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  • Subject: Halo: Glasslands by Karen Traviss
Subject: Halo: Glasslands by Karen Traviss

The cover for the continuation of the Ghosts of Onyx series was released a few weeks ago, titled Halo: Glasslands. It is being written by Karen Traviss, who has previously written several Star Wars and Gears of War books.

Now then, on to the purpose of this discussion. Joystiq.com published this article on the book. They provide info about the book. It is part of a new trilogy, seperate from the Forerunner trilogy by Greg Bear.
-Spoilers (or story for those who don't read the books)-
It will continue the storyline of Ghosts of Onyx, which ended with Fred, Kelly, Linda, Dr. Halsey, Chief Mendez, Tom, Lucy, and the remaining members of Team Saber, Ash, Mark, and Olivia being trapped inside of Onyx, the Forerunner shield world.
-End Spoilers-

In the Joystiq article, they talk about the cover. They talk about the hidden messages in the cover. You can clearly see a scorched planet in the background, as well as an Elite and an unknown human. The article claims that it is a Spartan and an Elite, but you can clearly see that the human is wearing ODST armor. The Joystiq article likely just had an error, but it brought another thought to mind.

Who is this ODST, and how is he related to the Ghosts of Onyx storyline? And what planet is sitting scorched in the background?

Speculate as to who the ODST is, what the planet behind them is, and about the possible storyline of Blue Team.

  • 07.14.2011 9:56 AM PDT

Brains beats brawn get used to it

Fear the Red Comet

Variety is the spice of life.
Long live games.
Death to all fanboys.

Keep in mind that the main focus on the novel is not on the continuation of the Ghost of Onyx storyline though it will tie up some loose ends in that regard. Instead, the focus will be on new characters and how they deal with new conflicts during the aftermath of the Human-Covenant war.

  • 07.14.2011 9:59 AM PDT

The entire cover is a metaphor

1) The planet represents the utter devestation brought upon to human worlds by the Elites.

2) The ODST and Elite are not real characters, neceassarily, but rather represent humanity's and the Elites's relationship with each other. Notice how they're standing shoulder to shoulder rather then aggressivly, as if they realize they're both knee deep in a pile of -blam!- and need to work together.

Basically, as far as we know, they're not actual characters at all.

  • 07.14.2011 10:01 AM PDT

"Find where the liar hides, so that I may place my boot between his gums!" - Rtas 'Vadum

Posted by: ROBERTO jh
2) The ODST and Elite are not real characters, neceassarily, but rather represent humanity's and the Elites's relationship with each other. Notice how they're standing shoulder to shoulder rather then aggressivly, as if they realize they're both knee deep in a pile of -blam!- and need to work together.

When I look at that I see a submissive looking ODST (Humanity) and an overly assertive looking Elite.

The ODST is standing with his shoulder turned to the Elite and is not really looking confrontational. I think that this rules out warfare. However the posture of the Elite I think implies a certain tone of dominance, (Standing tall, looking down at the ODST and facing directly at him) as if Humanity are being coerced.

It is sort of possible from the canon. This is just what I see though.

  • 07.14.2011 10:09 AM PDT


Posted by: anton1792
Posted by: ROBERTO jh
2) The ODST and Elite are not real characters, neceassarily, but rather represent humanity's and the Elites's relationship with each other. Notice how they're standing shoulder to shoulder rather then aggressivly, as if they realize they're both knee deep in a pile of -blam!- and need to work together.

When I look at that I see a submissive looking ODST (Humanity) and an overly assertive looking Elite.

The ODST is standing with his shoulder turned to the Elite and is not really looking confrontational. I think that this rules out warfare. However the posture of the Elite I think implies a certain tone of dominance, (Standing tall, looking down at the ODST and facing directly at him) as if Humanity are being coerced.

It is sort of possible from the canon. This is just what I see though.


Of course the image of submission would come to mind considering the Elite's naturaly superior height, and of course Elites would look assertive; they always do.

But your guess is as good as mine. We'll have to wait for PAX in August to learn more.

  • 07.14.2011 10:14 AM PDT


Posted by: anton1792
Posted by: ROBERTO jh
2) The ODST and Elite are not real characters, neceassarily, but rather represent humanity's and the Elites's relationship with each other. Notice how they're standing shoulder to shoulder rather then aggressivly, as if they realize they're both knee deep in a pile of -blam!- and need to work together.

When I look at that I see a submissive looking ODST (Humanity) and an overly assertive looking Elite.

The ODST is standing with his shoulder turned to the Elite and is not really looking confrontational. I think that this rules out warfare. However the posture of the Elite I think implies a certain tone of dominance, (Standing tall, looking down at the ODST and facing directly at him) as if Humanity are being coerced.

It is sort of possible from the canon. This is just what I see though.
I feel the opposite of that. Since the elites basically don't know how to repair or use much of their technology after the prophets mostly died out they are slowly loosing their dominance as the most advanced species. Humanity seems to be rebuilding quite nicely after the war. In the return it mentions them uncovering forerunner artifacts so they may be using them, since they are meant to find them. If John ever gets back to UNSC controlled space I expect them to be more advanced than we left them.

  • 07.14.2011 10:24 AM PDT

Signatures are for squares.

My wallet isn't ready for 343's plans...

They're doing a trilogy of comics(Bootcamp is the first of three.)
They're doing TWO trilogies of books.
A new Game trilogy...

So there's two more comics to buy, five new books, and four more games.

  • 07.14.2011 10:28 AM PDT


Posted by: privet caboose
My wallet isn't ready for 343's plans...

They're doing a trilogy of comics(Bootcamp is the first of three.)
They're doing TWO trilogies of books.
A new Game trilogy...

So there's two more comics to buy, five new books, and four more games.



Luckily they dropped the price of CEA to $39.99. If they had tried to sell it at full price, I wouldn't be getting it.

  • 07.14.2011 10:30 AM PDT

Vengeance only leads to an ongoing cycle of hatred.

Wait, wait, wait...John wasn't stuck inside the Shield World. That wouldn't make any sense.

[Edited on 07.14.2011 10:33 AM PDT]

  • 07.14.2011 10:32 AM PDT


Posted by: privet caboose
My wallet isn't ready for 343's plans...

They're doing a trilogy of comics(Bootcamp is the first of three.)
They're doing TWO trilogies of books.
A new Game trilogy...

So there's two more comics to buy, five new books, and four more games.

... holy -blam!- you're right.

  • 07.14.2011 10:44 AM PDT


Posted by: SEAL Sniper 9
Wait, wait, wait...John wasn't stuck inside the Shield World. That wouldn't make any sense.


?

  • 07.14.2011 10:44 AM PDT
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"Time was your ally human. But now it has abandoned you. The Forerunners....have returned. And this tomb... is now yours". - The Didact


Posted by: privet caboose
My wallet isn't ready for 343's plans...

They're doing a trilogy of comics(Bootcamp is the first of three.)
They're doing TWO trilogies of books.
A new Game trilogy...

So there's two more comics to buy, five new books, and four more games.



Lol,so much but all of them are awesomly 1337

But i won't buy those comics

  • 07.14.2011 10:49 AM PDT

"Find where the liar hides, so that I may place my boot between his gums!" - Rtas 'Vadum

Posted by: ROBERTO jh
But your guess is as good as mine.

Of course, I would love to be proven wrong though.

  • 07.14.2011 10:50 AM PDT

"On the seventh day, god did not rest, but rather he created 64 player multiplayer!"


Posted by: Sparty14

Posted by: SEAL Sniper 9
Wait, wait, wait...John wasn't stuck inside the Shield World. That wouldn't make any sense.


?


Sparty, I think SEAL Sniper is confusing a part of your spoiler text, thinking "Chief Mendez" is John, because "Chief" appears by itself with "Mendez" on the next line down :P I had to double-take that little part as well hehe.

It's Chief Mendez SEAL, not the Master Chief ;)

  • 07.14.2011 11:00 AM PDT

Pegalesharro Adarsh 9.18.2530 id 397. SIII
V[(0.0)]D
Id...UsEr 397> DeNieD EnTRy
67%warning...,sPace mAy BrEaK
_Th-ey foUnd_
-RuN...-

Man I can't wait for the books, and CE, halo 4 may have to wait but I'm still getting it...

As for grasslands I think it'll clear up things by touching on (in the next three books) GoO, H4, H:R, and of course the events after H3. I also figure that the Arbiter will be in it, probably one of the leaders? I think that the first book (or the underlying theme) will be the Elite and UNSC relations, the Arbiter trying to keep some of the more warlike covies from fighting and forming a strong (and lasting union) also the UNSC needs to build moral and get rid of the ill will the citizens would have towards the Elites. The Innies will become a huge (?) problem and maybe we can read about what happened to Cole.

Idk that's my two cents

  • 07.14.2011 11:18 AM PDT

"On the seventh day, god did not rest, but rather he created 64 player multiplayer!"

One thing I don't understand is how Traviss, at first, told us in an interview last year I think, that this book was not a sequel to Ghosts of Onyx and that it would take place after Halo 3.

Then, when Frankie is asked about it in a recent interview, he says it will follow up the events of Ghosts of Onyx as well as continue on from Halo 3...

This sort of leads me to believe that Frankie and 343 were aware of the backlash from fans upon hearing Traviss say her book wouldn't be a sequel to Ghosts of Onyx, and so they asked Traviss to tie up the loose ends at the last minute. So...I'm a bit worried that Ghosts of Onyx is getting the really short end of the stick here...

  • 07.14.2011 11:25 AM PDT

Pegalesharro Adarsh 9.18.2530 id 397. SIII
V[(0.0)]D
Id...UsEr 397> DeNieD EnTRy
67%warning...,sPace mAy BrEaK
_Th-ey foUnd_
-RuN...-


Posted by: Hydrilus
One thing I don't understand is how Traviss, at first, told us in an interview last year I think, that this book was not a sequel to Ghosts of Onyx and that it would take place after Halo 3.

Then, when Frankie is asked about it in a recent interview, he says it will follow up the events of Ghosts of Onyx as well as continue on from Halo 3...

This sort of leads me to believe that Frankie and 343 were aware of the backlash from fans upon hearing Traviss say her book wouldn't be a sequel to Ghosts of Onyx, and so they asked Traviss to tie up the loose ends at the last minute. So...I'm a bit worried that Ghosts of Onyx is getting the really short end of the stick here...


I'm hoping that isn't the case, maybe the first book won't touch on that directly. Instead saving the MC and GoO stuff for the next books. Maybe Frank was clarifying that the trilogy itself will touch on those but not the first one.

[Edited on 07.14.2011 11:30 AM PDT]

  • 07.14.2011 11:29 AM PDT

Excellent, I've been waiting for a new book since Cryptum came out (read it in a couple days). Looking forward to see how the Onyx story comes into play.

  • 07.14.2011 11:32 AM PDT

I like Call of Duty and Gears of War, AND Halo. Why must everyone else like only one or the other?


Posted by: privet caboose
My wallet isn't ready for 343's plans...

They're doing a trilogy of comics(Bootcamp is the first of three.)


Wait, there's going to be two more comic trilogies aside from the FoR comic? Damn, I still don't have all the comics currently out. (I only just recently got Uprising and Blood Line. Still need Helljumper, but I'm not getting the FoR comic, since I've already got the book).

They're doing TWO trilogies of books.


Can't wait for this. Looking forward to Karen Traviss books, as I greatly enjoyed her Republic Commando books. As for the Forerunner trilogy, I'm still waiting for the paperback version of Cryptum. (which shouldn't be too much longer according to amazon)

A new Game trilogy...

So there's two more comics to buy, five new books, and four more games.



Can't wait! Looking forward to Halo Anniversary and then the new trilogy.

  • 07.14.2011 11:49 AM PDT

Signatures are for squares.


Posted by: The Elite Elite
Wait, there's going to be two more comic trilogies aside from the FoR comic? Damn, I still don't have all the comics currently out. (I only just recently got Uprising and Blood Line. Still need Helljumper, but I'm not getting the FoR comic, since I've already got the book).


Bootcamp is only the first of the three comic series covering The Fall of Reach

  • 07.14.2011 12:12 PM PDT

@accordingto343

Your one stop shop for all of 343's fabulous errors and ridiculous notions in the Halo lore.

Posted by: privet caboose

Posted by: The Elite Elite
Wait, there's going to be two more comic trilogies aside from the FoR comic? Damn, I still don't have all the comics currently out. (I only just recently got Uprising and Blood Line. Still need Helljumper, but I'm not getting the FoR comic, since I've already got the book).


Bootcamp is only the first of the three comic series covering The Fall of Reach

Next one is called Covenant, 12/14/11.

  • 07.14.2011 12:13 PM PDT

I like Call of Duty and Gears of War, AND Halo. Why must everyone else like only one or the other?


Posted by: privet caboose

Posted by: The Elite Elite
Wait, there's going to be two more comic trilogies aside from the FoR comic? Damn, I still don't have all the comics currently out. (I only just recently got Uprising and Blood Line. Still need Helljumper, but I'm not getting the FoR comic, since I've already got the book).


Bootcamp is only the first of the three comic series covering The Fall of Reach


I know. And Covenant is part 2, and Invasion is part 3. But I have no plans on getting them currently. Already have the novel, don't need the graphic novel version.

  • 07.14.2011 6:11 PM PDT
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"The hero is the one who kindles a great light in the world, who sets up blazing torches in the dark streets of life for men to see by.
The saint is the man who walks through the dark paths of the world, himself a light."
-Felix Adler

I really need to read GoO...

  • 07.14.2011 7:03 PM PDT


Posted by: Emperor Gillard
I really need to read GoO...


It's honestly my favorite one (tied with First Strike).

  • 07.14.2011 7:11 PM PDT