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shaankayz's review
2.0
In my opinion, a poorly written story line in the mass effect universe.
A poor use of a character from the game, purely to elicit "familiarity" with the character.
The writing felt lackluster and the ending "Spoiler Alert" where Grayson manages to escape so easily and Kahlee just resigns to going back to the Academy is really just poor writing. There were scenarios of just coincidence, where all of a sudden a character slips up or changes modus operandi in an out of character fashion just to drive this story line. It didn't feel genuine, rather the progress of the story line felt very forced.
The Illusive man was also made to look like a chump. Really. Honestly, who would dare to threaten the Illusive man?
There were so many things that made this book feel wrong. I wouldn't ever give it another read.
A poor use of a character from the game, purely to elicit "familiarity" with the character.
The writing felt lackluster and the ending "Spoiler Alert" where Grayson manages to escape so easily and Kahlee just resigns to going back to the Academy is really just poor writing. There were scenarios of just coincidence, where all of a sudden a character slips up or changes modus operandi in an out of character fashion just to drive this story line. It didn't feel genuine, rather the progress of the story line felt very forced.
The Illusive man was also made to look like a chump. Really. Honestly, who would dare to threaten the Illusive man?
There were so many things that made this book feel wrong. I wouldn't ever give it another read.
amyeewing's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book more than the first one in the series. Karpyshyn seemed to have a better hold on what he wanted his book to be. May favorite character was Grayson. He felt like he really had depth to him which made him fun to read. I don't demand my characters not be shallow because most people in the world are shallow so it works for me. But Grayson stood out as a "complicated" and engaging guy. Made the whole book more fun.
alwaysfaithful16's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
wunderbland's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
mattyftm's review against another edition
5.0
When I started reading the Mass Effect books, I never expected to be rating one of them five stars. But this book, while obviously not a literary masterpiece, manages to be an extremely compelling read. It got off to a bit of a slow start, but after about 4 or 5 chapters (around 50-60 pages) I couldn't put the book down. It created characters I cared about and put them in a thrilling series of events that was extremely entertaining. There is a slightly predictable plot twist towards the end, but on the whole it was an extremely enjoyable book.
ultimatumman's review against another edition
4.0
A lot better than the previous Mass Effect novel. Very fast read that I really enjoyed.
crankyoldnerd's review against another edition
4.0
If you haven't played the first Mass Effect game, this title will confuse you. Unlike the first book in the series this is set between ME 1 and ME 2 games. I haven't played ME1, and haven't finished ME 2 or started ME 3 games. So some of the events early in the book that were referenced while I understood the regions and areas being mentioned, the events that happened I was unaware of and that is one thing that drives me nuts that there is an 'event' that shapes things but the book doesn't update you/give you the high points.
That's not the fault of this book however, just something I thought you should know.
We primarily follow two groups of characters. One could be characterized as 'the good guys' and then one that might be 'the bad guys'. The 'bad guys' have one character that wants to be redeemed, and depending on your point of view may get his wish.
We get some views into the Quarrien ships and how they live, which prior to ME2 you didn't have a lot of details. The fight sequences are well written and not over described which is one pitfall action books fall into, they talk about pivoting this and that and flipping and arcing and over talking it.
It took me a bit to get into this book, but I think that was because I hadn't finished ME1 (barely played it) so my personal qualms about not knowing what is going on for a bit annoyed me. After I pushed through I really enjoyed this story line, and hope for more titles in this universe. It's a lot of fun to read.
That's not the fault of this book however, just something I thought you should know.
We primarily follow two groups of characters. One could be characterized as 'the good guys' and then one that might be 'the bad guys'. The 'bad guys' have one character that wants to be redeemed, and depending on your point of view may get his wish.
We get some views into the Quarrien ships and how they live, which prior to ME2 you didn't have a lot of details. The fight sequences are well written and not over described which is one pitfall action books fall into, they talk about pivoting this and that and flipping and arcing and over talking it.
It took me a bit to get into this book, but I think that was because I hadn't finished ME1 (barely played it) so my personal qualms about not knowing what is going on for a bit annoyed me. After I pushed through I really enjoyed this story line, and hope for more titles in this universe. It's a lot of fun to read.
mcfade28's review against another edition
4.0
I am a sucker for a tv/film/video game tie-in. One of my great loves discovered in lockdown is the Mass Effect video game series, and this novel set before the 2nd game is a great addition to the lore. It fleshes out the character of Kahlee Sanders ( who I previously just thought of as Anderson’s ex) and begins by showcasing her work at Grissom Academy.
hidekisohma's review
3.0
So being a big fan of the mass effect series, i decided it was time to actually sit down and read the novel series. I had read the first one years ago, but completely forgot to pick up the next one. luckily the first one is a prequel while apparently 2-4 are their own story. Which is good for a starting off point.
And this book was....okay? Basically it's kind of a "in the universe of mass effect" story. it's not like the first book which focuses on Anderson and Saren, two major characters from the first game. In fact the only character from the games who shows up is "The illusive man". one of the antagonists in the 2nd and 3rd game.
The story is basically about this girl named Gillian who is a super biotic (good at forcefields and force pushes, etc) and the illusive man wants her to get stronger at this biotic training school. Grayson is this guy who the illusive dumps the baby on but pretends he's her father. Kahlee and Hendel are two people who work at the institution and want whats best for gillian.
The book is basically a back and forth of trying to kidnap the girl, rescue her, try to kidnap her again, rinse repeat.
Overall, deciding to base the story on human randos and a little girl, (who they go out of their 15 times to tell you she has autism. yes we get it. thank you) and the human group cerberus, was actually not a very good one. If i'm going to be reading a mass effect book, i'm not going to want to read all about the adventures of humans hanging out with humans.
About 3/4 of the way through the book they go to hang out with my favorite race, the quarians, but at that point, you're already 250 pages in and you wish they had done more.
The whole "protecting a little girl who has super powers" has been done before, and the girl has no personality to speak of. it almost felt like the author gave her this autism quirk as an excuse to not have to give her a personality. literally she'll just stand there staring off into space (no pun intended) and maybe nod her head once or shrug. If it weren't for the 'love of the father' angle, you could have literally replaced the child with a scientific mcguffin and it wouldn't have made a difference.
I like the whole 'conflicted father character' of grayson, and hendel was fine too. I just didn't connect with Kahlee sanders. she's too goody two shoes and sanctimonious being all "we have to do everything and anything to save this kid!" and i just got this vibe off of her that just rubbed me the wrong way.
There's definitely some violence in this game (Which you can tell as it says 'based on an MA' game on the back of the book) but it's par the course of a sci-fi adventure book. The only real part that bothered me was the after effect of a torture scene, which, realistically, did not need to be in the book. it could have done without it.
I do have to say though, it was a VERY fast read having read it in 2 1/2 days even though it was 300+ pages. I will eventually get to the third book in the series as i AM intrigued enough to see what happens, if it gets better, and if it includes more aliens, or even some more characters from the canon.
A not bad, if stock sci-fi adventure with a few nods to the game of its namesake.
3 out of 5.
And this book was....okay? Basically it's kind of a "in the universe of mass effect" story. it's not like the first book which focuses on Anderson and Saren, two major characters from the first game. In fact the only character from the games who shows up is "The illusive man". one of the antagonists in the 2nd and 3rd game.
The story is basically about this girl named Gillian who is a super biotic (good at forcefields and force pushes, etc) and the illusive man wants her to get stronger at this biotic training school. Grayson is this guy who the illusive dumps the baby on but pretends he's her father. Kahlee and Hendel are two people who work at the institution and want whats best for gillian.
The book is basically a back and forth of trying to kidnap the girl, rescue her, try to kidnap her again, rinse repeat.
Overall, deciding to base the story on human randos and a little girl, (who they go out of their 15 times to tell you she has autism. yes we get it. thank you) and the human group cerberus, was actually not a very good one. If i'm going to be reading a mass effect book, i'm not going to want to read all about the adventures of humans hanging out with humans.
About 3/4 of the way through the book they go to hang out with my favorite race, the quarians, but at that point, you're already 250 pages in and you wish they had done more.
The whole "protecting a little girl who has super powers" has been done before, and the girl has no personality to speak of. it almost felt like the author gave her this autism quirk as an excuse to not have to give her a personality. literally she'll just stand there staring off into space (no pun intended) and maybe nod her head once or shrug. If it weren't for the 'love of the father' angle, you could have literally replaced the child with a scientific mcguffin and it wouldn't have made a difference.
I like the whole 'conflicted father character' of grayson, and hendel was fine too. I just didn't connect with Kahlee sanders. she's too goody two shoes and sanctimonious being all "we have to do everything and anything to save this kid!" and i just got this vibe off of her that just rubbed me the wrong way.
There's definitely some violence in this game (Which you can tell as it says 'based on an MA' game on the back of the book) but it's par the course of a sci-fi adventure book. The only real part that bothered me was the after effect of a torture scene, which, realistically, did not need to be in the book. it could have done without it.
I do have to say though, it was a VERY fast read having read it in 2 1/2 days even though it was 300+ pages. I will eventually get to the third book in the series as i AM intrigued enough to see what happens, if it gets better, and if it includes more aliens, or even some more characters from the canon.
A not bad, if stock sci-fi adventure with a few nods to the game of its namesake.
3 out of 5.