3 Halo novels you need to read to prepare for Halo Infinite

After careful scrutiny, other Halo experts and I were able to discern details about Halo Infinite from its reveal trailer. Notably, it was concluded that the game would likely take place on a Halo ring that we haven't visited before in-game: Installation 07, or Zeta Halo.

There's plenty of interesting lore behind Zeta Halo to be found. I put together a condensed explanation of all of it here, but if you'd like to get more in-depth, you can check out these relevant Halo novels.

Halo: Hunters in the Dark — Peter David

Halo: Hunters in the Dark by Peter David (about $10 is set after the events of Halo 3. In it, UNSC scientists studying Zeta Halo discover that, somehow, it's on a timer to being activated. After taking this disturbing news back to the UNSC, they find out that all the other Halo rings are on the same timer. With the galaxy suddenly only weeks away from annihilation, the UNSC and the Elites form a coalition to travel back to the Ark and stop the threat.

Though the time spent on Zeta Halo in this novel is short, we do get details on one of the forms of wildlife seen in the Halo Infinite trailer. Additionally, the coalition force discovers several types of alien life on the Ark that could end up being seen on Zeta Halo.

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Halo: Primordium — Greg Bear

Set during the Forerunner-Flood War, Halo: Primordium by Greg Bear (about $10 is almost entirely set on Zeta Halo. As the war effort drew on, and Forerunner society began to crumble, their leader, Faber-Of-Will-And-Might, began to use Zeta Halo as a site for Flood cure research. In desperation, they searched for a way to end the parasitic spread before it was too late. Meanwhile, the Forerunners' strongest artificial intelligence, Mendicant Bias, began an interrogation with the Primordial, the last Precursor, who was possibly connected to the Flood.

The second work in the Forerunner Trilogy of novels, Halo: Primordium gives a significant amount of context to Zeta Halo, including what it was meant for originally, what it was repurposed to do, the history behind it, and more. Though not fully necessary, it would be a good idea to also read the book's predecessor, Halo: Cryptum.

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Halo: Fractures — Various authors

Though not directly tied to Zeta Halo, Halo: Fractures (about $12 is still a fantastic read for anyone looking to learn more about the Halo universe. Comprised of a whopping 14 short stories, Halo: Fractures delivers a hefty amount of information for all the perspectives in Halo. From a look at the immediate aftermath of the Human-Covenant War to the complicated process of artificial intelligence creation, it's jam-packed with lore.

Of course, it also has a fair share of narratives set in the final days of the Forerunner-Flood War, and right after the events of Halo 5: Guardians, as well. These are the stories that have the greatest chance of being relevant in Halo Infinite.

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Your thoughts

What do you think of these and other Halo novels? Have you read any of the ones mentioned here? Have others to recommend? Let me know in the comments.

If you're looking for some Halo content in video game format, make sure to check out Halo 5: Guardians, Halo Wars 2, and Halo: The Master Chief Collection (MCC).

• See Halo 5 on Microsoft Store
• See Halo Wars 2 on Microsoft Store
• See MCC on Microsoft Store