I purchased a copy of this book for my own enjoyment, and with no expectation of a review.

 

I bought this book when it was first released, many moons ago. Thanks to a rekindled love affair with the most recent game I decided to give Rovin’s book a reread. Nostalgia at its finest.

 

This book is a proper novel, rather than a novelisation, and the writing reflects it. I’m not really sure what happens when authors turn a hand to novelising a movie or game. The writing always seems to fall flat, even from the best of authors. Thankfully, that’s not the case here.

 

This story serves as a prequel, giving in-depth backstory to the origins of the tournament, and several of the main characters. The story starts with the first Kung Lao, following his participation in the tournament. Fast forward to the present, and we meet his descendant of the same name. Threads following Lui Kang, Kano, and Scorpion are woven in and tied neatly together.

 

There are variations from the game history, but nothing that set my teeth on edge. Games and comics, well you just expect deviations, great and small. That flexibility is part of the charm.

 

If you like action and adventure stories, or love the MK game franchise, you’re sure to enjoy Jeff Rovin’s Mortal Kombat novel.