man, Chakas begins an epic journey across a lost and damaged Halo in search of a way home, an explanation for the warrior spirits rising up within, and for the Librarian’s tampering with human destiny.

Releases: Jan 3rd
Format: Hardback, Digital, Audio
Reviews: None yet

Amazon.com Link

Previews:
Intro and Chapter One at Tor.com
Chapter Two, Three and Four at Halo Waypoint

 

[The Elite]

Trying to finish up A Storm of Swords so I can jump into this. Might have a long reading session ahead of me.

 

[TheOddOne]

People still read Halo?

Spoiler

J/K hyped to get the full thing in my hands

 

[Slightly Live]

I'm going to get the Kindle edition for my Android. Don't want to wait for the slow UK release.

 

[Indrid Cold1]

I need to get into these ASAP, Bear wrote my favourite sci-fi novel of all time (The Forge of God), be sure to let me know if his Halo novels are any good!

I only ever read the first 3, the ones by Nylund were pretty good and the other one was awful.

 

[Slightly Live]

I need to get into these ASAP, Bear wrote my favourite sci-fi novel of all time (The Forge of God), be sure to let me know if his Halo novels are any good!

I only ever read the first 3, the ones by Nylund were pretty good and the other one was awful.

Cryptum can be a difficult read as it does a lot of world building but I think any Greg Bear fan would be comfortable with his pacing. As a Halo book, it easily outclasses the rest. You find any Spartans fighting purple blooded aliens or typical shootouts, but you will find a brilliant, epic back story spanning the length and breadth of the galaxy.

I don't think the Forerunner trilogy is for every Halo, maybe not even for every Halo fiction fan, but it really hits the sweet spot for me.

I have high hopes for Primordium and the preview chapters are enough for me to know I won't be disappointed.

 

[Biscuits]

So excited!

 

[VGChampion]

Haven't given any of the books a shot since First Strike but maybe I'll try the series.

 

[The Librarian]

I need to get into these ASAP, Bear wrote my favourite sci-fi novel of all time (The Forge of God), be sure to let me know if his Halo novels are any good!

I only ever read the first 3, the ones by Nylund were pretty good and the other one was awful.

If you're a fan of Greg Bear than I do suggest you check out Cryptum.

Anyway, HYPED!!!!

 

[Woorloog]

I'm not really a fan of Bear's style nor did i like Cryptum. I'm not even sure i'm going to play the next Halo trilogy (well, at least at first, maybe buy used and rush through campaign)... but since i have started the Forerunner Trilogy, i feel like i need to read this. Hate leaving series unfinished.

 

[Hypertrooper]

I'm super duper excited about this book. It's just a week till it comes out, but it is going to be a hard week. Will buy the Kindle Version to read it asap and the Hardcover version for my collection.

 

[ClosingADoor]

Didn't like Cryptum that much, but will be picking up this one anyway being a Halo fanboy.

 

[Blue Ninja]

Oh, it has its own thread, awesome.

Read the preview, I'm stoked. Can't wait to figure out what's going on.

Spoiler

The Didact being in Halo 4 keeps being hinted at...

 

[Monocle]

Hyped as hell. I love what Cryptum brought to the Halo universe, and that book is largely about painting the board and moving pieces into position for the grand play to come. I can't wait to immerse myself in the glory of Primordium. The preview chapters will only make the wait harder to endure, so I'm abstaining.

 

[GhaleonEB]

Oh, it has its own thread, awesome.

Read the preview, I'm stoked. Can't wait to figure out what's going on.

Spoiler

The Didact being in Halo 4 keeps being hinted at...

Aye, that's been my assumption since completing Cryptum.

 

[Blue Ninja]

Aye, that's been my assumption since completing Cryptum.

I'm still betting on the Prisoner, but with Anniversary's terminals and now this, I'm having doubts.

Spoiler

Not sure if the Didact would be an enemy or a reluctant ally, but it's definitely interesting

.

 

[The Librarian]

I think we should be careful and say what's Cryptum spoilers and what's Primordium spoilers.

Cryptum spoilers:

Spoiler

I'm still not convinced we'll be seeing the Didact based on what we've seen in Cryptum + Anniversary terminals. That's 100,000 years, man! Besides, he was killed in Cryptum.

 

[Hypertrooper]

I think we should be careful and say what's Cryptum spoilers and what's Primordium spoilers.

Cryptum spoilers:

Spoiler

I'm still not convinced we'll be seeing the Didact based on what we've seen in Cryptum + Anniversary terminals. That's 100,000 years, man! Besides, he was killed in Cryptum.

Wait a second!

Spoiler

How can the Didact be dead if the Terminals in Halo 3 are saying that he was the one who activated the Halo-Rings? Does Cryptum play after the Terminals?

I think it's okay to not hide Cryptum spoiler. This is the topic about the sequel, people have read Cryptum already to read the sequel.

 

[wwm0nkey]

I think we should be careful and say what's Cryptum spoilers and what's Primordium spoilers.

Cryptum spoilers:

Spoiler

I'm still not convinced we'll be seeing the Didact based on what we've seen in Cryptum + Anniversary terminals. That's 100,000 years, man! Besides, he was killed in Cryptum.

Primordium Spoilers:

Spoiler

We are pressuring Chakas to tell us about the Didact and Chakas is assuming we are having problems with him due to the constant questions about him

Also

Spoiler

Chakas has apparently been alive for 100,000 years, why cant the Didact be too?

 

[blamite]

I'm assuming this book is going to support my theory of Forerunner monitors being (spoilered in case I'm correct )

Spoiler

the minds of Forerunners/humans in mechanical shells.

The terminals in Anniversary seemed to suggest this was the case for Guilty Spark. Primordium is going even further int hat direction, so I'm expecting to see

Spoiler

the Didact as a Monitor in H4.

 

[Hypertrooper]

I'm assuming this book is going to support my theory of Forerunner monitors being (spoilered in case I'm correct )

Spoiler

the minds of Forerunners/humans in mechanical shells.

The terminals in Anniversary seemed to suggest this was the case for Guilty Spark. Primordium is going even further int hat direction, so I'm expecting to see

Spoiler

the Didact as a Monitor in H4.

Can you elucidate? I'm having the same thoughts because of the Primordium excerpt. And I want to know why it is the case for 343.

 

[blamite]

Can you elucidate? I'm having the same thoughts because of the Primordium excerpt. And I want to know why it is the case for 343.

I first got the idea after reading the Adjunct end the republished version of The Flood. Here's a quote from a report filed by 343 on events at Alpha Halo:

One hundred thousand years is a long time to be alone. Those of us who chose this path all understood it would be this lonely, but not this long. I assume that some of the more erratic, or rather, inaccurate decisions I have made are connected to my state of mind-something I now know is neither frozen nor impermeable.
I was very young when I chose this path, and now I am suddenly very, very old. There is no one left to advise me.
So I must decide what's right for myself. I will protect our legacy to the best of my ability and to the death, if need be, as I promised when I first took up this mantle.

This gives me the impression that 343, and the other monitors are Forerunners who, when they were young, chose to become Monitor AIs to protect and watch over the Array after the Forerunners were gone. (Which reminds me a bit of the Spartan program, now that I think about it.)

Here's some quotes from the Terminals I felt support this idea:

After 150 years with no noticeable impact upon Installation systems or integrity, even in hibernation I became...bored.
This was quite routing, as I was led to believe that I was not capable of such a state. This was one of the gifts I was promised... an end to strife.

I took as a reference to 343, in his previous form, being promised certain benefits as part of becoming an AI.

To immunize...to cure. I still struggle with multiple layers of memory of fighting the Flood, but I know this cure is possible, even though the full genius of the Forerunners was unable to achieve it.

Multiple layers of memory suggests that he may have been directly involved in fighting the Flood on the front lines, maybe both as a Forerunner and as a monitor.

 

[zethren]

Very excited, I loved Cryptum. The Forerunner lore and that whole era of the Halo universe has always been my favorite part of the story.

Spoiler

The Didact being in Halo 4 keeps being hinted at...

Which, combined with what we have read thus far in Bear's work, is sufficiently hyping me far too early before the game's release...

 

[dragonelite]

Man, i read the spoilers and now im even more pumped to read a book and im not even such a big reader right now too much time already spent in schoolbooks .

 

[Stinkles]

Man, i read the spoilers and now im even more pumped to read a book and im not even such a big reader right now too much time already spent in schoolbooks .

This is more important than school.

 

[AlStrong]

pre-ordered. Can't wait! I still have to finish up Gears of War: Coalition's End and WoW: Thrall, but I'll probably set those aside once Primordium gets to my house.

 

[monome]

Spoiler

The Didact being in Halo 4 keeps being hinted at...

My crotch is incredibly tense thinking I might actually play as

Spoiler

The Didact in a Halo game someday...I'm betting he is responsible for the strike at the end of Glasslands which would conveniently set up why Humans are interested in him. Plus how the fuck do Humans get to talk to a Monitor? it's clearly post Halo 3 and I imagine post Glasslands too.
Also lots of angrily flashing Didact logos in Anniversary Terminals

My Kindle is ready.

 

[Fusion Pizza]

My kindle is ready, I will most likely savor this one though, I read the first one blindingly fast. Hey! Time for a re-read.

 

[Dead Man]

Greg Bear is writing Halo books? Huh. Probably some good shit.

 

[dragonelite]

This is more important than school.

haha my linear algebra grade does not agrees with you.

 

[Hypertrooper]

haha my linear algebra grade does not agrees with you.

Just say this Frank O'Conner said that Halo books are more important than school. He will definitely agree.

I first got the idea after reading the Adjunct end the republished version of The Flood. Here's a quote from a report filed by 343 on events at Alpha Halo:


This gives me the impression that 343, and the other monitors are Forerunners who, when they were young, chose to become Monitor AIs to protect and watch over the Array after the Forerunners were gone. (Which reminds me a bit of the Spartan program, now that I think about it.)

Here's some quotes from the Terminals I felt support this idea:


I took as a reference to 343, in his previous form, being promised certain benefits as part of becoming an AI.


Multiple layers of memory suggests that he may have been directly involved in fighting the Flood on the front lines, maybe both as a Forerunner and as a monitor.

This post made me realize how much I missed in the Terminals. I'm definitely going to rewatch them after I finish Primordium.

 

[Tawpgun]

Greg Bear is writing Halo books? Huh. Probably some good shit.

They are. Cryptum had a slow start, but man when it got going...

I think it was Dax who first said it...

If you take the Halo name out of it, and change any Halo references to other words... you have an amazing standalone sci fi book.

 

[HammerOfThor]

So how was the first Forerunner book? I really love scifi and I tried to read Fall of Reach(I think?) but I couldnt make it past the first few pages.

I really, really wanna pickup the Forerunner book because it sounds like an awesome read!

 

[Hypertrooper]

So how was the first Forerunner book? I really love scifi and I tried to read Fall of Reach(I think?) but I couldnt make it past the first few pages.

I really, really wanna pickup the Forerunner book because it sounds like an awesome read!

Cryptum is a really amazing book. Much better than FoR. Like other people already said in this thread, it is really hard to get into it but if you get, then you have an interesting sci-fi story with some nice story addition to the already-amazing Halo universe. But why not read the excerpt at tor.com and decide?

 

[daedalius]

Posting in an epic OT, can't wait for this book.

I imagine I will devour it in one day; although I think Cryptum took me 2. I just couldn't stand all the black ink all over the forum!

 

[Monocle]

Greg Bear is writing Halo books? Huh. Probably some good shit.

The shit is thoroughly good. Pick up Cryptum for sure.

 

[Hypertrooper]

Accidentally I read some Primordium spoilers and the stuff I read is pretty interesting. I hope they will give us new insights in the Terminals and that certain character.

Btw. I hope the book delivers us a specific date for the timeline. Right now I think it plays before Halo 4. But maybe it plays besides the Halo 4 plot.

 

[Slightly Live]

Accidentally I read some Primordium spoilers and the stuff I read is pretty interesting. I hope they will give us new insights in the Terminals and that certain character.

Btw. I hope the book delivers us a specific date for the timeline. Right now I think it plays before Halo 4. But maybe it plays besides the Halo 4 plot.

I don't think it's much of a spoiler to say that a timeline is included in the book. I haven't seen it myself but apparently it's up to date, whatever that means.

 

[The Librarian]

I don't think it's much of a spoiler to say that a timeline is included in the book. I haven't seen it myself but apparently it's up to date, whatever that means.

There's a timeline in the book? Awesome!

Dani, when's that timeline of Cryptum going up on FUD?

 

[Slightly Live]

There's a timeline in the book? Awesome!

Dani, when's that timeline of Cryptum going up on FUD?

Waiting on Primordium to see if that timeline includes any clarifications so we can clean up the rough outline I've drawn up. Plus might as well include events from Primordium too.

 

[GrizzNKev]

This is more important than school.

Finally something we can agree on. By the way, I just bought Glasslands. About to start. I'll keep everyone's advice in mind as I go through it. I hope I'll come out of it less disappointed than I expected. And what I've seen of Primordium has left my mouth hanging open. I'm hyped.

 

[Monocle]

Finally something we can agree on. By the way, I just bought Glasslands. About to start. I'll keep everyone's advice in mind as I go through it. I hope I'll come out of it less disappointed than I expected. And what I've seen of Primordium has left my mouth hanging open. I'm hyped.

It's good. Interesting characters and settings, lots of developments that foreshadow and launch some seriously monumental events in the post-Halo 3 universe. You probably won't be disappointed if you don't mind a delayed payoff: being the first in a trilogy of novels, not much is resolved in Glasslands.

I'm mostly interested in the Forerunner side of the fiction, which is why I really enjoyed what Bear did with Cryptum. One of the most tantalizing aspects of Glasslands is the way it appears to angle the parallel plot strands of the human/Covenant conflict and the Forerunner/reclaimer business on a collision course.

 

[Flipyap]

Dax is forcing me to post my stupid little sketches of the Prisoner of Charum Hakkor based on the vague description from Cryptum.
I didn't really want to, since we might get some better descriptions in three short sleeps and they're likely to make this look quite silly, but since I don't think GAF has any kind of abuse prevention services, here they are:

Please don't hurt me, Dax.

 

[Slightly Live]

Dax is forcing me to post my stupid little sketches of the Prisoner of Charum Hakkor based on the vague description from Cryptum.
I didn't really want to, since we might get some better descriptions in three short sleeps and they're likely to make this look quite silly, but since I don't think GAF has any kind of abuse prevention services, here they are:
Please don't hurt me, Dax.

Dude, those are pretty sweet.

 

[The Librarian]

Dax is forcing me to post my stupid little sketches of the Prisoner of Charum Hakkor based on the vague description from Cryptum.
I didn't really want to, since we might get some better descriptions in three short sleeps and they're likely to make this look quite silly, but since I don't think GAF has any kind of abuse prevention services, here they are:

Please don't hurt me, Dax.

Hurt you for good drawings?

Well...if you insist...

AWESOME EDIT: My copy has shipped!

 

[Napoleonthechimp]

Is it described as being that large?

 

[Stinkles]

Dax is forcing me to post my stupid little sketches of the Prisoner of Charum Hakkor based on the vague description from Cryptum.
I didn't really want to, since we might get some better descriptions in three short sleeps and they're likely to make this look quite silly, but since I don't think GAF has any kind of abuse prevention services, here they are:

Please don't hurt me, Dax.

Badass. And yes, he's large.

 

[Rekubot]

Dax is forcing me to post my stupid little sketches of the Prisoner of Charum Hakkor based on the vague description from Cryptum.
I didn't really want to, since we might get some better descriptions in three short sleeps and they're likely to make this look quite silly, but since I don't think GAF has any kind of abuse prevention services, here they are:

Please don't hurt me, Dax.

Your version is much cooler than what I imagined the prisoner to look like. Thanks for showing them!

 

[Monocle]

Dax is forcing me to post my stupid little sketches of the Prisoner of Charum Hakkor based on the vague description from Cryptum.
I didn't really want to, since we might get some better descriptions in three short sleeps and they're likely to make this look quite silly, but since I don't think GAF has any kind of abuse prevention services, here they are:

Please don't hurt me, Dax.

Nice.

 

[Slightly Live]