Assassin’s Creed Books In Order

The Assassin’s Creed novels are a collection of novels that tie into Ubisoft’s highly successful Assassin’s Creed video game series.

Since 2009, seventeen novels have been released, and there has been one Hollywood blockbuster adaptation.

Assassin’s Creed Books In Order

This post will provide you with a comprehensive list of all Assassin’s Creed books in order of when they were published.

These novels include Oliver Bowden’s, the movie tie-in, and The Last Descendant series.

About Assassin’s Creed

The Assassin’s Creed books are set in various historical periods. They focus on a secret war between the Assassin Brotherhood and the Templar Order.

Some novels are direct adaptations of the games, while others explore the perspectives of popular side characters.

Recurring themes found in Assassin’s Creed include violence, revenge, and betrayal, but most importantly, the overarching theme of Assassin’s Creed is family.

Assassin’s Creed Books In Order

Assassin’s Creed: Renaissance

Renaissance: Assassin's Creed, Book 1

Renaissance is the first novel Anton Gill wrote under Oliver Bowden. It adapted the story of Assassin’s Creed II.

Despite being a video game adaptation, it removes the main storyline of Desmond and the Animus.

Pros

  • It reads more like a historical fiction novel, with the historical elements faithful to reality and offering an immersive experience.

Cons

  • As an adaptation, Bowden struggles to write this book as though it isn’t a video game.

Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood

Brotherhood: Assassin's Creed, Book 2

Brotherhood is the second novel Gill wrote and adapted from the video game of the same name (for more video game books, check out our guide to the Mass Effect Series).

While it does change some details from the original, it offers a closer look into Ezio’s character arc.

Pros

  • There are several improvements in the second book, becoming a more faithful adaptation.

Cons

  • Unfortunately, it does stray from the main plot to focus on side quests that appear in the game that are irrelevant to the story.

Assassin’s Creed: The Secret Crusade

The Secret Crusade: Assassin's Creed, Book 3

The Secret Crusade is the first Oliver Bowden novel written by Andrew Holmes. It adapts the events of Altair’s story from the original game, Bloodlines and Revelations.

Pros

  • Offers an incredibly close adaptation of Altair’s story and a fresh new perspective on the Assassin’s Creed story.

Cons

  • Despite being a faithful adaptation, some story elements contradict the game’s canon.

Assassin’s Creed: Revelations

Revelations: Assassin's Creed, Book 4

Revelations is Gill’s final novel. It adapts the video game and offers a send-off to Ezio’s story by describing the last years of his life.

Pros

  • It offers a fitting and emotional send-off to Ezio’s storyline as told through Gill’s novels.

Cons

  • Unfortunately, Gill eliminates the immersion by including descriptions of techniques that would be more at home in the game itself.

Assassin’s Creed: Forsaken

Assassin's Creed: Forsaken

Forsaken is the second novel written by Holmes. Antagonist Haytham Kenway gives his journal to his son, Connor, hoping he will understand his actions.

Pros

  • Fans of Haytham Kenway will enjoy a novel told through his eyes, as it promises to leave a better understanding of him through the journal he gives his son, Connor.

Cons

  • Unfortunately, the exploration of Haytham’s character is taken away by offering little new material to fans of the game.

Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag

Assassin's Creed: Black Flag

The third of Holmes’ novels is based on the fourth Assassin’s Creed game: Black Flag.

Edward Kenway compiles his adventures on the seas in a journal that also encompasses the storyline of Black Flag.

Pros

  • It focuses on a swashbuckling tale that expands on Edward Kenway’s history.

Cons

  • It does change some significant elements of Edward Kenway’s character, which alters his story arc.

Assassin’s Creed: Unity

Assassin's Creed: Unity

Unity is the fourth of Holmes’s novels which follows the story of Elise de la Serre and Arno Dorian.

At the dawn of the French Revolution, they are drawn into the war between the Templars and Brotherhood.

Pros

  • It offers a fresh atmosphere due to taking place in such a significant period and also provides a chance to see the series from a female protagonist’s perspective.

Cons

  • Fans wanting to explore more depth into Arno and Elise’s relationship will be disappointed.

Assassin’s Creed: Underworld

Assassin's Creed: Underworld

Holmes’s fifth novel is Underworld. Based on Syndicate, this prequel occurred during London’s Industrial Revolution in 1862.

Pros

  • It offers a fresh perspective of Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, including details not seen in the games.

Cons

  • The novel revolves around characters such as Henry Green and the Frye twins.

Assassin’s Creed: Last Descendants

Last Descendants (Last Descendants: An Assassin's Creed Novel Series #1) (1) (Last Descendants: An Assassin's Creed Series)

The first of Matthew J. Kirby’s young adult trilogy. Using Animus, Owen explores his genetic memories to clear his late father’s name.

However, he learns about the Trident of Eden and the war between the Brotherhood and Templars.

Pros

  • An original story that offers a fun adventure for young adult readers who love the Assassin’s Creed world with a similar structure to the games.

Cons

  • It’s not the most well-written novel, and the characters are a little clichéd.

Assassin’s Creed: Heresy

Heresy: Assassin's Creed Book 9

Christie Golden explores the Templar of the Order as Simon Hathaway uses Animus to discover more about his ancestor and his history with Joan of Arc.

Pros

  • It offers a new story that is a sequel to Assassin’s Creed Syndicate.

Cons

  • Many fans have an issue with the modern storyline: it isn’t as interesting as the historical perspective.

Assassin’s Creed: Last Descendants — Tomb Of The Khan

Tomb of the Khan: Last Descendants: An Assassin's Creed Novel Series, Book 2

The second of Kirby’s series focuses on Owen’s group choosing sides between the Brotherhood and Templar as they search war-torn Mongolian China for the next piece.

Pros

  • The modern and historical scenes blend well and offer a fun plot for younger fans of the series.

Cons

  • There are still some issues with the characterization, as they could be more fleshed out.

Assassin’s Creed: Origins — Desert Oath

Desert Oath TIE IN

Holmes wrote a prequel to Assassin’s Creed Origins that focuses on Bayek as he learns more about the mysterious ways of the Medjay in 70 BC.

Pros

  • It is a simple but action-packed story that leads the audience to learn more about Bayek and other characters in Origins.

Cons

  • Compared to other Assassin’s Creed novels, it doesn’t stand out as being related to the game, and without knowing Assassin’s Creed, you could still understand this book.

Assassin’s Creed: Last Descendants — Fate Of The Gods

Fate of the Gods: Last Descendants: An Assassin's Creed Novel Series, Book 3

The finale of Matthew J. Kirby’s Last Descendants trilogy.

The Assassins and Templars strike an uneasy alliance to find the final piece of the Trident of Eden while fighting on Viking battlefields.

Pros

  • A brilliant finale to the Last Descendants series, which has left many fans of the series wanting more.

Cons

  • The series is left with unanswered questions that will leave some fans disappointed.

Assassin’s Creed: Official Movie Novelization

Assassin's Creed: The Official Movie Novelization

Christie Golden writes the novel adaptation of the Assassin’s Creed film starring Michael Fassbender. It follows a similar structure to the game but changes the characters.

Pros

  • Fans of the film will enjoy the detail explored in the novel, arguably better than the film itself.

Cons

  • It is an adaptation of the film, which was unsuccessful at the Box Office. Many fans may not be as interested in it if they enjoyed the games.

Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey

Assassin's Creed Odyssey (The Official Novelization)

Gordon Doherty wrote Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. Set in Ancient Greece, he tells Kassandra’s story after she is exiled by her family and left for dead.

Pros

  • It tells a faithful and exciting adaptation of Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey.

Cons

  • Battle scenes are stronger than the rest of the novel.

Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla — Geirmund’s Saga

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Geirmund’s Saga

Geirmund’s Saga is Matthew J. Kirby’s tie-in to Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla. While it’s not a direct adaptation of the game, it follows the story of Geirmund Hel-hide, which takes place in the same time frame as the Valhalla game.

Pros

Cons

  • While it relates to Assassin’s Creed, it feels a little too much like a different series.

Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla — Sword Of The White Horse

Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Sword of the White Horse

Elsa Sjunneson’s first Assassin’s Creed novel ties into the latest game: Valhalla. Niamh is a Celtic warrior who infiltrates a New Order to defend her home from Viking Invaders but finds her loyalties torn between them.

Pros

  • It adds more depth to the world of Valhalla.

Cons

  • New readers might not recognize some references and character motivations.

Summary

There are many Assassin’s Creed books, and it can be challenging to know where to start. If you’re a fan of the games, you may enjoy the books as they offer a different way to enjoy the narrative.

If you want to enjoy more Assassin’s Creed after finishing the games, or don’t have time to play them again, consider reading the books to enjoy the story.

After all, dozens of Assassin’s Creed games have been released, so the books are a great way to keep connected with the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are The Assassin’s Creed Books Worth Reading?

The Assassin’s Creed books are well worth the read for fans. If you want to refresh yourself on the games’ events, this is a great way to do so.

Do I Have To Read The Assassin’s Creed Books In Order?

You can read the Assassin’s Creed books in any order. Many of the games don’t directly relate to one another.

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Anna Davis