The Halo series is a widely recognized and immersive military sci-fi franchise that has expanded into various media over time, such as a popular TV show and numerous novels. This franchise centers around the continuous struggle between humans and diverse alien species inhabiting the universe. If you’re new to this series, you might be thrilled to find out there are plenty of books available, and today we’ll discuss them. Let’s begin with the fundamentals: how many Halo books have been published, and what is the recommended reading order?
Editor’s Note: This reading order was updated in April 2025 to include Halo: Empty Throne
How many Halo books are there?
37 books make up the main Halo series so far, but we haven’t included additional reading materials like compilation books, encyclopedias, art books, commentaries on creation, and screenshots. Our focus is solely on the books that contribute to the narrative of Halo itself. The storyline began with “Halo: The Fall of Reach,” a book published in 2001 that marked the start of this expansive saga.
Hey there fellow gamer! Diving into the expansive universe of Halo can be an exciting yet daunting task with nine series and a plethora of standalone books and novellas. To help you navigate through it all, I’ve put together this handy Halo reading order so you don’t miss out on any crucial moments in the Spartan saga!
Halo books in order – at a glance
The sequence in which the Halo books were published is known as the “release order.” However, it might not be the ideal sequence for reading these books; we’ll discuss that further down the line. As previously mentioned, the story begins with “Halo: The Fall of Reach,” marking the start of the “Original Series.” After this book, other titles were released, and over time, the Halo universe expanded to include both major and minor characters. We’ll delve deeper into that aspect later. For now, let’s examine the publication order of Halo books:
We call it the “release order” for the Halo books, but you might not want to read them in this sequence – we’ll talk about that later. To kick things off, there’s “Halo: The Fall of Reach,” which starts the “Original Series.” After that, more books followed and the universe got bigger with both major and minor characters. We’ll discuss that part later. Right now, let’s check out the order in which these Halo books were released:
In either case, the goal is to make the information clear and engaging while keeping the language conversational and easy to read.
- Halo: The Fall of Reach (2001)
- Halo: The Flood (2003)
- Halo: First Strike (2003)
- Halo: Ghosts of Onyx (2006)
- Halo: Contact Harvest (2007)
- Halo: The Cole Protocol (2008)
- Halo: Evolutions – Essential Tales of the Halo Universe (2009)
- Halo: Cryptum (2011)
- Halo: Glasslands (2011)
- Halo: Primordium (2012)
- Halo: The Thursday War (2012)
- Halo: Silentium (2013)
- Halo: Mortal Dictata (2014)
- Halo: Broken Circle (2014)
- Halo: New Blood (2014)
- Halo: Hunters in the Dark (2015)
- Halo: Saint’s Testimony (2015)
- Halo: Last Light (2015)
- Halo: Shadow of Intent (2015)
- Halo: Fractures (2016)
- Halo: Smoke and Shadow (2016)
- Halo: Envoy (2017)
- Halo: Retribution (2017)
- Halo: Legacy of Onyx (2017)
- Halo: Bad Blood (2018)
- Halo: Silent Storm (2018)
- Halo: Battle Born (2019)
- Halo: Renegades (2019)
- Halo: Oblivion (2019)
- Halo: Meridian Divide (2019)
- Halo: Shadows of Reach (2020)
- Halo: Point of Light (2021)
- Halo: Divine Wind (2021)
- Halo: The Rubicon Protocol (2022)
- Halo: Outcasts (2023)
- Halo: Epitaph (2024)
- Halo: Empty Throne (2025)
The books are categorized into nine distinct series, including: The Original Series, Gray Team Series, The Forerunner Saga, Kilo-Five Trilogy, Alpha-Nine Series, The Ferrets Series, Rion Forge & Ace Of Spades series, A Master Chief Story, and Battle Born. Each series has standalone books and novellas that don’t have a common set of characters to tie them together.
What is the best way to read Halo books?
Reading the Halo books is most effectively done by following the chronology rather than the order of publication. The stories are grouped into series, and the events don’t align closely with the books’ release dates because some series were published concurrently during their original releases.
Halo books in chronological order
The Forerunner Saga (2011-2013)
Halo: Cryptum (2011, Greg Bear)
As a dedicated Forerunner saga enthusiast, diving into the first installment means immersing myself in the epic tale of the Forerunner-Flood conflict. This gripping narrative unfolds the pivotal moments of the Battle of Bornstellar Makes Eternal Lasting and the unforgettable journey of The Didact – a story I can’t wait to experience firsthand!
Halo: Primordium (2012, Greg Bear)
The second part delves into the story of Chakas, an individual born amidst the Forerunner-Flood conflict who met a physical end yet continued to exist mentally. It further explores his odyssey through Zeta Halo.
Halo: Silentium (2013, Greg Bear)
The final episode in the sequence recounts the chain of incidents that precipitated the downfall of the Forerunners, triggered by the insanity of Ur-Didact. It delves into the consequences and also outlines the initiation of the Halo Array.
The last episode in this series explains the sequence of events that brought about the fall of the Forerunners due to the madness of Ur-Didact. It covers the aftermath, along with describing how the Halo Array was set into motion.
The Original Series (2001-2006)
Halo: Fall of The Reach (2001, Eric Nylund)
Kicking off the series, it meticulously covers all aspects of the SPARTAN-II project, the Covenant invasion of Reach, and the UNSC Pillar of Autumn – an essential read for anyone diving into the Halo universe.
Halo: The Flood (2003, William C. Dietz)
In the sequel to the initial series, we find details about the happenings of Halo: Combat Evolved, which was the first installment in the collection of games.
Halo: First Strike (2003, Eric Nylund)
This article connects the dots between Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 2, addressing lingering queries concerning Master Chief’s return to Earth and the survival of certain characters following the events on Reach.
*Contact Harvest should chronologically be read before this
Halo: Ghosts of Onyx (2006, Eric Nylund)
Details the training of Spartan-IIIs, and the battle for 2552.
Gray Team Series (2008-2017)
Halo: The Cole Protocol (2008, Tobias Buckell)
Kickoff for the Gray Team series! This initial installment presents the Gray Team, an elite squad of Spartan-II super-soldiers, including their individual members. It delves deeper into the lives of two key characters, Jacob Keyes and Thel ‘Vadam.
Halo: Envoy (2017, Tobias Buckell)
In the story, the Gray Team encounters imprisonment, and the narrative follows Melody Azikiwe’s mission to Carrow to secure their freedom.
Kilo-Five Trilogy (2011-2014)
Halo: Glasslands (2011, Karen Traviss)
Halo: Glasslands delves into the aftermath of the Human-Covenant War, recounting the series of events that unfolded subsequent to the stories narrated in the Ghosts of Onyx novels by Eric Nylund.
Halo: The Thursday War (2012, Karen Traviss)
During the catastrophic period known as the Blooding Years, many Sangheili factions, along with their iconic weapons from Sanghelios, were deeply involved. The Thursday War explores the part that humans took in this devastating episode.
Halo: Mortal Dictata (2014, Karen Traviss)
The narrative centers on the Venezian rebel group, who have been making threats to carry out acts of terrorism on our planet.
Alpha-Nine series (2015-2018)
Halo: New Blood (2015, Matt Forbeck)
In this new chapter, I find myself immersed in the Human-Covenant War, delving deeper into the story of Alpha-Nine squad, a team spearheaded by none other than Edward Bucks.
Halo: Bad Blood (2018, Matt Forbeck)
Following the downfall of Alpha-Nine, I find myself rallying my old comrades once more with the determination to stand against Cortana’s Creations. Edward Buck and I breathe life back into our team, ready to offer resistance and wage war.
The Ferrets series (2015-2021)
Halo: Last Light (2015, Troy Denning)
The final rays of light chronicle the occurrences that unfolded on the human settlement of Gao, which boasted Forerunner technology. A string of homicides transpired within this colony, leading to Special Investigator Veta Lopis and the Blue Team becoming entangled in the ensuing events.
Halo: Retribution (2017, Troy Denning)
Once more, Special Inspector Veta Lopis was called upon due to a high-stakes homicide – that of Admiral Graselyn Tuwa. This time, she worked alongside her trusted team, the Blue Team, and the Ferrets.
Halo: Divine Wind (2021, Troy Denning)
Once more, the Halo Array stands on the brink of activation, this time at the hands of the Keepers of One Freedom. Meanwhile, Special Inspector Veta Lopis becomes entangled in the affairs of both the Blue Team and The Ferrets.
Rion Forge & Ace Of Spades series (2016- 2021)
Halo: Smoke and Shadow (2016, Kelly Gay)
It appears that Sergeant John Forge met a tragic end, sharing the same fate as the UNSC Spirit of Fire. However, the narrative in Last Light centers around John’s daughter, Rion Forge, who is on a quest to discover his whereabouts.
Halo: Renegades (2019, Kelly Gay)
Rion Forge is edging nearer to locating her Sergeant Father John Forge and the Spirit of Fire. However, matters become intricate as ONI and remaining Covenant elements intervene, which means Rion must balance two missions: discovering her father and ensuring her own survival.
Halo: Point of Light (2021, Kelly Gay)
Rion Forge and her group, called “Ace of Spades,” continue to elude the pursuit of ONI as they strive to bring the librarian’s scheme to fruition.
A Master Chief Story (2018-2020)
Halo: Silent Storm (2018, Troy Denning)
Explores the beginning stages of the Human-Covenant War, focusing on John-117 and a band of elite Spartan II warriors who are collecting intelligence about the Covenant.
Halo: Oblivion (2019, Troy Denning)
The narrative unfolds, following the escapades of John-117 and his Spartan II comrades, as they are relentlessly pursued by the enigmatic Fleetmaster Nizat ‘Kvarosee.
Halo: Shadows of Reach (2020, Troy Denning)
In a desperate bid, the Blue Team makes their way back to The Reach, hoping to prevent the aftermath inflicted by Cortana’s creations on humanity.
Halo: Outcasts (2023, Troy Denning)
The story revolves around Thel ‘Vadam and Olympia Vale as they strive to retrieve a legendary artifact hidden in Netherop, which could disrupt Cortana’s schemes. However, they are unwittingly being controlled by an unseen power. The plotline in Netherop expands upon its earlier introduction in Denning’s books Silent Storm and Oblivion, with familiar Sangheili characters from the 2015 novel Halo: Hunters in the Dark reappearing, as well as new characters introduced in Silent Storm and Oblivion.
Battle Born (2019)
Halo: Battle Born (2019, Cassandra Rose Clarke)
The initial book in the “Battle Born” series targeted towards young adults. In this context, the story revolves around a band of rebellious teenagers who join forces with a Spartan II Super Soldier, striving to endure the Battle of Meridian.
Halo: Meridian Divide (2019, Cassandra Rose Clarke)
After the Battle of Meridian, these characters go back to Meridian to keep an eye on the Covenant and their mission to recover the Forerunner relic.
Standalone books & novellas (2007-2023)
Halo: Contact Harvest (2007, Joseph Staten)
This solitary narrative recounts the origins of the Human-Covenant Conflict, detailing the series of occurrences following our first encounter with an alien race. The protagonist of this tale is Sergeant Avery Johnson.
This book, separate from others, delves into the account of how the Human-Covenant War began, tracing the events that unfolded post First-Contact. The principal figure in this narrative is Sergeant Avery Johnson.
Halo: Broken Circle (2014, John Shirley)
Traces the journey of Sangheili and San’Shyuum characters during the early days of the Covenant, prior to the significant conflict known as the Great Schism, which was a catastrophic war that erupted between the Covenant and their own species.
Halo: Hunters in the Dark (2015, Scott Brick)
In a period after a war, this story unfolds as both humans and Sangheili collaborate on an expedition to discover The Ark.
Halo: Legacy of Onyx (2017, Matt Forbeck )
In this solitary novel, Molly Patel serves as the main protagonist. After being orphaned during the conflict between Humans and the Covenant, she makes every effort to acclimate to life within the Onyx Forerunner stronghold, all while a greater danger approaches.
Halo: The Rubicon Protocoll (2022, Kelly Gay)
A self-contained narrative focusing on the struggle between the United Nations Space Command (UNSC) and The Banished, a faction of renegade Covenant members, as they launch an attack on Zeta Halo.
Halo: Saint’s Testimony (2015, Frank O’Connor)
The story revolves around Iona, a third-generation AI, facing the risk of shutdown. This novel offers a glimpse into the universe where advanced AIs like her exist, spanning across the Halo Universe.
Halo: Shadow of Intent (2015, Joseph Staten)
The narrative revolves around post-Covenant War incidents, primarily delving into the strife between Tem’Bhetek and Rtas ‘Vadum.
Halo: Outcasts (2023, Troy Denning)
Arbiter Thel ‘Vadam and Spartan Olympia Vale strive to retrieve a suspected weapon from the inimical planet Netherop, which might shift the balance of power against Cortana’s oppressive regime.
Halo: Epitaph (2024, Kelly Gay)
Having clashed catastrophically with Master Chief, the powerful being known as the Didact plunges into an expansive barren wilderness. Devoid of his armor, strength, and recollections, a mere echo of his past glory, the Didact embarks on his last grand voyage.
Halo: Empty Throne (2025, Jeremy Patenaude)
About a year since Cortana took over the Domain, the UNSC Infinity embarks on a mission to Zeta Halo for a direct assault on her throne. Simultaneously, the UNSC initiates another operation aimed at capturing the Domain and its immense powers through an ancient entry point located on what appeared to be an unremarkable human colony.
Halo: Evolutions – Essential Tales of the Halo Universe (2009, Steve Downes, Holter Graham, Frank O’Connor, and Jen Taylor)
This collection includes eleven tales, each narrated from unique standpoints. Some stories are recounted by the champions and rescuers of mankind, while others are recounted by ravenous beings thirsting for humanity’s demise.
Halo: Fractures (2016, Scott Brick)
Another collection exploring conflict, but this time it’s narrated exclusively from the viewpoint of heroic figures hailing from the Halo Universe who fought for humankind.
Do you need to read the Halo books in order?
In this franchise, numerous books have been released, with even more on the horizon. Keeping track of the sequence of events might prove challenging due to their interconnected nature, but it’s crucial to read the series in the given order for a better understanding. While the exact chronology can be tricky to pin down, sticking to the provided sequence is recommended. The standalone books at the end of the list can be read in any order you prefer.
Are Halo books connected?
In the Halo collection, stories intertwine through shared characters and events. Each book takes place within a common cosmos, even if they don’t necessarily occur chronologically side by side. For instance, when discussing individual series, they generally revolve around recurring characters embedded in distinct storylines. As for standalone books, they frequently offer unique viewpoints of characters who appear just once in the series. However, these stories remain connected to the broader Halo universe due to their shared setting.
Will there be more Halo books?
After the publication of Halo: Empty Throne, fans are excitedly anticipating Halo: Edge of Dawn, set for release around 2025. This upcoming novel will be penned by author Kelly Gay, with details about it still scarce at this time.
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2025-04-28 19:18