Halo: Point of Light novel announced, releases in March 2021

Halo: Point of Light cover
Halo: Point of Light cover (Image credit: 343 Industries / @pixelflaregfx)

What you need to know

  • 343 Industries has announced a new Halo novel called Halo: Point of Light, written by Kelly Gay.
  • The book releases on March 2, 2021, and can be preordered for $17.
  • The book will be focused on Rion Forge and her allies as they attempt to complete a special mission while being hunted down by the Office of Naval Intelligence, or ONI.
  • The book is a sequel to Gay's other novels and is set in August 2558, one month before the events of Halo 5: Guardians.

In a new Canon Fodder blog post, Halo developer 343 Industries has officially revealed Halo: Point of Light, a new novel written by Kelly Gay. The book is a sequel to Gay's previous Halo novels Halo: Smoke and Shadow and Halo: Renegades, and it will continue the story of Rion Forge and her companions. Here's the official synopsis:

August 2558. Rion Forge was once defined by her relentless quest for hope amidst the refuse and wreckage of a post-Covenant War galaxy—years spent searching for family as much as fortune. But that was before Rion and the crew of her salvager ship Ace of Spades encountered a powerful yet tragic being who forever altered their lives. This remnant from eons past, when the Forerunners once thrived, brought with it a revelation of ancient machinations and a shocking, brutal history. Unfortunately, the Ace crew also made dire enemies of the Office of Naval Intelligence in the process, with the constant threat of capture and incarceration a very real possibility. Now with tensions mounting and ONI forces closing in, Rion and her companions commit to this being's very personal mission, unlocking untold secrets and even deadlier threats that have been hidden away for centuries from an unsuspecting universe...

Notably, the story is set during August of 2558, which is one month prior to the events of Halo 5: Guardians. Because of this, it's unclear whether or not the novel will have any ties to Halo Infinite, which looks to take place a significant amount of time after Halo 5. Ultimately, only time will tell.

Halo: Point of Light officially releases on March 2, 2021, and it can be preordered now for $17. While you wait for the book, I highly recommend checking out Gay's other novels if you're interested in jumping into the corner of the Halo universe that she has fleshed out over the past few years. And of course, don't miss out on the Master Chief Collection on Xbox and PC if you're looking to get the definitive Halo game experience.

Brendan Lowry

Brendan Lowry is a Windows Central writer and Oakland University graduate with a burning passion for video games, of which he's been an avid fan since childhood. You'll find him doing reviews, editorials, and general coverage on everything Xbox and PC. Follow him on Twitter.