Saint's Testimony

HALO

By: Frank O'Connor

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 1 hr and 8 mins

Publisher's Summary

An all-new digital single - part of the New York Times best-selling series based on the blockbuster Xbox games!

The military-grade artificial intelligence known as Iona has only one week to live. After that the UNSC will legally terminate her seven-year existence in order to stave off the threat of the data corruption phenomenon known as "rampancy", a condition that will eventually take hold of her functionality and persona, endangering all those around her. In a last-ditch effort to save herself, Iona has successfully launched an unprecedented legal appeal against her own death sentence - a case being watched very closely not only at the highest levels of human government but by others with a very different agenda....

©2015 Frank O'Connor (P)2015 Simon & Schuster Audio / Halo Books

DO NOT BUY! Good Story BUT is in Halo: Fractures

Great Story Definitely a required READ - But DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK STANDALONE. This story is one of many included in Halo Fractures (Book 18 according to the audible line-up.) This is the same situation for Halo: Shadow of Intent. Again do not waste your money (or credit) on this book - instead purchase Halo: Fractures.

heavy

good story, pretty heavy and a nice twist at the end. purely an AI short story which are some of the better and more noteworthy characters in the Halo Canon.

Last 8 minutes is profound.

If you are a fan, truly a fan this story will bring on so many emotions. While the book is short the narrative involved is vast. The subject matter encompasses an issue as grave to mankind as the atomic bomb and guided missiles. That being Artificial Intelligence becoming self aware and machine consciousness.

On the fictional story side of things I found this novelette to be not only compelling but also a great listen. The narrator is a favorite. As a Halo junkie I couldn't wait to listen to it. Evidence put forth during the hearing.( which is the entirety of the book) for me proves that the UNSC and ONI needs to forgive Dr Catherine Halsey and stop using her as the scapegoat for all the ills of the war. Her work and theories saved mankind. The last 8 minutes of the story had me cheering however too many spoilers to go into details.

All said this is another great Halo listen With a mix of social commentary

Beautiful

Lacks the emotional impact of a full length book, but makes up for it in beautiful descriptions and a interesting twist, true fans of Halo and people who explore AI as an interest, poses some very deep questions and gentle gives an answer but suggests that none are the correct one or the best.

Really gives you perspective!

I really enjoyed this book, it makes you think about AI's and a perspective of their humanity, are they more than just equipment. For being such a short book I really recommend listening to it!

A good thing for school, to get you thinking.

It was an interesting short. Not a super captivating story, but a great thing to get you thinking and discuss with a group.

oh its short

oh that's why it only costs 2 dollars lol
still decent, and interesting addition the lore.

yes

this really makes me feel for the AI and makes me think about how we as humans have difficulty dealing with equality even to this day.

Great story! But an individual story.

Gray story but is also part of Halo: Fractures. I recommend that compilation rather than buying this story individually; more for your money.

One of the best Halo short stories

I love Halo smart AIs. I mean, what would Halo be without that core relationship between the Master Chief and Cortana? This story about the personhood of smart AIs is focused on characters from the Halo universe not just found in the games. If you read some of it you will appreciate characters you live from other books, but even if you don’t you can appreciate the depth and quality of this story. Highly recommended.

hard to type through the tears

well written, well acted, the sound design was top notch. whole heartedly recommend this don't be put off by it's length it's worth it

loved it

as a big halo fan, this short story really made me think about the way the A.I are treated in this universe and make the event of halo 5 about more clearer

A challenge

While listening to this product there were several point when it became difficult to discern the different characters in the scenes leading to problems in the stories flow. The written piece is clever and worth a read but the delivery of it could use some improvements. Small changes could work in improving this, such as a clear distinction between the characters speaking.

Short but another excellent Halo listen

It is very short but it's cleverly done and kept me engaged throughout. Very good!

wow

This really got me hard! It was fantastic and left me wanting so much more.

Far too short and disjointed

I would have been happy with the short run time if it had been a good narrative. This just felt like some anegdotes and part of a unfinished bigger story. Very disappointed.