Mass Effect™ Andromeda: Annihilation

By: Catherynne M. Valente

Narrated by: Tom Taylorson

With a new game, Mass Effect Andromeda, set for release in 2017, the launch of a new series of Mass Effect novels is timely. The new game will take the story in a dramatic new direction and is set in a new region of space, with a new and deadly enemy.

Titan is publishing four unmissable Mass Effect novels. The novels will act as prequel and sequels to the events in the games and will become part of the overarching Mass Effect saga. These new stories, developed in close collaboration with the Bioware game team, weave directly into the action of the new game - and will reveal events kept secret over the course of game play - and will add to the canonical Mass Effect saga.

©2017 Catherynne M. Valente (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Finally a MEA book that is good!

You big STUPID JELLY...oh wait... we finally have a book in Mass Effect: Andromeda universe with a story and characters that would rival the original trilogy books.

Really interesting mystery story and a perspective into non - council races and their behaviours. Amazing voice performance by MaleRyder, his voice work is on point! The ending was a bit weak; and there is no real link to the actual game (will they/won't reveal the secret to the rest is interesting?). Be nice to see implications of this story in the next game?

I am glad we got this book, but I am still disappointed with Bioware for not making any DLC for the latest game and giving up on the franchise it seems. Every N7 day focus is on selling merchandise. FOR SHAME SIR!

P.S. LISTEN TO YOUR FANS AND REMASTER THE ORIGINAL TRILOGY!

almost perfect

This is the fourth Mass Effect audiobook I've listened to. I like Nexus Uprising a lot, and Initiation and Revelation are good enough, but Annihilation is the first one for me that really lives up to the Mass Effect games' tradition of having a large cast of characters who are all compelling. I dare say it examines the cultures of several non-council races better than the games ever do. The central disaster mystery narrative is great as well. And I'm comfortable saying this performance by Tom Taylorson is the best audiobook performance I've ever heard (excepting one part where a volus sounded too similar to a batarian and I got confused).

(I try to be circumspect and very vague in this paragraph but it's arguably still a spoiler)
My only strike against the book is about part of the ending: something pretty disturbing happens that feels really unnecessary, in more ways than one. It can maybe be rationalized based on previous events, and it does tie into an existing theme in a kind of beautiful way, but it's inconsistent with the tone of the rest of the book and franchise, and I'd rather it weren't in there.

That said, this is otherwise an excellent book and I highly recommend it to any fan of the series.

Excellent storyline and a great performance

The author did a great job on the storyline. It is fast moving and very complex and takes a bit of thinking and thought to keep up with what’s happening. The narrator does a great job of making this a very pleasant listen. Excellent work.

Details

It is a good listen for someone who has finished the game and I recommend both

Absolutely loved the story, the characters...

I'll be quick.. this is the golden egg of the mass effect books. The story, how the author builds the world around you. The characters, their stories and interactions. And much love to the gentleman who gave the characters their unique and easily identifiable voices.