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krishanpatel's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
An excellent novelization of the original Assassin's Creed as well as parts of Revelations and a DS game that collects Altair's entire story into one single book.
redheadbeans's review against another edition
4.0
I think it was a really interesting companion to the game. As someone who has never played but has looked up a decent amount of somewhat confusing information on it, this really helped explain a lot of the details of the AC world. I liked reading about it and I was rewarded by actually knowing what people were talking about when I watched a friend play "AC 2: Revelations".
This is Al'tair's story, pretty much from the beginning (when his father is an assassin and he has not yet been inducted into the order) to when he says goodbye to the Polos in "Revelations". Desmond is not in this book - the story focuses purely on his ancestor.
The events in the book are not always the same as those in the game, but I think that some artistic license is allowable, and there was a mix of "I like the book version better," and "I like the game version better", so really neither has the upper hand. If you love the AC world, I would suggest reading this. If you want to get into the AC world but are a poor college student who cannot afford the games, then go and see if your library has this book, because this is where things started.
This is Al'tair's story, pretty much from the beginning (when his father is an assassin and he has not yet been inducted into the order) to when he says goodbye to the Polos in "Revelations". Desmond is not in this book - the story focuses purely on his ancestor.
The events in the book are not always the same as those in the game, but I think that some artistic license is allowable, and there was a mix of "I like the book version better," and "I like the game version better", so really neither has the upper hand. If you love the AC world, I would suggest reading this. If you want to get into the AC world but are a poor college student who cannot afford the games, then go and see if your library has this book, because this is where things started.
sednadragon35's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I loved this book, I could the fights interesting and how the relationship between Altaïr and Abbas interesting and the betrayal was perfect leading to a tragic moment that led to such a satisfying end!
rimahsum's review against another edition
4.0
Ok, first things first. Yes, the first half of the book is basically a copy/paste of the screenplay of the game Assassin's Creed I. Every single part of it. I strongly felt like giving up on the book - why read it when I have played the game? Somehow, I just thought to give it a read as I enjoyed the story, and thankfully, the fight and travel scenes were cut short and to the point (and there was no mention of Desmond Miles, so it does not go to the present time).
I saw some reviews here which said that this books is the retelling of the game's story. I am not sure if they had had continued with the journey as I have.
Roughly halfway through the book, where in the game it concludes with Altair getting the Piece of Eden - the Apple - from Al-M'ualim, the book continues of him tracking down the Templars, who have moved to Cyprus. There is a backstory here by the way, of a young Altair of how he came to be an Assassin, and his best friend Abbas. Note this name, because it will be a big part of the story later. The story is narrated by a Polo, an assassin who recounts the time of Altair.
The storyline is huge, it forms the other half of the book. I dislike giving away spoilers but from what I can say is that Altair meets Maria, who would become his wife, and the fortress at Masyaf will prosper under his reign. The Apple is kept in check. Coming back from his escapades in Cyprus, Maria and him travel to the East to stop Genghis Khan's invasion (they also believe he has another Piece of Eden - The Sword) for 10 years. When he comes back, he sees his archenemy - his former best friend, betray him to the fullest. Lies and murder rampage and turn Altair's world upside down. In the end the Apple is used in anger, Maria dies whilst telling Altair to stay strong and not use the Apple (at all) and most certainly not in anger). And Altair escapes with one of his son. In 20 years time, he comes back, to lead back a most wise, welcoming, and peaceful revolution by example against Abbas. The Apple is kept safe. After 2 years the Mongols attack the citadel and the Assassins are disbanded - Altair gives mysterious previous stones, the Apple, and the Codex to guide them (the one being narrated to) when they leave safely to Constantinople and Venice. It ends, with us knowing it is Ezio who reads this narration of a story by Polo.
I felt a bit sad when I read of Altair's tragedy - especially of how he found love and lost her (Maria) - unbelievable. As well as one of his sons - the world certainly is treacherous. We see an extremely developed and mature Altair at the end of the book, a Master of the Assassin, who leads by wisdom and peace, who has gone through a lot of trials in life and learnt far more than any man would. This book has certainly made me want to play the second and other Assassin games, if I am able to play them. If not, I will be reading the books.
In conclusion, for those who have played the game, just start halfway through. Would the second part of the story add to the Assassin's Creed storyline? I cannot say for sure because I have yet to play or read the other ones (which I really want to now!). At best, I think it is a sort of prequel to the other series, and in so far it is a prequel with a heck of a lot of extra scenes of the first Assassin's Game. Was it worth a read (for an Assassin fan?) Definitely.
I saw some reviews here which said that this books is the retelling of the game's story. I am not sure if they had had continued with the journey as I have.
Roughly halfway through the book, where in the game it concludes with Altair getting the Piece of Eden - the Apple - from Al-M'ualim, the book continues of him tracking down the Templars, who have moved to Cyprus. There is a backstory here by the way, of a young Altair of how he came to be an Assassin, and his best friend Abbas. Note this name, because it will be a big part of the story later. The story is narrated by a Polo, an assassin who recounts the time of Altair.
The storyline is huge, it forms the other half of the book. I dislike giving away spoilers but from what I can say is that Altair meets Maria, who would become his wife, and the fortress at Masyaf will prosper under his reign. The Apple is kept in check. Coming back from his escapades in Cyprus, Maria and him travel to the East to stop Genghis Khan's invasion (they also believe he has another Piece of Eden - The Sword) for 10 years. When he comes back, he sees his archenemy - his former best friend, betray him to the fullest. Lies and murder rampage and turn Altair's world upside down. In the end the Apple is used in anger, Maria dies whilst telling Altair to stay strong and not use the Apple (at all) and most certainly not in anger). And Altair escapes with one of his son. In 20 years time, he comes back, to lead back a most wise, welcoming, and peaceful revolution by example against Abbas. The Apple is kept safe. After 2 years the Mongols attack the citadel and the Assassins are disbanded - Altair gives mysterious previous stones, the Apple, and the Codex to guide them (the one being narrated to) when they leave safely to Constantinople and Venice. It ends, with us knowing it is Ezio who reads this narration of a story by Polo.
I felt a bit sad when I read of Altair's tragedy - especially of how he found love and lost her (Maria) - unbelievable. As well as one of his sons - the world certainly is treacherous. We see an extremely developed and mature Altair at the end of the book, a Master of the Assassin, who leads by wisdom and peace, who has gone through a lot of trials in life and learnt far more than any man would. This book has certainly made me want to play the second and other Assassin games, if I am able to play them. If not, I will be reading the books.
In conclusion, for those who have played the game, just start halfway through. Would the second part of the story add to the Assassin's Creed storyline? I cannot say for sure because I have yet to play or read the other ones (which I really want to now!). At best, I think it is a sort of prequel to the other series, and in so far it is a prequel with a heck of a lot of extra scenes of the first Assassin's Game. Was it worth a read (for an Assassin fan?) Definitely.
bepisaun's review against another edition
4.0
An extremely interesting read! Following the story of the Assassin's Creed video games, this book gives you an in depth look to the Assassin's and Altaïr in general. Very interesting. If you like historical fiction, check this out!
nurse_who_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
pacinocorleone's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars. Oh my god. Although The Secret Crusade was fantastic, that epilogue really made reading this book worth it. Bowden's ability in portraying the conflicting philosophies and plight of Altaïr's hubris as he journeys from Novice to Master Assassin was beautiful. It made me feel as if I were growing and learning alongside him; from his brash and impulsive desire to arrogantly prove his mastery over his brothers, to being inquisitive of the world around him, having an open spirit to challenge the status quo and break the chain of dogmatic teachings (and that's just the tip of the iceberg!). Altaïr ascended from a life riddled with mistakes, resentment and unanswered questions, and matured into a man who appreciated the gift of hindsight, the power of friendship, curiosity and knowledge. I think we can all learn from Master Assassin Altaïr Ibn-LaʼAhad.
"I want to meet the best minds, explore the libraries of the world, and learn all the secrets of nature and the universe."
"All in one lifetime? It's a little ambitious..."
He chuckled. "Who can say? It could be that one life is just enough."
doodleberry's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kathrinreads's review against another edition
3.0
I always liked Assasin's Creed as a game to play and so it was nice to read the story as a novel. It was interesting to see how the story transferred to the novel but for me, it did not really add to the story for me.