Mass Effect Novels

[Mr Light]

I just picked up the new Mass Effect novel, Ascension, at the store today on the cheap. And I just finished the game a couple weeks ago to boot. My question is, do I have to read the previous novel before this one? Are the two novels connected or standalones?

 

[matthunter]

My question is, do I have to read the previous novel before this one? Are the two novels connected or standalones?

They share the same main character, Kahlee Sanders, and there may be other recurring characters but the two plots are separate. The first novel deals with events leading up to the game, the latter with a conspiracy unrelated to Saren's activities (and set after the game).

 

[Mr Light]

Damn... I was kinda hoping to read it today. Now I gotta get the first one.

 

[firehawk12]

From what I understand, the first one just goes into detail about the whole Anderson as a potential recruit thing.
The second book deals with Cerberus and the players behind that whole conspiracy.

 

[PsychoPere]

Damn, I didn't even realize Ascension was out. I had a lot of fun with Revelation, so I'll have to pick this up tomorrow Thanks for the heads-up!

 

[Mr Light]

Forgive me for ressurecting my own old thread, but I just finally read these two books. I really liked the first one, Revelation, which had an interesting story, a lot of action, and direct relevance to the game story. The second one, Ascension, I didn't care for much at all. You go from Anderson and Saren discovering the Reapers to a book about an autistic child in a private school?! I can only hope this Cerebus / Illusive Man business is terribly important to the sequel, but it's hard to be excited about an Earth-only storyline when the aliens are much more powerful, varied, and interesting.