Mass Effect: Initiation

By: N. K. Jemisin, Mac Walters

Narrated by: Fryda Wolff

Length: 8 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's Summary

Lieutenant Cora Harper joined the Systems Alliance to develop and enhance her powerful biotic talents. She was assigned to the asari commando unit Talein's Daughters, where she honed her abilities to become a skilled and deadly huntress.

Returning to Earth, Cora finds herself a stranger among other humans, and joins the Andromeda Initiative as Alec Ryder's second-in-command. The mission will send 100,000 colonists on a one-way, 600-year-long journey into the unknown. When essential - and dangerous - tech is stolen, Cora is assigned to recover it before it can be used against the Initiative, and end the mission before it can begin.

©2017 N. K. Jemisin (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ok...Not bad...Not great

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

An ok book. As a huge fan of the games - it was worth a listen. But I don’t think MEA has enough depth and breadth in its lore to rival with the Original Trilogy just yet. Alas, we didn’t really learn anything new (that wasn’t anticipated by the community) about the MEA universe or Cora herself. Still going to romance her in my next playthrough though:) She is a good character.

What three words best describe Fryda Wolff’s voice?

I liked Fryda’s voice work as FemRyder in the game, but I think BioWare can do better in finding a narrator. She has trouble doing male voice AND (which is just unforgivable) miss pronounces a lot of names and locations (like Palaven). Let me tell you, nerds like me are very sensitive to that.

Consider the following narrators:
Alix Wilton Regan
Miranda Raison
Ali Hillis
Tricia Janine Helfer

Any additional comments?

Let’s hope “the lost ark” makes up for lack of DLC and lore so far (yes, we are still mad about that).

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

A Prequel Tale with Substance

This prequel of Cora and father Ryder does not disappoint any Mass Effect fan. The writing is a huge leap from the game titled Mass Effect Andromeda and the novel Mass Effect Andromeda: Nexus Uprising. With Mac Walters return to the Mass Effect Universe, the tale does not disappoint. Action, adventure, mystery, and huge amounts of canon Mass Effect lore are presented in Mass Effect: Initiation leading to a world of bewilderment. Readers will be met with exciting action sequences, small amounts of romance, a bit of that wry comedy found in Mass Effect, and much more. A tale from the space opera that is well worth the read. Fryda Wolff once again brings Mass Effect characters to life. Close your eyes and step into the world of Mass Effect as every character is beautifully articulated with the presence they deserve. Had Fryda Wolff voiced every character in the Mass Effect Andromeda video game the series would have been a revolutionary success due to her skill at distinguishing and bringing each character to life. For any Mass Effect fan prepare to step back into the world you love as Cora takes on her first challenges with the initiative.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

All the feels for Mass Effect

I've enjoyed the other ME tie-in media, but this book is the first one that evoked the feeling of playing ME 1-3. I particularly enjoyed the way Jemisin & Walters' telling of Cora's story. The book also gave the context and emotional weight I was looking for in my first playthrough of ME: Andromeda. Time to pick up ME:A again. :) #MassEffect #FeelGood #FemaleProtagonist #Heartfelt #Tagsgiving #Sweepstakes

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Interesting story, okay writing style, a little woke but overall decent

Interesting story, okay writing style, a little woke but overall a decent book for Mass Effect fans.
Note: it does expect you to know something about the universe first.

once again everything I wanted

love samy with a passion. like Cora a bit more because of this book. I hope more of these books are made.

Mass Effect Fans!

This is a behind the senes look at what we missed when it came to why some people were chosen over others when it came to saving the human race on the video game ME: Andromeda Initiative also adds more value to the characters, as we get a glimpse of Visionary behind the jump from the Milky Way to Andromeda J. Garson. Listen or read to find out what is missing!

Interesting background on Cora

This book gives some background on Cora Harper's involvement in the Andromeda project. There's also a bit of insight into Alec Ryder and SAM, but most of this comes in the final few chapters. There were really only one or two things revealed that I hadn't already known from playing the game. It's an enjoyable read, but I don't think it's strictly necessary in terms of gaining more insight into the game's story.

SAM-e <3

Great book. Better than the first one andromeda one. I think I ejoyed it better than the first one.

Excellent story!

I love this book! Wolf's narration was well spoken, but lacked variation in mood, sounding monotone at times. The story was riveting, keeping me wanting moar. Mac Walters does not disappoint me. I appreciated the integration of the original series, too.

Thank you

By the off chance possible the author and narrator sees this review. Thank you. I love these books so much.

Good

I liked the story, but would not give it 5/5. the narrators were good, no doubt. Would recommend.

why couldn't the game be this good?

it really really made me actually come to like the character cora Harper. for any mass effect fan I'd strongly recommend