Mass Effect: Retorsion

By Drew Karpyshyn

Book Overview

Humanity has reached the stars, joining the vast galactic community of alien species. But beyond the fringes of explored space lurk the Reapers, a race of sentient starships bent on "harvesting" the galaxy's organic species for their own dark purpose. The Illusive Man, leader of the pro-human black ops group Cerberus, is one of the few who know the truth about the Reapers. To ensure humanity's survival, he launches a desperate plan to uncover the enemy's strengths--and weaknesses--by studying someone implanted with modified Reaper technology. He knows the perfect subject for his horrific experiments: former Cerberus operative Paul Grayson, who wrested his daughter from the cabal's control with the help of Ascension project director Kahlee Sanders. But when Kahlee learns that Grayson is missing, she turns to the only person she can trust: Alliance war hero Captain David Anderson. Together they set out to find the secret Cerberus facility where Grayson is being held. But they aren't the only ones after him. And time is running out. As the experiments continue, the sinister Reaper technology twists Grayson's mind. The insidious whispers grow ever stronger in his head, threatening to take over his very identity and unleash the Reapers on an unsuspecting galaxy. This novel is based on a Mature-rated video game.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345520726
• ISBN13: 9780345520722
• Release Date: July 2010
• Publisher: Random House Worlds
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.43 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 4.4" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

Plain awesome!

I purchased this to read on my iPhone, and read it in 10 hours. I could not stop reading! Truly a great read! I really hope the events of this book are present in Mass Effect 3 in full. If you are a fan of the series, this is a must read. For those who were left wanting to see more Anderson in the 2nd book, here is your answer. Don't hesitate, pick it up! Continue the story! The books really ADD to the value of Mass Effect series. You do not need to read em to enjoy the games, but you will understand what is going on. Book 1 tied in with Mass Effect, Book 2 did not really have to do with Mass Effect 2, but they do introduce new characters along with the key players of the first book that form part of Retribution. One can only hope Book 3 ties in with Mass Effect 3, because it seriously will make things interesting!

Another excellent chapter in the Mass Effect saga

Well-written story delving into the aftermath of the outcome of Mass Effect 2, regardless of how you end the game. Doesn't really give any spoilers, but nicely blends the side stories of Revelation and Ascension with the storylines of Commander Shepard, particularly in ME2. Looking forward to the next book!

Best Mass Effect Book Yet

First of all I am a big fan of the Mass Effect universe so my review may be a bit biased. This book is my favorite Mass effect book because I think it fuses with the game best. The book shows a lot of interesting insight into the Illusive Man, showing some of his true character the games only hint at. The action is often and well described. Much like the other books, the book is very much about the crime underworld of the mass effect universe. Anyone who likes crime books, sci-fi books, or Mass Effect should love this book.

Excellent book.

Great continuation to the story. Love the way Drew writes and i can't get enough of the ME universe. I've read the first two novels along with playing both games completely and always impressed with how fully realized the ME world really is. This particular story was great and really sets the stage for whats to come in the conclusion. Can't wait!

The story continues!

I've been following Mass Effect relatively closely since it was released, playing through the original Mass Effect's campaign several times, and then through all of Mass Effect 2 in its entirety. So of course, when I found out that there were books to go along with the games, I was all over it. Revelation and Ascension were outstanding books, also by the one and only Drew Karphyshyn, the lead writer on the Mass Effect franchise. Revelation was a pre-story, leading up to the events of Mass Effect, filling in more of the origins of some of the main characters of the franchise. Ascension fell shortly after Mass Effect, opening up some more subplots within the story and adding more characters, including the biotic child prodigy, Gillian, and her father, Paul Grayson. To be honest, their introduction left me wanting more, and I was pleasantly surprised (and thankful) that that particular subplot made a return in Retribution in a rather big way. What's more, we get to revisit Omega, a quest hub that players become intimately familiar with after playing Mass Effect 2, and learn more about the Pirate Queen, Aria T'Loak, a few other minor characters, and of course the Illusive Man, himself. All in all, Retribution brings everything up to speed, answers a lot of the questions that I had after finishing the ME2 campaign, and leaves me on the edge of my seat waiting for the next installment in an already epic tale.