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).

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.

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.

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

Mass Effect Andromeda Initiation

I have the three Mass Effect Andromeda books 📚 on both paper as on audiobook and I thoroughly enjoyed them. The books 📚 of the older Mass Effect games were slightly better, but this newer Trilogy still made for a fun sci-fi adventure.

Really good 👍

This book was fun. I liked it more than I expected. The narrator was pretty good. My favorite part was when she gets the feral murder boost to her powers and fires on a killing spree.

Pretty good

I'm not part of the ME community. I came strictly for N. K. Jemisin, and she didn't disappoint. I was able to easily understand the world and characters, and the story flowed really well. The narrator is pretty awesome, and made the whole thing enjoyable. The story line itself wasn't the best I've ever read, but maybe resonates more with whoever is already immersed in the ME universe.

Very good backstory to an excellent game

I am now replaying the game because the story reinvigorated interest in the universe again

Nothing to hear here, really.

I enjoyed the first book. This book and the next seem to be prequels yo the first. How completely disappointing. Thank God I didn't purchase this garbage.

Missed Pronounced Names

Overall it isn’t bad but much like the game it’s mediocre. I gave it a higher rating cause it was included with the plus catalog, it’d be more disappointing if I spent a credit or cash on However I cannot overlook the mispronunciation of names and planets, and considering that the narrator is the voice actor for the games protagonist, it’s truly irritating. She didn’t have a problem with names in the game, why during this narration? This level of ambivalence just makes me think that someone didn’t care past receiving a pay check.

Andromeda

listning to these books gives the game and charachters a whole new depth and love.

great story

Another Great mass effect story yet to find a bad one. Excellent Narration delivering the story making you feel like you are in the story as it happens.

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