Mass Effect: Ascension by Drew Karpyshyn
|
List Price: Our Price: $4.14 You Save: $3.85 (48%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $2.23 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Mass Effect: Ascension
Book Review: Book two begins after the game ends.
Summary: 4 Stars
It has been twelve years since scientist Kahlee Sanders survived the Sidon massacre. And it was thirteen years ago that a toxic disaster exposed thousands of pregnant human females and their unborn children to a deadly cloud of element zero on the Yandoa colony. Some of the human children were born with biotic abilities. All of them are now at the Jon Grissom Academy, orbiting the planet Elysium. Sanders works with these kids in the Ascension Project. She helps them adjust to and harness their extraordinary powers.
Twelve-year-old Gillian "Gigi" Grayson is borderline autistic. Her mental condition makes her emotionally distant, yet she is still the program's most promising student. She has also become the favorite of Hendel Mitra's, chief of security. But unknown to Sanders and Hendel is that Gigi's father is part of Cerberus, a radical pro-human terrorist group led by one known only as the Illusive Man. When Grayson visits Gigi, it is to help Cerberus perform illegal experiments on her.
When the Cerberus plot is revealed, Grayson takes Gigi away. Sanders and Hendel convinces Grayson to take them with Gigi. Cerberus is hot on their trail as the trio search for a way to save Gigi. Help comes from a totally unexpected source.
**** If you are playing the MASS EFFECT computer game, know that this story takes place AFTER the game ends. If you have not played the game as yet, but plan to, wait until you finish the game before you begin reading this story. This story reveals spoilers by mentioning things that happen in the game.
You do not have to read the first book, REVELATION, to fully enjoy this story. Both seem to be stand-alone tales. Even though the main character, Kahlee Sanders, was a big part of the first story, the events have little, if anything, to do with this story's plot. You will never feel lost or confused. The author only mentions things new readers need to know, so you will not be bogged down with a lot of catching up narratives. From the beginning until the ending, this entire story oozes with danger and intrigue. Drama, drama, drama! ****
Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.
Book Review: Not as good as the first book.
Summary: 4 Stars
The second Mass Effect book picks up directly after the first Mass Effect game ends, and continues to impress. But it doesn't quite meet up to the standards set by the first book. Possibly disappointment may have been caused by the lack of tie-in to the game, but with the second game not out yet chances are this book is setting up for the second game. It would make sense since it expands on a force of evil that was only a minor part of the Mass Effect game, Cerberus. Also, no characters from the game are featured in this story. The only familiar character is Kahlee Sanders from the first book. One more thing that bothered me is the geth on the cover. There is no geth in this book, but that's irrelevant.
On the positive side, there is a good amount of biotics in this book, something completely absent from the first book. As with the first book, dialogue was extremely good. The story was also good, but again wasn't quite as good. It took a bit longer than I would've personally liked to set up and ended a little bit too quickly. I would have to say that my favorite part of this book though is the internal struggle of one of the characters, Grayson. Throughout the book he struggles with trying to find the balance between sacrifices for "the greater good", loyalty, and family.
In the end I'd recommend it if you enjoyed the game and I'd say you have to read it if you enjoyed the first book. Even if you didn't read the first book though, you'll be able to follow this book perfectly. Without playing the game though there's a lot of things that wouldn't make much sense.
Overall I give it 4 out of 5
Book Review: Further expanding the Mass Effect univers
Summary: 4 Stars
Like i said when reviewing the first novel i love anything and everything Mass Effect so this review might be a little biased.
First let me just say that this book is written by the same author who wrote the first one. This book however takes place place after the events that had taken place in video game. I have seen a few people complain that this book doesn't further the story of the characters in the video game. While this can be a valid grip i think its important to point out that the video game can be played many different ways with many different out comes. For instance one person may have played Shepard as a female as opposed to a male. Or depending on how the played the game some characters may not still be alive.
But i Digress, so back to the book
As i said before the book takes place shortly after the the events of the video game and stars one of the main characters in the first book. Kahlee Sanders. i wont give away to much of the story but Biotics and the group Cerubus plays a huge role.
Overall i can't really recommend this book to people who are not familiar with the game because it wont make any sense. However if your a fan of the video game then pick it up and enjoy what might be a preview of part of the Mass Effect 2 story line........maybe
Book Review: Really good read!
Summary: 4 Stars
But for those wanting to continue where the game left off, you will not find it here. Any reference to the ending of the game is done in the first chapter and vague at that, not in detail as you see it since the game allows for multiple choices and events to occur depending how you played.
This book tells another story, but there is a returning character from the first book, which you end up wondering what ever happened to her after Revelation. The book revolves around the extremist band of Cerberus and their recent project. Readers who played the game and completed most of the side missions might have tangled with this group and may know of and what they are capable of.
I don't like to spoil stuff in reviews and like to keep them short. Ascension is a great read, and even though you might want to continue where the game dropped off with Shepard, it is worth you picking up and reading. I read it in 2 days because it really hooks you in with the plot and you can't help but wanting to devour it asap. If you liked Revelation, you will like Ascension, and if you only played the game and never read the novels, I recommend you do so.
Book Review: Just as Good as the first? You Bet!
Summary: 4 Stars
Mass Effect: Ascension takes place directly after the Mass Effect Video-game. As this novel first starts out, things are slow, gradually pulling you into the story surrounding our previous novel main character, Kaylee Sanders; who is a teacher/advisor in a school for Biotic youngsters newly exposed to Element Zero. After a few chapters of environment, a background story to places, people and objects the story begins to pick up the pace. You will be introduced to new villains and allies to this already massive universe, in turn creating a very interesting setting for Mass Effect 2 to continue off where this book ends. During the climatic chapters, you may find yourself hard-pressed to putting the book down and taking a break as it tends to keep you on the edge of your seat. The ending was good, the only bad part being that it ended at all. As good as the first Drew Karpyshyn Mass Effect novel, in my opinion; maybe a little better. Having played the game, and reading the first novel is probably a great perquisite to checking this out, as without both, you may not be as attached or familiar to some characters or places.