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Categories: Books
Tags: mass effect
Mass Effect: Ascension
Author: Drew Karpyshyn
Publisher: Del Rey
Released: Jul 29, 2008
Some of the darkest episodes in Mass Effect dealt with Cerberus, a shadowy organization who conducted illicit research and were willing to slaughter Alliance soldiers to cover their tracks. In Mass Effect: Ascension we learn that Cerberus is headed by the Illusive Man and that their goal is to ensure humanity’s dominance over alien races. This includes boosting biotic abilities in humans by causing prenatal exposure to Element Zero through a series of staged accidents. The Illusive Man has high hopes for young Gillian Grayson.
Gillian is a student in the Ascension Project and while she tests off the charts, her autism affects her ability to focus her biotic powers. Although Dr. Kahlee Sanders (returning from Mass Effect: Revelation) and Security Chief Hendel Mitra keep a close eye on her, Gillian is exposed to an unknown chemical by a Cerberus agent which leads to a disastrous use of her powers. With the Jon Grissom Academy compromised, Sanders and Mitra are forced to go into hiding with Gillian – even if it means trusting her red sand-addicted father. But is there anywhere in Alliance space that is safe from Cerberus?
Underwhelming. That’s the only way I can describe Drew Karpyshyn’s second novel set in BioWare’s Mass Effect universe. As a standalone science fiction novel, Ascension is limited in scope and comes to an unsatisfying conclusion. As a Mass Effect book, it’s a mixed bag. It’s set after the events of the game, but the monumental events which took place have little ramification in the book. Which isn’t to say that the book isn’t worth reading (for Mass Effect enthusiasts) – just don’t expect to read the further adventures of Commander Shepard. Instead, you’ll find out more about the quarians, learn of the insidious Collectors, and you’ll visit Omega – the Citadel’s dark reflection.
After playing Mass Effect, I had more appreciation for Karpyshyn’s first book. The same could happen after I play Mass Effect 2, but that potential payoff is still a year away.
CrazyKinux:
Now how the heck did I miss this one. Thanks! Now off to Amazon…
CoffeeSlut:
I’m not sure where this 2nd book picks up from. I remember from Revelation that Anderson rescued Kahlee and Saren took the files for himself which ended up being research data on Sovereign. Now Ascension started with the Citadel destroyed and Shepard was already introduced? Does this second book pick up from Revelation or the game? I don’t remember what happened at the end of Revelation.
terry:
The second book is set after the game, so it’s about 20 years after the first book.