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Subject: Halo Cryptum, and it's author

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Posted by: urk
Then there are the people who poop in the mash potatoes. Those people get launched out on their asses.

I will admit 2 things.

1. Ya, I'm a little late to the party (Re read the Dark Tower series)

B. I have only delved a few chapters into this book (So no spoilers foolios)

I am having a hard time following the writing of this author. It seems as either he is uncomfortable in this subject, or, just not a very good author. I am really debating continuing the book right now.

What are your thoughts? Should I stick with it? Is there some ground breaking stuff in here that would be worth swallowing a hard to read line?

  • 06.30.2011 6:16 PM PDT

Oh yeah It's Rayzed.

Stick with it. The hardest part about the writing is that you can't truly visualize anything he talks about. Just about every setting, character, and object in the book is from a side of Halo Lore never shown. Everything seems to be described in little detail to keep a somewhat mysterious look (at least that's how I looked at it).

I think the book is a decent introduction to the characters, not the environment or technology.

  • 06.30.2011 6:21 PM PDT

I'd say finish it. Many of us here found the first chapters while revealing to be sort of a bore. How far are you?

  • 06.30.2011 6:23 PM PDT

By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

The thing about Greg Bear is that he has a VERY different writing style to most other writers out there today. This is also the first time a Halo novel has been told in first-person, it's very different from Nylund because Cryptum is focused very much on the characters advancing the plot and not vice versa.

It's difficult to get into at first, but keep at it and you start to see exactly where the novel is going. By the end I assure you you won't regret the decision to keep reading, it's just a case of wrapping your mind round the fairly complex terminology (I believe 343 have a glossary somewhere) and settling into the change of perspective.

Out of interest, which part are you up to?

  • 06.30.2011 6:23 PM PDT

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Posted by: urk
Then there are the people who poop in the mash potatoes. Those people get launched out on their asses.

Oh, I am still pretty much at the beginning. The main character in just entering some sort of (war?) tomb, following some pebbles.

It just seems very linear, but now that you guys mention it, maybe part of the issue is the combo of first person storytelling, and a bunch of Forerunner crap I really don't understand!

OK, I'll stick with it =)

  • 06.30.2011 6:28 PM PDT

Didact's Reprisal -
Now is the time of our unworlding
One final effort is all that remains
And I am not afraid
We shall fulfill our promise
We fight for the grace of the Mantle
And this time none of you will be left behind

I loved the book and therefore forced three friends to read it.

Every single one of them didn't like how it began, but became really interested in the story once it finally got a bit more clear. I think that might be what you're going through.

And shame on you if you don't complete it.

  • 06.30.2011 6:30 PM PDT

happiness is a warm gun

stick with it for sure! im like 50 pages to being done, it is so awesome and you learn so much about forerunners, flood, and so much more and the sequel comes out in early 2012.

  • 06.30.2011 6:32 PM PDT

I'm with you OP, Greg bear was a bad choice for Halo writing.

I've tried other books/series by Greg bear and had the same issue as you OP. I stopped reading two other books and refuse to read Cryptum based on the author alone.

Why they didn't stick with Eric Nylund I'll never know.

  • 06.30.2011 6:33 PM PDT

By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.


Posted by: borrowedchief
Oh, I am still pretty much at the beginning. The main character in just entering some sort of (war?) tomb, following some pebbles.

It just seems very linear, but now that you guys mention it, maybe part of the issue is the combo of first person storytelling, and a bunch of Forerunner crap I really don't understand!

OK, I'll stick with it =)


The start is fairly slow-going, but it picks up the pace after the first few chapters. The ending will have you on the edge of your seat for the next installment of the trilogy, and there are a few events which will have you thinking "no way!" when you read them.

The Forerunner stuff is made easier to understand if you've read the Terminals in Halo 3 too.

  • 06.30.2011 6:34 PM PDT
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Member of Bungie.net for nearly three years, still continuing!

Enjoy what you have and live on.

My gamertag is Elder Bias

OP, Keep continuing with Cryptum! It is extremely good book to read and I understand that Greg Bear may be little bland but once you get past the first few chapters, the pace picks up.

  • 06.30.2011 6:36 PM PDT

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Posted by: Oddley765
I'm with you OP, Greg bear was a bad choice for Halo writing.

I've tried other books/series by Greg bear and had the same issue as you OP. I stopped reading two other books and refuse to read Cryptum based on the author alone.

Why they didn't stick with Eric Nylund I'll never know.

Guess that explains why the vast majority of readers state quite the contrary to pretty much everything you just said. But yes, continue with it. I too was lost at the beginning, but it pays off.

[Edited on 06.30.2011 6:43 PM PDT]

  • 06.30.2011 6:36 PM PDT

Welcome to bungie, you have no rights. play nice!
CLICK!

Keep reading.
I can explain to you to the best of my extent the chapters you've read if you need clarification.

I've only read it three times so far but I plan on re-reading it more.

  • 06.30.2011 6:38 PM PDT


Posted by: borrowedchief
Oh, I am still pretty much at the beginning. The main character in just entering some sort of (war?) tomb, following some pebbles.

It just seems very linear, but now that you guys mention it, maybe part of the issue is the combo of first person storytelling, and a bunch of Forerunner crap I really don't understand!

OK, I'll stick with it =)


I've also found a lot of hard-sci-fi authors to be relatively difficult to understand. Larry Niven's Ringworld was a lot like Cryptum in my eyes. Filled with much more advanced writing and terminology then your average book, like the other Halo stories are.

Combined with the 1st person viewpoint, and you need to seriously change your mindset going in.

But to say that he's not comfortable with the subject matter/genre, you must not know much about him.

He's one of the most renowned sci-fi authors in history, up there with Ray Bradbury, (who he was friends with) Larry Niven and a plethora of others. But again, he writes on a much more classical level of sci-fi (he's in his 70's I think, so he's been around).

I recommend continuing with the story. Contrary to what others say, he is a great writer of scenery, you just have to pay attention (and maybe have a dictionary while you're at it).

And the two action scenes in the book, especially the longer, second one, actually found my heart beating faster. I seriously thought I watched a movie.

[Edited on 06.30.2011 7:06 PM PDT]

  • 06.30.2011 7:05 PM PDT
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Imagine a triangle. It's perfect, but a little plain. You take a chisel, and carve a small decorative symbol into it to make it a little more interesting. People like it, but it could use a little more.

So you then take a sledgehammer..

Stick with it, the writing style might be hard to follow at first, but it may grow on you.

  • 06.30.2011 7:08 PM PDT

TEAM ORION LEADER

Because it requires thinking. Greg Bear had to come up with EVERYTHING himself, within the boundaries set by the terminals etc. So yeah, just because you dont know how to think, doesnt mean he shouldnt read the book

  • 06.30.2011 7:13 PM PDT

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Can't wait to see this guys reaction when it gets to some of the other stuff

  • 06.30.2011 7:17 PM PDT

It was a bit slow to begin with, and it felt so different that it was all a bit strange, but once things start going it gets really good. I agree that part of the difficulty is because you can't visualize stuff at this point. It's all parts of the lore that hasn't really been explored. He gives enough detail that I'm able to create my own interpretations in my head. You get a greater sense of how amazing the Forerunner are, though, even without references. I'm finding the characters more interesting as things develop.

I'm up to chapter 25 and I'm hooked. It's not been an action packed adventure, thus far, but I kind of like it. I do love the calm-before-the-storm moments, where pieces are being placed together.

Also, yes, as someone said I've needed the ol' dictionary at times.

[Edited on 06.30.2011 7:20 PM PDT]

  • 06.30.2011 7:18 PM PDT

Keep at it OP (don't think I've ever seen a thread created by a Ninja before O_o), it's very slow going at first, but it only gets better the further along you go. I too was really bored by the beginning at first, but it got oh so much better the further along I went, and it introduces a lot of fun mysteries too, a lot treats and clues in there for diehard Halo fans to have fun puzzling out and decrypting.

  • 06.30.2011 8:00 PM PDT

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In retrospect, I'd say the best way to read Cryptum is to go into it not expecting a Halo book. Just think of it as a clean slate of pure sci-fi.

It's disconnected enough from the Halo we know to the point where, I'll admit, you may be a bit taken back if you don't read it with an open mind. However, just stick with it; while there isn't much action, I feel it still had a great story, and served as a great set up for the remainder of the Forerunner trilogy. Also, enough connections were made so it's still relevant in the context of the Halo Universe.

All that being said, I'm glad the author didn't take a page out of good ol' George Lucas' playbook and try to cram every little damn thing from the original series into the prequel.

[Edited on 06.30.2011 8:35 PM PDT]

  • 06.30.2011 8:34 PM PDT

Posted by: Commander GX
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Eh. I didn't really like the beginning, but it gets pretty good near the end. Although I am still a bit confused...

  • 06.30.2011 8:38 PM PDT
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Posted by: Raylette
The hardest part about the writing is that you can't truly visualize anything he talks about. Just about every setting, character, and object in the book is from a side of Halo Lore never shown. Everything seems to be described in little detail to keep a somewhat mysterious look (at least that's how I looked at it).
^I agree with this guy. But to tell you the truth, while it is interesting, it isn't that great as a story. To me, the entire book just seems like a Prologue (rather than a Prelude or Prequel). I kept waiting for the story to begin, but it never really does.

[Edited on 06.30.2011 9:14 PM PDT]

  • 06.30.2011 9:12 PM PDT


Posted by: Sierra 1993DJC

Posted by: Raylette
The hardest part about the writing is that you can't truly visualize anything he talks about. Just about every setting, character, and object in the book is from a side of Halo Lore never shown. Everything seems to be described in little detail to keep a somewhat mysterious look (at least that's how I looked at it).
^I agree with this guy. But to tell you the truth, while it is interesting, it isn't that great as a story. To me, the entire book just seems like a Prologue (rather than a Prelude or Prequel).


That's the point of the first act in a trilogy.

The first story sets everything up, (Halo CE, Star Wars IV) second act is where it all hits the fan (again, Halo 2 and Star Wars V) and the last act is where the characters start to try and fight the problem.

Knowing this, I wasn't expecting anything fascinating from a story perspective. In a world as strange and alien as the Forerunners, you need to explain the culture, history, people and ways in order for anything to make sense at all.

Much in the same way George Lucas cemented the humanity of the main characters in the original Star Wars movie. He introduced them not as space marines or astronauts, but as regular guys/girls thrust into unfortunate times. But the story was the simplest out of the entire trilogy.

The audience needs an anchor to connect themselves with the characters and world. I think part of the reason Forerunner Manipulars look so identical to humans is so this connection can be made.

Or failing an anchor, they need the universe's/culture's rules explained so they're not lost or confused. Cryptum accomplishes both of that.

For anyone who's seen the original SW trilogy, the second was undeniably the best from a story perspective. Should Greg be following this same approach, we should expect a significantly improved story in part 2.

  • 06.30.2011 9:21 PM PDT

Please don't compare Halo books to the original Star Wars trilogy. You can desecrate the prequels as much as you want, though.

  • 06.30.2011 9:42 PM PDT


Posted by: HappyMeals
Please don't compare Halo books to the original Star Wars trilogy. You can desecrate the prequels as much as you want, though.
He never said either was better than the other. He just said like Episode IV Cryptum sets up the characters and begins the plot while the next two books will get things going like Episode V and VI.

  • 06.30.2011 9:49 PM PDT

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Posted by: Agustus
I lol'd at the absurd miscommunication that occurs whenever dibbs post something. Perhaps his brain is so highly evolved that he can no longer clearly communicate with lesser life forms, even among his own species.

I'll post what I posted when it first came out When I read Nylund, it seemed like he was focused on presenting a very entertaining series of books. Bear on the other hand is different. I'd say his main goal isn't entertainment but enlightenment. Its like he's almost teaching you about the Halo Universe. That's not to say the book isn't entertaining (I literally couldn't put it down from start to finish) but its more of a "holy -blam!- mind=blown" entertainment as opposed to a Nylund "this is really cool" entertainment.

The only problem I had with Bear is that he moved from event to event at a kind of breakneck speed. It should have been a little slower paced (I mean Mendicant Bias' introduction takes place in the middle of a chapter - it fully warranted a set up for it as opposed to it just happening).
Stick with it, it's worth it.

  • 06.30.2011 10:29 PM PDT

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