Ascension (Mass Effect, #2)

by Drew Karpyshyn

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.

• ISBN10: 0345498526
• ISBN13: 9780345498526
• Publish Date: 29 July 2008 (first published 1 January 2008)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Random House USA Inc
• Imprint: Random House Inc
• Format: Paperback (US Mass Market)
• Pages: 352
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780345498526

Reviews

[pamela]

Mass Effect: Ascension reads more like extended source material for the Mass Effect Universe than Revelations did. This wasn't a problem for me, as that's the entire reason I'm reading the series, but it did mean that Ascension wasn't as good a book in its own right as its predecessor.

From a narrative standpoint, I don't have much to fault. Ascension was fast-paced, with enough character depth for them to be relatable, and a decently diverse cast. It delved into lore that was barely present in ME1, and is constantly referenced in ME2, so it was really great to have that part of the story fleshed out.

But for some reason, Ascension just didn't grab me. I enjoyed it because it was Mass Effect, and not because it was good. It's a book for the fans, not for the average sci-fi reader. It's tailored to a specific audience, and with that in mind, I guess it does what's on the tin. I really enjoyed delving into the culture of the Migrant Fleet, and learning more about the Quarians, but this felt solidly like a side adventure, and not a fully fleshed out story that could stand on its own.

[Rinn]

Also posted on my blog, Rinn Reads.

After finishing Mass Effect 3, I found myself wanting to immerse myself in all things Mass Effect, I suppose because the trilogy is now over, and the ending was rather disappointing. I first picked this book up in the library two years ago or so, and found it very dull. But I thought I'd try it again, and I somehow made it through.

It reads like a fanfiction. Not an awful one, but not a great one either. Karpyshyn's writing style is merely mediocre. The only reason the story was remotely interesting to me is because it is set in the Mass Effect universe, and involves Grissom Academy and Kahlee Sanders, who appears in Mass Effect 3. The book is very, very simply written and there is almost a complete lack of character development.

I would give this 1 star, but I've given it another simply for being Mass Effect related. Although Karpyshyn tries to explain terms to people who haven't played Mass Effect, I get the feeling that if you've never touched the games, some elements of the story might be confusing.

I think a Mass Effect book series following Commander Shepard, or at least the Normandy would be great - but then there is the issue with being able to create your own custom character, both in appearance and personality. Although there are the default Shepards, they would not be Shepard to those people - like myself - who create our own versions.