The battle for humanity continues in this latest addition to the bestselling franchise based on the mega-popular video games. Narration is split between Holter Graham and Jen Taylor, who each try their very best to make the material as urgent and important as possible. However, as good as Graham is, pushing the line between corny and downright brilliant in his delivery, Taylor jumps far over the believability line, overemphasizing every word as if the audience is incapable of understanding what she's trying to say. Her cheesy dialects and over-the-top accents detract from the tension and suspense that Graham offers. Simultaneous release with the Tor hardcover. (Feb.)

For fans of the HALO video game franchise, here's just what the doctor ordered. This novel, by game designer and first-time novelist Joseph Staten, takes place before the events in the first Halo game, laying the foundation for the conflict that drives the series. Holter Graham carries most of the narrating duties, firing off military phrases and model numbers like a seasoned veteran. Graham also reads the sections told from the alien point of view, and Jen Taylor performs those told from the point of view of an artificially intelligent being. The story adds background depth to the game, and, judging by the print version's time on the bestseller list, gamers appreciate it. S.D.D. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine