For the first time, fans of the blockbuster Gears of War video games get an in-depth look at Delta Squad’s toughest fighters–soldier’s soldier Marcus Fenix and rock-solid Dominic Santiago–as well as a detailed account of the pivotal battle of the Pendulum Wars.
As kids, the three of them were inseparable; as soldiers, they were torn apart. Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago fought alongside Dom’s elder brother Carlos at Aspho Fields in the epic battle that changed the course of the Pendulum Wars. There’s a new war to fight now, a war for mankind’s very survival. But while the last human stronghold on Sera braces itself for another onslaught from the Locust Horde, ghosts come back to haunt Marcus and Dom. For Marcus–decorated war hero, convicted traitor–the return of an old comrade threatens to dredge up an agonizing secret he’s sworn to keep.
As the beleaguered Gears of the Coalition of Ordered Governments take a last stand to save mankind from extermination, the harrowing decisions made at Aspho Fields have to be re-lived and made again. Marcus and Dom can take anything the Locust Horde throws at them–but will their friendship survive the truth about Carlos Santiago?
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Great!
Anyone who is into the Gears of war story will absolutely love this book. It takes you through so many different time lines in the story all I can say is if you like the Gears games this is a must have!
5 Stars Don’t need to be a game fan to love this book
This is a story of friendship, war, and human emotion. Karen Traviss masterfully took the Gears of War story and turned it into fast paced plot that built the characters into real people and filled in a lot of the story alluded to in the game. I really enjoyed the development of Marcus, Carlos, and Dom. They are people you’ve met, brothers and friends. The insight with Anya and her mother was also fantastic. The action was top notch and should delight.
Give this book a try. There is nothing average here, only fantastic!
Karen, if you read these reviews, please write more Gears books. This was awesome.
3 Stars Okay, but could’ve been better
First off, I’ve played both Gears games & I think it’s a requirement to go through at least the 1st (or read up on the story online somewhere) before you read this. Otherwise you may be lost.
Now for those who do know the Gears story, this book does well when it comes to knowing the characters like Marcus, Dom, Hoffman and Cole (more are in there but these are just examples.) What the book doesn’t do so well at is give a good description as to where the squad is. It’ll give you a brief location, and boom that’s it, no detail so you really get a feel for the areas they get into. This really ruins it in a couple parts of the book where I think I might’ve gotten more attached if I had a clearer picture as to where everyone was. The descriptions of the battles Gears face aren’t really all that great.
Also, this book is a prequel, but it also fills in the gap between the first and second game. So what’ll happen is you’ll read maybe a chapter or two where the time will be set just a day or two after the first game ends, and then the chapters will jump to the times where Marcus, Dom & Dom’s brother Carlos first meet, before the first game even begins. Personally, I think the book would’ve been better if it was set just primarily in the past rather than jump back and forth between time periods. They could’ve just released two books, both with more filler and whatnot, and they probably would’ve been fine.
I’d recommend this to any Gears fans, but only to those who want to know the characters and not read about any battles the team(s) have.
5 Stars Great for fans!
Aspho Fields is an excellent read that fleshes out a lot of backstory to the majority of the characters in Gears of War. For fans, this is a must own. The biggest plus I’ve found from reading it was a strong foundation for Dom’s love for Maria. In Gears 2 I found myself unsympathetic to Dom’s saddness over Maria’s disappearance. After this book, however, I definately feel for Dom, and that fills a huge emotional gap for me in the Gears story. Definately recommended.
4 Stars Thoughtful Storyline
The author does a really good job in creating the world and universe for the Gears of War storyline. She explains how the survivors need food and the prioritizing of resources towards the Gears protecting the survivors. The character development is also well done, explaining their past histories that shaped them in the video game storyline.
The author does give credit to her scout-sniper friend and his influence is again apparent (previously found in Star Wars New Republic Commandoes series) with the obvious reference to spotting terrorists placing improvised explosive devices on a pipeline. Another reference to our world would be the Pesang Commandoes who might parallel the South Vietnamese Army Rangers from the Vietnam War.
Overall the book was an entertaining story that complements and enhances the video game series. Found that the constant chapter flashbacks interrupted the flow of the story and didn’t create tension to draw the reader into the book.
Had the pacing and flow been better or presented the antagonists points of view, would have given it five stars. Unfortunately, the antagonist point of view is often missing in the author’s writing style and the storyline becomes one dimensional at times.
This book is easy to pick up, put down, and pick up again, just like a video game. Fun book and entertaining storyline for fans of the video game series. Other science fiction readers may want to borrow the book from the library instead.
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