Publisher: Del Rey Books

Author: Karen Traviss

Release Date: 10/28/2008-7/28/2009

Pages: Various

Recommended Audience: Young Adult

Video game novels are something of a hobby of mine because they let you delve deeper into characters’ minds and are more detailed, story-wise, than any game could be. This goes for a lot of game franchises as well as movie-based books. You just can’t get any more detailed than written words. This is also true for the gritty war that has torn Gears of War. The books capture the personalities of the characters perfectly, so they feel like they’re straight from the game.

The first book, Aspho Fields, has two plot points: The Pendulum Wars before E-Day and just after the first game. The main focus is on Marcus and Dom growing up together as kids and going to school together, as well as following Dom’s family. The Pendulum Wars describes the Delta squad and the COG before the Locust were even a threat. The Pendulum Wars were an indie group of scientists who were creating the Hammer of Dawn, and the COG wanted it. Aspho Fields is a particular battle where Marcus and Dom must choose life or death for friends. There are a few new characters introduced, and one main character is known as Bernie Mataki. I have a feeling she was meant to be in the game but never made it.

Jacinto’s Remnant has two plot points as well, but the secondary is fairly weak and just filler. Remnant also has less action than the first book but has a more interesting plot. The book follows right after the sinking of Jacinto and the COG trying to gather up the last of humanity on a remote island away from the mainland. They have to deal with Stranded, as well as a group of rebels who just don’t want to cooperate with COG laws. The secondary plot is a bit of filler during the Hammer of Dawn strike that wiped out 90% of Sera in a desperate attempt to destroy the Locust even before the Light Mass Bombing.

The first book has more background on the Delta Squad, and the second book has more foresight on what happened after Jacinto. Each book serves its purpose, but Remnant doesn’t really have much action in it at all. It’s not boring, but if you want nonstop action, then Aspho Fields is your deal. In fact, you hardly hear about locusts after about 25% through Jacinto’s Remnant. The book gives fans of the game some insight into the characters as well as some background on all the little things in Gears that the game never explained or talked about.

Overall, the Gears of War duo-logy is great for fans only. For everyone waiting for Gears of War 3, these books should tide you over for over 600 pages of greatness. The books could have been better, but you can’t really complain about a series that doesn’t have much back story besides nonstop, in-your-face interactive action.