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This topic has moved here: Subject: Is glasslands an intriguing story, worth-reading? (No spoilers please)
  • Subject: Is glasslands an intriguing story, worth-reading? (No spoilers please)
Subject: Is glasslands an intriguing story, worth-reading? (No spoilers please)

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  • 10.27.2011 6:54 AM PDT

I haven't read the book myself, but from what I've heard it changes a lot of the characters personalities significantly.

  • 10.27.2011 6:55 AM PDT

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

Putting it simply - no.

  • 10.27.2011 6:56 AM PDT
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  • Exalted Legendary Member

I haven't read it, but if you are a big fan of Halo fiction, I'd say it's probably important enough in that it is the only major source of info we have on the state of the universe post Halo 3. That's at least of a fair amount of interest even if the book isn't terribly well written. If you're looking for a good Halo read however I can't comment on that as I'm waiting for the audiobook version (hard to find time to actually sit down and read anything anymore with kids around and such, thank goodness for audio books).

  • 10.27.2011 6:58 AM PDT

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You should get it. It is extremly well written.
No date disparities or whatever you call them.

Some people, specially here, will just complain complain complain and be really close minded.

It is a really well written book. When I was in middle or so, I couldn't believe why would people complain about her. She is absolutely a good writter and it's a really good read.

  • 10.27.2011 7:37 AM PDT

yas334229812


Posted by: anish panchalin

Posted by: antony X1000
I haven't read the book myself, but from what I've heard it changes a lot of the characters personalities significantly.


Same. I heard a lot of complaints about the Halsey hating Mendez issue but that was gathered only from chapters 1 and 2, before the release of the book. Also there seems to be a timeline mishap as ajw pointed out in a waypoint thread "glasslands complaints" about when thel returns to sanghelios.


There is no timeline mishap, its all been blown out of proportion because oh nothing can happen between december and march thing.

Using what Rtas said that he wanted to check sangheilios was okay at march but here the book says Thel was there before March. Which is completely okay. The main problem is that some people can't take the story and read behind the lines.

  • 10.27.2011 7:51 AM PDT
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  • Exalted Legendary Member


Posted by: anish panchalin

Posted by: antony X1000
I haven't read the book myself, but from what I've heard it changes a lot of the characters personalities significantly.


Same. I heard a lot of complaints about the Halsey hating Mendez issue but that was gathered only from chapters 1 and 2, before the release of the book. Also there seems to be a timeline mishap as ajw pointed out in a waypoint thread "glasslands complaints" about when thel returns to sanghelios.


Halsey hating Mendez doesn't seem like it would be a big issue or out of character to me. They used to get along, but for one, Halsey has long since had a change of heart on what she did to the Spartan kids, and secondly, Mendez went off and trained Ackerson's SIIIs behind her back... for Ackerson. I can't imagine Halsey would be too thrilled with him (or Kurt for that matter) after that.

  • 10.27.2011 7:56 AM PDT

I'm still being tossed around in my opinion on this book.
Note that I haven't read it, and probably won't do so soon because it sounds VERY unappealing and gets bashed A LOT by fans on multiple websites.

thisreview (note spoilers!!!!) doesn't sound too good to be honest, and those are mostly fans discussing it.

The legacy of Traviss of dramatizing everything she touches to the point it makes As The World Turns look like proper good emotional impacting stuff seems to have also slipped into Halo.
And I still don't understand why such a controversial writer got this project and didn't get leashed by 343i.

Sure: the whole post-H3 set up and the hints to H4 (which turn out to be fairly non-exsistant) are interesting. But the way it's written seems very, VERY unappealing.
Matter of fact: I've never read so much negatives about a Halo book ever since The Flood. And I've never been less motivated to buy something Halo related as with this book...

I will eventually get it, just for fan's-sake and being too much of a Halo nerd. But my expectations are VERY low. And if there won't be any positive reviews, I'm afraid 343i needs to ditch Traviss and bring back Nylund or Dietz (yes, the man behind The Flood) to finish this storyline up in a better way.

[Edited on 10.27.2011 7:58 AM PDT]

  • 10.27.2011 7:57 AM PDT

Welcome to bungie, you have no rights. play nice!
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Don, most complains are stupid and could be resolved by using your brain to think and looking at things from multiple angles.

  • 10.27.2011 8:07 AM PDT


Posted by: Spartan 100
Don, most complains are stupid and could be resolved by using your brain to think and looking at things from multiple angles.



Which is common stuff for any expanding universe.
Thing is: Traviss seems to have delivered a clusterf--- of a book to the majority of the community.
It's almost as if this is the Reach of the books in terms of reactions people have to it: negative.

Its not so much a problem that there are complaints about errors. The problem is Traviss going all dramatic and turning every character from (somewhat) likeble as we know, into completely unlikeble and with that destroying the pleasure of reading about them.

  • 10.27.2011 8:13 AM PDT

yas334229812


Posted by: DonVinzone1

Posted by: Spartan 100
Don, most complains are stupid and could be resolved by using your brain to think and looking at things from multiple angles.



Which is common stuff for any expanding universe.
Thing is: Traviss seems to have delivered a clusterf--- of a book to the majority of the community.
It's almost as if this is the Reach of the books in terms of reactions people have to it: negative.

Its not so much a problem that there are complaints about errors. The problem is Traviss going all dramatic and turning every character from (somewhat) likeble as we know, into completely unlikeble and with that destroying the pleasure of reading about them.


Alot can happen over the years plus if those you feel the closest to turn their back on you and go help some old enemy of yours and you did not know you won't like it plus she did have that aura that she was a little bit obnoxious.

Also the universe works in certain way things happen. Also she may have been an ass to the S3's as she may be looking at them and thinking they are a perversion of her creation and disgusting thing and maybe for her they are Ackerson's kids and she hates him alot and so some can be moved on to them.

Traviss has not made a single canon break her story may be a bit overly dramatic but overall we are looking inside the lines and everything seems to be fine. Its just people hate Traviss and most people were already giving negative views from the beginning even before Ch1 was shown that oh she will ruin it.

She did no such thing although i believe that humanity should have taken more time to bounce back up from the war.

Overall most of these complaints sound bias and people who will only accept anything that is bungie based. They are conservatives they will not want anything to change but for halo to exist and reach a global audience this story is needed to increase the dwindling fan base.

This fan base that will be created will mainly be scholarly ones people who can think.

  • 10.27.2011 8:50 AM PDT

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

Posted by: risay_117
Overall most of these complaints sound bias and people who will only accept anything that is bungie based. They are conservatives they will not want anything to change but for halo to exist and reach a global audience this story is needed to increase the dwindling fan base.

Calling someone biased because it does not agree with your view is all too convenient, as is implying that they are Bungie fanboys. (And for the record, I disliked Reach and it is not going to become my favorite game anytime soon. Sorry to break your fatuous "Bungie Fanboy" ideal)

As for not wanting anything to change...well why the hell should it? We have a story, a set of characters and set of ideas in that story that should not be changed. Otherwise your story is pointless. Changing certain facets of a story in order to prologue its life is a clear indication of milking. Someone at 343i is not doing their job right if the story is changed or needs to be changed.

And the online canon fanbase has been dwindling away for the past 2 years now, mostly under 343i reign. I mean most of the older fans that used to frequent this place are gone.

Posted by: risay_117
This fan base that will be created will mainly be scholarly ones people who can think.

lol

  • 10.27.2011 11:42 AM PDT


Posted by: risay_117

Posted by: DonVinzone1

Posted by: Spartan 100
Don, most complains are stupid and could be resolved by using your brain to think and looking at things from multiple angles.



Which is common stuff for any expanding universe.
Thing is: Traviss seems to have delivered a clusterf--- of a book to the majority of the community.
It's almost as if this is the Reach of the books in terms of reactions people have to it: negative.

Its not so much a problem that there are complaints about errors. The problem is Traviss going all dramatic and turning every character from (somewhat) likeble as we know, into completely unlikeble and with that destroying the pleasure of reading about them.


Alot can happen over the years plus if those you feel the closest to turn their back on you and go help some old enemy of yours and you did not know you won't like it plus she did have that aura that she was a little bit obnoxious.

Also the universe works in certain way things happen. Also she may have been an ass to the S3's as she may be looking at them and thinking they are a perversion of her creation and disgusting thing and maybe for her they are Ackerson's kids and she hates him alot and so some can be moved on to them.

Traviss has not made a single canon break her story may be a bit overly dramatic but overall we are looking inside the lines and everything seems to be fine. Its just people hate Traviss and most people were already giving negative views from the beginning even before Ch1 was shown that oh she will ruin it.

She did no such thing although i believe that humanity should have taken more time to bounce back up from the war.

Overall most of these complaints sound bias and people who will only accept anything that is bungie based. They are conservatives they will not want anything to change but for halo to exist and reach a global audience this story is needed to increase the dwindling fan base.

This fan base that will be created will mainly be scholarly ones people who can think.


Whatever, opinions differ.

But to your last point: no. Just no.
I am one of those people here who constantly express great trust in 343i. I am not blindly following Bungie, and do criticize them where I see fit and needed.

I do accept and appreciate changes, just not if perfectly fine characters are destroyed for no real reason. Whats next? Chief going emo?
Also: this book is NOT needed to save a dwindling population.
The books aren't read by most mainstream gamers and the fast majority of Halo buyers, and THATS where you get your hardcore fanbase from. Not from a book thats aimed at already exsisting fans.
CEA and Halo 4 are meant and needed to bring Halo back to its haydays of popularity. But even that will be hard in a time where the next big thing simply isn't Halo...
In that respect, Halo is like the Mario, MGS and GranTurismo series: of great importance, still top notch quality and certain million sellers....but not aimed massively at the masses anymore.
Glasslands never could do anything against that, and never was intented to do such a thing.

  • 10.27.2011 11:58 AM PDT

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

Posted by: anish panchalin
They complained again and again about the smaller things such as timeline disparities between TFOR and HR, failing to take into account any of the games successes.


And what are these successes? It's a campaign with no plot until the end of The Package, bland one-dimensional characters, harrowingly boring missions (albeit New Alexandria) with mind-numbingly pointless objectives and a soundtrack that cannot even be compared to (for example) Halo CE, 2 or ODST's.

Then there's the abysmal multiplayer, where Armour Lock spammers reign supreme. AAs in general shouldn't have been in the game to begin with, Equipment was a stretch on the Halo formula but ultimately wasn't as game-changing as AAs are because it took a minute for Equipment to respawn and the couldn't be spammed.

And don't get me started on the maps...

Forge is the only thing that keeps me coming back to Reach, and even that has only 1 good map to use the feature.

Posted by: risay_117
Overall most of these complaints sound bias and people who will only accept anything that is bungie based. They are conservatives they will not want anything to change but for halo to exist and reach a global audience this story is needed to increase the dwindling fan base.


This is what you're saying:

"Anyone who complains about Glasslands is obviously a Bungie fanboy because the book was perfect and the complainers are wrong because I disagree with them."

lolno -_-

  • 10.27.2011 11:59 AM PDT

haha

I like it so far, if you liked all the other halo books, your going to want to read this one to.

  • 10.27.2011 12:52 PM PDT
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Deva Path


Posted by: DecepticonCobra

We are all going to get banned aren't we?

To be completely honest and unbiased.


I find myself pretty much rushing through the pages to get to the onyx parts. I find what both sangheili and ONI to be doing extremely stupid and i am not interested in it.

I honestly can say anthing else without spoiling.

  • 10.27.2011 1:41 PM PDT


Posted by: Fearing

Posted by: anish panchalin

Posted by: antony X1000
I haven't read the book myself, but from what I've heard it changes a lot of the characters personalities significantly.


Same. I heard a lot of complaints about the Halsey hating Mendez issue but that was gathered only from chapters 1 and 2, before the release of the book. Also there seems to be a timeline mishap as ajw pointed out in a waypoint thread "glasslands complaints" about when thel returns to sanghelios.


Halsey hating Mendez doesn't seem like it would be a big issue or out of character to me. They used to get along, but for one, Halsey has long since had a change of heart on what she did to the Spartan kids, and secondly, Mendez went off and trained Ackerson's SIIIs behind her back... for Ackerson. I can't imagine Halsey would be too thrilled with him (or Kurt for that matter) after that.


Mendez's life was getting to him. In an argument he has with Halsey over the Spartan programs, Mendez says "if you work in the sewer long enough, you don't notice the smell until you step outside." Explaining why he never said anything before and seemed to be okay with it. After having a while stuck with Halsey after not seeing her for 20 odd years brought back some things that were more powerful in reflection then in the moment.

Again, people confuse character devolopment and psycho-analysis with mischaracteriztion on this site very easily.

I do think people were unfair to expect bad things from her just because they disliked her work on star-wars or gears of war.
(at this stage they had not even seen chapters 1 and 2).
They were exaggerating their negative opinions here and spreading it amongst the bungie universe forum to generate hate/dislike for Travis before the novel came out.

Having read the above posts I do not know whether ajw s glasslands complaint is valid anymore but I will get the book and at least judge it for myself.


The people who disliked her work in Star Wars were the kind of people who see Star Wars as a religion. If Wars is a religion, then George Lucas' word is akin to God. So when he kicked her off the team, people automatically threw a -blam!- fit and called her out on things I can't even fathom (one noted example is when a Lucas fanboy called her a bloated asian whore. How that applies to a british author I have no clue).

Anyway, people were jumping to conclusions way to damn fast and those same people refuse to accept the fact that they are wrong about their initial assumptions; they cling to their beliefs stubbornly, refusing to change like they refuse to accept that people change. They went in with preconceptions of her based off of what topics were being discussed without even having read anything from the book. I have yet to see a legitimate reason as to why this book is bad (and I damn well was looking for canon errors too, not a single one was found). Really the only reason I see is that people here can't seem to grasp the concept of progressive change in humans, which Traviss has been lauded over by critics, authors, literary buffs and everything in between on her ability to do.

The people who some of the fans thought these characters were, are not human beings if they were as they wished. The people who would bash the devoloping characters are the people who thought only of 1 dimensional robots who would never dynamically change beyond their perfect mental image of them. I'm not saying all bashers are like this, but from what I've seen, most are.

Here's an interesting little quote by Chief Mendez that I thought was fitting: "You know what regular recruits are like when you draft them? A mixed bag. Some are down right psychopathic. Some are bone idle. Some are scared of their own shadow. All kinds. But dumb guys like me make them into fighting men and women by giving them discipline and pride. That's the way the armed forces always ran before we even started designing soldiers....You know something? It's the way the rest of the UNSC still runs. What you call abnormalities, I call different personalities. You want to medicate and tweak and modify people into one vanilla definition on perfect, lady, and it's not what humans are like."

So going into Glasslands, you need to ask yourself if you're a perfectionist like Halsey or understands people like Mendez.

  • 10.27.2011 1:59 PM PDT

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

Posted by: ROBERTO jh

Your responses to anyone who dislikes Glasslands seem to revolve around these 5 principles:
- "You don't understand."
- "People don't like Traviss but they're all wrong."
- "If you don't like Glasslands then your opinion is wrong."
- "You're jumping to conclusions about it."
- "It's your assumptions that are wrong, not Traviss, she's perfect!"

That's all I'm reading here...

[Edited on 10.27.2011 2:12 PM PDT]

  • 10.27.2011 2:11 PM PDT

Vengeance only leads to an ongoing cycle of hatred.

I heard from a reliable source that it's not worth the read...

  • 10.27.2011 2:18 PM PDT

In regards to novels and "canon". I will pick and choose which ones to support as I damn well please. Cryptum and Glasslands are irrelevant as far as I'm concerned.

Don't like that? Boo hoo.

Sure they're "canon" but that doesn't mean I have to support them, their existence, or the continued careers of their respective writers.

Posted by: ROBERTO jh
The people who disliked her work in Star Wars were the kind of people who see Star Wars as a religion.

Yeah...that's a load of crap right there.

No alot of the hate for her Star Wars work stems from her writing like a drama queen or soap opera writer where many felt that was not the appropriate style for the genre or material.

And she killed off Mara Jade. A fan favorite, and she just kills her off.

  • 10.27.2011 2:27 PM PDT

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

You're really like Avu Med Telcam, alex.
Reach story was really bad until 343 industries fixed it.
And the spartan-IIIs had their frontal lobe altered so... Yeah.

  • 10.27.2011 2:37 PM PDT