Gears of War: Ascendance
Jason M. Hough

The Official Prequel to the highly anticipated video game, Gears 5.

Following Reyna Diaz's death at the hands of the Swarm, Kait seals her mother's tomb, swearing revenge. As she, JD, Del, Marcus, Cole, Samantha, and Baird lick their wounds and resupply, First Minister Jinn summons them to New Ephyra, promising that the 'crimes' they committed will be forgiven. Before they can rejoin the Coalition, however, Jinn demands proof of their loyalty, and of the threat of the Swarm. Promised a new command, JD and Del agree. Plagued by nightmares, Kait rebels and refuses. When she discovers that two teens from her devastated village have survived, she goes rogue and strikes out to rescue them, accompanied by Marcus Fenix.

Pursued by the robotic DeeBees, Kait and Marcus search for survivors. Instead they find an overwhelming force of the enemy — and an unexpected ally. Meanwhile JD and Del lead a mission to locate the Swarm, only to be cut off from New Ephyra. Trapped and surrounded, they're on their own.