By: Drew Karpyshyn Publisher: Del Rey Average Rating: Binding: Mass Market Paperback Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 352 Publication Date: July 29, 2008 Release Date: July 29, 2008 Studio: Del Rey
Product Description: When they vanished fifty thousand years ago, the Protheans left their advanced technology scattered throughout the galaxy. The chance discovery of a Prothean cache on Mars allows humanity to join those already reaping the rewards of the ancients’ high-tech wizardry. But for one rogue militia, the goal is not participation but domination.
Scientist Kahlee Sanders has left the Systems Alliance for the Ascension Project, a program that helps gifted “biotic” children harness their extraordinary powers. The program’s most promising student is twelve-year-old Gillian Grayson, who is borderline autistic. What Kahlee doesn’t know is that Gillian is an unwitting pawn of the outlawed black ops group Cerberus, which is sabotaging the program by conducting illegal experiments on the students.
When the Cerberus plot is exposed, Gillian’s father takes her away from the Ascension Project and flees into the lawless Terminus Systems. Determined to protect Gillian, Kahlee goes with them… unaware that the elder Grayson is, in fact, a Cerberus operative. To rescue the young girl Kahlee must travel to the farthest ends of the galaxy, battling fierce enemies and impossible odds. But how will she be able to save a daughter from her own father? This novel is based on a Mature-rated video game.
Much Better! ^ On the whole a much better novel than Revelation. One that got me *hating* Cerberus and left me distrustful of everything the Illusive Man said in Mass Effect 2. I quite enjoyed the detailing of the Quarian culture and the brief interlude on Omega.
I wish some of the characters from this novel could have turned up in the game! Particularly Kahlee Sanders.
Some more science (or pseudo-science) on the Mass Effect field, Biotics and such would not have gone astray.
Good. Much better than the first novel. ^ This book is excellent and in my opinion significantly better than the first Mass Effect novel. You can tell that Karphyshyn has really grown comfortable with authoring novels as he continues to write them. I'm hoping he writes another one following the story of the second game.
Mass Effect? The Golden Child? Firestarter? ^ I really enjoyed Mass Effect: Revelation. I could not put it down. In that book I loved learning about Anderson and Saren. The "incident" between them was alluded to in the game and was subsequently explained in this book. The introduction of a new character, Kahlee Sanders, heroine of the follow-up "Ascension," was also nice. But for the re-appearance of Kahlee, Ascension feels scantily like a Mass Effect book at all.
I purchased this book as soon as it was available. I noticed a difference right away. I could not get into it. I sold it back.
Recently, I went on a long trip and had an opportunity to pick up the audiobook version of Ascension. Why not give it another try? I'll be waiting in airports and train stations for hours at a time. I put it on my ipod and off I went.
Well, as an audience, captive by my surroundings, I got through it. It's not as bad as my memories of the text recalled. However, this story feels tangentially related to the Mass Effect universe. It feels like a forgotten sci-fi script that's been pulled out of the trash can and then packed with Mass Effect references for marketing purposes only.
Considering that this tale takes place after the epic conclusion of the game, the quieter pacing and tone of this novel makes it seem out of place. There is no story of Shepard or other characters from the game. There is very little discussion of the universe now existing after the epic confrontation between the universe and the Reapers. A few game plot points are referred to only to add set dressing to the exposition. Once the Mass Effect universe is established the story becomes a cliche. This is practically the same plot as Eddie Murphy's 90's flick "The Golden Child" or Drew Barrymore's "Firestarter." Mind you I say Drew Barrymore instead of Stephen King's "Firestarter" as Ascension, like the movie adaptation of King's novel, also is a skeleton of a deeper, richer text.
None of this is a spoiler, the description of a gifted child running from competing forces is plainly disclosed on the cover. I won't go much farther with specifics but to say the thin plot of a powerful child learning to control her powers is predictable and disappointing.
Get this if you must but, used if at all. This book and the latest DLC 'Pinnacle Station' has me worried. After the genius game, the majority of later Mass Effect branded releases have been true disappointments.
Not as good as "Revelation" ^ Read it, liked it but I'm not thrilled with it. I began Mass Effect Revelation with a bit of reluctance. After 10 pages, I couldn't leave it.
Sadly, I cannot say the same about Ascension. It's not bad but not as catchy as her predecessor. Recommended for those who want to know a bit more from the ME Universe (and perhaps a connection to the game sequel)
An excellent companion to the Mass Effect Universe of fiction. ^ I think this novel stands up pretty well on its own, but if you're a fan of the Mass Effect video game(s) you'll be hooked by the setting and characters featured within. I read "Revelation" first, but found this follow-up to be much more enjoyable overall.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Trevor
