A review by typewriterdeluxe
Nemesis by S.D. Perry

3.0

I have to confess, my library only has #5 so I read this book way out of order! I was still able to enjoy it because I'm familiar with the games, and if I can get my hands on the other books in this series I look forward to reading those too.

This novelization lacks the hair-raising terror of the games, but I still found it a very enjoyable read. I'd call it more of a fun thriller-mystery. Writing a video game novel is hard, and I think S.D. Perry did a great job considering the parameters and restrictions she was given to fit into Capcom's Resident Evil universe.

Although it was campy and unrealistic at times (as the games can be too), I stayed up all night to follow the characters through their violent cat-and-mouse game. Some of my favorite bits of Perry's writing were how she adapted puzzle-solving gameplay to novel form; her inner dialogue descriptions of Jill and Carlos' never-uttered-out-loud attraction; and the detailed combat scenes.

The only thing that bugged me as I was reading was that, although the "Nemesis" S.T.A.R.S-killer is supposed to be the big baddy (and titular character), Perry didn't use him much. I imagine that he appeared earlier in the book series and I missed his build-up? All the more reason to start at #1, kids!