If you haven't played the first Mass Effect game, this title will confuse you. Unlike the first book in the series this is set between ME 1 and ME 2 games. I haven't played ME1, and haven't finished ME 2 or started ME 3 games. So some of the events early in the book that were referenced while I understood the regions and areas being mentioned, the events that happened I was unaware of and that is one thing that drives me nuts that there is an 'event' that shapes things but the book doesn't update you/give you the high points.

That's not the fault of this book however, just something I thought you should know.

We primarily follow two groups of characters. One could be characterized as 'the good guys' and then one that might be 'the bad guys'. The 'bad guys' have one character that wants to be redeemed, and depending on your point of view may get his wish.

We get some views into the Quarrien ships and how they live, which prior to ME2 you didn't have a lot of details. The fight sequences are well written and not over described which is one pitfall action books fall into, they talk about pivoting this and that and flipping and arcing and over talking it.

It took me a bit to get into this book, but I think that was because I hadn't finished ME1 (barely played it) so my personal qualms about not knowing what is going on for a bit annoyed me. After I pushed through I really enjoyed this story line, and hope for more titles in this universe. It's a lot of fun to read.