Halo: Smoke and Shadow

Feminist trash. All male characters are neutered, insulted, overly-emotional and dependent on the strong, independent wahmen that just don't need them and their mansplaining to get the job done. The lead character shows no emotional development and has a nearly endless string of luck. Every time she might need something, the plot swings in with macguffin after magic maguffin. Reliance on ideology and plot convenience to move a story forward is sorely disappointing. The premise of the story is great. So much potential. Sadly squandered. Also, it appears that the author doesn't understand space and time very well. The chronological progression left me feeling dizzy. Never deigned to tell me when, in fact, events were happening. I was left to piece it together. The Marine character does various things such a character would never do. Much like Luke Skywalker did in The Last Jedi. Both men were forced by writers to violate their own character. This novel reminds me of TLJ in many ways.

Lacking most of the military side that would be a core part of a halo book this story still manages to pull a short but interesting human tale from the same universe a few years after the halo 4 events. A little bit heavy on the emotional characterization for what the book series is used to, but creates a good opening for more stories to part from it.

Too short though, I literally am still scrambling from almost toppling over the edge of my seat from its abrupt cliffhanger. This little sliver of joy may mean these characters will be present or mentioned in Halo Wars 2. That, or a serious Blomkamp was pulled on us to have us create infinite possibilities of what could happen after with no continuation. Loved the references, returning namesake, the subtle nods/hinting and fresh view this story offers. Did I mention it was too short?