The Halo games are known for being some of the most enjoyable FPS titles of their generation. While much of this was revolutionary gunplay, a great chunk of its popularity came from exploring the esoteric alien settings that the writing team placed us in. Giant planetary rings, horrific infectious Flood, and aliens enraptured by a Holy War make for a compelling universe.

While the games explore some of the lore, the Halo books go even deeper. That's why the extended universe of Halo has stretched far beyond a few mainline games. If you're looking for the best place to start your Great Journey, our list is designed for your benefit. Here are our choices for the best Halo novels.

Updated March 5, 2023 By Kenny Kimberly: With the second season of Halo's television adaptation making waves right now, there's as much interest in the franchise as there ever is. We've come back to this list to brush the dust off. While we were at it, we added another book for you to enjoy - the fan-favorite Halo: Evolutions.

When the games begin, Master Chief is already a formidable warrior, but he wasn't always that way. In Silent Storm, he is just a teenager who is still learning about life in the military. He's not doing too bad, though, as he's already a Petty Officer leading a team of Spartans.

So, it isn't a complete origin story, but it's still fascinating to see a young and fairly inexperienced Master Chief in action. What's also interesting is the inclusion of the insurgents in the story. They're a group of humans who aren't big fans of the UNSC and want to deal with the Covenant their own way. This is a cool dynamic.

Halo Evolutions is an anthology of multiple short stories rather than a single novel or series of books. For some, this might not be preferable, but this fan favorite has amassed a cult following that makes it one of the best novels for a Halo fan to add to their bookshelf. Best of all, it doesn't require much previous knowledge of the franchise, as you can typically flick through a short story without needing to know all the lore around it. Just a touch of understanding for the setting is all you'll need.

Following that, it also doesn't carry much crucial lore a Halo fan needs to know. This is mostly a place for worldbuilding and highlighting some of the things in the world of Halo that aren't just Spartan 117 and Cortana blasting through rings and Covenant cruisers or popping Flood. One story you can't miss is Headhunters, which follows a pair of Spartan Headhunters - covert special operation squads that are among the most elite the UNSC has to offer.

Most Halo tales revolve around warfare of some sort, usually between the UNSC and another group. Therefore, any title that strays from that typical type of plot stands out immediately. This is the case for Halo: Last Light. It's more of a murder mystery novel than a typical Halo book. It makes for a nice change of pace.

Another nice change is the focus the novel puts on characters that don't always get the spotlight, such as the non-Master Chief Blue Team Spartans. Plus, most of them are well-written and interesting.

Neither the first game nor the Halo: Reach prequel delve too deep into exactly how the war between the humans and the Covenant began. It was already well underway when the games started.

That is what's great about the Contact Harvest book, as it gives more insight into the war's origins. Plus, it provides extra backstory to a few of Halo's most notable characters, such as Sergeant Johnson and the Prophets. All of this occurs amid an engaging and exciting sci-fi military tale.

The Forerunner race was around long before the events of the games. Yet, their impact is felt throughout the series, particularly in the later games, where they are mentioned a lot. While playing the games, though, it's hard to really understand who they were and what they did.

This book is the first of a three-part series that delves deep into their story. As a result, it helps you understand the overall narrative a lot more. As it's about the Forerunners, the actual plot isn't as fast-paced as you maybe expect from a Halo tale. But it still makes for a fascinating read.

These days, Edward Buck is one of the best Spartans in the Halo universe. But before that, he was the most popular member of the titular team in Halo 3: ODST. His transformation from ODST to Spartan is shown in this book, as you get to see what the character is up to after the war with the Covenant.

As the book mostly focuses on Buck, it's a more personal and grounded tale than Halo usually tells. Yet, it still deals with some things that are important to the overall series, such as the Spartan-4 program.

You learn a lot about the Halo universe by playing the games and reading the books. In fact, the amount of information thrown at you can be overwhelming due to the long-running nature of the series. As such, it's easy to forget some things, especially the small details.

This is where the Halo Encyclopedia comes in handy, as it contains all the information you could ever want to know about Halo. It covers humans, the Covenant, the Forerunners, the Flood, and the Banished. The book provides plenty of detail on their worlds, equipment, and societies.

It isn't abundantly clear when playing the games, but the events of Halo 2 don't immediately happen after Combat Evolved. Chief and Cortana have some escapades in-between, including the one depicted in this action-packed book.

It isn't all about them, though, as Fred-104, Kelly-087, and Dr. Elizabeth Halsey also feature in the novel. So, the narrative is filled with important characters. And while the plot isn't vital to the overall Halo story, it's still enjoyable.

Most of the great Halo stories involve Master Chief in some way. That is not the case with this one, though. Another set of Spartans take the lead in this novel. While none of them are quite as dynamic as Chief, they're still a pretty interesting bunch.

The book does a great job of introducing them and fleshing out their characters. So much so that you can't help but grow fond of some of them, at least. It helps that their fight for survival on the world of Onyx is intense and thrilling.

Every fan knows that Reach falling to the Covenant is one of the most memorable and heartbreaking moments in the Halo universe. Telling that tale isn't the most significant part of this novel, though. Instead, it's more about the Spartan-2 program and the origin of one of gaming's greatest heroes, Master Chief.

As such, you get to see what he went through before the events of the games. The result is a fascinating and thrilling narrative that is a must-read for fans of the series.

FAQ

Are Any Of The Halo Books Canon?

The Halo franchise doesn't deal in non-canon content too often. All the Halo novels are canon, and some of their events are actually referenced in the games. Most of the books contain lore that isn't crucial, mostly serving for out-of-game worldbuilding.

Where Can I Find Halo Books?

Amazon and Walmart are great online vendors for books due to their low prices, easy access, and availability. You should also check your local brick-and-mortar bookstore or gaming store to see if they're carrying any of the novels you're looking for.

What Is The First Halo Book I Should Read?

You don't have to read the Halo books in the exact chronological order. Yet, there is nothing wrong with starting at the beginning of the timeline with Halo: Cryptum. Alternatively, Halo: Fall of Reach is also a good starting point as it was the first novel published.