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Halo: The Cole Protocol (6) Paperback – April 16, 2019

by Tobias S. Buckell (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,302 ratings
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The New York Times bestseller—part of the expanded universe based on the award-winning video game series Halo!

2535. It is the first, desperate days of the Human-Covenant War, and the United Nations Space Command has enacted “the Cole Protocol” to safeguard Earth and its inner colonies from discovery by its merciless alien foe. Many are called upon to rid the galaxy of lingering navigation data that could potentially reveal the location of Earth and ensure the destruction of humanity. Among those tasked with eliminating any trace of such dangerous information is Navy Lieutenant Jacob Keyes—now saddled with a top-secret mission by the Office of Naval Intelligence…one that will take him to a corner of the galaxy where nothing is as it seems.

Out beyond the Outer Colonies lies the planet Hesiod, a gas giant surrounded by a vast asteroid belt. As the Covenant continues to glass the human-occupied planets near Hesiod, many of the survivors, aided by a stronghold of human insurrectionists, are fleeing to the asteroids for refuge. They have transformed the tumbling satellites into a tenuous yet ingenious settlement known as the Rubble—and have come face-to-face with a Covenant settlement of Kig-Yar…yet somehow survived. News of this unlikely treaty has spread to the warring factions. Luckily for the UNSC, this uneasy alliance is in the path of the Spartan Gray Team, a three-person renegade squad whose simple task is to wreak havoc from behind enemy lines in any way they see fit. But the Prophets have also sent their very best—an ambitious and ruthless Elite whose quest for nobility and rank is matched only by his brutality…
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  1. Book 1 of 2
    Halo: Gray Team
  2. Print length
    416 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    April 16, 2019
  5. Dimensions
    5.31 x 1.1 x 8.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1982111712
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1982111717
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Called “violent, poetic, and compulsively readable” by Maclean’s, science fiction author Tobias S. Buckell is a New York Times bestselling writer born in the Caribbean. He grew up in Grenada and spent time in the British and US Virgin Islands, and these places influence much of his work. His Xenowealth series begins with Crystal Rain. Along with other stand-alone novels and his more than fifty stories, Tobias’s works have been translated into eighteen different languages. He has been nominated for such awards as the Hugo, Nebula, Prometheus, and John W. Campbell Award for Best New Science Fiction Author. His latest original novels are Hurricane Fever, a follow-up to the successful Arctic Rising, which NPR says will “give you the shivers,” and the acclaimed Halo: Envoy. He currently lives in Ohio, with his wife, twin daughters, and a pair of dogs. He can be found online at TobiasBuckell.com.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Gallery Books (April 16, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 416 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1982111712
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1982111717
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.31 x 1.1 x 8.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,302 ratings

About the author

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Tobias S. Buckell

Tobias S. Buckell

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Tobias S. Buckell is a New York Times Bestselling author and World Fantasy Award winner born in the Caribbean. He grew up in Grenada and spent time in the British and US Virgin Islands, which influence much of his work.

His novels and almost one hundred stories have been translated into nineteen different languages. His work has been nominated for awards like the Hugo, Nebula, World Fantasy, and the Astounding Award for Best New Science Fiction Author.

He currently lives in Bluffton, Ohio with his wife and two daughters, where he teaches Creative Writing at Bluffton University. He’s online at http://www.TobiasBuckell.com and is also an instructor at the Stonecoast MFA in Creative Writing program.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
1,302 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book great and easy to read. They say the storyline keeps their interest and is entertaining. They also describe the writing quality as very well written. Opinions are mixed on the content depth, with some finding it amazing and compelling, while others say it's disjointed and hard to follow. Readers also have mixed feelings about the characters, with others finding them compelling and others saying they can't identify with them.

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ReadabilityStorylineWriting qualityContent depthCharacters
73 customers mention "Readability"68 positive5 negative

Customers find the book very entertaining, intense, and good execution. They also say the premise is lacking.

"...I was wrong. It is one of the better books of all the Halo stories" Read more

"...It is worth reading but it could have been more than what it developed into...." Read more

"An absolutely outstanding time. Slow subversion and black ops spy craft in the beginning to harrowing action by the end...." Read more

"...of the Halo universe is developed even further in this amazing novel by an amazing author, Tobias Bucknell, who really seems to understand the tone..." Read more

43 customers mention "Storyline"37 positive6 negative

Customers find the storyline entertaining, fast, and decent. They also say it's interesting for its addition to the reader's knowledge of the Halo universe.

"This was a great story in the Halo universe. I love how it brought multiple people together from different points to fight one enemy...." Read more

"...associated with Halo, the Cole Protocol is, in my opinion, one of the most gripping tales...." Read more

"I've really taken a liking to the Halo series of books. It's a lot better story than some of the games out there and reading the books gives you a..." Read more

"...This is a well thought out story that only suffers from Buckell attempting to show too much of the insights into the personalities of all of the..." Read more

16 customers mention "Writing quality"13 positive3 negative

Customers like the writing quality of the book. They say it's very well written.

"...I read the ebook and listened to the audiobook. The narrator was easy to listen to and follow. I highly recommend this book." Read more

"...The story is pretty good. It's well written and detailed. I liked seeing things from the enemy side as well as the colonist side...." Read more

"...The book is well written and has good pacing. Again, a decent read if you like the other Halo books." Read more

"This book was phenomenal! I really love the writing style of the author and all the twists and ties of the characters was great...." Read more

12 customers mention "Content depth"8 positive4 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the content depth of the book. Some find it full of action and detail, while others say it's disjointed and inconsistent.

"...You don't have to be a Halo fan to enjoy this book It provides enough detail and background for anyone new to the series to be able to dive in and..." Read more

"...very rigid yet inconsistent and reptitive, with characters who are predictable and always do/say convenient things that no normal person would do or..." Read more

"...The story is pretty good. It's well written and detailed. I liked seeing things from the enemy side as well as the colonist side...." Read more

"...The attention to detail was notable, but it also took me a lot longer to read this book than any of the others because it just didn't draw me in..." Read more

8 customers mention "Characters"4 positive4 negative

Customers are mixed about the characters in the book. Some find them compelling and connecting the dots, while others say they can't identify with them.

"...love the writing style of the author and all the twists and ties of the characters was great...." Read more

"...great disappointment with The Flood for much the same reasons: too many characters, too little development and too many of the same gun battles over..." Read more

"A good read, has a good plot and many characters. Am docking a star because the book jumps into the plot to late." Read more

"...very rigid yet inconsistent and reptitive, with characters who are predictable and always do/say convenient things that no normal person would do or..." Read more

Not in good condition like advertised
2 out of 5 stars
Not in good condition like advertised
Bought as new but it’s all folded and damaged when opened.
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Top reviews from the United States

AstroNut
5.0 out of 5 stars Far better than just a story about nav data
Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2024
Verified Purchase
I was going through the motions to finish if the series, and didn't expect to like this book. I was wrong. It is one of the better books of all the Halo stories
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Alissa Christine Reid
5.0 out of 5 stars Halo: The Cole Protocol was Action-Packed
Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2024
Verified Purchase
This was a great story in the Halo universe. I love how it brought multiple people together from different points to fight one enemy. The author did a great job of describing feelings and motives, not only of the humans, but the "enemy" too. The author was able to keep me engaged with the drama and action-packed scenes that did not stop. I read the ebook and listened to the audiobook. The narrator was easy to listen to and follow. I highly recommend this book.
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JJCEO
4.0 out of 5 stars A good story but it does not measure up to the level of Eric Nylund's Halo books!
Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2012
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Jacob Keyes is a Navy Lieutenant who is put back into action. He was being used as an instructor at the Academy after injuries took him off of active duty. He is given a secret mission that will take him back into deep space. He is to use a stealth spacecraft and enforce the Cole Protocol in the deep space colonies to make sure that the covenant does not learn the location of Earth.

The Covenant forces are attacking human ships and colonies trying to capture navigation equipment. They want the data that will lead the Covenant back to earth, the home world of all humans. A human asteroid base is attacked by Jackals who are trying to steal the navigation equipment that they want. Ignatio Delgado, a human, is saved by a Spartan of the Gray Team who swears him to secrecy not to expose the Spartans presence in the sector. He surmises that the Spartans are deep in enemy territory trying to protect the same navigation data that he was just fighting to protect.

Delgado, the man who was saved suspects someone in the leadership of the Insurrectionists is trying to sell the covenant the navigation data they want....

The book to me was OK. I love Sci-Fi and read the book after reading the books written by Eric Nylund. That is my problem since the books written by Eric were so first class and engaging I found this one to just average or a little above. I don't play the video game so I can only judge the books as to whether I enjoy them or not. Nylund was such a good author that he should have been selected to write all of the Halo books. This book is somewhere between a 3 to a 4 when compared to the other Nylund books which are all 5 star ratings.

Please don't take me the wrong way, I just enjoyed one author's writing style much more so it is hard to wipe that out of my memory when trying to rate this book. It is worth reading but it could have been more than what it developed into.

Read it for the genre of Sci-Fi and read it for the Halo insights, just don't expect the same consistent quality of storytelling.

This book is 3 1/2 stars for me.
6 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding read!
Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2024
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An absolutely outstanding time. Slow subversion and black ops spy craft in the beginning to harrowing action by the end. I absolutely loved this book! You don't have to be a Halo fan to enjoy this book It provides enough detail and background for anyone new to the series to be able to dive in and enjoy themselves
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Paul M. Owen
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Halo Story, Reads Effortlessly
Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2011
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The richness of the Halo universe is developed even further in this amazing novel by an amazing author, Tobias Bucknell, who really seems to understand the tone and energy of the Halo lore. Having 100% completed all the Halo games and having read almost all of the novels and most printed works associated with Halo, the Cole Protocol is, in my opinion, one of the most gripping tales. Set in the time period directly after Admiral Cole set in motion the Cole Protocol, ultimately designed to keep the Covenant from reaching Earth and other vital planets, the story seamlessly weaves the lives of several individuals into a cohesive joyride of words. Prominent characters include the young Jacob Keyes, before he was the captain of the Pillar of Autumn, and a team of three Spartan IIs, and even an honor-obsessed Elite. My only regret is that I finished the book too quickly; I wish that the experience of immersing myself in the characters' struggles would have lasted a day or two more. Purchase without hesitation and enjoy a fun and fantastic book, like candy for your brain.
4 people found this helpful
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Michael Casmey
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read
Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2022
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I'm reading in chronological order. This ties in nicely with Contact Harvest
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Conor
5.0 out of 5 stars Perspective from every side
Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2021
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I have been reading the Halo novels in chronological order from Greg Bear to Tobias S. Buckell and this book is without a doubt my favorite one so far. I loved being involved in the story almost like I was there with the characters. Very smal chapters with a lot of story and background involved that connects from the beginning of the book to the end. It is a can't put down book because of all that is happening. Well done!
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Esteban Oz Cordova Rodriguez
2.0 out of 5 stars Doesnt looks new
Reviewed in Mexico on February 22, 2022
Verified Purchase
It looks wasted, with some usage marks. The post says its new.
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Esteban Oz Cordova Rodriguez
2.0 out of 5 stars Doesnt looks new
Reviewed in Mexico on February 22, 2022
It looks wasted, with some usage marks. The post says its new.
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I. Jones
5.0 out of 5 stars The Halo universe is getting complicated
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 19, 2023
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This is the sixth novel in the Halo series and it takes place several years after the action in the fifth novel, which saw the first contact with the Covenant and the fall of the first human colony on the planet Harvest. In the intervening years the Covenant has destroyed several human colonies and most of the action in this volume takes place in a string of asteroids known as The Rubble, inhabited by Insurrectionists and refugees from the obliterated colony of Madrigal.
Like the fifth novel, this volume adds more layers to the Halo universe. On the human side we have the Navy, the Marines and the Spartans’ Grey Team. The main Navy character is Lieutenant Jacob Keyes, who has appeared in several of the earlier novels. I say earlier but remember some of them are set after this one and we already know Keyes’ fate. We also have Insurrectionists and civilians and refugees and people who are trading with the Kig-Yar (Jackals). They are one of the Covenant races, but a race who have human-like characteristics, namely a passion for trade, piracy and making a profit. There is a risk that Insurrectionists will hand over navigation data to the Kig-Yar for them to pass on to the Prophets, who will then be able to locate Earth and the inner colonies.
So there is treachery (or freedom fighting) on the human side, but on the Covenant side there is also conflict. Two of the three senior Prophets (the Hierarchs) are plotting and conniving against each other. There is conflict between the Kig-Yar and the Sangheili (Elites). And all of them are hapy to use the poor old Unggoy (Grunts) as cannon fodder. We learn more about the cultures and characteristics of these races. Some others don’t appear at all in this volume or are only in the background in this novel (the Hunters, the Engineers and the Jiralhanae). I still need to sit down and work out who they all are.
This novel has plenty of combat but also more plot and character development than some of the earlier novels. It is written by Tobias Buckell, who has written one other Halo novel. I’d recommend it to anyone who plays Halo, or anyone who likes a bit of sci-fi escapism, but it’s best to try to read the Halo novels in the correct order, otherwise you’re liable to end up lost in a parallel universe.
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Gigi
5.0 out of 5 stars Nickel !!!
Reviewed in France on December 11, 2020
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Nickel !!!
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Shivesh
5.0 out of 5 stars A good and tight story with thrill in it.
Reviewed in India on November 14, 2020
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The book was received in a nice condition.
Pages were decent, with good text presentation. The book details the story of Spartan Team Grey, one of the reclusive teams out there. Also, It features an Indian Spartan (for those who care, like me!).

The story is quite tight, and thrilling if you ask me. Would definitely not bore you.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars In perfect condition
Reviewed in Australia on September 30, 2022
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Fast service. Book was in mint condition.
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