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.

1 of 1 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. :)

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Great for fans of Mass Effect

So I picked this book up because I am a huge fan of the main trilogy and although I didn't hate Andromeda, I was hoping this might tell more of the story that seemed to be missing in the game. Sadly this does not resolve this issue. If anything it gives the reader a bit more information on Rider's father and Cora's back stories. It was great to get a good idea of why they both decided to make the journey to Andromeda. The best I can say about the book is it fills the void as I am waiting on the next book to come out and it might cause me to actually romance Cora on my next play through of ME:A.

I am Commander Shepard and this is my favorite review of this book!

This adds to the game. !!!!!!

This adds to the game and makes me want to play it again. Great book and great reading.

4 points

great accent. Rich emotional expression. but lacks distinction btw conversation and narrative make whole story difficult to understand.

some wonky details but great overall

In the game Cora trains for years as a pathfinder s second, however this story insinuates that she only joins the initiative 6 months to a year before departure. otherwise it is a great prequel to Andromeda

A nice opportunity to delve into the Mass Effect U

I felt welcome in the Mass Effect universe yet again. This story really adds to Cora's character, and I appreciate her back story. Freda Wolff is a masterful voice actor. her rich yet comforting voice was a nice carry over as Sara Ryder from the game. I really enjoyed the book. Thank you!

Really makes you want to see this on a big screen.

Story is exceptional. Made me feel like I was back in the game. Well Done.

Something Mass Effect fans will enjoy.

Overall, it's a great book. There are times when Fryda mispronounces things, but she does a good job otherwise.

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