Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade: The Secret Crusade
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Product Description
Product Description
Niccolò Polo, father of Marco, will finally reveal the story he has kept secret all his life - the story of Altaïr, one of the brotherhood's most extraordinary Assassins.
Altaïr embarks on a formidable mission - one that takes him throughout the Holy Land and shows him the true meaning of the Assassin's Creed. To demonstrate his commitment, Altaïr must defeat nine deadly enemies, including Templar leader, Robert de Sable.
Altaïr's life story is told here for the first time: a journey that will change the course of history; his ongoing battle with the Templar conspiracy; a family life that is as tragic as it is shocking; and the ultimate betrayal of an old friend.
About the Author
Oliver Bowden is the pen-name of an acclaimed novelist.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Having written two commercially successful novelisations of Assassin's Creed titles, Oliver Bowden now brings us Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade; the life story of Altaïr, the iconic protagonist from the first of the Assassin's Creed games.
The book itself is split into four main parts. The first two concern themselves mostly with the events as featured in the first game, part three with the story of Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines (a Playstation Portable title) and the final part focuses on the later life of Altaïr.
Bowden is effective at generating a sense of immersion, his use of language is lively, he is able to avoid repetitive use of language and his use of dialogue is well-balanced against more action-driven elements of the story. However, there is a fundamental issue that the author must have struggled with that we, the readers, might find problematic as well. This problem being that for the first two parts in particular, the book is a very rigid re-telling of the events of the first game. It feels stiff, often rushed and fails to engage the reader. Whilst clearly important in telling the tale of Altaïr and his quest for redemption in the eyes of the Brotherhood, these earlier sections will seem all too familiar to fans, with little periphery exploration to make them seem worthwhile. It also feels as though Bowden himself felt overly restricted by the structure and wanted this phase of the story told as quickly as possible, so he might begin to use his talent far more freely.
Thankfully, Part Three starts to show signs of improvement. Whilst it also follows the story of another game, with our hero doing battle against the Templars in Cyprus, the writing is more relaxed and confident, the character of Altaïr is more fleshed out and it does not seem as repetitive in structure as earlier sections. The pacing is far more energetic and fluid and you start to get more of a sense of a writer who's enjoying himself. This evident enthusiasm continues into the fourth part. This final section (excluding the epilogue) is undoubtedly the strongest of the entire novel. It has emotional gravity, peril, tragedy and even a small moment of joy. It is here that we are finally granted an insight into who Altaïr was, as we follow him in the later years of his extraordinary life. For followers of the games, this part makes the novel a worthwhile endeavour, for laymen it brings the tale to a fitting conclusion.
Whilst, initially, this is a book that retreads a lot of ground, the second half adequately compensates for this. Its easy and accessible style make it an effortless read that, eventually, begins to bear fruit and should suitably entertain both fan and casual reader alike.
The book itself is split into four main parts. The first two concern themselves mostly with the events as featured in the first game, part three with the story of Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines (a Playstation Portable title) and the final part focuses on the later life of Altaïr.
Bowden is effective at generating a sense of immersion, his use of language is lively, he is able to avoid repetitive use of language and his use of dialogue is well-balanced against more action-driven elements of the story. However, there is a fundamental issue that the author must have struggled with that we, the readers, might find problematic as well. This problem being that for the first two parts in particular, the book is a very rigid re-telling of the events of the first game. It feels stiff, often rushed and fails to engage the reader. Whilst clearly important in telling the tale of Altaïr and his quest for redemption in the eyes of the Brotherhood, these earlier sections will seem all too familiar to fans, with little periphery exploration to make them seem worthwhile. It also feels as though Bowden himself felt overly restricted by the structure and wanted this phase of the story told as quickly as possible, so he might begin to use his talent far more freely.
Thankfully, Part Three starts to show signs of improvement. Whilst it also follows the story of another game, with our hero doing battle against the Templars in Cyprus, the writing is more relaxed and confident, the character of Altaïr is more fleshed out and it does not seem as repetitive in structure as earlier sections. The pacing is far more energetic and fluid and you start to get more of a sense of a writer who's enjoying himself. This evident enthusiasm continues into the fourth part. This final section (excluding the epilogue) is undoubtedly the strongest of the entire novel. It has emotional gravity, peril, tragedy and even a small moment of joy. It is here that we are finally granted an insight into who Altaïr was, as we follow him in the later years of his extraordinary life. For followers of the games, this part makes the novel a worthwhile endeavour, for laymen it brings the tale to a fitting conclusion.
Whilst, initially, this is a book that retreads a lot of ground, the second half adequately compensates for this. Its easy and accessible style make it an effortless read that, eventually, begins to bear fruit and should suitably entertain both fan and casual reader alike.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I was looking forward to reading this book as I hoped it would answer some my questions from playing Assassin' Creed - I wasn't disappointed. In common with Bowden's other books this follows the gameplay of the AC and AC: Bloodlines (on PSP). If you intend to play either game this novel has some spoilers. It starts before AC and so sets the scene and ends where AC: Revelations will start. Looking forward to the next instalment. It isn't a great work of fiction and won't help understand any historical period - but it is an easy read and enjoyable.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
To start with, for the first 75-100 pages, it's quite repetitive, with a 'get target, kill target, obtain proof of kill, get target, kill target etc', with Altair reporting back to his master after each kill then onto another guy before the whole process starts again. But as you keep reading it does get better, with a satisfying end setting the scene perfectly for the forthcoming game in November. The writer is dependable for a decent story, even if the 2 previous books essentially copied the games like for like. I suppose this book does as well to some degree but I haven't played the original so it was a decent read for me. I'd definitely recommend this if you're looking to enter videogame book territory, although perhaps Bioshock Rapture should be your starting place.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
adventure book from a series
this book is part of a series and this is the third one I have not finishedit yet, but like the rest it is very good
Published 1 month ago by geo marsh
Wow what a really good book
If u are a fan of the assassins creed series u won't be disappointed by this book it relates entirely to the first game :)
Published 1 month ago by Geezer1993
Assassin's Creed The Secret Crusade Book
These are great books. Bought for my Son who plays the PS3 Assassin's Creed games and have had very good feedback from him.
Published 2 months ago by T. Phillips
Brilliant
Just what you want to start the amazing tale of assassins creed!!
Amazing story!I loved it, must read this before you start any of the other books!!
Amazing story!I loved it, must read this before you start any of the other books!!
Published 2 months ago by Ali
First novel I have read.
I think the writer does very well to pace the events of this book considering the game is very repetitive. This is the first proper novel I have read, and it was brilliant. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Androoooooo
Great purchase
Always been a big fan of the assassins creed series and reading this book made me more engrossed in the series. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Liam Howe
Interesting read
Gor for my 11yr old son who has the ps3 games.. said the book is amazing.. loves it..would definately recommend for any boy who loves to read.
Published 4 months ago by chick
The experience
It's everything you will find in Assassin's creed, Assassin's Creed Bloodlines and Assassin's creed Revelations although more detailed and show's more feeling's and memory's of... Read more
Published 4 months ago by AcFan
Great Read
When i first picked this book up it had great potentil, and it filled what i expected, there is more detail than in the game and it shows what altair is thinking aswell as doing ,... Read more
Published 4 months ago by xi-ep1dem1c
One of the best AC books yet
For those who don't know, The Secret Crusade is something that Assassin's Creed fans have been waiting a long time for: A book based on Altair from the first game. Read more
Published 5 months ago by L. Haywood
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