46 réponses à ce sujet

[ForumPortal]

I really like the Mass Effect universe and would like to explore it more. Also, are the books available in audiobook form and, if so, are they competently read? For that matter, are the books well written? 

[shumworld]

I haven't read them, but from what my friends have told me I believe the ME books are canon. The comic book on Liara is definitely canon in my opinion.

If the book are in audio format then I'd love to listen to them.

[g-w-m]

Yes the books are canon. I've read all 3 & its a great way to further yourself into the ME universe.

I recommend.

[Ieldra]

I do not recommend the books, at least not the ones by Karpyshyn. They may be canon, but they aren't good. The man is incapable of subtlety and his writing is so heavy-handed you feel as if hit by an anvil on every other page.

Modifié par Ieldra2, 16 juin 2011 - 09:46 .

[Veen130]

I enjoyed them. But I guess their just not for everyone.

[azerSheppard]

Ieldra2 wrote...

I do not recommend the books, at least not the ones by Karpyshyn. They may be canon, but they aren't good. The man is incapable of subtlety and his writing is so heavy-handed you feel as if hit by an anvil on every other page.

"blah blah blah bad writing blah blah blah"

He wrote some of the best parts of me1.



Anyway, read the books if you are interested in Saren/Anderson and the Cerberus/Alliance. They are def canon.

[Ieldra]

azerSheppard wrote...

Ieldra2 wrote...

I do not recommend the books, at least not the ones by Karpyshyn. They may be canon, but they aren't good. The man is incapable of subtlety and his writing is so heavy-handed you feel as if hit by an anvil on every other page.

"blah blah blah bad writing blah blah blah"

He wrote some of the best parts of me1.

That's no excuse. Take TIM's presentation. In ME2 it was interesting. You get the enigmatic and charismatic leader of a paramilitary organization, who you suspect is a villain but who comes across as double-faced enough that there might just be something in what he says. In the books he's a villain made of cheap cardboard.
 
BTW, your post sounds as if you're incapable of appreciating subtlely, so that problem might escape you altogether.

[Ninjapino]

Honestly, I didn't really care for his writing that much either. He's good at set pieces and plot, but as far as the actual writing itself, he's far from the best. If you're wanting to expand the universe, though, it's a great way to do it. It's not god-awful to the point where I can't stand reading them, just not that great. The comics (mostly) suffer from the same problem, too

But, anyway, the books are canon. They avoid directly mentioning any specifics of Shepard or the events in the game so it leaves it open for interpretation and gives it room for "your" Shepard to fit.

[Flashlegend]

The books are canon and if you're looking to deepen your understanding of Universe I'd definitely recommend them. However, be warned, the actual writing is rather weak.

[xIxDarkWolfxIx]

The books are considered cannon and I do recommend them. However in the most recent book, Retribution, it refers to Udina as the Councillor and Anderson as an Admiral. I ignored it, but it was partially frustrating to hear "My Cannon Story" being effected. When we were told it would not be.

[Ianamus]

xIxDarkWolfxIx wrote...

The books are considered cannon and I do recommend them. However in the most recent book, Retribution, it refers to Udina as the Councillor and Anderson as an Admiral. I ignored it, but it was partially frustrating to hear "My Cannon Story" being effected. When we were told it would not be.

I was under the impression that an Anderson had stepped down from the position of councillor (if he had been made one) because he couldn't handle politics.

Anyway, to answer the OP's question, yes they are canon. I liked them personally. Not my favourite books of all time but i've read far worse.

[whitey4444]

EJ107 wrote...

xIxDarkWolfxIx wrote...

The books are considered cannon and I do recommend them. However in the most recent book, Retribution, it refers to Udina as the Councillor and Anderson as an Admiral. I ignored it, but it was partially frustrating to hear "My Cannon Story" being effected. When we were told it would not be.

I was under the impression that an Anderson had stepped down from the position of councillor (if he had been made one) because he couldn't handle politics.

It's not said explicitly, but Retribution is set after the end of ME2 from memory. And the possible plot links they deliberately leave information out to fit either story. Because in it TIM gets Reaper technology from the collectors at some point, but again they leave out information as to whether he got it from an incapicated Collector base, or in the wreckage of a blown up base, or even before hand.

The book can work with either choice you get in the game
* If you pick Udina, then he's still the councillor
* If you pick Anderson, then he either quits or is forced out and Udina put in his place between ME2 and Retribution (this is my guess - the book simply doesn't say, because obviously some stories have Udina as councillor from the start). I think it may be addressed briefly at the beginning of ME3, depending on your choice.

And if the books are canon, it should mean that Udina is the councillor in ME3, regardless of what choice you've made. It's just that he will either be put there by you, or got there after Anderson quit/was forced out. I also think that the latest comic (from what I've seen) gives pretty strong hints as to why TIM and Cerberus are now hunting you down. It's release after ME2, despite being set before all previous Mass Effect games/books/comics, was no mistake.

Modifié par whitey4444, 16 juin 2011 - 12:44 .

[CaptainZaysh]

It's cannon.

[Slayer299]

@CaptainZayash - No, it's c-a-n-o-n.


 can·non
noun \\ˈka-nən\\

1 plural usually cannon
a  a large heavy gun usually mounted on a carriage
b  a heavy-caliber automatic aircraft gun firing explosive shells

2 or can·on : the projecting part of a bell by which it is hung
3 the part of the leg in which the cannon bone is found

In the meaning of this discussion about what is considered 'canon' or part of the lore/history of the Mass Effect universe the word changes to canon .

For our definition purposes; Canon = a sanctioned or accepted group or body of related works.

[aftohsix]

*In snobby pretentious voice*

Yes well the characterization in THOSE books is so poor that it reminds one of a child attempting to write Dickens.  You time would be much more well spent in reading Jane Eyre or perhaps the Brothers Karzamov.

Oh wait.  I forgot I actually enjoyed all three Mass Effect books and that they're definitely worth a read.

Modifié par aftohsix, 16 juin 2011 - 01:28 .

[Medhia Nox]

@Ieldra2 - in the game, he's a villain made of cheap cardboard.

Just because you may or may not be enamored with mysterious bad people - doesn't mean some of us are fooled by his smoke and mirrors.

[Kogaion]

for what those books are ( a way to fill the storyline in a game univers) they are good written, i was very pleased with the story of Revelation and Retribution in particular , if you looking for incredible metaphors or to much psychological characterization ...you will not find it in those books BUT you will find more information on the ME univers , an action based storyline and interesting characters ...yes i enjoyed them very much (this coming from a guy that reads Larry Niven and Arthur C. Clarke but hates Frank Herbert's "Dune") your call...

[CaptainZaysh]

@Slayer299

i·ron·y
noun \\ˈī-rə-nē also ˈī(-ə)r-nē\\

1.  the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning

Modifié par CaptainZaysh, 16 juin 2011 - 02:33 .

[shumworld]

are the books in audio format? I have terrible memory which is why I don't read novels.

[RPGamer13]

I just checked Amazon and it seems like at leas the first book does.

I read the first book, and I don't like to read novels. I liked it because I didn't feel like the book was bogged down by details, like all the other the books I have tried to read do. There's some description about the surroundings and certain things about the characters, but they are used more for setting the scene up and during action packed moments so you know what is going on.

[WizenSlinky0]

I actually rather enjoyed the books. Picked the first two up at a small borders in an airport, since I wanted something to read on the flight. Soon as I landed I stopped at the nearest bookstore to buy the third.

[Wygrath]

Ieldra2 wrote...

azerSheppard wrote...

Ieldra2 wrote...

I do not recommend the books, at least not the ones by Karpyshyn. They may be canon, but they aren't good. The man is incapable of subtlety and his writing is so heavy-handed you feel as if hit by an anvil on every other page.

"blah blah blah bad writing blah blah blah"

He wrote some of the best parts of me1.

That's no excuse. Take TIM's presentation. In ME2 it was interesting. You get the enigmatic and charismatic leader of a paramilitary organization, who you suspect is a villain but who comes across as double-faced enough that there might just be something in what he says. In the books he's a villain made of cheap cardboard.
 
BTW, your post sounds as if you're incapable of appreciating subtlely, so that problem might escape you altogether.

Allow me to translate: "This person's perspective is different from my own and threatens the possible future where we all share a hive-mind  and only use Apple products. Here are some insults because I lack the ability to subtly articulate my point of view."

Seriously, the insults are unnecessary and so is your tone of hostility. It's not beyond any of the posters on the boards here to participate in discussions and disagree with one another without all this angst and hostility. 

It's both disturbing and beneath you all, but it seems to be getting worse. Now go to your rooms or I'll turn this car around. 

Modifié par Wygrath, 16 juin 2011 - 02:59 .

[mulder1199]

they're definitely worth the read if you are a fan of the games....karpyshyn writes them so your choices are basically a non issue...

[Robbiesan]

Ok, he is not the best writer out there but I enjoyed the books. There are some good details in the books. I enjoyed the first book Revelation the most as it involved Anderson and provided some background on him.

I enjoy reading books based on games now as they does provide deeper insight into characters than you will get from games. It is similar to a book becoming a movie for instance. Movies may be cool but books simply have more detail. Games, like movies, can only provide so much regarding characters and stories and much of the subtle details of the character's personalities and histories do not come through in a way one can aprpeciate, as much as from reading the books.

[Eradyn]

I wouldn't recommend buying the books. Try to check them out at a library or something, because they aren't worth wasting money on (the writing is atrocious).  I find it hard to forgive the bastardization of the characters, especially those I liked from the games -- Anderson specifically -- and the introduction of some of the worst Sues I've seen in "professional literature."  You will find better-written fanfiction and at least that is free.  As for expanding the universe, they really don't bring much, that is new, to the table.  I'd recommend just perusing the wiki if you just want to see what they introduced.

Modifié par Eradyn, 16 juin 2011 - 03:13 .