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Perfect Dark #1
Perfect Dark: Initial Vector
The year is 2020: Corporations control everything. In the name of domination, these sprawling organizations have recruited their own military forces to fight clandestine battles against one another---a war fought in the boardrooms and won in the shadows, with the public none the wiser.
Ex--bounty hunter Joanna Dark has unwillingly seen the front lines of this war. Her run-in with dataDyne, the world's most powerful hypercorporation, has left her with a wound that only vengeance can heal. Daniel Carrington, the charismatic founder of the Carrington Institute, has been locked in an ongoing war with dataDyne for years and sees Joanna's deadly skills as the key to victory over their mutual enemy. But Joanna is young and lost, unable to accept her abilities as virtues or fully trust Carrington's intentions.
But when an explosive secret is unearthed---one that could finally bring down the threat of dataDyne once and for all---Joanna finds herself thrust back into the fight, one that brings her face to face with her past . . . and the forces shaping her future.
Ex--bounty hunter Joanna Dark has unwillingly seen the front lines of this war. Her run-in with dataDyne, the world's most powerful hypercorporation, has left her with a wound that only vengeance can heal. Daniel Carrington, the charismatic founder of the Carrington Institute, has been locked in an ongoing war with dataDyne for years and sees Joanna's deadly skills as the key to victory over their mutual enemy. But Joanna is young and lost, unable to accept her abilities as virtues or fully trust Carrington's intentions.
But when an explosive secret is unearthed---one that could finally bring down the threat of dataDyne once and for all---Joanna finds herself thrust back into the fight, one that brings her face to face with her past . . . and the forces shaping her future.
354 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2005
7 people are currently reading
265 people want to read
About the author
Greg Rucka
1,496 books1,927 followersGreg Rucka, is an American comic book writer and novelist, known for his work on such comics as Action Comics, Batwoman: Detective Comics, and the miniseries Superman: World of New Krypton for DC Comics, and for novels such as his Queen & Country series.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 1, 2022
Final Rating: 4/10
You can read my in depth review at my Official Website . Below is a very brief summary of my thoughts.
OVERVIEW
Media tie-in novels have a poor reputation that is well-earned. In my experience they are lowest common denominator dreck, so my expectations (as usual) were low when I read this book, and it came as little surprise that it failed to reach the low bar I set. Even if I had anything positive to share about reading Perfect Dark: Initial Vector, it wouldn’t outweigh what I consider to be the book’s cardinal sin: it’s a story based on a first person shooter game, but it’s not narrated in the first person.
Without going into detail, this is not a book I would recommend to anyone. However, it’s only fair I mention that much of my dissatisfaction with Perfect Dark: Initial Vector is the by-product of what the book is not, rather than what it is. I wanted a story told entirely in the first person, that took its cues from the original Perfect Dark game, rather than the inferior follow up. However, if I try to be as objective as possible, I can acknowledge that there is just enough in the book, in terms of action, that devoted fans of the games will likely enjoy.
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You can read my in depth review at my Official Website . Below is a very brief summary of my thoughts.
OVERVIEW
Media tie-in novels have a poor reputation that is well-earned. In my experience they are lowest common denominator dreck, so my expectations (as usual) were low when I read this book, and it came as little surprise that it failed to reach the low bar I set. Even if I had anything positive to share about reading Perfect Dark: Initial Vector, it wouldn’t outweigh what I consider to be the book’s cardinal sin: it’s a story based on a first person shooter game, but it’s not narrated in the first person.
Without going into detail, this is not a book I would recommend to anyone. However, it’s only fair I mention that much of my dissatisfaction with Perfect Dark: Initial Vector is the by-product of what the book is not, rather than what it is. I wanted a story told entirely in the first person, that took its cues from the original Perfect Dark game, rather than the inferior follow up. However, if I try to be as objective as possible, I can acknowledge that there is just enough in the book, in terms of action, that devoted fans of the games will likely enjoy.
Subscribe to my author Newsletter
Vist my Official Website and Personal Blog
Make tip jar donations via Ko-fi or PayPal
Follow me on social media:
Facebook | Last.fm | Pinterest | Tumblr | Twitter
February 14, 2009
I have always loved sci-fi books or books that have background stories for games I have heard of or love. This game Perfect Dark Zero I have heard of but never played because I don’t have either an Xbox 360 or N64. With most books you get an excellent background of the character, place the game is in, the time (the year), and who is the enemy and all that.
In this book it starts off with Joann Dark staying at the head of a super-corporation’s home 6 months after the murder of her bounty hunter father by another super-corporation. She had been working with her father when it happened and feels bad about her dad being killed and blames all the super-corp.’s even if the other super-corp.’s have nothing to do with it. She also realizes that something is wrong with her. Because she surpasses everyone in everything she does from sharp shooting to stealth to killing to super-fast reflexes. She tries to find out why she is the way she is and is afraid of it. After being bugged by job offers by the person she is staying with for the past 6 months she agrees as long as he helps her find out why she is what she is. In the book she makes friends and plenty of enemies as she does what she does.
All in all even though I have never played the game I know the full back-story of this game if I ever played the game and would know what is going on in the game. If you love the game you will love this book
In this book it starts off with Joann Dark staying at the head of a super-corporation’s home 6 months after the murder of her bounty hunter father by another super-corporation. She had been working with her father when it happened and feels bad about her dad being killed and blames all the super-corp.’s even if the other super-corp.’s have nothing to do with it. She also realizes that something is wrong with her. Because she surpasses everyone in everything she does from sharp shooting to stealth to killing to super-fast reflexes. She tries to find out why she is the way she is and is afraid of it. After being bugged by job offers by the person she is staying with for the past 6 months she agrees as long as he helps her find out why she is what she is. In the book she makes friends and plenty of enemies as she does what she does.
All in all even though I have never played the game I know the full back-story of this game if I ever played the game and would know what is going on in the game. If you love the game you will love this book
February 4, 2025
I enjoyed relaxing to this sci-fi book without having to focus too hard. I need to get to Joanna’s unwavering belief she can do anything without any prior experience. That’s some confidence. And who doesn’t like taking down corporate greed (screw you dataDyne) while driving around fly cars with countless James Bond style gadgets from the future.
If you’ve play the Perfect Dark games you’ve got a high probability of enjoying this one. I’m glad to have read it.
If you’ve play the Perfect Dark games you’ve got a high probability of enjoying this one. I’m glad to have read it.
September 27, 2009
RATING: 3.5
PROTAGONIST: Joanna Dark, ex bounty hunter
SETTING: 2020
SUMMARY: An experimental novel by Greg Rucka, the book continues the epic story featured in the XBox 360 game, Perfect Dark Zero. It's a thriller set in 2020 and involves corporate espionage. Joanna Dark slays all dragons in her path. As you might guess, since it is based on a video game, it is high on action and a bit lower on character development. Rucka pulls it off, just as he does for anything he touches, but it doesn't measure up to the Atticus Kodiak or Tara Chace books.
PROTAGONIST: Joanna Dark, ex bounty hunter
SETTING: 2020
SUMMARY: An experimental novel by Greg Rucka, the book continues the epic story featured in the XBox 360 game, Perfect Dark Zero. It's a thriller set in 2020 and involves corporate espionage. Joanna Dark slays all dragons in her path. As you might guess, since it is based on a video game, it is high on action and a bit lower on character development. Rucka pulls it off, just as he does for anything he touches, but it doesn't measure up to the Atticus Kodiak or Tara Chace books.
July 20, 2017
I forgot how much I loved Rucka's female characters. I would gladly read a whole series just about Jo, and Cassandra and Velez were awesome as well. Need to get the sequel on audio too.
April 23, 2020
An ambitious video game world in the hands of a master writer.
September 30, 2021
3.5-ish
This was a fun read (and prophetic in its own way), but even when it was written, the author should have known that 2116 - 2120 would have been more believable than 2016 - 2020.
This was a fun read (and prophetic in its own way), but even when it was written, the author should have known that 2116 - 2120 would have been more believable than 2016 - 2020.
October 22, 2021
Probably the best book based on a video game I'll ever read. Nothing mind blowing of course but just had such a blast reading this.
June 17, 2013
It's a novel based on a sci-fi FPS video game. Assuming you aren't expecting Shakespeare or Harlequin Romance material, this isn't half bad.
The characters are surprisingly well done, and even the cardboard bad guys aren't. The plot line skeleton would fit a video game just fine, but it's fleshed out here with enough detail to make it believable and somewhat logical.
In fact the only real downfall of the book is it's written like it's the next sequel in the game. It doesn't end so much as pause after the last achievement, like a long running tv series.
If I saw this authour's name on work of his own, I definitely consider picking it up.
The characters are surprisingly well done, and even the cardboard bad guys aren't. The plot line skeleton would fit a video game just fine, but it's fleshed out here with enough detail to make it believable and somewhat logical.
In fact the only real downfall of the book is it's written like it's the next sequel in the game. It doesn't end so much as pause after the last achievement, like a long running tv series.
If I saw this authour's name on work of his own, I definitely consider picking it up.
January 22, 2013
This Book is a very nice Sci-fi. It features the time when everyone tries his hand in the play for power. Scientists rule the world and not always for the greater good. Agents with enhanced abilities get lots of action on the game board. I have find out that this book was made after the computer game only after I started reading it. And by then it didn't really matter. I was too curious to let it go.
March 5, 2014
This fast paced, action packed novel will keep you on the edge of your seat. Since it is told from multiple perspectives, it allows the reader to opposing viewpoints converge into the overarching storyline. The characters are well developed and the plot is intriguing. I can't wait to read Perfect Dark: Second Front. Books like this are the reason why I enjoy reading; the sci-fi genre offers so much originality and creativity.
January 24, 2024
I loved the original Perfect Dark video game for the N64. It was amazing! So ahead of its time! Groundbreaking and imitated by many games since(including popular ones like Halo). The second game was not very good, but the books based off it are pretty good. The story is good and the book is short enough so it doesn't drag out.
November 16, 2023
I FIND THIS SO FUNNY. it talks about a future where corporations have wars against eachother and im like. bro this is sci fi from 2005 but why is it speaking so accurately to the world today??? loved the book.
October 1, 2008
Interesting book. Just can't stop reading once you start.
October 4, 2014
This is a good story, fast-paced, and a quick read. I greatly enjoyed it, even though I've never played anything on an XBOX360.
August 15, 2010
Based on the video game Perfect Dark. Greg Rucka manages to create a three dimensional character worth caring about. Packed with action.
August 10, 2011
Having no real affection for the Perfect Dark video game, I was satisfied with this book just because of Rucka. Futuristic corporate espionage is a fun sandbox for him to play in.
May 24, 2012
Starts off rather slowly, but the book picks up around page 50. Not a great story, but for Perfect Dark fans this is entertaining enough.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews