Gears of War: Ephyra Rising: The Gears of War Series, Book 8

A solid novel tying in the events of the games and books and filling in the gaps before the events the most recent game storyline.

I've long lamented Karen Traviss not writing more, but what we've had since has been worthwhile and this continues that. It's great to fill in the details of the story of Sera rebuilding after the Locust war and before the appearance of the swarm,whoch frankly I've felt have been "the poor man's Locust" overall.Aaron Griffin fans will be happy as he appears multiple times and seems like he will factor into Sera's rebuilding efforts greatly.Good relationship building between Anya/Marcus/other characters. Good action bits. Hoping for more books in the future like this.

Very satisfied with this book

The book is immersive, I felt like I was in combat in the Gears of War universe and it was easy to connect with the characters.

This book is a must for Gears fans. It expands the lore we already love

Gears of War: Ephyra Rising is a phenomenal addition to the popular science fiction series, Gears of War. The author masterfully captures the franchise’s essence, expanding on its rich lore and enthralling readers with an engaging, action-packed narrative. With its captivating storyline and memorable characters, Ephyra Rising is a must-read for fans of the series and newcomers alike.One of the most striking aspects of Ephyra Rising is its rich, immersive world-building. Set on the war-torn planet of Sera, the author intricately describes the landscape, culture, and society of this unique world. From the majestic architecture of the COG cities to the treacherous terrain of the Locust-infested Hollow, every detail is meticulously crafted, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the Gears of War universe.Ephyra Rising boasts a diverse cast of characters, each with a distinct voice and personality. The story features beloved series veterans like Marcus Fenix, Dominic Santiago, and Anya Stroud while also introducing a host of new characters that bring their charm and depth to the narrative. The character development is truly exceptional, as the author delves into the personal histories, motivations, and fears of each individual. This emotional complexity ensures that readers become invested in the characters’ struggles and triumphs, further enriching the overall reading experience.The plot of Ephyra Rising is nothing short of thrilling. As the war against the Locust Horde intensifies, the stakes for our heroes have never been higher. Faced with impossible odds, the characters must confront their demons and forge unlikely alliances to save their world. The story is filled with heart-pounding action sequences, shocking twists, and moments of intense emotion that will leave readers on the edge of their seats.Gears of War: Ephyra Rising is an absolute triumph, capturing the essence of the Gears of War universe while adding fresh, new dimensions to the beloved franchise. Its richly detailed world, complex characters, and action-packed narrative will leave readers eager for more. Whether you are a long-time fan or new to the series, Ephyra Rising is a must-read that will transport you into the heart of the Gears of War saga.

Gears of War: Ephyra Rising by Michael A. Stackpole is a video game prequel tie-in novel based of the Gears Of War video game franchise.Being the tie-in addict I am, I just had to read the prequel novel too Gears 4/5 Taking place a year after the events of 2011’s Gears title “Gears of War 3”. Gears of War: Ephyra Rising follows former Sargent Marcus Fenix and Lieutenant Anya Stroud as they try to build a new life in a post-war world.The Locust War and Lambent infestations have left the planet of Sera in post apocalyptic shambles. Most of humanity has been reduced to low numbers and primitive levels of technology, but despite that the people of Sera slowly begin to rebuild.For former GOG soldier Marcus Fenix now a husband to Anya Stroud this new post-war world is a struggle as he try’s to adjust to new ways of civilian life. After serving nearly two decades of constant war. Marcus struggles to find a new purpose in this new era of peace. Anya Stroud finds herself fighting a new war in the form of politics. As she try’s to establish alliances and reconstruct a new form of COG government. She quickly learns that the world of politics are not what they seem. When rumors spread, that Locust survivors in the wastelands of Ephyra. Marcus goes to investigate what he finds is a new very human threat that threatens not just him, but the newly emerging Coalition government.Exploring the story from where Gears Of War 3 left off, Michael A. Stackpole delivers an exciting adventure leading into the Gears of War sequel trilogy that fans will no doubt adore. I have played all the Gears of War games, and even read all the previous novels by Karen Travis and Jason Hough However, I was not at all concerned about the author change, knowing full well the capabilities of Mr. Stackpole who has written a couple of my favorite action sci-fi novels. He’s also no stranger to video game tie-ins, having written franchises like Star Wars and World of Warcraft. Suffice to say, it pleases me to no end that he has once more brought his talents for writing heart-stopping action, battle sequences, and world building to Ephyra Rising, which were made even more incredible because we’re dealing with a setting that hasn’t really been explored in the Gears of War universe the 20 years gap between Gears of War 3 and Gears of War 4/5.That said, you would have to be intimately familiar with the Gears of War franchise to fully appreciate this novel. While it serves as a prequel to Gears of War 4, it also builds upon four games’ worth of story and characters and spoils the ending to Gears of War 3. The opening assumes that you have finished the game and learned of Adam Fenix’s fate and the role he played along with the rest of Delta squad in ending the Locusts and the Lambent The rest of the plot— Marcus’s adjustment to civilian life, of newly elected Minister Anya Stroud playing politics to rebuild the GOG, the new human threat that threatens the new peace, and so forth What this means is that unlike a lot of media tie-ins these days which are written as standalones, this one actually requires a fair amount of background lore knowledge.But for those of us who love this world and its characters, it is a very special treat. This novel breathes new life into Marcus and Anya and some surprising cameos Their personalities are given new layers and dimensions that we’ve never seen before, and it’s clear that Stackpole gets it; he understands the importance of tie-in novels to fans and why we seek them out. It’s not just about seeking more adventure, or more time in our favorite gaming universes (though that certainly doesn’t hurt). It’s about digging deeper and getting to know more about our characters and learning what makes them tick. While storytelling in video games is all the rage these days, the narrative style of a novel allows authors to explore certain areas that we can’t behind a controller, and Stackpole doesn’t waste a single opportunity to flesh out the fan favorite characters and the world.And of course, I have no complaints about the action, which is the author’s forte after all. He has a very cinematic writing style, where you can easily picture what you read playing out on a big screen. With the events playing out in the story on two fronts, it meant that there was never a dull moment, and the pacing was relentless and constantly driving forward.Overall, if you are a Gears fan, there is no question of whether or not you should read Gears of War: Ephyra Rising. So ready your chainsaw guns, everyone—because not only does this novel bridge the time between Gears of War 3 and the Gears sequel games, it’s also a good and fun read that gives you a different look at the games and fan favorite characters.

Michael A. Stackpole’s “Gears of War: Ephyra Rising” - the 8th and (at least for the moment) final “Gears of War” novel – is a fast-paced, easy-to-enjoy, harder-to-remember ride through the “Gears” universe, one that ably keeps one’s attention while reading…but fails to linger long in the memory afterwards. For die-hard “Gears” fans, there’s enough here on a purely lore-level – particularly for those curious to learn more about how the world of the first trilogy morphed into the world of the new series – to justify a read. All other prospective readers, however, likely need not apply.

I have all the GoW books, and quite enjoyed them all. This one, however, was a very difficult read. It took such a long time to read it, because I could not find it interesting no matter how hard I tried. It was nothing like the other books. I really cannot recommend this book to anyone.

Es un buen libro que lleva a lo que ocurre después de Gears 3, recomendable para conocer más de ese universo

It was an amazing book bring on the next one great storyline and good character plots nicely rounded off the trilogy

All Gears novels so far have been a great add to the GoW lore, but this is by far one of my favourites. Although thr last two novels were a great addition to the universe and greatly expanded on the story told after Gears 4 and 5, there still remained a tremendous gap about what happened just after the Locust War ended and humanity started to reconstruct Sera and what would eventually become the New Coalition of Ordered Governments. However, the novel just focuses on the events occurring in the few months inmediately after the ICM countermeasure was activated, so there still remains a massive 25-year gap that I hope will be further explored in future novels. Give me more of this good stuff!

I'm a huge fan of the franchise and absolute adored this one.