Final Fantasy VII - Traces of Two Pasts

 

Much like how Crisis Core told the story of the events prior to Final Fantasy VII from Zach's perspective, Traces of Two Pasts tells the events prior to Final Fantasy VII from Tifa and Aerith's perspectives. The book helps explain some of the memories and key moments that occur in Final Fantasy VII, especially in Rebirth. A traveling martial artist arrives in Nibelheim and trains Tifa, which explains why she is so good at fighting. After being wounded by Sephiroth in Nibelheim (as depicted in Crisis Core and Rebirth), she is transported to a hospital recovery center in the slums of Midgar. Alone and unable to pay her hospital bill, she begins working at a food cart. She eventually meets Jessie and the rest of the group from Avalanche, and takes over the bar Seventh Heaven. This is also where she meets Barrett Wallace, and this is basically where we are introduced to Tifa & Avalanche at the beginning of Final Fantasy VII.

Aerith grows up in the confines of the Shinra headquarters, where they are running experiments on her mother, Ifalna, the last known Ancient. Aerith and her mother escape, but unfortunately her mother dies in the process. We see this scene in a flashback during Rebirth. Young Aerith is discovered by Elmyra, who adopts her. It becomes discovered that Aerith had acquired some powers of the Ancients, and thus lives in the slums under Shinra surveillance. Feeling bad about brining unwanted attention to Elmyra, she attempts to escape and discovers the abandoned church where the flowers are growing, which is where we discover Aerith in FFVII. 

This book is a companion to Final Fantasy VII, adding additional information to the back stories of Tifa and Aerith. It wouldn't make much sense without the background knowledge of the characters from the game. However, if you enjoyed the game and are looking for additional information regarding their histories, I'd recommend this book. It is well written and a fairly quick read. Their back stories are interesting, especially Aerith's. We get a glimpse of these stories in the form of flashbacks in Rebirth, but the book goes more in-depth and provides additional information and context to their pasts.