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).

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.

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

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.

Best story out of the 3 books.

The second book in the Andromeda Series and it has the best story out of the 3. a massive improvement over the lackluster first book. in both story and performance, the story is better across all 3 books. the thing a feel it was perfect the performance, don't get me wrong still so much better that the first book. but you also see the foundation they put in improving performance.

Liked it fine

Here's the main thing; this is such a better book than the slog that was Uprising that it probably affected my overall interpretation of the story. While faltering in the same way any prequel story can (we know Cora and Alec are going to make it because they're in the game), it still had some exciting set pieces and scenarios. This book touches on a few mysteries from the game (like the Benefactor), and overall it doesn't actually shine much light on any of it, but it at least presented some interesting concepts that outshine Uprisings "everyone is incompetent except Sloane Kelly [except she's also an idiot and incompetent]." It still isn't as good as the original trilogy of books, but being better than both Uprising and the one that shall not be named makes this a much more interesting experience.

There's a Drinking Game to be had here

The book is like 8.5 hours. Get a bottle of something alcoholic, preferably something that reminds you of Mass Effect, and then every time the narrator says that a character "Blinks" or "Blinked" you drink. Over the course of the book, you will empty the bottle.

Beyond that... it's a fun story for Mass Effect fans with a few juicy morsels, but I would have been disappointed if it wasn't free with my subscription. For free for a Mass Effect fan, it's pretty great!

Good SciFi Mystery

I enjoyed the story. and thought performance was outstanding. However, the repeated use of cliches was a bit distracting. “You’ve got to be kidding.” Still, it is a story that most Syfl officials will enjoy.

Best of the Three Novel

I wasn't expecting this one to be the best of the three Mass Effect Andromeda novels but it was. It had a good story and kept my attention.

Better than the first one.

This is actually a good book with an interesting story, much action and also some interesting idea behind it.
Nothing in common with the first book.
I think it takes place before it.
Can recommend.
Still feels like it expects you to know more about the game but is it not uncomfortable, just leaves you wanting more details about how things work.

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