I think that raising the bar is ok, it has some great chapters, but also some really bad ones.
The Mass Effect book has very little writing in my opinion, which is annoying as a whole of just pictures can get boring.
The Assassin's creed one is the best i think, very nice art and some good insights in to the concept stages!
these last two can be found for new for VERY cheap if you shop around, mine were £5.99 each