Step into the thrilling world of Assassin’s Creed, where shadowy assassins and cunning templars clash across centuries of history! This gripping series of novels, born from Ubisoft’s iconic video game franchise, weaves historical fiction with pulse-pounding action, inviting readers to explore a secret war that shapes the fate of humanity. With richly detailed settings and unforgettable characters like Ezio Auditore, the books captivate fans of adventure, mystery, and intrigue.
From Renaissance Italy to ancient Egypt, Assassin’s Creed blends meticulous historical detail with a sci-fi twist, using the Animus—a device that lets modern characters relive their ancestors’ memories. Whether you’re a gamer or a bookworm, this series offers a wild ride through time, packed with themes of freedom, power, and destiny.
How Assassin’s Creed Began
The Assassin’s Creed novels kicked off in 2009 with Assassin’s Creed: Renaissance, penned by Anton Gill under the pseudonym Oliver Bowden. Inspired by the success of Ubisoft’s video games, which debuted in 2007, the books were crafted to expand the franchise’s universe, diving deeper into the lore of the Assassin Brotherhood and their eternal foes, the Templar Order. Ubisoft tapped Bowden to novelize the games, starting with Ezio Auditore’s journey in Assassin’s Creed II, blending historical accuracy with fictional flair to bring the games’ cinematic stories to the page.
The series grew alongside the games, with Penguin Books publishing most titles until Aconyte Books took over in 2020. Each novel either adapts a game’s plot or spins original tales, like the young adult trilogy Last Descendants, ensuring the franchise’s rich narrative reached readers worldwide.
The Heart of Assassin’s Creed
The series boasts over a dozen novels, each plunging readers into a different era. Assassin’s Creed: Renaissance follows Ezio Auditore, a young noble turned assassin in 15th-century Italy, as he battles the corrupt Borgia family. Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood continues Ezio’s quest in Rome, offering a gorier, action-packed tale of rebellion. Assassin’s Creed: Origins: Desert Oath, a prequel to the 2017 game, tracks young Bayek of Siwa in ancient Egypt, laying the groundwork for the Assassin Brotherhood. Assassin’s Creed: The Ming Storm, a non-canon trilogy, spotlights Chinese assassin Shao Jun in the Ming dynasty, blending martial arts with stealth.
At its core, the series explores the timeless struggle between free will and control, embodied by the Assassins’ fight for liberty against the Templars’ quest for order. Themes of revenge, loyalty, and sacrifice pulse through the stories, with characters like Bayek grappling with personal loss and Ezio seeking justice. The vivid historical settings—crafted with input from historians—immerse readers in bustling cities and ancient ruins, while the Animus adds a layer of sci-fi intrigue, tying past and present together.
The writing style is fast-paced and cinematic, mirroring the games’ blend of stealth, combat, and exploration. Whether it’s scaling Renaissance rooftops or navigating Ptolemaic deserts, the novels deliver adrenaline-fueled adventures with a conspiratorial edge, appealing to fans of historical thrillers and fantasy epics alike.
Why Assassin’s Creed Resonates
The Assassin’s Creed novels have sold over a million copies globally, earning legions of fans for their immersive storytelling and ties to the beloved games. They’ve expanded the franchise’s reach, offering deeper character insights and new stories that enrich the universe. For gamers, the books flesh out iconic protagonists like Ezio and Bayek; for newcomers, they’re a standalone gateway to a world of intrigue and action.
The series’ lasting appeal lies in its ability to blend history with fiction, making the past feel alive and relevant. By tackling universal themes like freedom and power, it resonates across cultures and generations, cementing its place in modern pop culture. Its influence extends to comics, audio dramas, and even board games, proving the Assassin’s Creed universe is as unstoppable as its heroes.
- First Book: Assassin’s Creed: Renaissance, published 2009
- Total Novels: Over 12, plus comics and audio dramas
- Key Authors: Oliver Bowden, Matthew J. Kirby, Kate Heartfield
- Publishers: Penguin Books (2009–2020), Aconyte Books (2020–present)
Grab Assassin’s Creed: Renaissance and dive into a world of stealth, history, and epic battles! Whether you’re chasing Ezio’s legacy or uncovering Bayek’s origins, the Assassin’s Creed novels promise an adventure you won’t forget.