Top 10 Assassin’s Creed Novels You Need to Read!

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The “Assassin’s Creed” game series is a highly renowned and identifiable collection of video games that has flourished over the past few decades, encompassing 14 titles set within more than two millennia of history. Beyond the primary games, there have also been numerous accompanying multimedia ventures including comics, board games, films, and novel adaptations.

Mostly, Anton Gill (alias Oliver Bowden) penned the game’s novels, correlating with the games’ events and characters. Each novel delves deeper into the franchise’s lore, offering explanations for long-standing enigmas and enhancing the overall narrative. However, it’s important to note that these are official tie-ins, but there’s a wealth of fan-created stories that transport the series to places like China, Turkey, and Scotland.

10. Assassin’s Creed Renaissance

Chronicles The Emergence of Ezio

Stepping into the shoes of a gamer, I’d say: “Experiencing the first official novelization of ‘Assassin’s Creed’, ‘Renaissance’ unfolds the tale that was ‘Assassin’s Creed 2’. It delves deep into the storyline where my character, Ezio, rises from obscurity to prominence, seeking justice for the unjust execution of my family.

The narrative predominantly unfolds in both Florence and Venice, with significant historical figures such as Leonardo da Vinci and Niccolo Machiavelli making notable appearances. The tale mirrors a fast-paced game, evident in its dynamic plot and straightforward writing style.

9. Assassin’s Creed Underworld

A Different But Solid Entry In The Series

Set in 1862 London, coinciding with Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, Underworld narrates the story of Jayadeep Mir, or “The Ghost”. This character serves as a guide to Jacob and Evie Fry. As the tale unfolds, Mir navigates the city’s criminal underworld in an attempt to restore his honor after being shunned by the Assassin Order.

The book provides a satisfying conclusion to the storyline of Syndicate and serves as a superb sequel if you’ve played the game. However, keep in mind that reading Underworld might reveal crucial plot twists from Syndicate.

8. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

Traces The Timeline To Its Beginning

In the earliest era of the Assassin’s Creed timeline, we journey to ancient Greece during the year 431 BC in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. The game narrates the tale of the legendary warrior Kassandra, as she embarks on an adventure to unravel secrets that will set off events with far-reaching consequences across history.

Regrettably, the game has faced some backlash due to its handling of the main character, Alexios, who is absent entirely, and its depiction of Kassandra as a haughty and quick-tempered figure instead.

7. Assassin’s Creed Origins Desert Oath

The Backstory of Bayek

Desert Oath” is a precursor to the events depicted in “Assassin’s Creed: Origins.” This game narrates the tale of Bayek, as he embarks on a prolonged quest through Egypt in pursuit of his father who has inexplicably vanished from Siwa.

If you’re a fan of the ancient Egyptian setting, “Desert Oath” is an excellent expansion to the series that offers insightful background for the narrative in “Assassin’s Creed: Origins“, a game known for its engaging action but somewhat lacking in rich storytelling depth.

6. Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood

Ezio’s Dark Adventures In Rome

In Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood, the story revolves around Ezio’s struggles against the Borgia family to free Rome’s populace from their oppressive rule. This installment in the series is particularly violent and action-packed, effectively capturing the atmosphere of fear and tyranny that pervades the game’s setting.

The narrative is compactly structured and adheres largely to the sequence of events in the game. Yet, it could benefit from a bit more refinement and complexity, especially in comparison to certain subsequent works.

5. Assassin’s Creed Revelations

The Final Adventure in Ezio’s Story

In “Assassin’s Creed: Revelations,” the plot links closely with its title, and it chronicles the journey of a maturing Ezio as he ventures towards Constantinople in pursuit of Altair’s hidden library.

This book stands out due to its skillful blend of Ezio’s findings with recollections from Altair’s life experiences. The interwoven narratives create a rich tapestry, enhancing our comprehension of both characters and their connections spanning through time.

4. Assassin’s Creed The Last Crusade

The Story of the Original Assassin

Assassin’s Creed: The Last Crusade” narrates the tale of Altair, the main character from the initial “Assassin’s Creed” game, primarily through the eyes of Niccolo, Marco Polo’s father.

Indeed, delving deeper into Altair’s background is certainly enlightening on its own, but what makes it truly captivating is the rich, immersive storytelling that breathes depth and majesty into the narrative. The tale weaves together incidents from the initial game with fresh events drawn from Altair’s life, both prior to and subsequent to these experiences.

3. Assassin’s Creed Unity

Elise’s Side of the French Revolution

In essence, the “Assassin’s Creed: Unity” book predominantly follows the storyline of the video game, but primarily focuses on the viewpoint of Elise, Arno’s girlfriend. It delves deeper by exploring additional aspects of her past and origins.

Apart from boasting an engaging and captivating backdrop, Paris during the French Revolution is rife with political machinations and deception, with Elise’s family finding themselves squarely in the heart of it all. However, Arno makes a fleeting appearance, primarily playing a supporting role.

2. Assassin’s Creed Black Flag

Edward Kenway’s Personal Journal

Similar to the well-known pirate game, Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag, this novel is presented as Edward Kenway’s journal. This unique format offers readers a more profound exploration into Edward’s thoughts and reasons, while also immersing us in the tumultuous Age of Sail from his perspective.

In this series, the writing stands out as one of the strongest elements, offering an authentic portrayal. It’s intriguing to delve deeper into Edward’s background and discover more about his life in England, which is extensively covered in the novel compared to the game.

1. Assassin’s Creed Forsaken

The Story of Haytham Kenway

The novel “Assassin’s Creed Forsaken” is generally regarded as the top pick among the “Assassin’s Creed” book series, and for a valid reason. This narrative focuses on Haytham Kenway, who is Edward’s father and a key character from “Assassin’s Creed 3”. Remarkably, it ties together multiple storylines during the pivotal period of the American Revolution, making it an essential read for fans.

From 1735-1783, it provides a detailed account of the transformations happening on the American frontier, enriching the narrative around assassins and templars with numerous tales.

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2025-03-01 09:08