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A review by rimahsum
The Secret Crusade by Oliver Bowden
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.