Mass Effect: Initiation

By: Mac Walters, N. K. Jemisin

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).

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

Updated Membership Paying Off

This was one of the many books included with the new membership. The majority of the books so far were not that great. This was the first I heard that did not suck tremendously. The narrator was excellent, the only thing I would say could have been improved was her voicing for Sam-E since he was male. The plot though was solid and fit well as a prequel to the Andromeda game.

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.

Great story, awesome narration

Yet another great entry in the mass effect story! a must listen if you're interested in the back story of side characters. I loved the narrators work, she did an awesome job. The story was solid, not the best in the world but I enjoy any and all life on these wonderful games.

More secrets unlocked but more questions arised

Keep up the good work on the Mass Effect novels. I need to know what happens in Andromeda! Also Cora Harper's relationship with The Illusive Man

An unexpected joy.

I enjoyed the human interaction with AI as a side story that became a major plot twist.

Best non-game Mass Effect media

Outside of playing the games (the original trilogy), this is by far the next best thing. I've read most Mass Effect novels and graphic novels but non come close to this.

Felt so immersed in the Mass Effect world which is told brilliantly. Fryda's reading is top notch. She makes every character distinct with her voice brilliantly.

Great pace, no wasted page/minute. If anything, I felt it ended too quickly 😥

Pulls on your Mass Effect heart strings very well. Thank you for this universe Mac Walters and Co 👌🏾🙌🏾

Not enough Biotics.

This whole story gets a rating of 'E'. E for 'Eh' (shrug)

The MC is a biotic user, but that barely gets use here. smh.

Nice backstory. And its worth a read, but if you are expecting a big showing of biotics, then you are going to be disappointed.

Best narrator Ive ever heard

Great story amazing performance of the narrator. Gives some backstory of what happens in Mass Effect

Wish there where more

Been playing the games since they first came out and restart ME:A when I started these books. Completely enjoyed all three books. just wish there where more to listen to.

fills in the gap for an otherwise boring character

in mass effect Andromeda the video game she seemed pretty plain and boring but this explains some stuff that she has been through and otherwise adds depth to the character

great and engaging storyline which touches on AI, ethics and morality.if AI learn that life is cheap they will learn it from our actions and our deeds

Great story

I really got into this story fast, interesting and a good pace. I'm also thrilled that there was no F words as compared with the last book, they where in my humble opinion unnecessary and annoying. I could play this on loud speaker whilst doing jobs around the house. Fab thanks.

Interesting

Have not played the game. Most. The ideas were novel and interesting. Not sure really if it’s enough of an incentive to read the next book.

awesome story

this is such an amazing story and great addition to the lore of Mass Effect. contains cool little easter eggs too for the ME trilogy fans. Really helps flesh out another character from the Andromeda game

I don't mean this in a bad way but adequate

Even though I call this adequate I actually enjoyed it. It's a typical book for a gaming property, It fits into the established universe and is structured like a mission in the game.

I really loved the narrator, really injects personality into the main character and the narration. Struggles at finding a voice for other characters a little but really well paced.

Mass effect

i loved the games and Andromeda was different but good.

Thus is the behind the scenes of why cora wasn't made pathfinder.

Great book. well read

worth a listen, not very long 1.35x speed

if you're familiar with the Mass Effect game series then any further dive into that world is always a welcome treat. pretty decent story. not on par with the games ofcourse, but what is? :)

Great book

the back story of the characters should my next playthrough of the game so much better

Great Sci-fi read and must for fans

Another great instalment in the prequel books with a great delve into how Cora knew Ryder and came in to the initiative. Loved the build out of SAM and his impact to the lunch of the Hyperion and the troubles before launch. Superbly read by Fryda Wolff again and I will now go find more of her work thanks to this book.