Every advanced society in the galaxy relies on the technology of the Protheans, an ancient species that vanished fifty thousand years ago. After discovering a cache of Prothean technology on Mars in 2148, humanity is spreading to the stars, the newest interstellar species struggling to carve out its place in the greater galactic community.

Around these parts, you have probably sucked in enough news about Mass Effect and other popular upcoming titles to make your eyes bleed. You most likely have heard that the lead writer for Mass Effect and Knights of the Old Republic wrote a prequel novel to much anticipated sci-fi action RPG. With a new intellectual property, especially coming from Bioware, I knew that there will be a huge mass (pun-intended) of content about the universe to learn. Mass Effect: Revelations provides us nerds who are desperately waiting for November a small glimpse at Bioware’s version of the future.

The novel revolves around David Anderson, an Alliance war hero and stereotypical tough guy. If Jack Bauer was black and lived 150 years in the future, he would be David Anderson. Readers start off with an exposition about the current state of humans in the galaxy; describing the discovery of ancient Prothean technology on Mars that allow humans to utilize faster than light travel. Prothean records also show that one of Pluto’s moons is not really a moon, but actually holds a Mass Relay underneath a large layer of ice. Mass Relays allow almost instantaneous travel across thousands of light years to other Mass Relays across the galaxy. After these discoveries, humans begin to explore the parts of the galaxy they are able to reach through the Mass Relays. Eventually, they come in hostile contact with an alien species called the Turians. The conflict with the Turians is known as the First Contact War and is very important in setting up the grudges held by Turian characters against humans. To end this war between humans and Turians, the galactic organization called the Citadel steps in, demands peace, and offers humans a place in the larger galactic community. Humans are the fresh meat of the galaxy and the other species of the Citadel seem wary at the aggressive and expansive nature of their friends. It turns out most of the other species of the Citadel were able to achieve faster than light travel by using Prothean technology as well, creating a small strand of comradery throughout the various species.

The main conflict the story centers on the mysterious destruction of an Alliance research base. I will not spoil the story for anyone, but it almost feels like a formulaic Bioware RPG. Some event happens, the character goes to a certain location to meet a contact, talks to that contact, and then receives another location; and so on. Action pieces are set in between, and readers get the smallest glimpse of biotic abilities used by the bounty hunter Skarr. Most of the explanation behind technologies and the mass effect forces are left behind for character disposition and action. Though it was a quick and fun read, I do not think I would recommend it to anyone not interested in playing the game.

If you have seen the trailer, and are intrigued by the game’s antagonist Saren, I would highly recommend checking out the novel. The ending gives a hint at why Saren is the main baddy in the game, and also gives the reader a good explanation of the duties of a Spectre. For those of you who do not know, in the game you play the role of the first human Spectre, super agents for the Citadel who are free to protect the safety of the Galaxy at any cost. In essence, Spectres exist outside the law and often do what they feel is necessary to protect the galaxy. I would not say that the book has made me more excited about the game, but it open the door into the expansive universe that Bioware has constructed and I will take what I can get.