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stridette's review
2.0
I liked this slightly better than the last one. Not like a full star better, but you know. Slightly. There was a much more coherent and interesting throughline between the different stories and Blasto was a lot of fun.
sherlock_tomes's review
3.0
Review Pending.
Note: I received a free digital ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a review.
Note: I received a free digital ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a review.
rinn's review
3.0
You know the drill by now. I saw a Mass Effect book on Netgalley, so I requested it. I am an unashamed fangirl of the series, and will read everything and anything I can get my hands on, despite not being overly impressed with the books so far. However, I enjoyed the first volume of the Foundation series more than previous series, so was looking forward to reading the next volume.
This particular chapter of the Mass Effect story is set between the events of the Mass Effect 2 prologue and the main story, when Commander Shepard is presumed dead after the attack on the Normandy. It brings in plenty of familiar characters: Miranda, Jacob, Thane, Jack, Kai Leng and the Illusive Man. The reader learns how Jacob came to be a part of Cerberus, and how Shepard’s body was found. It also introduces a couple of new characters, but to be honest I was more interested in learning more about my beloved squad mates from the games – and it didn’t disappoint.
I’ve always seen Jacob as a truly nice guy, although he’s never been a favourite character of mine he was always someone I felt my Shepard could rely on, someone who was utterly loyal. In Mass Effect Foundation he is shown as the soldier out to protect civilians and friends, at any cost – fitting my view of him. And as ever, Miranda is loyal to the job, despite the consequences. Oh, and it’s not just cameras that linger on a view of her rather full derriere, apparently…
With some truly gorgeous full pages of art, this is definitely a lovely collector’s item for Mass Effect fans – particularly one of Jack and Jacob fighting a group of Batarians. The colour scheme is also definitely very fitting, including subtle shades of greys, oranges and reds, with the added neon colours of the various bars and establishments of the Citadel, Omega and Illium.
However, some of the panels just felt really lazy, as if they were almost just the original sketchy ideas, rather than the finalised drawing. One section of the story featured a lot of ‘faceless’ panels – I could understand this if the characters were far off in the distance, but this was even when they were the main focus of a panel. In one chapter, the features of Jacob’s and Miranda’s faces varied wildly, and in Jack’s chapter some of the art was just so unpolished to the extent of looking unfinished.
I have to say though, my absolute favourite part of this new addition to the Mass Effect universe was the bonus story at the end. It’s a 40′s style crime noir, featuring a brave Hanar (yes, you read that correctly) and his attractive Asari companion. It’s everything you could ever want in such a story: a Hanar solving crimes, mowing down hordes of Krogans effortlessly with eight pistols at once, and of course our hero gets the girl. Plus this quote:
‘”This one thinks the Krogan scum must ask the question – does it feel fortunate? Do you, scum?”
Overall, an interesting addition to the Mass Effect universe, but sadly let down by some of the artwork. However, it’s worth it just for the bonus short story at the end.
I received a copy of this book for free from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review. Originally posted on my former blog, Rinn Reads.
This particular chapter of the Mass Effect story is set between the events of the Mass Effect 2 prologue and the main story, when Commander Shepard is presumed dead after the attack on the Normandy. It brings in plenty of familiar characters: Miranda, Jacob, Thane, Jack, Kai Leng and the Illusive Man. The reader learns how Jacob came to be a part of Cerberus, and how Shepard’s body was found. It also introduces a couple of new characters, but to be honest I was more interested in learning more about my beloved squad mates from the games – and it didn’t disappoint.
I’ve always seen Jacob as a truly nice guy, although he’s never been a favourite character of mine he was always someone I felt my Shepard could rely on, someone who was utterly loyal. In Mass Effect Foundation he is shown as the soldier out to protect civilians and friends, at any cost – fitting my view of him. And as ever, Miranda is loyal to the job, despite the consequences. Oh, and it’s not just cameras that linger on a view of her rather full derriere, apparently…
With some truly gorgeous full pages of art, this is definitely a lovely collector’s item for Mass Effect fans – particularly one of Jack and Jacob fighting a group of Batarians. The colour scheme is also definitely very fitting, including subtle shades of greys, oranges and reds, with the added neon colours of the various bars and establishments of the Citadel, Omega and Illium.
However, some of the panels just felt really lazy, as if they were almost just the original sketchy ideas, rather than the finalised drawing. One section of the story featured a lot of ‘faceless’ panels – I could understand this if the characters were far off in the distance, but this was even when they were the main focus of a panel. In one chapter, the features of Jacob’s and Miranda’s faces varied wildly, and in Jack’s chapter some of the art was just so unpolished to the extent of looking unfinished.
I have to say though, my absolute favourite part of this new addition to the Mass Effect universe was the bonus story at the end. It’s a 40′s style crime noir, featuring a brave Hanar (yes, you read that correctly) and his attractive Asari companion. It’s everything you could ever want in such a story: a Hanar solving crimes, mowing down hordes of Krogans effortlessly with eight pistols at once, and of course our hero gets the girl. Plus this quote:
‘”This one thinks the Krogan scum must ask the question – does it feel fortunate? Do you, scum?”
Overall, an interesting addition to the Mass Effect universe, but sadly let down by some of the artwork. However, it’s worth it just for the bonus short story at the end.
I received a copy of this book for free from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review. Originally posted on my former blog, Rinn Reads.
geekwayne's review
3.0
'Mass Effect: Foundation Volume 2' is more graphic novel based on the best selling Bioware video game of the same name. Again, it's written by Mac Walters, who was lead writer on Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3. I found this second volume to be more even and a bit easier to follow and I liked it more than the first.
This volume starts about where the prologue to Mass Effect 2 is. Matthew Shepard is presumed dead in the aftermath of the attack on the Normandy. Characters from the game are sent out to confirm it, and retrieve the body for better or worse. The character of Jacob is fleshed out more and he is shown to be compassionate to those considered to be collateral damage. Miranda just wants to get the job done at any price. There are a few different stories in the volume, but they just feel more fleshed out and complete this time.
The art gets spotty in places. There are some great full panels, but then the art degrades into almost pen sketches. It's a little inconsistent, so I found it disappointing. I wanted gorgeous art like we get in the game and it delivers for the most part. The writing, as I mentioned, is much tighter this time. Perhaps because the first volume was centered around the first game and Mac Walters wasn't the lead writer. Regardless, for fans of the game, it's nice to get more character story and this doesn't disappoint.
I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
This volume starts about where the prologue to Mass Effect 2 is. Matthew Shepard is presumed dead in the aftermath of the attack on the Normandy. Characters from the game are sent out to confirm it, and retrieve the body for better or worse. The character of Jacob is fleshed out more and he is shown to be compassionate to those considered to be collateral damage. Miranda just wants to get the job done at any price. There are a few different stories in the volume, but they just feel more fleshed out and complete this time.
The art gets spotty in places. There are some great full panels, but then the art degrades into almost pen sketches. It's a little inconsistent, so I found it disappointing. I wanted gorgeous art like we get in the game and it delivers for the most part. The writing, as I mentioned, is much tighter this time. Perhaps because the first volume was centered around the first game and Mac Walters wasn't the lead writer. Regardless, for fans of the game, it's nice to get more character story and this doesn't disappoint.
I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.