Tor Books, an imprint of Tom Doherty Associates, LLC-the largest publisher of science fiction in the world-is pleased to announce the publication of Halo: Primordium, the second novel in acclaimed science fiction author Greg Bear's Forerunner Saga, a prequel series to the hugely successful Halo video game franchise for the Xbox 360. Halo: Primordium goes on-sale in bookstores nationwide and online on January 6th, 2012. An unabridged audio book edition will publish simultaneously with the novel.
Halo: Primordium continues the story of the enigmatic creators and builders of the Halos that began in Halo: Cryptum. In the wake of the apparent self destruction of the Forerunner empire, two humans-Chakas and Riser-end up on a strange inverted world where horizons rise into the sky. Their epic journey across this damaged Halo takes them into the domain of a powerful and monstrous intelligence who claims to be the Last Precursor. Called the Captive by Forerunners, and the Primordial by ancient humans, this intelligence has taken charge of, and perverted, the Master Builder's already horrifying research into the Flood. Chakas and Riser unwittingly become trapped in an ancient game of vengeance between the powers who seeded the galaxy with life and the Forerunners, who have taken up the sacred Mantle of duty to protect all living things.
Halo: Primordium publishes at an exciting time for Halo fans, as the Master Chief is set to make his triumphant return in "Halo 4," the next blockbuster installment in the Xbox 360 franchise that begins all-new Halo trilogy, set to release in 2012. As with Halo: Cryptum before it, Halo: Primordium continues to expand Halo's universe and lays the foundation for many new discoveries to come. "As we head into the launch year for Halo 4, more and more fans are begging for answers to a lot of questions. In Primordium, Greg answers those, and a bunch you never even thought to ask and introduces some new mysteries that will have a resounding and lasting effect on the Halo universe." said Frank O'Connor, Franchise Development Director at 343 Industries.
An icon in the science fiction community, Greg Bear has won both the Hugo and Nebula awards for such critically celebrated international bestsellers as Eon and The Forge of God. His work has covered such heavy themes as galactic conflict, artificial universes, consciousness and cultural practices, and his talent for taut narratives, intellectually rigorous themes, and realistic, appealing characters make him the perfect fit to write the early history in this epic blockbuster franchise.
"Greg Bear's high concepts and deep characterization are the perfect complement to the beloved world of Halo," says Tor editor Stacy Hill. "The implications of his thoughtful Forerunner books are shocking and far-reaching, illuminating the satisfying complexity of the Halo universe."
The Halo franchise is an award-winning collection of properties that have grown into a global entertainment phenomenon. Beginning with the original "Halo: Combat Evolved" for Xbox in 2001, the rich fiction of the franchise has since inspired a series of blockbuster Xbox and Xbox 360 video games, New York Times best-selling novels, comic books, action figures, apparel and more. To date, sales in the Halo franchise have eclipsed $2.8 billion. The highly anticipated next installment in the franchise, "Halo 4," was recently announced for a holiday 2012 release. With a fully fleshed-out universe of heroes, villains and epic scenarios, the novels expand the universe to give fans a grander view of the game environments and characters they encounter.