By Oliver Bowden, published December 2012.
Part 5 in the Assassin's Creed series, based on the video game franchise by Ubisoft.
This is my review, posted in Goodreads, 23 March, 2014.
WARNING: SPOILER ALERT.
I quite enjoyed this book. It was a fast read with some good action scenes, but it didn't grab me hard enough to classify it as one of my 'favourites'.
Set in the mid 1700's to early 1800's, Haytham, the main protagonist, unknowingly starts out being trained by his father in the ways of the Assassins, and ancient order who believe in freedom from tyranny and the right to 'question' the mainstream way of life. However, after his father is slaughtered by the rival Templar order and his sister kidnapped, Haytham falls under the protection of Reginald, his almost-to-be (until his sister was taken) brother-in-law, who happens to be a Templar knight. Reginald then raises and teaches Haytham in the ways of the Templar, which follows a more traditional, conservative path than the Assassins.
But Reginald is obsessed with the legend of what he calls "Those That Came Before", a race of humans dating back to before the current species of mankind. The legend states that if a particular relic can be located, the race that holds this relic will rule the world forever. Of course, this doesn't necessarily fall into place with the Templar teachings, and Reginald's ruthless and brutal betrayals and manipulations finally culminate in a showdown between Haytham and himself.
The story takes you around the New World, from Great Britain to America, at the time of the American Revolution, to the Damascus in the Ottoman Empire. It is written in an interesting journal style, which follows a natural timeline, with some flashbacks, but it was quite easy to follow. My main criticism is at the start of the story, where Haytham is only ten years old, but apparently writes the same way he does when he is an adult. Even in the late 1700's, it's unlikely that a ten year old would write in that manner, but if you can put that aside, it is quite enjoyable.
Although I only gave it a 3 star rating on 'Goodreads' (I couldn't give it a 3.5, I didn't get that option) I am still keen to read the other Assassin's Creed books. They are a good, easy, enjoyable read, and great escapism for those that like that kind of thing, as I do.
Part 5 in the Assassin's Creed series, based on the video game franchise by Ubisoft.
This is my review, posted in Goodreads, 23 March, 2014.
WARNING: SPOILER ALERT.
I quite enjoyed this book. It was a fast read with some good action scenes, but it didn't grab me hard enough to classify it as one of my 'favourites'.
Set in the mid 1700's to early 1800's, Haytham, the main protagonist, unknowingly starts out being trained by his father in the ways of the Assassins, and ancient order who believe in freedom from tyranny and the right to 'question' the mainstream way of life. However, after his father is slaughtered by the rival Templar order and his sister kidnapped, Haytham falls under the protection of Reginald, his almost-to-be (until his sister was taken) brother-in-law, who happens to be a Templar knight. Reginald then raises and teaches Haytham in the ways of the Templar, which follows a more traditional, conservative path than the Assassins.
But Reginald is obsessed with the legend of what he calls "Those That Came Before", a race of humans dating back to before the current species of mankind. The legend states that if a particular relic can be located, the race that holds this relic will rule the world forever. Of course, this doesn't necessarily fall into place with the Templar teachings, and Reginald's ruthless and brutal betrayals and manipulations finally culminate in a showdown between Haytham and himself.
The story takes you around the New World, from Great Britain to America, at the time of the American Revolution, to the Damascus in the Ottoman Empire. It is written in an interesting journal style, which follows a natural timeline, with some flashbacks, but it was quite easy to follow. My main criticism is at the start of the story, where Haytham is only ten years old, but apparently writes the same way he does when he is an adult. Even in the late 1700's, it's unlikely that a ten year old would write in that manner, but if you can put that aside, it is quite enjoyable.
Although I only gave it a 3 star rating on 'Goodreads' (I couldn't give it a 3.5, I didn't get that option) I am still keen to read the other Assassin's Creed books. They are a good, easy, enjoyable read, and great escapism for those that like that kind of thing, as I do.