Tor Books announces the definitive edition of 'The Fall of Reach'.

From the Press Release...

New York, NY – August 3, 2010 - Tor Books, an imprint of Tom Doherty Associates, LLC—the largest publisher of science fiction in the world is pleased to announce the first of the newly revised editions of the original three novels in the New York Times bestselling Halo® series. These definitive editions include all-new original content expanding upon the universe created in the hugely successful Halo videogame franchise for the Xbox and Xbox 360. The first novel, HALO: THE FALL OF REACH by Eric Nylund, went on-sale today, and is now available for the first time in trade paperback.

HALO: THE FALL OF REACH, originally published in 2001, is the first Halo novel. It tells the origin story of John 117, the Master Chief, Halo's iconic hero and takes readers from his childhood to his rise to the top of the Spartan-II program, where his legend will be solidified. It’s one the most beloved stories in Halo fiction and it takes us deep into the history and significance of the planet Reach, a place Halo fans will be exploring in full when the new game releases next month. The new Tor trade paperback edition will serve as the definitive version of the novel that started Halo fans reading the series, and features brand-new material, including:

* Excerpts of Office of Naval Intelligence interrogations of the Covenant.
* Missives and mandates issued by the Covenant
* Declassified transmissions regarding the defense of Reach
* A personal insight into the Spartan program
* The Official Evacuation Order for all inhabitants of Reach.
* Five sketches of cover art by 343 Industries artist, Robogabo.

“The release of the new game, Halo: Reach, takes fans back to a crucial place in Halo lore,” says Eric Raab, Tor Editor. “It’s such great timing to be able to share this definitive edition of the novel that helped launch Halo as one of the great science fiction novel series of the new millennium. If you’ve never read a Halo novel, this is a great place to start.”

To follow, Tor will release new trade paperback editions of both William C. Dietz’s Halo: The Flood (new release date: September 28, 2010) and Eric Nylund’s second Halo novel, Halo: First Strike (December 7, 2010). Tor will also publish the first in the new Halo Forerunners trilogy by science fiction icon Greg Bear around Holiday 2010, and 2011 will take Halo fans into the post-Halo 3 universe with the first in a new series of novels by #1 NYT bestselling novelist Karen Traviss.

I've always said that the 'Halo' universe was a little too 'fan friendly' for the casual reader; hopefully this 'definitive edition' should remove a few barriers! Here's another one for the reading pile I think. I'll let you know how it goes as and when I can get round to it...