Halo: Epitaph

Halo, Book 32

By: Kelly Gay

Narrated by: Keith Szarabajka

Length: 8 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

An original novel set in the Halo universe—based on the New York Times bestselling video game series!

Stripped of armor, might, and memory, the legendary Forerunner warrior known as the Didact was torn from the physical world following his destructive confrontation with the Master Chief and sent reeling into the mysterious depths of a seemingly endless desert wasteland. This once powerful and terrifying figure is now a shadow of his former self—gaunt, broken, desiccated, and alone. But this wasteland is not as barren as it seems. A blue light glints from a thin spire in the far distance…

Thus begins the Didact’s great journey—the final fate of one of the galaxy’s most enigmatic and pivotal figures.

©2023 Kelly Gay (P)2023 Simon & Schuster Audio

The story of the Diadac and The Mantle

the story was good. the climax was disappointing. book left many things unexplained. what happened to Cortana for example?

Amazing story

Makes Halos 3,4,5 and Infinite more clear and understandable. This book answers just about every question left by the games.

The progressive and in depth view.

I really enjoyed how the story here played out. I like the in depth look into the domain and the dealings with the Didact, Cortana, and the Warden Eternal as well as the spirits too.

Righting Old Wrongs

Fair warning, this review contains spoilers, read at your own discretion. Working off a legacy of failed expectations and story writing shortcomings from the mainline games of 4 and 5, Halo Epitaph manages to put some much needed context into the murky waters that 4, and much more specifically 5 left the franchise trudging through. The Didact’s personal growth, spurred by a journey of self reflection and immense introspection manages to, in my eyes, redeem and redefine his role within the Halo mythos in a way I never could have foreseen. His journey to subjugate the domain, eventually morphing into a righteous quest to free it from greedy hands and corrupted influences, is nothing short of narrative catharsis; the beautiful closing of a circle the Didact has been traversing for over 1,000 centuries. To then see this same character be the driving force between key moments of victory in 5 and infinite is nothing short of legendary, complete with all skulls on. To consider the fact I’d be forgiving, and even relating to a character once only known as a maddened, murderous psychopath is a feat I will celebrate for years to come in my love of Halo. Kelly Gay, I want to personally thank you for reconciling me with Halo’s 4 and 5 in a way that lets me enjoy them for what they have brought to the Halo Universe, and for also giving me a brand new way to enjoy Halo Infinite with some much needed context! Keith Szarabajka, I bet you must have found some immense satisfaction in narrating this book, allowing you a much needed expansion of a character I always considered to be one of the most nuanced and deserving of redemption, a redemption he has finally attained. Thank you for allowing us, the readers, another look into the character you voiced more than a decade ago, it was a blast the whole way through!

That voice

Really bridges the gap between Halo 5 and Infinite. Explains really why things happened how they did.

Great read, would reccomend if you are looking for some more background on the Forunners and the Flood.

I really enjoyed learning more about the origins of the flood, and knowing more about the forunners. They went more in depth into the human/forunner war too, which has been talked about very sparingly in lore so far.

The absolute best thing about it however was the storytelling. It's not your standard, linier timeframe, but istead broken into chunks of past and lore while we follow the Didacts path, and learn more about who he really was rather than just "The Bad guy from Halo 4."

All and all very well done.

Great story

Anything forerunner is the best. I like Scott brick as the narrator a little better, but this is still great.

Diadact is back?

The return and tie in of the pivotal character from previous halo game halo 4's Diadact being shown to have survive his encounter with games series main protagonist Master Chief Spartan John 117 is just incredible.

wow that is fantastic!

wow that is fantastic. finally! some loose ends tied up! and more lore! why 343 can't you put this into the games! whyyyyy!

The evolution of the character

to have seen the Didact go from what he was to what he is now to have been cleansed by the domain get his proper ending chef's kiss beautiful