Publisher: Tor Books

Author: B.K. Evenson

Release Date: 7/10/2010

Pages: 416

MSRP: $14.99

Recommended Audience: Adult

This is the story of Michael Altman. The origin story before the comics, before the animated films, and before the first game. This is the actual discovery of the original Marker and how everything came to be. The original appearance of Necromorphs and how they were brought to our Earth. The novel really gives Altman some life and also creates new and interesting characters to help this along.

The book isn’t all action-packed like the game with the creepy monsters you’ve known to want to dismember. 3/4 of the books is all psychological horror and what the Marker does to people in their minds. This is actually scarier than the zombie-like manifestations themselves, but towards the end when they are brought along it does get creepy. The book also shows a lot of how humanity’s greed tends to get the best of us, and just shows what it’s like to not be in control of your own life.

The story slowly progresses into complete chaos and terror and B.K. Evenson does a good job with the build-up. Just when you think the worst can happen something else happens that’s even worse. Most of the story is about the discovery and dig-up of the Marker at the bottom of the Chixulub crater. Evenson really has a good sense of pacing, but there are a few occasional dry spots, but thankfully they don’t last very long. For a video game novel, Martyr is also a good entry point for nonfans of the series or just sci-fi novel fans. If you love the game story-wise you will love Martyr, but if you just like the action then don’t bother.