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3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Sometimes it’s just nice to read a book that’s easy to read and isn’t unnecessarily complicated. Assassins good, Templars (mostly) bad, POE are powerful, got it.
Story-wise it was… fine? Maybe this was meant to be more of a setup for the other books, especially since this one had an open ending too. It just didn’t make me feel… anything. You get multiple teens all entering the animus simultaneously, so not only do you have to get to know them, you also need to become familiar with their ancestors. I do definitely prefer reading about one person in the animus, this worked so well in Heresy. I now struggled to connect to any of the characters.
The information we do get about every lead is also way too little to allow the reader to connect with them. The blurb makes it seem like this book is mostly about Owen figuring out what happened to his dad for instance, but this only comes up briefly at the start and end. I’d basically forgotten about it by the time it was brought on again. I would’ve liked more Sean too, because every time he came into view now it was to discuss how much it sucks to be in a wheelchair. They could’ve done so much better there. I am really interested in Natalya because she seems autism coded to me. Early on it’s mentioned that she seems shy, but she’s really not, and apparently she’s always really direct with people when she doesn’t want to come off as mean. But it’s only these descriptions that got me thinking something’s up, as her interactions with others or the way she behaves seem totally neurotypical on the outside. So I really wonder why they’ve chosen to stress these characteristics in this way. Probably, like Sean, they won’t explore it any further.
Might read the second one for Natalya, or if I want something that’s easy to read. I did enjoy the experience of reading it, but I’ll probably forget about it soon.
Story-wise it was… fine? Maybe this was meant to be more of a setup for the other books, especially since this one had an open ending too. It just didn’t make me feel… anything. You get multiple teens all entering the animus simultaneously, so not only do you have to get to know them, you also need to become familiar with their ancestors. I do definitely prefer reading about one person in the animus, this worked so well in Heresy. I now struggled to connect to any of the characters.
The information we do get about every lead is also way too little to allow the reader to connect with them. The blurb makes it seem like this book is mostly about Owen figuring out what happened to his dad for instance, but this only comes up briefly at the start and end. I’d basically forgotten about it by the time it was brought on again. I would’ve liked more Sean too, because every time he came into view now it was to discuss how much it sucks to be in a wheelchair. They could’ve done so much better there. I am really interested in Natalya because she seems autism coded to me. Early on it’s mentioned that she seems shy, but she’s really not, and apparently she’s always really direct with people when she doesn’t want to come off as mean. But it’s only these descriptions that got me thinking something’s up, as her interactions with others or the way she behaves seem totally neurotypical on the outside. So I really wonder why they’ve chosen to stress these characteristics in this way. Probably, like Sean, they won’t explore it any further.
Might read the second one for Natalya, or if I want something that’s easy to read. I did enjoy the experience of reading it, but I’ll probably forget about it soon.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Classism
fast-paced
“ you pray for mercy, then, but I will fight for freedom „
I'm not really sure how to explain my feelings toward this book. Apathy? Complete boredom? An incessant urge and need to rip out all the pages because oh my god how many more perspectives of this one encounter can you write before I begin to lose my mind!!!!!
No thoughts. Head empty.
Let's start this off with the most jarring thing about this book: the overwhelming amount of characters and their unncessary points of view. Were they really needed? I'm not asking; the answer's no. So many pages were wasted on the pointless recounting of events, where the use of POVs was just boring. Oh - but now I know how that exact conversation sounded from behind the bush, and in front of it! That really added so much to the story! Couldn't do without it!
The pacing of this was all over the place thanks to the constant backtracking and repeating of events. I wish all that wasted space was used on something more important, like developing the 10+ characters this book threw at you. Because I found it incredibly difficult to care about any of them. If only...
I did enjoy the plot despite myself, but, considering this is based on the already well-established world of Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed, that's not exactly saying much.
I'm not really sure how to explain my feelings toward this book. Apathy? Complete boredom? An incessant urge and need to rip out all the pages because oh my god how many more perspectives of this one encounter can you write before I begin to lose my mind!!!!!
No thoughts. Head empty.
Let's start this off with the most jarring thing about this book: the overwhelming amount of characters and their unncessary points of view. Were they really needed? I'm not asking; the answer's no. So many pages were wasted on the pointless recounting of events, where the use of POVs was just boring. Oh - but now I know how that exact conversation sounded from behind the bush, and in front of it! That really added so much to the story! Couldn't do without it!
The pacing of this was all over the place thanks to the constant backtracking and repeating of events. I wish all that wasted space was used on something more important, like developing the 10+ characters this book threw at you. Because I found it incredibly difficult to care about any of them. If only...
I did enjoy the plot despite myself, but, considering this is based on the already well-established world of Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed, that's not exactly saying much.
adventurous
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Owen is going through some rough stuff. He and his mother live with his grandparents; they were forced to after his father was arrested for robbing a bank and died in prison. Owen believes he was innocent, but that doesn’t stop his grandparents from badmouthing his dad whenever they get a chance. His best friend, Javier, has been more distant lately, so he really feels alone until the school IT guy, Monroe, invites him to use his device called the Animus, which will help him explore memories buried in his DNA. He convinces Javier to come along and make sure things sound on the level, and Javier ends up having a shared genetic memory in the Animus with Owen. Use of the Animus sets off some kind of alarm, though, and Monroe brings the two teens to a hideout he’s established, where they meet four other teens who have used the Animus. Monroe explains that the group all have roots in one (or both) of two ancient orders: the Brotherhood of Assassins or the Templar Order. There’s a precious relic that needs to be found, and their group is the only group that can do it through a shared genetic experience. The teens find themselves in the bodies of their ancestors, transported into the 1863 New York City, on the even of the infamous Draft Riots.
This is the first book in a YA Assassin’s Creed series, based on the insanely popular video game. I’ve never played Assassin’s Creed – I think I’ve mentioned in the past that I’m fairly inept beyond a joystick and firing button – but I love the mythology behind the game, which my eldest has played for years. Having a YA series that follows teens descended from the Assassins and Templars, going through different eras in history? I loved it! We get a look at the Gangs of New York-era Lower East Side through an interesting fantasy perspective, with some nice groundwork about the two dueling factions in place for newbies to Assassin’s Creed (I double-checked some info with my son as I read). Being a Gangs of New York fan and a student of Lower East Side history, I was thrilled to see how Kirby worked the gangs into the main storyline. The story flows through multiple perspectives, yet he keeps everything together so readers shouldn’t be confused by whose voice they’re reading, especially appreciated when characters are in the Animus and living through their ancestors. There’s great character development, action, and he doesn’t flinch from the racism that fueled the riots. The ending leaves no doubt that there will be a sequel, and I can’t wait to read it.
I’ve liked Matthew Kirby’s writing since I devoured Icefall four years ago. He creates great characters and skilfully weaves historical fiction and fantasy. With an Assassin’s Creed movie hitting theatres in a little more than two weeks, this is a book you need front and center on your displays (and on your holiday lists – we all know someone who loves this franchise). Put this one on your purchase lists.
This is the first book in a YA Assassin’s Creed series, based on the insanely popular video game. I’ve never played Assassin’s Creed – I think I’ve mentioned in the past that I’m fairly inept beyond a joystick and firing button – but I love the mythology behind the game, which my eldest has played for years. Having a YA series that follows teens descended from the Assassins and Templars, going through different eras in history? I loved it! We get a look at the Gangs of New York-era Lower East Side through an interesting fantasy perspective, with some nice groundwork about the two dueling factions in place for newbies to Assassin’s Creed (I double-checked some info with my son as I read). Being a Gangs of New York fan and a student of Lower East Side history, I was thrilled to see how Kirby worked the gangs into the main storyline. The story flows through multiple perspectives, yet he keeps everything together so readers shouldn’t be confused by whose voice they’re reading, especially appreciated when characters are in the Animus and living through their ancestors. There’s great character development, action, and he doesn’t flinch from the racism that fueled the riots. The ending leaves no doubt that there will be a sequel, and I can’t wait to read it.
I’ve liked Matthew Kirby’s writing since I devoured Icefall four years ago. He creates great characters and skilfully weaves historical fiction and fantasy. With an Assassin’s Creed movie hitting theatres in a little more than two weeks, this is a book you need front and center on your displays (and on your holiday lists – we all know someone who loves this franchise). Put this one on your purchase lists.
I was excited to read this book since it was based on the Assassin's Creed games. It has a ton of historical places, times, and people in it just like the game. It was a bit slow to start, though, and the writing style was a bit more juvenile than I would have expected. I'm hoping that if the series does continue, the writing style matures a bit.
You know, taken for what it was & what it set out to do, this was well executed.