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Assassin's Creed #1
Renaissance
Betrayed by the ruling families of Italy, a young man embarks upon an epic quest for vengeance. To eradicate corruption and restore his family's honour, he will learn the art of the assassins. To his allies, Ezio will become a force for change, fighting for freedom and justice. To his enemies, he will become a threat.
516 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2009
About the author
Oliver Bowden
41 books1,034 followers Anton Gill (aka Oliver Bowden) has been a full-time professional writer since 1984, and in the course of the last 27 years he has published 35 books. Gill was born in Ilford, Essex, the son of a German father and an English mother, and grew up in London. He is an acclaimed novelist and Renaissance historian currently living in Paris, France. Bowden has written novelizations of several of the Assassin's Creed console games.
Oliver Bowden is a pen-name (a pseudonym adopted by the author) in order to hide his true identity. However, his profession and location are accurate.
According to Bowden's interview with UbiWorkshop, he is an avid gamer and gains much of his inspiration for character development throughout the writing process from playing the Assassin's Creed series.
Gill ceased being Oliver Bowden some years back and the author Andrew Holmes (Sleb, 64 Clarke) has published the last six titles of the Assassin's Creed series (The Secret Crusade, Forsaken, Black Flag, Unity, Underworld, and Desert Oath) using this pen-name.
Oliver Bowden is a pen-name (a pseudonym adopted by the author) in order to hide his true identity. However, his profession and location are accurate.
According to Bowden's interview with UbiWorkshop, he is an avid gamer and gains much of his inspiration for character development throughout the writing process from playing the Assassin's Creed series.
Gill ceased being Oliver Bowden some years back and the author Andrew Holmes (Sleb, 64 Clarke) has published the last six titles of the Assassin's Creed series (The Secret Crusade, Forsaken, Black Flag, Unity, Underworld, and Desert Oath) using this pen-name.
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January 16, 2022
Assassin's Creed: Renaissance (Assassin's Creed, #1), Oliver Bowden
The first novel of this series, Renaissance, was published on November 20, 2009.
The novel features Ezio Auditore da Firenze, a man who seeks revenge for the murder of his family. Ezio begins to train himself as an assassin and becomes drawn into a war between the Assassin's Brotherhood and the Templar Order.
The two secret organizations have been combating each other for centuries to secure an ancient technology, called the "Apple of Eden", a relic which can control human minds. Both groups also seek a vault in Italy, which contains the knowledge and technology of an ancient, technologically superior civilization.
تاریخ نخستین خوانش از روز یازدهم تا روز چهاردهم ماه می سال2014میلادی
عنوان: فرقه اسسین ها: کتاب اول - رنسانس؛ نویسنده الیور بودن؛ گروه مترجمها امیر قربان؛ فرزین لازمی زاده، خشایار خلیلیان؛ تهران، آذرباد، سال1391؛ شابک دوره9786006225258؛ شابک کتاب یک9786006225265؛ موضوع داستانهای رنسانس در ایتالیا - از نویسندگان بریتانیا - سده21م
فهرست کتابهای سری فرقه اسسین ها؛ کتاب نخست: «رنسانس»؛ کتاب دوم: «پیمان برادری»؛ مترجمها: امیر قربان، فرزین لازمی زاده، کیانا حاج دولت؛ کتاب سوم «نهضت مخفی»؛ مترجم بهنام حاجی‌زاده؛ کتاب چهارم «مکاشفات»؛ مترجم بهنام حاجی‌زاده؛ کتاب پنجم «جدا شده»؛ مترجم بهنام حاجی‌زاده؛ کتاب ششم «پرچم سیاه»؛ مترجم محمدرضا قاسمی؛ کتاب هفتم «اتحاد»؛ مترجم بهزاد ناصرفلاح؛
نقل از کتاب - ورود «اتزیو» به سردابه (از «رودریگو» رو برگرداند، و عصا در دست به سمت دیوار رفت؛ نوک آن را به طور متوالی به سوراخهایی که سیب نشانش میداد، میزد؛ همانطور که «اتزیو» به سوراخها ضربه میزد، کم کم شمایی از دری عظیم، پدیدار گشت؛ وقتی «اتزیو» عصا را، در آخرین حفره فرو کرد، درب عظیم گشوده شد؛ راهرو عریضی از شیشه، با تندیسهای زیبایی از جنس سنگ مرمر و برنز، در اطرافش نمایان شد؛ درون راهرو، دالانهایی وجود داشت، و در هر دالان تابوتهایی منقش به طلسمهای باستانی؛ «اتزیو» در نهایت تعجب دریافت، میتواند نوشته ها را بخواند؛ روی هر تابوت، نام یکی از خدایان باستانی «رومی» نوشته، و به سختی مهر و موم شده بود؛ در حال حرکت در طول راهرو، معماری و چینش اطرافش را، ناآشنا یافت؛ بنظر میآمد آمیزه ای عجیب، از گذشته های دور و نزدیک، و زمان حال باشد؛ اشکال و مصنوعاتی غریب و ناآشنا هم، آنجا دید، که نمیشناخت؛ اما چیزی از درونشان میگفت «اینها متعلق یه آینده اند»؛ بر روی دیوارها، حکاکیهایی نه تنها از رویدادهای گذشته ی بشریت، بلکه از نیروهایی، که انسانها را، به سمت آن سوق داده بودند، وجود داشت؛
بسیاری از اشکال، به چشم «اتزیو»، انسان میآمدند؛ گرچه نمیتوانست، لباسها یا ظاهرشان را، تشخیص دهد؛ و بقیه ی اشکال را که دید، نمیتوانست درک کند، آنها حجاری هستند، یا نقاشی، یا اجسامی واقعی؛ – جنگلی در حال غرق شدن در دریا، میمونها، سیبها، عصاهای اسقفی، مردان و زنان، یک کفن، یک شمشیر، «اهرام» و «کلوسوها (مجسمه ای عظیم و باستانی از زئوس)»، «زیگورات»ها، و سلاخخانه ها، کشتی ای که زیر آب حرکت میکرد، صفحه هایی درخشان که بنظر میرسید، تمام اطلاعات هستی را، در خود دارند، تمام ارتباطات ...؛ «اتزیو» نه تنها سیب و عصا را، بلکه شمشیر بزرگ، و کفن مسیح را نیز بازشناخت؛ آنها توسط پیکرهایی که به نظر انسان میرسیدند، ولی از طرفی هم، انسان نبودند، حمل میشدند؛ او شمایی از تمدنهای اولیه را، درک میکرد؛ در نهایت در اعماق سرداب، تابوت گرانیتی بزرگی دید؛ «اتزیو» به آن نزدیک شد، و تابوت، با نوری خوشامدگویانه شروع به درخشش کرد؛ «اتزیو» در سنگین تابوت را، لمس کرد، گویی پر کاهی را تکان میدهد، آن را جابجا کرد؛ از درون مقبره ی سنگی، نور زرد رنگ خارق العاده ای تابیدن گرفت؛ – گرم و بارور کننده همچون خورشید – «اتزیو» دستانش را، برای محافظت از نور زیاد، برابر دیدگانش سایبان کرد؛ سپس از درون تابوت، پیکری برخاست، «اتزیو» میدانست، به یک بانو مینگرد، اما با اینحال نمیتوانست جزییات او را تشخیص دهد؛ او با چشمانی متغیر و آتشین، به «اتزیو» نگاه کرد، و بعد صدایی برخاست؛ صدایی که در ابتدا به آواز پرندگان میمانست، اما بعد تبدیل به نوایی قابل فهم شد)؛ پایان نقل؛
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 29/09/1399هجری خورشیدی؛ 25/10/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی
The first novel of this series, Renaissance, was published on November 20, 2009.
The novel features Ezio Auditore da Firenze, a man who seeks revenge for the murder of his family. Ezio begins to train himself as an assassin and becomes drawn into a war between the Assassin's Brotherhood and the Templar Order.
The two secret organizations have been combating each other for centuries to secure an ancient technology, called the "Apple of Eden", a relic which can control human minds. Both groups also seek a vault in Italy, which contains the knowledge and technology of an ancient, technologically superior civilization.
تاریخ نخستین خوانش از روز یازدهم تا روز چهاردهم ماه می سال2014میلادی
عنوان: فرقه اسسین ها: کتاب اول - رنسانس؛ نویسنده الیور بودن؛ گروه مترجمها امیر قربان؛ فرزین لازمی زاده، خشایار خلیلیان؛ تهران، آذرباد، سال1391؛ شابک دوره9786006225258؛ شابک کتاب یک9786006225265؛ موضوع داستانهای رنسانس در ایتالیا - از نویسندگان بریتانیا - سده21م
فهرست کتابهای سری فرقه اسسین ها؛ کتاب نخست: «رنسانس»؛ کتاب دوم: «پیمان برادری»؛ مترجمها: امیر قربان، فرزین لازمی زاده، کیانا حاج دولت؛ کتاب سوم «نهضت مخفی»؛ مترجم بهنام حاجی‌زاده؛ کتاب چهارم «مکاشفات»؛ مترجم بهنام حاجی‌زاده؛ کتاب پنجم «جدا شده»؛ مترجم بهنام حاجی‌زاده؛ کتاب ششم «پرچم سیاه»؛ مترجم محمدرضا قاسمی؛ کتاب هفتم «اتحاد»؛ مترجم بهزاد ناصرفلاح؛
نقل از کتاب - ورود «اتزیو» به سردابه (از «رودریگو» رو برگرداند، و عصا در دست به سمت دیوار رفت؛ نوک آن را به طور متوالی به سوراخهایی که سیب نشانش میداد، میزد؛ همانطور که «اتزیو» به سوراخها ضربه میزد، کم کم شمایی از دری عظیم، پدیدار گشت؛ وقتی «اتزیو» عصا را، در آخرین حفره فرو کرد، درب عظیم گشوده شد؛ راهرو عریضی از شیشه، با تندیسهای زیبایی از جنس سنگ مرمر و برنز، در اطرافش نمایان شد؛ درون راهرو، دالانهایی وجود داشت، و در هر دالان تابوتهایی منقش به طلسمهای باستانی؛ «اتزیو» در نهایت تعجب دریافت، میتواند نوشته ها را بخواند؛ روی هر تابوت، نام یکی از خدایان باستانی «رومی» نوشته، و به سختی مهر و موم شده بود؛ در حال حرکت در طول راهرو، معماری و چینش اطرافش را، ناآشنا یافت؛ بنظر میآمد آمیزه ای عجیب، از گذشته های دور و نزدیک، و زمان حال باشد؛ اشکال و مصنوعاتی غریب و ناآشنا هم، آنجا دید، که نمیشناخت؛ اما چیزی از درونشان میگفت «اینها متعلق یه آینده اند»؛ بر روی دیوارها، حکاکیهایی نه تنها از رویدادهای گذشته ی بشریت، بلکه از نیروهایی، که انسانها را، به سمت آن سوق داده بودند، وجود داشت؛
بسیاری از اشکال، به چشم «اتزیو»، انسان میآمدند؛ گرچه نمیتوانست، لباسها یا ظاهرشان را، تشخیص دهد؛ و بقیه ی اشکال را که دید، نمیتوانست درک کند، آنها حجاری هستند، یا نقاشی، یا اجسامی واقعی؛ – جنگلی در حال غرق شدن در دریا، میمونها، سیبها، عصاهای اسقفی، مردان و زنان، یک کفن، یک شمشیر، «اهرام» و «کلوسوها (مجسمه ای عظیم و باستانی از زئوس)»، «زیگورات»ها، و سلاخخانه ها، کشتی ای که زیر آب حرکت میکرد، صفحه هایی درخشان که بنظر میرسید، تمام اطلاعات هستی را، در خود دارند، تمام ارتباطات ...؛ «اتزیو» نه تنها سیب و عصا را، بلکه شمشیر بزرگ، و کفن مسیح را نیز بازشناخت؛ آنها توسط پیکرهایی که به نظر انسان میرسیدند، ولی از طرفی هم، انسان نبودند، حمل میشدند؛ او شمایی از تمدنهای اولیه را، درک میکرد؛ در نهایت در اعماق سرداب، تابوت گرانیتی بزرگی دید؛ «اتزیو» به آن نزدیک شد، و تابوت، با نوری خوشامدگویانه شروع به درخشش کرد؛ «اتزیو» در سنگین تابوت را، لمس کرد، گویی پر کاهی را تکان میدهد، آن را جابجا کرد؛ از درون مقبره ی سنگی، نور زرد رنگ خارق العاده ای تابیدن گرفت؛ – گرم و بارور کننده همچون خورشید – «اتزیو» دستانش را، برای محافظت از نور زیاد، برابر دیدگانش سایبان کرد؛ سپس از درون تابوت، پیکری برخاست، «اتزیو» میدانست، به یک بانو مینگرد، اما با اینحال نمیتوانست جزییات او را تشخیص دهد؛ او با چشمانی متغیر و آتشین، به «اتزیو» نگاه کرد، و بعد صدایی برخاست؛ صدایی که در ابتدا به آواز پرندگان میمانست، اما بعد تبدیل به نوایی قابل فهم شد)؛ پایان نقل؛
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 29/09/1399هجری خورشیدی؛ 25/10/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی
August 6, 2014
Okay up front, this is I admit a ludicrous book. I get that. However I don't get the angry reviews and the emphatic one star ratings. I mean, it's a book based on a computer/video game. What did you expect.
If you've read many of my reviews you've seen me use the term, "brain candy"...well this is brain cotton candy, as light as possible. But it's kind of fun. Just go into it expecting a book based on a video game!
The extensive "creatively handled" use of historical people and events is part of the fun here (unlike other books that tried this and for some reason drove me up the wall). I mean Leonardo da Vinci would quite likely have been like the picture we get here. The historical events in the book happened largely as presented...if what went on behind the scenes and what precipitated them may be a bit, as I said creatively imagined.
Yes this reads a lot like a video game. I have never played Assassin's Creed, but the action in the book takes place in a series of "missions". There are other video game touches . But as I said, the book isn't meant to be great literature. It's an action romp, based on an action game. It has silly parts, a laughable ending and on the whole just charges along giving us action and adventure.
So, I'd say pick it up for what it is and enjoy. Had we a half star system of rating I'd probably go 3.5 but I really can't go 4 as there are books I love that got 4 stars and this is simply a rest stop. A place to go where you won't work your mind overly hard (if at all) and where you can relax and enjoy the action...like a lot of movies out there.
For that I can recommend it...have fun, don't approach is so "up tight" (as my generation said) enjoy, go kill something and release some pent up stress. It's as I said based on and a lot like a video game.
If you've read many of my reviews you've seen me use the term, "brain candy"...well this is brain cotton candy, as light as possible. But it's kind of fun. Just go into it expecting a book based on a video game!
The extensive "creatively handled" use of historical people and events is part of the fun here (unlike other books that tried this and for some reason drove me up the wall). I mean Leonardo da Vinci would quite likely have been like the picture we get here. The historical events in the book happened largely as presented...if what went on behind the scenes and what precipitated them may be a bit, as I said creatively imagined.
Yes this reads a lot like a video game. I have never played Assassin's Creed, but the action in the book takes place in a series of "missions". There are other video game touches . But as I said, the book isn't meant to be great literature. It's an action romp, based on an action game. It has silly parts, a laughable ending and on the whole just charges along giving us action and adventure.
So, I'd say pick it up for what it is and enjoy. Had we a half star system of rating I'd probably go 3.5 but I really can't go 4 as there are books I love that got 4 stars and this is simply a rest stop. A place to go where you won't work your mind overly hard (if at all) and where you can relax and enjoy the action...like a lot of movies out there.
For that I can recommend it...have fun, don't approach is so "up tight" (as my generation said) enjoy, go kill something and release some pent up stress. It's as I said based on and a lot like a video game.
May 12, 2018
I’m a huge fan of the Assassin’s Creed series. I’ve played all of the games and really enjoyed playing them, so – naturally, I thought I’d give the novels a try. Now, I know video-game adaptations aren’t normally top quality literature, and Renaissance certainly isn’t.
”I will seek Vengeance upon those who betrayed my family. I am Ezio Auditore da Firenze. I am an Assassin…”
Assassin’s Creed 2 has probably the most epic video game story line ever, so the first thing that we’ve got to look at really, is how well does Bowden translate the video game into a five-hundred page novel?
The plot’s nice and well drawn together. Ezio is a likeable character, and there are even some bonus bits that we don’t get to see in the novel brought into the game. The novel draws upon many aspects of Renaissance-era Italy, just like the video game itself. I’m not going to give Bowden credit here for the plot as it’s been already created by the team at Ubisoft (the ones behind the Assassin’s Creed video game franchise), but it’s worth pointing out that the historical characters such as Leonardo Da Vinci and Niccolo Machiavelli, as well as indeed – the Renaissance-era itself, is tied neatly into the fictional elements and I didn’t catch any errors in the historical side of things, although there might have been a few that I’ve missed.
Renaissance itself is unlikely to draw in newcomers to the Assassin’s Creed franchise though. In fact, I’d say that it might put them off getting the game altogether. The writing doesn’t match up to quality that George RR Martin fans will be familiar with. But then, Bowden isn’t trying to create a novel that will be the next fantasy epic, the game’s there for that.
A whole host of back-story is created for Ezio, such as his love for Cristina, which we only touched upon in the video game (And explored more about in Brotherhood flashbacks), and this provides a whole new level of depth for Ezio as a character even though there was a huge lack of emotion in most of the scenes.
This novel covers a large amount of Ezio’s life, stretching from him as an eighteen-year old to being forty-four by the end of the book. The time-jumps are confusing though, and you have to pay attention to details or you’ll be wondering why Ezio’s hopped from one part of Italy to another suddenly.
There’s a problem that I had with Renaissance though, and that is character development. Sure, it starts off looking as though Ezio will develop as a character, but once we get out of his early life, it’s fast revealed that Ezio doesn’t develop at all. Sure, he may be slightly more mature at the end of the novel, slightly more skilled in battles, but apart from that… nothing. It ends there. And don’t expect any other characters to be developed, either.
So, all said and done, I believe that it’s fairly safe to say that whilst Renaissance isn’t going to win any awards any time soon, it certainly is an enjoyable, ‘comfort’ read that will give fans of the series a nice break from the standard fantasy fare. Even though the game outclasses the novel in every possible way, the novel is still worth a try, just don’t go in with high expectations.
”I will seek Vengeance upon those who betrayed my family. I am Ezio Auditore da Firenze. I am an Assassin…”
Assassin’s Creed 2 has probably the most epic video game story line ever, so the first thing that we’ve got to look at really, is how well does Bowden translate the video game into a five-hundred page novel?
The plot’s nice and well drawn together. Ezio is a likeable character, and there are even some bonus bits that we don’t get to see in the novel brought into the game. The novel draws upon many aspects of Renaissance-era Italy, just like the video game itself. I’m not going to give Bowden credit here for the plot as it’s been already created by the team at Ubisoft (the ones behind the Assassin’s Creed video game franchise), but it’s worth pointing out that the historical characters such as Leonardo Da Vinci and Niccolo Machiavelli, as well as indeed – the Renaissance-era itself, is tied neatly into the fictional elements and I didn’t catch any errors in the historical side of things, although there might have been a few that I’ve missed.
Renaissance itself is unlikely to draw in newcomers to the Assassin’s Creed franchise though. In fact, I’d say that it might put them off getting the game altogether. The writing doesn’t match up to quality that George RR Martin fans will be familiar with. But then, Bowden isn’t trying to create a novel that will be the next fantasy epic, the game’s there for that.
A whole host of back-story is created for Ezio, such as his love for Cristina, which we only touched upon in the video game (And explored more about in Brotherhood flashbacks), and this provides a whole new level of depth for Ezio as a character even though there was a huge lack of emotion in most of the scenes.
This novel covers a large amount of Ezio’s life, stretching from him as an eighteen-year old to being forty-four by the end of the book. The time-jumps are confusing though, and you have to pay attention to details or you’ll be wondering why Ezio’s hopped from one part of Italy to another suddenly.
There’s a problem that I had with Renaissance though, and that is character development. Sure, it starts off looking as though Ezio will develop as a character, but once we get out of his early life, it’s fast revealed that Ezio doesn’t develop at all. Sure, he may be slightly more mature at the end of the novel, slightly more skilled in battles, but apart from that… nothing. It ends there. And don’t expect any other characters to be developed, either.
So, all said and done, I believe that it’s fairly safe to say that whilst Renaissance isn’t going to win any awards any time soon, it certainly is an enjoyable, ‘comfort’ read that will give fans of the series a nice break from the standard fantasy fare. Even though the game outclasses the novel in every possible way, the novel is still worth a try, just don’t go in with high expectations.
July 3, 2020
Written like the narration of a computer game quest mission.
He turned left, he saw someone, he turned right, he saw a door, he opened the door...
In my opinion there is no character growth, no emotional involvement and the various Italian words woven into the story are quite unnecessary.
He turned left, he saw someone, he turned right, he saw a door, he opened the door...
In my opinion there is no character growth, no emotional involvement and the various Italian words woven into the story are quite unnecessary.
November 15, 2010
I was genuinely surprised by how much I liked this book. I bought it mostly because I am somewhat obsessed with the game, and I wanted more Ezio, now please! I expected that at best it would be bearable to read because I don't tend to think too highly of novelizations of either movies or video games. But this was really good and fun.
Most of the story in the book is in the game as well, so the plot wasn't particularly surprising. But there were a few additional details - like, say, Leonardo's homosexuality, which wasn't even alluded to in the game (or if it was, I missed it) - that were fun to read about. Overall it's solidly written, and I have to say that considering the amount of both climbing and fight scenes he had to cover, the author did a really good job with this, and apparently had fun with it too (the Machiavelli jokes are a bit silly, but *I* loved them!).
I can imagine parts of the story are a bit harder to follow for people who haven't played the game, and I wish the book had covered the parts involving the present tense as well, but as it is I really enjoyed it. Especially because Ezio spends a ridiculous amount of time thinking about Leonardo ;)
Most of the story in the book is in the game as well, so the plot wasn't particularly surprising. But there were a few additional details - like, say, Leonardo's homosexuality, which wasn't even alluded to in the game (or if it was, I missed it) - that were fun to read about. Overall it's solidly written, and I have to say that considering the amount of both climbing and fight scenes he had to cover, the author did a really good job with this, and apparently had fun with it too (the Machiavelli jokes are a bit silly, but *I* loved them!).
I can imagine parts of the story are a bit harder to follow for people who haven't played the game, and I wish the book had covered the parts involving the present tense as well, but as it is I really enjoyed it. Especially because Ezio spends a ridiculous amount of time thinking about Leonardo ;)
February 9, 2020
3 Silver Stars
first 40% was interesting! Exciting! I loved it. I was obsessed! if the story had been continued that way, I would give it 4 stars.
but after that,
Not so much
after Ezio's vengeance, then the story fell into a repetitive process, that got boring.
It was all reminded me of:
*mysterious hoarse voice*
"You have failed this city!"
(Did you get the reference?
If not, It's an iconic quote from 'Green Arrow' series)
Nothing new happened (for a while)
it could be shorter, if some events just 'mentioned' in 1 line or 2, not the whole scene repeated with just different characters on the other side, & it didn't take long to read. (for me)
or maybe if you play & like its game, it still sounds good to you. I didn't, so It wasn't.
I liked Ezio.
& the ending was wonderful & unexpected.
& the writing style, as in environmental descriptions, it was brilliant & beautiful.
in action parts, it was too much.
& in some parts, it was too little, which made it too fast pace. (for example, there was a competition, & without any dialogues or how the protagonist felt during that or anything else, it was like: 'it was a running race & "X" won.' just in one & a half line.)
Also that too less explanations was a few more in like 'escaping' or 'rescuing' missions, I wanted to see how they escaped, but there was no details, that was a disappointment.
the world was awesome, Italy during Renaissance. I like historical fictions. in here, the descriptions was enough & beautiful.
characters were the strong part of the story.
& we met some famous real people too, I was so happy when I saw them. :)
first 40% was interesting! Exciting! I loved it. I was obsessed! if the story had been continued that way, I would give it 4 stars.
but after that,
Not so much
after Ezio's vengeance, then the story fell into a repetitive process, that got boring.
It was all reminded me of:
*mysterious hoarse voice*
"You have failed this city!"
(Did you get the reference?
If not, It's an iconic quote from 'Green Arrow' series)
Nothing new happened (for a while)
it could be shorter, if some events just 'mentioned' in 1 line or 2, not the whole scene repeated with just different characters on the other side, & it didn't take long to read. (for me)
or maybe if you play & like its game, it still sounds good to you. I didn't, so It wasn't.
I liked Ezio.
& the ending was wonderful & unexpected.
& the writing style, as in environmental descriptions, it was brilliant & beautiful.
in action parts, it was too much.
& in some parts, it was too little, which made it too fast pace. (for example, there was a competition, & without any dialogues or how the protagonist felt during that or anything else, it was like: 'it was a running race & "X" won.' just in one & a half line.)
Also that too less explanations was a few more in like 'escaping' or 'rescuing' missions, I wanted to see how they escaped, but there was no details, that was a disappointment.
the world was awesome, Italy during Renaissance. I like historical fictions. in here, the descriptions was enough & beautiful.
characters were the strong part of the story.
& we met some famous real people too, I was so happy when I saw them. :)
November 5, 2017
If you like Assassin's Creed, the game series, don't even touch the books. Better yet, if you like to read, don't touch these books either. They are just the scenarios of the AC games, with absolutely no input nor creativity, nor depth from the author.
And don't get me wrong, I love the game it is written after. AC2 is one of the best AC games out there (the best being AC2 Brotherhood) - and I expected that a book would contain something other than a boring transcript of the game content. I'm still shocked that someone can sell such a thing in the book format.
So, you have this amazing character, Ezio Auditore. You have other amazing characters that really make the game a very fun one to play - to watch the story to. None of this transpires into the book - Ezio becomes bland and boring, just like everyone else. Everyone says something, performs a task or another, solve quests. The collection of the codex doesn't make sense - as a game quest it makes perfect sense, the search for the codex is a grinding task that will help you make some in-game currency and make you explore the universe. However, in the retelling of Bowden it's just that. „Here's a codex page! Awesome! Let's have Leonardo decipher that!”. How did they know it's a codex page? It could be any other page from any other book, why do they all know it's an important thing but they scatter it around the world?
As I said, some things that make more or less sense in-game don't in the book. You have things like: „And he picked up 5 more feathers by the end of the day” which is plain stupid, or, if you want to see character development, you have somewhere at the end of the book a chapter that starts with: „Ezio, now a man in his forties, blablabla”.
Now, seriously, this is utter crap - it's the franchise owners beating money out of the dead horse. And, funny enough, the horse is not dead. I bet this is worse than even the worse fan-fiction imaginable. It's a ten-year-old's view on the game he just played. And it sucks. Big time.
And don't get me wrong, I love the game it is written after. AC2 is one of the best AC games out there (the best being AC2 Brotherhood) - and I expected that a book would contain something other than a boring transcript of the game content. I'm still shocked that someone can sell such a thing in the book format.
So, you have this amazing character, Ezio Auditore. You have other amazing characters that really make the game a very fun one to play - to watch the story to. None of this transpires into the book - Ezio becomes bland and boring, just like everyone else. Everyone says something, performs a task or another, solve quests. The collection of the codex doesn't make sense - as a game quest it makes perfect sense, the search for the codex is a grinding task that will help you make some in-game currency and make you explore the universe. However, in the retelling of Bowden it's just that. „Here's a codex page! Awesome! Let's have Leonardo decipher that!”. How did they know it's a codex page? It could be any other page from any other book, why do they all know it's an important thing but they scatter it around the world?
As I said, some things that make more or less sense in-game don't in the book. You have things like: „And he picked up 5 more feathers by the end of the day” which is plain stupid, or, if you want to see character development, you have somewhere at the end of the book a chapter that starts with: „Ezio, now a man in his forties, blablabla”.
Now, seriously, this is utter crap - it's the franchise owners beating money out of the dead horse. And, funny enough, the horse is not dead. I bet this is worse than even the worse fan-fiction imaginable. It's a ten-year-old's view on the game he just played. And it sucks. Big time.
February 2, 2018
Μετριότατο βιβλίο!
Ο συγγραφέας δεν έχει καθόλου μαεστρία στη γραφή του, αλλά απλά κατα-γράφει ιστορίες.
Τα ονόματα είναι τόσα πολλά που χάνεσαι.
Η ιστορία είναι ανερμάτιστη και χωρίς ουσία, μάχες δίχως νόημα, και ένας ήρωας που δεν ξέρουμε που θέλει να καταλήξει.
Οι χαρακτήρες, φυσικά, είναι όλοι χάρτινοι.
Το τέλος απλά κλείνει το βιβλίο...
Δεν έχω παίξει το παιχνίδι, αλλά πιστεύω ότι ο συγγραφέας απλά προσπάθησε να κάνει μια καταγραφή όσων διαδραματίζονται σε αυτό, χωρίς να τον ενδιαφέρει να πλάσει μια ιστορία με πλοκή και σαφείς προθέσεις. (2/10)
Υ.Γ.: Τι τις κάνω τώρα τις 2 συνέχειές του που είχα βιαστεί να προμηθευτώ;;;
Ο συγγραφέας δεν έχει καθόλου μαεστρία στη γραφή του, αλλά απλά κατα-γράφει ιστορίες.
Τα ονόματα είναι τόσα πολλά που χάνεσαι.
Η ιστορία είναι ανερμάτιστη και χωρίς ουσία, μάχες δίχως νόημα, και ένας ήρωας που δεν ξέρουμε που θέλει να καταλήξει.
Οι χαρακτήρες, φυσικά, είναι όλοι χάρτινοι.
Το τέλος απλά κλείνει το βιβλίο...
Δεν έχω παίξει το παιχνίδι, αλλά πιστεύω ότι ο συγγραφέας απλά προσπάθησε να κάνει μια καταγραφή όσων διαδραματίζονται σε αυτό, χωρίς να τον ενδιαφέρει να πλάσει μια ιστορία με πλοκή και σαφείς προθέσεις. (2/10)
Υ.Γ.: Τι τις κάνω τώρα τις 2 συνέχειές του που είχα βιαστεί να προμηθευτώ;;;
December 6, 2015
Not bad, or rather not what I had been expecting. It's okay overall but could have been better. Hopefully the next book is an improvement.
Since this book (and series) is based on a video game and the author is known for penning newsstand pulp thrillers, I thought the combination would turn out to be some kind of pulpy disaster, so I was pleasantly surprised to find a decent plot-driven, light historical fantasy story about the life and times of Ezio Auditore. Those who've played Assassin's Creed II already know this story and how it ends, but if you're a fan of Ezio and feel like revisiting the journey, this book is a more detailed substitute to the game.
Review moved to http://covers2covers.wordpress.com/20...
Since this book (and series) is based on a video game and the author is known for penning newsstand pulp thrillers, I thought the combination would turn out to be some kind of pulpy disaster, so I was pleasantly surprised to find a decent plot-driven, light historical fantasy story about the life and times of Ezio Auditore. Those who've played Assassin's Creed II already know this story and how it ends, but if you're a fan of Ezio and feel like revisiting the journey, this book is a more detailed substitute to the game.
Review moved to http://covers2covers.wordpress.com/20...
March 30, 2020
3.5 stars.
The novels of Assassin's Creed are based on a series of video games that began emerging around 2007 and subsequently added more and more games over the last decade. It is rare for me to pick a book up as such because I am not a gamer at all and it is even rarer for me to pick up a book that is based on or came to be after a movie or game or otherwise. I am a big proponent of 'The book is always better' and therefore, it should be the base of the entertainment and not the other way around. So why did I pick this even up?
If there ever was a chance for me to be curious about a video game at all, or movies for that matter, it has to have the following components to garner my attention: Historical elements and stunning visuals; both of these are present in the Assassin's Creed video games. So much so, that my liking for graphic novels and appreciation of the arts has sparked to bridge the gap for me in this instance and I ordered the set of 7 books all at once.
What is the storyline all about?
The overall premise focuses on the war between two secret organizations, the Assassin's Brotherhood and the Templar's Order, who have been combating each other for centuries to secure a relic that controls human minds called the 'Apple of Eden'.
In the first novel, Renaissance, very suitable since it takes place during the renaissance in Italy, we meet the main protagonist of the story, Ezio Auditore da Firenze who, together with his brother, helps run a business with his father. At his tender age of 17, he is all boy filled with ambition but little attention, since all his reserves are spent on chasing girls and getting in trouble. He's also a big brother and won't take a heartbreak done to his sister lightly, creating trouble and turning a cog of wheels that will propel events dramatically.
Ezio becomes forced to witness the hanging of his father and brother for 'treason' and slowly learns of his father's secret rank in the 'Assassin's Brotherhood' from his caring uncle. Trained in the cause of revenge and the retrieval of the relic the story eludes too, he learns to climb and jump from walls and rooftops swiftly and landing unscathed on his feet.
While his adventure takes him through major Italian cities, many famous people of history become woven into the events. So, it is that Ezio becomes friends with Leonardo Da Vinci, trying out the first flying contraption ever invented, or learns to admire Leo's artistic and scientific methods. Between money laundering schemes and other famous persons as the Medici family financiers, there isn't a stone left unturned between the missions Ezio goes on to destroy the Order of the Templar and the backstabbery of or new, emerging developments.
It almost sounds too good to be true with all the right stuff to make for an amazing plot, and I enjoyed this but therein still lies a problem: The story is formulated after a video game. So, even if I can agree with some unnatural superpowers etc, what I didn't love overall, was that event after event after event kept occurring like in a Rube Goldberg contraption.
Though Ezio kept in touch with his sister and his old love interest, the transitions in between the different times in which things happened weren't so clear. The whole story started when Ezio was 17 but he ended up being much older and I am not sure, how those years were filled or added up? With that being my gripe, it is not enough to garner a complete dislike for the series. I just have to remember where it's all coming from. A video game!
On the other hand, I did enjoy the historical references made, around the age of Leonardo Da Vinci and his inventions, art, and the Sistine Chapel. Other figures and events included Christopher Columbus's voyage, Michaeldeangelo's completion of the wooden crucifix, Pope elections, the Ming Dynasty, Copernicus...and many more to name a few. How is it all possible? Again, something to experience in a video game.
If you take it with a grain of salt, this novel is at least entertaining and imbues a little historical nostalgia. I can't say I am in love with the novel, but I also cannot stop staring at the other six books in the series because I want to submerge myself into the world of the past and know how Ezio's journey continues.
Most likely, those who play or have played this will tell me that the game is so much better and I admit, I can see how that would be a tempting bonus in this historical adventure. So for once, I think the game wins over the novel, but I plan to continue reading it, for now.
Happy Reading / Gaming :)
More of my reviews here:
Through Novel Time & Distance
The novels of Assassin's Creed are based on a series of video games that began emerging around 2007 and subsequently added more and more games over the last decade. It is rare for me to pick a book up as such because I am not a gamer at all and it is even rarer for me to pick up a book that is based on or came to be after a movie or game or otherwise. I am a big proponent of 'The book is always better' and therefore, it should be the base of the entertainment and not the other way around. So why did I pick this even up?
If there ever was a chance for me to be curious about a video game at all, or movies for that matter, it has to have the following components to garner my attention: Historical elements and stunning visuals; both of these are present in the Assassin's Creed video games. So much so, that my liking for graphic novels and appreciation of the arts has sparked to bridge the gap for me in this instance and I ordered the set of 7 books all at once.
What is the storyline all about?
The overall premise focuses on the war between two secret organizations, the Assassin's Brotherhood and the Templar's Order, who have been combating each other for centuries to secure a relic that controls human minds called the 'Apple of Eden'.
In the first novel, Renaissance, very suitable since it takes place during the renaissance in Italy, we meet the main protagonist of the story, Ezio Auditore da Firenze who, together with his brother, helps run a business with his father. At his tender age of 17, he is all boy filled with ambition but little attention, since all his reserves are spent on chasing girls and getting in trouble. He's also a big brother and won't take a heartbreak done to his sister lightly, creating trouble and turning a cog of wheels that will propel events dramatically.
Ezio becomes forced to witness the hanging of his father and brother for 'treason' and slowly learns of his father's secret rank in the 'Assassin's Brotherhood' from his caring uncle. Trained in the cause of revenge and the retrieval of the relic the story eludes too, he learns to climb and jump from walls and rooftops swiftly and landing unscathed on his feet.
While his adventure takes him through major Italian cities, many famous people of history become woven into the events. So, it is that Ezio becomes friends with Leonardo Da Vinci, trying out the first flying contraption ever invented, or learns to admire Leo's artistic and scientific methods. Between money laundering schemes and other famous persons as the Medici family financiers, there isn't a stone left unturned between the missions Ezio goes on to destroy the Order of the Templar and the backstabbery of or new, emerging developments.
It almost sounds too good to be true with all the right stuff to make for an amazing plot, and I enjoyed this but therein still lies a problem: The story is formulated after a video game. So, even if I can agree with some unnatural superpowers etc, what I didn't love overall, was that event after event after event kept occurring like in a Rube Goldberg contraption.
Though Ezio kept in touch with his sister and his old love interest, the transitions in between the different times in which things happened weren't so clear. The whole story started when Ezio was 17 but he ended up being much older and I am not sure, how those years were filled or added up? With that being my gripe, it is not enough to garner a complete dislike for the series. I just have to remember where it's all coming from. A video game!
On the other hand, I did enjoy the historical references made, around the age of Leonardo Da Vinci and his inventions, art, and the Sistine Chapel. Other figures and events included Christopher Columbus's voyage, Michaeldeangelo's completion of the wooden crucifix, Pope elections, the Ming Dynasty, Copernicus...and many more to name a few. How is it all possible? Again, something to experience in a video game.
If you take it with a grain of salt, this novel is at least entertaining and imbues a little historical nostalgia. I can't say I am in love with the novel, but I also cannot stop staring at the other six books in the series because I want to submerge myself into the world of the past and know how Ezio's journey continues.
Most likely, those who play or have played this will tell me that the game is so much better and I admit, I can see how that would be a tempting bonus in this historical adventure. So for once, I think the game wins over the novel, but I plan to continue reading it, for now.
Happy Reading / Gaming :)
More of my reviews here:
Through Novel Time & Distance
February 26, 2012
I first heard about Assassin's Creed from my brother in-law. He loves the games, was constantly commenting how Ezio was badass, how his moves and kills were impressive, and how the graphics were fantastic. When the novel came out, I spent months craving it, only now having the courage to buy, and finally, read it.
Oliver Bowden transports us to Italy, 1472, where a young man is about the learn the power and secrets of his family. After a brutal attack and betrayal, Ezio takes the name Auditore to a whole new level, seeking vengeance from those who took blood from the ones he loved. Ezio becomes an Assassin, as lethal and skillful as one can possibly get.
When I start reading a book in which the main character is an assassin, I immediately wonder if he's evil. I bet almost everyone cringed upon the words "I am an Assassin..." that's written in the back of Assassin's Creed. I know I did. So you can only guess how satisfied I was when I found out Ezio's not evil at all. He's what I would call fierce, in every single way. He loves his family and would do anything for them. At the same time, he kills without a drop of mercy, but only when he has to. I loved that. He's the kind of guy that I would be proud of, if I were his sister.
That said, I enjoyed his relationship - if multiple, and brief, encounters over the years can be called a relationship - with Cristina. I didn't expect him to be in love, and I certainly didn't expect for him to be so caring and ... cute... with Cristina. His love life was very, very different from the game, and by that, I was disappointed. But really, since I never played Assassin's Creed, my disappointment was short-lived.
To say Renaissance was a fast-paced book would be the understatement of the year. Ezio's 17 (if I'm not mistaken) when his story as an Assassin begins. At the end of the book, he's 44 years old. No, I didn't type that wrong. He's 44 years old. This means basically half of Ezio's life is described in 500 pages. I both love and hate that. I understand that the author wanted to show us what it means to be an Assassin. It's tiring and bloody. Ezio would spend years trying to find a guy, and months figuring out how to kill him. It makes the Order of the Assassins look way tougher than it sounds.
However - and that's the negative part of my review - it leaves no space whatsoever for character development. Sure, Ezio is more mature on the last chapters than he was on the first ones, but still, to write someone else's whole life, you have to describe their experiences, how they changed over each blow that life had landed upon them... and none of this happened with Ezio. It was so fast paced I was confused sometimes. The narrator would say that Ezio spent a long time searching for someone. I thought this "long time" would be weeks, months, or even a couple of years. And then I found out this "long time" was actually 8 years. How can you describe what happened to someone as special and broken as Ezio in 8 years with less than 3 pages? If the author keeps this pace up, how old will Ezio be on the third book? 89 years old?
Now, the ending itself. I liked it, but it was definitely not what I had expected. Really, it blew me away. I never thought Ezio's mission would be so important. I won't give anything away, but if I was playing the game, I'd have to pause to just absorb the ending for a moment. Just... what the hell?
Assassin's Creed is an excellent book for those who played, and enjoyed, the games. If you never played it - like me - you can read it anyway. It's a good way of learning Ezio Auditore's story, and reading an action-packed book.
Note: This review can also be found on my blog.
Oliver Bowden transports us to Italy, 1472, where a young man is about the learn the power and secrets of his family. After a brutal attack and betrayal, Ezio takes the name Auditore to a whole new level, seeking vengeance from those who took blood from the ones he loved. Ezio becomes an Assassin, as lethal and skillful as one can possibly get.
When I start reading a book in which the main character is an assassin, I immediately wonder if he's evil. I bet almost everyone cringed upon the words "I am an Assassin..." that's written in the back of Assassin's Creed. I know I did. So you can only guess how satisfied I was when I found out Ezio's not evil at all. He's what I would call fierce, in every single way. He loves his family and would do anything for them. At the same time, he kills without a drop of mercy, but only when he has to. I loved that. He's the kind of guy that I would be proud of, if I were his sister.
That said, I enjoyed his relationship - if multiple, and brief, encounters over the years can be called a relationship - with Cristina. I didn't expect him to be in love, and I certainly didn't expect for him to be so caring and ... cute... with Cristina. His love life was very, very different from the game, and by that, I was disappointed. But really, since I never played Assassin's Creed, my disappointment was short-lived.
To say Renaissance was a fast-paced book would be the understatement of the year. Ezio's 17 (if I'm not mistaken) when his story as an Assassin begins. At the end of the book, he's 44 years old. No, I didn't type that wrong. He's 44 years old. This means basically half of Ezio's life is described in 500 pages. I both love and hate that. I understand that the author wanted to show us what it means to be an Assassin. It's tiring and bloody. Ezio would spend years trying to find a guy, and months figuring out how to kill him. It makes the Order of the Assassins look way tougher than it sounds.
However - and that's the negative part of my review - it leaves no space whatsoever for character development. Sure, Ezio is more mature on the last chapters than he was on the first ones, but still, to write someone else's whole life, you have to describe their experiences, how they changed over each blow that life had landed upon them... and none of this happened with Ezio. It was so fast paced I was confused sometimes. The narrator would say that Ezio spent a long time searching for someone. I thought this "long time" would be weeks, months, or even a couple of years. And then I found out this "long time" was actually 8 years. How can you describe what happened to someone as special and broken as Ezio in 8 years with less than 3 pages? If the author keeps this pace up, how old will Ezio be on the third book? 89 years old?
Now, the ending itself. I liked it, but it was definitely not what I had expected. Really, it blew me away. I never thought Ezio's mission would be so important. I won't give anything away, but if I was playing the game, I'd have to pause to just absorb the ending for a moment. Just... what the hell?
Assassin's Creed is an excellent book for those who played, and enjoyed, the games. If you never played it - like me - you can read it anyway. It's a good way of learning Ezio Auditore's story, and reading an action-packed book.
Note: This review can also be found on my blog.
June 11, 2018
Lettura sofferta e iniziata in inglese ma al capitolo 20 ho detto basta. Quelle virgole uccidono. Mio compleanno e mi sono fatta regalare la versione italiana da mia Zia che a sfogliarla assomiglia alla versione online che trovai e a cui mancavano delle pagine. Infatti alla conversione su GR c'era una differenza sostanziale di un centinaio di pagine ma non vuol dire niente. Giusto un appunto prima di iniziare e pensare male. La legge italiana non vieta di possedere una copia gratuita di un libro, di quelle trovate online, se si possiede almeno una copia in qualsiasi lingua regolarmente pagata. L'ho imparato su Yahoo Answers secoli fa se la legge non è cambiata. Comunque ho due copie cartacee, vedi Anobii, in italiano e inglese regolarmente pagate. ;)
Ora tornando al libro credo di non poter dare più di quattro per via di quelle virgole da suicidio. La storia è buona, è poi tratta da un videogioco attenendosi a fatti realmente avvenuti, ma forse perchè è il primo libro di Antony Gill per Assassin's Creed ha qualche pecca. Ho già letto i due seguenti in italiano e già ci sono dei miglioramenti. Dopo questo mi aspetta Revelations e poi credo che Ezio sia finito. Forsaken per esempio l'ho letto in inglese, il primo che comprai, e non era così complicato come questo. E in inglese ne leggo a pacchi senza problemi quindi è proprio un problema del come è scritto.
Ora tornando al libro credo di non poter dare più di quattro per via di quelle virgole da suicidio. La storia è buona, è poi tratta da un videogioco attenendosi a fatti realmente avvenuti, ma forse perchè è il primo libro di Antony Gill per Assassin's Creed ha qualche pecca. Ho già letto i due seguenti in italiano e già ci sono dei miglioramenti. Dopo questo mi aspetta Revelations e poi credo che Ezio sia finito. Forsaken per esempio l'ho letto in inglese, il primo che comprai, e non era così complicato come questo. E in inglese ne leggo a pacchi senza problemi quindi è proprio un problema del come è scritto.
December 31, 2017
I love these books. I like the games too. Maybe one day my book Kandor The Warrior might become a game. Lol!
I did watch the film and I really like Michael Fasbender but, I was disappointed. Then again the books are always better than the films🐯👍
I did watch the film and I really like Michael Fasbender but, I was disappointed. Then again the books are always better than the films🐯👍
February 22, 2018
2.5 stele, dar n-am cum să rup două colțuri de stea, așa că aleg să aproximez în plus, deși nu știu de ce. În fine. Oameni buni, eu înțeleg că întotdeauna căutăm altceva, iar când am găsit acel ceva, ne dorim un lucru cu totul și cu totul diferit. Eu înțeleg că dorim să citim cărți pe care, dacă se poate, să le și înțelegem, nu să ne scărpinăm, nedumeriți, în cap, spunându-ne: „Ce naiba am citit? Sunt eu prost și nu înțeleg adevăratul mesaj, adevărata genialitate a autorului/autoarei, sau el/ea nu știe să transmită cu adevărat mesajul?” Dar am totuși senzația că autorii ar trebui totuși să scrie cărți care să nu-ți insulte inteligența la modul cel mai grosolan, chiar dacă acestea sunt fantasy. Și că, fie ea și novelizare a unui joc/film stupid, ar trebui totuși să nu se joace cu nervii cititorilor. Scene de acțiune jenante, salturi în timp lipsite de logică, urmăriri stupide, personaje de carton, da, o fi un joc video, dar acolo nu cred că personajele așteaptă cuminți pe jos, îndemnate de cel care le-a doborât, ca respectivul să dea o fugă până la stăpân. Sau ca tipul cel rău să stea sus, pe metereze, cel venit să-l asasineze să se uite la el, iar lacheul celui de pe metereze, după ce termină de luptat cu ghioaga, și văzând că nu-și poate doborî oponentul, să poată totuși sui pe metereze, la stăpân, lucru inaccesibil totuși celui mai iscusit asasin (și cățărător) din istorie. Mai vedem dacă voi mai avea răbdarea necesară să citesc și următorul volum, apoi să scriu un articol despre ambele volume odată. Pe FanSF, desigur.
March 10, 2018
Oh Leute. Ich bin ganz ehrlich mit euch: Ich habe 40 Seiten vorm Ende abgebrochen, weil es mich SO gelangweilt hat und mir das Ende sowieso schon denken kann.
Am Anfang fand ich es echt cool und interessant, aber so ab Seite 150/200 habe ich es eigentlich nur noch überflogen. Es ist die gaaaanze Zeit dasselbe, die einzelnen „spannenden“ Handlungen sind nach zwei Seiten vorbei und dann beginnt schon wieder die nächste Mission. Naja, klar, im Spiel eine neue Quest, ist dort bestimmt auch ganz cool. Als Roman taugt es meiner Meinung nach nichts. Ezio hat überhaupt keine Niederlagen, schafft alles sofort beim ersten Mal, kann irgendwie 20 trainierte, erfahrene Soldaten auf einmal pro Sekunde umbringen.. keine Ahnung, da ist überhaupt keine Spannung.
Was ich aber gut fand war der Schreibstil.
Fazit: Lohnt sich meiner Meinung nach nicht.
Am Anfang fand ich es echt cool und interessant, aber so ab Seite 150/200 habe ich es eigentlich nur noch überflogen. Es ist die gaaaanze Zeit dasselbe, die einzelnen „spannenden“ Handlungen sind nach zwei Seiten vorbei und dann beginnt schon wieder die nächste Mission. Naja, klar, im Spiel eine neue Quest, ist dort bestimmt auch ganz cool. Als Roman taugt es meiner Meinung nach nichts. Ezio hat überhaupt keine Niederlagen, schafft alles sofort beim ersten Mal, kann irgendwie 20 trainierte, erfahrene Soldaten auf einmal pro Sekunde umbringen.. keine Ahnung, da ist überhaupt keine Spannung.
Was ich aber gut fand war der Schreibstil.
Fazit: Lohnt sich meiner Meinung nach nicht.
June 27, 2017
Recenzia completă: http://bit.ly/2sWgbm9
„Adevărul se negociază în fiecare zi. Trebuie să te obişnuieşti cu asta, Ezio.”
Am descoperit jocurile din seria Assassin's Creed în ultimul an de liceu, într-o perioadă de stres, nervi şi insomnii, fiind mereu cu gândul la bacalaureat, la admitere şi la un şir (aparent) nesfârşit de examene, teste şi simulări. Nu aveam răbdare să citesc, nu simţeam nevoia să ies din casă sau să socializez. Preferam să merg la meditaţii şi să fac teste, deoarece credeam că viitorul meu depinde doar de rezultatele din acea vară (târziu mi-am dat seama cât de naivă am fost).
Cunoscându-mi fascinaţia pentru Ordinul Templierilor şi uşor îngrijorată din pricina schimbării mele de personalitate, mama mi-a cumpărat un box-set Assassin's Creed: trei jocuri ce îl au drept protagonist pe Ezio Auditori şi un pachet special de cărţi de joc, cu personajele seriei.
A fost dragoste la prima vedere. Am lipsit două săptămâni de la şcoală. Note aveam, eram tocilară, aproape zece pe linie, aşa că m-am bucurat de o vacanţă improvizată, în spaţiul meu de gamer, cu provizii din belşug, spectactori ocazionali şi un număr impresionant de crime de trecut în CV. Zi şi noapte, mă căţăram pe clădiri, pe acoperişuri şi pe ziduri, mă agăţam de frânghii, acţionam scripeţi, mă ascundeam în căruţele cu fân şi acceptam misiune după misiune, până când adormeam în fața laptopului, cu degetele strânse în jurul mouse-ului.
Am descoperit cărţile la un târg de carte, câţiva ani mai târziu, un pachet cu 7 volume (între timp, numărul a crescut), dar ceva m-a împiedicat să le cumpăr. După ce am citit primul roman în engleză, mi-am regretat decizia. Am tot pândit oferte, dar setul era mereu indisponibil, incomplet. Treptat, am uitat de serie, apoi Renașterea a apărut la Grupul Editorial Art şi am ştiut că mă voi reapuca de jocuri şi că zilele şi nopţile mele de asasin(at) încă nu s-au terminat.
„Nimic nu e adevărat, totul este permis.”
După Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad, Ezio Auditori este asasinul meu preferat. Prima impresie nu este neapărat favorabilă: un tânăr încrezut şi arogant, ce se foloseşte de farmecele sale pentru a obţine tot ceea ce îşi doreşte, de la iertarea şi aprobarea părinţilor, până la inimile celor mai frumoase tinere de viţă nobilă din Florenţa. Ezio trăieşte viaţa din plin: îmbrăţişează riscul, nu se gândeşte la consecinţe sau la cât de mult afectează escapadele sale reputaţia familiei Auditori, însă, dacă luăm în considerare adevărul, şi anume că aşchia nu sare departe de trunchi, poate e greşit să ne facem griji cu privire la ce vor spune vecinii sau nobilii din Florenţa.
Trădat de cei pe care îi considera prieteni şi aliaţi, Ezio este obligat să se maturizeze la o vârstă fragedă şi să aibă grijă de familia sa. Acum, are un singur ideal în viaţă: să se răzbune şi să îi ucidă pe vinovaţi. La început, el pare să nege ceea ce s-a întâmplat, ororile la care a fost martor. Se pierde în antrenamente şi în misiuni de cercetare, se ascunde de trecut, de tânărul lipsit de griji, ce le vizita pe înserat pe curtezane şi se bătea cu pumnii, cu pietrele şi cu pumnalele cu oricine îndrăznea să-l provoace sau să-l contrazică.
„Pentru un moment, respirând greu, Ezio rămase pe loc, respirând în liniştea subtilă care urmă atacului. Era prima oară în viaţa lui când omora pe cineva... sau nu era chiar aşa, deoarece simţea o altă viaţă, mult mai vastă înăuntrul lui, o viaţă care părea să aibă ani de experienţă într-ale morţii. Senzaţia îl sperie. Noaptea aceasta îl făcuse să se maturizeze brusc - dar această nouă senzaţie părea să trezească o forţă întunecată din adâncul lui.”
Destinul lui Ezio nu este definit prin crimele săvârşite sau prin dreptatea căutată (uneori) orbeşte. Pentru a-i ucide pe vinovaţi, pentru a se infiltra în mijlocul familiilor nobile, pentru a le afla secretele şi planurile, are nevoie de ochi şi de urechi, de noi prieteni şi de noi aliaţi. Încrederea este o monedă de schimb pentru un asasin, preţioasă, de o valoare inestimabilă, greu de câştigat şi de menţinut. Însă nu imposibil de obţinut.
Aş vrea să vă vorbesc despre toate personajele, despre toţi cei care au un rol decisiv în formarea lui Ezio ca asasin, conducător şi anti-erou, dar aş scrie o nuvelă şi mă îndoiesc că aţi avea răbdare să o citiţi. Grupul format în jurul protagonistului este extraordinar de complex: curtezane, mercenari, hoţi, lideri politici, inventatori, artişti, fiecare având un rol clar stabilit.
Fiecare personaj este o piesă din puzzle-ul final (o pagină din Codex, pentru cunoscători), un element fără de care misiunea Asasinilor nu ar putea să fie îndeplinită. Diversitatea lor, indiferent de forma căutată, ca înfăţişare, talent, sursă de informaţii, se propagă în rolurile acceptate în urmă cu mult timp, când au depus un jurământ sacru, pentru protejarea omenirii şi înfrângerea Templierilor.
„Adevărul se negociază în fiecare zi. Trebuie să te obişnuieşti cu asta, Ezio.”
Am descoperit jocurile din seria Assassin's Creed în ultimul an de liceu, într-o perioadă de stres, nervi şi insomnii, fiind mereu cu gândul la bacalaureat, la admitere şi la un şir (aparent) nesfârşit de examene, teste şi simulări. Nu aveam răbdare să citesc, nu simţeam nevoia să ies din casă sau să socializez. Preferam să merg la meditaţii şi să fac teste, deoarece credeam că viitorul meu depinde doar de rezultatele din acea vară (târziu mi-am dat seama cât de naivă am fost).
Cunoscându-mi fascinaţia pentru Ordinul Templierilor şi uşor îngrijorată din pricina schimbării mele de personalitate, mama mi-a cumpărat un box-set Assassin's Creed: trei jocuri ce îl au drept protagonist pe Ezio Auditori şi un pachet special de cărţi de joc, cu personajele seriei.
A fost dragoste la prima vedere. Am lipsit două săptămâni de la şcoală. Note aveam, eram tocilară, aproape zece pe linie, aşa că m-am bucurat de o vacanţă improvizată, în spaţiul meu de gamer, cu provizii din belşug, spectactori ocazionali şi un număr impresionant de crime de trecut în CV. Zi şi noapte, mă căţăram pe clădiri, pe acoperişuri şi pe ziduri, mă agăţam de frânghii, acţionam scripeţi, mă ascundeam în căruţele cu fân şi acceptam misiune după misiune, până când adormeam în fața laptopului, cu degetele strânse în jurul mouse-ului.
Am descoperit cărţile la un târg de carte, câţiva ani mai târziu, un pachet cu 7 volume (între timp, numărul a crescut), dar ceva m-a împiedicat să le cumpăr. După ce am citit primul roman în engleză, mi-am regretat decizia. Am tot pândit oferte, dar setul era mereu indisponibil, incomplet. Treptat, am uitat de serie, apoi Renașterea a apărut la Grupul Editorial Art şi am ştiut că mă voi reapuca de jocuri şi că zilele şi nopţile mele de asasin(at) încă nu s-au terminat.
„Nimic nu e adevărat, totul este permis.”
După Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad, Ezio Auditori este asasinul meu preferat. Prima impresie nu este neapărat favorabilă: un tânăr încrezut şi arogant, ce se foloseşte de farmecele sale pentru a obţine tot ceea ce îşi doreşte, de la iertarea şi aprobarea părinţilor, până la inimile celor mai frumoase tinere de viţă nobilă din Florenţa. Ezio trăieşte viaţa din plin: îmbrăţişează riscul, nu se gândeşte la consecinţe sau la cât de mult afectează escapadele sale reputaţia familiei Auditori, însă, dacă luăm în considerare adevărul, şi anume că aşchia nu sare departe de trunchi, poate e greşit să ne facem griji cu privire la ce vor spune vecinii sau nobilii din Florenţa.
Trădat de cei pe care îi considera prieteni şi aliaţi, Ezio este obligat să se maturizeze la o vârstă fragedă şi să aibă grijă de familia sa. Acum, are un singur ideal în viaţă: să se răzbune şi să îi ucidă pe vinovaţi. La început, el pare să nege ceea ce s-a întâmplat, ororile la care a fost martor. Se pierde în antrenamente şi în misiuni de cercetare, se ascunde de trecut, de tânărul lipsit de griji, ce le vizita pe înserat pe curtezane şi se bătea cu pumnii, cu pietrele şi cu pumnalele cu oricine îndrăznea să-l provoace sau să-l contrazică.
„Pentru un moment, respirând greu, Ezio rămase pe loc, respirând în liniştea subtilă care urmă atacului. Era prima oară în viaţa lui când omora pe cineva... sau nu era chiar aşa, deoarece simţea o altă viaţă, mult mai vastă înăuntrul lui, o viaţă care părea să aibă ani de experienţă într-ale morţii. Senzaţia îl sperie. Noaptea aceasta îl făcuse să se maturizeze brusc - dar această nouă senzaţie părea să trezească o forţă întunecată din adâncul lui.”
Destinul lui Ezio nu este definit prin crimele săvârşite sau prin dreptatea căutată (uneori) orbeşte. Pentru a-i ucide pe vinovaţi, pentru a se infiltra în mijlocul familiilor nobile, pentru a le afla secretele şi planurile, are nevoie de ochi şi de urechi, de noi prieteni şi de noi aliaţi. Încrederea este o monedă de schimb pentru un asasin, preţioasă, de o valoare inestimabilă, greu de câştigat şi de menţinut. Însă nu imposibil de obţinut.
Aş vrea să vă vorbesc despre toate personajele, despre toţi cei care au un rol decisiv în formarea lui Ezio ca asasin, conducător şi anti-erou, dar aş scrie o nuvelă şi mă îndoiesc că aţi avea răbdare să o citiţi. Grupul format în jurul protagonistului este extraordinar de complex: curtezane, mercenari, hoţi, lideri politici, inventatori, artişti, fiecare având un rol clar stabilit.
Fiecare personaj este o piesă din puzzle-ul final (o pagină din Codex, pentru cunoscători), un element fără de care misiunea Asasinilor nu ar putea să fie îndeplinită. Diversitatea lor, indiferent de forma căutată, ca înfăţişare, talent, sursă de informaţii, se propagă în rolurile acceptate în urmă cu mult timp, când au depus un jurământ sacru, pentru protejarea omenirii şi înfrângerea Templierilor.
September 13, 2015
I'm sure I would have reviewed this differently if I hadn't played the games. As it is, the bulk of this book is simply a retelling of the events that happened in Assassin's Creed II and some of the memories in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, and having played those, reading the book after the fact proved to be a vastly inferior experience.
This is why I don't usually read direct novelizations of movies or games, etc (with the exception of Star Wars: Ep. 1-6, but that's more about collecting the hardcovers more than anything). Why bother, when it's usually so much more satisfying to play the original video game, especially in the case of the action/adventure-oriented AC series? When I read video game tie-in novels, I expect more than just a rehash of events; I expect additions to the lore or the setting, even if they have to focus on other characters. Think the Mass Effect series or the Dragon Age series.
Otherwise, this book was relatively well-written. Oliver Bowden does a good job bringing the story to life with words, though the pacing felt a bit off. However, I can't fault the author much for story or plot decisions, as I'm guessing he had to stay as faithful as he could to game (another downside of direct novelizations), not to mention likely deal with a multitude of restrictions from Ubisoft.
My opinion? Skip this if you've played the game. Though, I have to say after reading this, I've gained a deeper appreciation for video-game storytelling. The industry has certainly come a long way in this regard, when the events of a game can actually be adapted into a realistic, legitimate and more than acceptable full-length novel.
This is why I don't usually read direct novelizations of movies or games, etc (with the exception of Star Wars: Ep. 1-6, but that's more about collecting the hardcovers more than anything). Why bother, when it's usually so much more satisfying to play the original video game, especially in the case of the action/adventure-oriented AC series? When I read video game tie-in novels, I expect more than just a rehash of events; I expect additions to the lore or the setting, even if they have to focus on other characters. Think the Mass Effect series or the Dragon Age series.
Otherwise, this book was relatively well-written. Oliver Bowden does a good job bringing the story to life with words, though the pacing felt a bit off. However, I can't fault the author much for story or plot decisions, as I'm guessing he had to stay as faithful as he could to game (another downside of direct novelizations), not to mention likely deal with a multitude of restrictions from Ubisoft.
My opinion? Skip this if you've played the game. Though, I have to say after reading this, I've gained a deeper appreciation for video-game storytelling. The industry has certainly come a long way in this regard, when the events of a game can actually be adapted into a realistic, legitimate and more than acceptable full-length novel.
January 25, 2018
Perskaičiau ir likau nesupratęs: tai ar vistik čia buvo knyga, ar scenarijus?
Iš tikro, kaip greitas ir veiksmo kupinas skaitalas, "Renesansas" man visai patiko. Idėja ir fabula visai neblogos, pagrindinis herojus toks pozityvus, kad beveik nebe anti-herojus, padorus kiekis istorinių faktų ir/ar personažų tikrai nemaišo, na ir apskritai aš esu iš tų žmonių, kuriems Italija - visada gera idėja.
Kita vertus, daug kartų esu akcentavęs, jog esu greito tempo ir siužeto vystymo šalininkas (nors tam tikromis sąlygomis ir aplinkybėmis, aišku, ir lėtas siūlo vyniojimas yra labiau pliusas, nei trūkumas), tačiau Asasinų Kredo tempas buvo nepakeliamas - tai yra bandymas nubėgti maratoną, visalaik palaikant mylios trukmės distancijos tempą. Nekeista, kad dar nepasiekus distancijos vidurio, bėgikas jau pridusęs. Labai nevienodas ir pasakojimo ritmas - tai detaliai aprašoma, kaip nuknekcinamas vienas vienutėlis varganas sargybinis, tai dviem sakiniais nupasakojama, kaip Ezio išguldė pusę miesto garnizono.
Apie personažų įvairiapusiškumą ir spalvingumą net nepradėsiu, jie tokie tikri ir natūralūs, kaip Nataškos geliniai nagai - klišių ir funkcijų rinkinukai, ne daugiau. Nepradėsiu ir apie pabaigą, tik pasakysiu, kad esu tiesiog sužavėtas iki apšalimo, kaip per tris-keturis puslapius galima iš neblogo veiksmiako su istoriniais motyvais padaryt metafizinį supernatural'ą.
Bet nepaisant visos mano kritikos, knyga skaitėsi greitai ir smagiai, ir, nors net neabejoju, kad po pusmečio aš iš jos neprisiminsiu visiškai nieko, šiam momentui ji man visai patiko, tad 3* yra pelnytos.
Iš tikro, kaip greitas ir veiksmo kupinas skaitalas, "Renesansas" man visai patiko. Idėja ir fabula visai neblogos, pagrindinis herojus toks pozityvus, kad beveik nebe anti-herojus, padorus kiekis istorinių faktų ir/ar personažų tikrai nemaišo, na ir apskritai aš esu iš tų žmonių, kuriems Italija - visada gera idėja.
Kita vertus, daug kartų esu akcentavęs, jog esu greito tempo ir siužeto vystymo šalininkas (nors tam tikromis sąlygomis ir aplinkybėmis, aišku, ir lėtas siūlo vyniojimas yra labiau pliusas, nei trūkumas), tačiau Asasinų Kredo tempas buvo nepakeliamas - tai yra bandymas nubėgti maratoną, visalaik palaikant mylios trukmės distancijos tempą. Nekeista, kad dar nepasiekus distancijos vidurio, bėgikas jau pridusęs. Labai nevienodas ir pasakojimo ritmas - tai detaliai aprašoma, kaip nuknekcinamas vienas vienutėlis varganas sargybinis, tai dviem sakiniais nupasakojama, kaip Ezio išguldė pusę miesto garnizono.
Apie personažų įvairiapusiškumą ir spalvingumą net nepradėsiu, jie tokie tikri ir natūralūs, kaip Nataškos geliniai nagai - klišių ir funkcijų rinkinukai, ne daugiau. Nepradėsiu ir apie pabaigą, tik pasakysiu, kad esu tiesiog sužavėtas iki apšalimo, kaip per tris-keturis puslapius galima iš neblogo veiksmiako su istoriniais motyvais padaryt metafizinį supernatural'ą.
Bet nepaisant visos mano kritikos, knyga skaitėsi greitai ir smagiai, ir, nors net neabejoju, kad po pusmečio aš iš jos neprisiminsiu visiškai nieko, šiam momentui ji man visai patiko, tad 3* yra pelnytos.
October 25, 2014
DNF. I was advised against this, really. And the reviews were shitty too, therefore low expectations is maybe why I couldn't get into it. But you know, curiosity is a bitch (and so is this book.) I didn't like it at all. Don't read this, play the game.
November 28, 2011
I bought this book just because I love the game. I was surprised to see that the book was true to the game. The conversations is almost the same and the environment is described just as you saw it in the game. Bowden did a good job in filling out the blanks that wasn't included in the game and it was fun to read more indepth of Ezio's thoughts and life, especially in his younger days.
The thing I thought was strange with this book is that this actually is the second game, but it is the first book of the series. In the end, the book gets a little... Hasty? It seems as if the author didn't have enough time to finish writing the book properly. He doesn't skip events but he doesn't go into detail about them. It doesn't go along with the rest of the book in my opinion.
Otherwise I find this book really good just because it is based on the game and that it doesn't stray from the story. I like how he described the surroundings, the killings an the people and since I'm such a fan of the game I really appreciate how dedicated Bowden was to study and analyze the game just to write this book.
The book only get three stars from me since it kinda bothered me about the rushed ending and that is my favorite part of the story, otherwise the book was fantastic!
The thing I thought was strange with this book is that this actually is the second game, but it is the first book of the series. In the end, the book gets a little... Hasty? It seems as if the author didn't have enough time to finish writing the book properly. He doesn't skip events but he doesn't go into detail about them. It doesn't go along with the rest of the book in my opinion.
Otherwise I find this book really good just because it is based on the game and that it doesn't stray from the story. I like how he described the surroundings, the killings an the people and since I'm such a fan of the game I really appreciate how dedicated Bowden was to study and analyze the game just to write this book.
The book only get three stars from me since it kinda bothered me about the rushed ending and that is my favorite part of the story, otherwise the book was fantastic!
March 26, 2018
3.75 stars to be more precise
I enjoyed reading this book. I read it from the perspective of someone who didn't play the game or seen the movie. It reads quite like any fantasy book(without magic or strange beasts). There *is* a little redundancy but the repetition isn't that exaggerated, I think. It's pretty well spread out but I did think, "Ahh, I can see how this was adapted from a video game." as the setting of another one of Ezio's tasks/missions was similar to another one earlier. But that was all. Having not known it was a game adaptation I probably wouldn't have made this reflection.
The ending wasn't really what I expected. Thinking about it... I don't know what I expected! But it wasn't that. It seemed a little bit rushed too. But it's not enough to ruin it. It's still quite alright. Just not great.
It's worth noting that I was impressed with the number of characters that actually existed in real life! I love learning things when I read and this earns its place on my historical-fiction shelf.
Do I want to read the next in line of the series? Yes! Absolutely :-)
I enjoyed reading this book. I read it from the perspective of someone who didn't play the game or seen the movie. It reads quite like any fantasy book(without magic or strange beasts). There *is* a little redundancy but the repetition isn't that exaggerated, I think. It's pretty well spread out but I did think, "Ahh, I can see how this was adapted from a video game." as the setting of another one of Ezio's tasks/missions was similar to another one earlier. But that was all. Having not known it was a game adaptation I probably wouldn't have made this reflection.
The ending wasn't really what I expected. Thinking about it... I don't know what I expected! But it wasn't that. It seemed a little bit rushed too. But it's not enough to ruin it. It's still quite alright. Just not great.
It's worth noting that I was impressed with the number of characters that actually existed in real life! I love learning things when I read and this earns its place on my historical-fiction shelf.
Do I want to read the next in line of the series? Yes! Absolutely :-)
January 16, 2016
Ήταν καλό.... και θα το ξανά πω πως δεν το περίμενα.
Θα μου πείτε τι περίμενες?
Δεν ξέρω τι περίμενα, αλλά σίγουρα δεν περίμενα πως θα μου αρέσει.
Όσοι δεν το ξέρετε το βιβλίο είναι εμπνευσμένο από παιχνίδι... και να ο λόγος που πίστευα ότι δεν θα μου αρέσει.
Γραμμένο με απλή γραφή, χωρίς συγγραφική γραφή, η πλοκή ρέει ανάλαφρη και οι σκηνές δράσεις που έχει, και είναι πολλές, είναι δοσμένες έτσι ώστε μόνο θαυμασμό για τον κεντρικό χαρακτήρα σου αφήνουν.
Στο μόνο που με χάλασε ήταν ότι στην ουσία 15 χρόνια τα πέρασε λες και ήταν 15 μήνες. Παρολαυτά όμως μπορώ να πω ότι ναι... μου άρεσε και με ξάφνιασε ευχάριστα.
Αγαπημένε Ετζιο....!!!!!
Θα μου πείτε τι περίμενες?
Δεν ξέρω τι περίμενα, αλλά σίγουρα δεν περίμενα πως θα μου αρέσει.
Όσοι δεν το ξέρετε το βιβλίο είναι εμπνευσμένο από παιχνίδι... και να ο λόγος που πίστευα ότι δεν θα μου αρέσει.
Γραμμένο με απλή γραφή, χωρίς συγγραφική γραφή, η πλοκή ρέει ανάλαφρη και οι σκηνές δράσεις που έχει, και είναι πολλές, είναι δοσμένες έτσι ώστε μόνο θαυμασμό για τον κεντρικό χαρακτήρα σου αφήνουν.
Στο μόνο που με χάλασε ήταν ότι στην ουσία 15 χρόνια τα πέρασε λες και ήταν 15 μήνες. Παρολαυτά όμως μπορώ να πω ότι ναι... μου άρεσε και με ξάφνιασε ευχάριστα.
Αγαπημένε Ετζιο....!!!!!
November 4, 2017
Each artistic medium has its own specific ways of catching your attention, engaging you and transmitting its information. For video games, that's a lot of action. For books, it's the little details and insights.
Assassin's Creed: Renaissance is a blow-by-literal-blow retelling of AC II, the game. Which would be great, if it managed to act like a book, and not like a written video game. To explain the difference: if this novel were required to write about Leonardo da Vinci's painting sessions, it would say, "He drew a woman. Behind her, he made a few green swirls. A yellow brushstroke represented for a road. The woman's hair was a bit curly. He called it 'Mona Lisa'."
The games give you the impression that they're really well-researched. The setting and atmosphere are pretty damned amazing, for one, and the characters are fun; however, the book decided that it doesn't give a damn about the Renaissance, even if that's the literal title of the volume, so all descriptions, insights, details and atmosphere are nearly non-existent. Instead, they're replaced with endless action sequences which sound exciting at first and then become repetitive, endless, and boring as hell.
I'm very happy I played Assassin's Creed II, so that when my eyes lost their focus from sheer boredom, my brain could supply the details anyway, since I already knew every single detail in the story.
This sad abuse of a good story dragged on over 500 pages of blows, running about, then more blows and more running about, which sounded like someone describing what they saw the characters do on the screen while somebody else played a video game.
Unfortunately, it's less exciting to watch someone play a game than to play it yourself - and it's a lot less exciting to hear them *talk* about it. Which is what Bowden does, with little input of his own.
Final verdict: hellishly boring.
Assassin's Creed: Renaissance is a blow-by-literal-blow retelling of AC II, the game. Which would be great, if it managed to act like a book, and not like a written video game. To explain the difference: if this novel were required to write about Leonardo da Vinci's painting sessions, it would say, "He drew a woman. Behind her, he made a few green swirls. A yellow brushstroke represented for a road. The woman's hair was a bit curly. He called it 'Mona Lisa'."
The games give you the impression that they're really well-researched. The setting and atmosphere are pretty damned amazing, for one, and the characters are fun; however, the book decided that it doesn't give a damn about the Renaissance, even if that's the literal title of the volume, so all descriptions, insights, details and atmosphere are nearly non-existent. Instead, they're replaced with endless action sequences which sound exciting at first and then become repetitive, endless, and boring as hell.
I'm very happy I played Assassin's Creed II, so that when my eyes lost their focus from sheer boredom, my brain could supply the details anyway, since I already knew every single detail in the story.
This sad abuse of a good story dragged on over 500 pages of blows, running about, then more blows and more running about, which sounded like someone describing what they saw the characters do on the screen while somebody else played a video game.
Unfortunately, it's less exciting to watch someone play a game than to play it yourself - and it's a lot less exciting to hear them *talk* about it. Which is what Bowden does, with little input of his own.
Final verdict: hellishly boring.
January 2, 2021
این کتاب برای من کلی خاطه انگیزه چون از 13 14 سالگی عاشق سری بازیهاش بودم و این عشق هنوزم ادامه داره
از همون اول میخاستم بدونم داستان دقیق این قضایا ب چ شکل هستش ک خوشبختانه فهمیدم این بازی ها رو با کمک کتاباش ساختن و تهیه کردم و شروع کردم ب خوندن ک انصافا خیلی کامل توضیح داده شده بود مسائلی ک بین دو فرقه تمپلار و اسسین هست
ولی مشکلی ک وجود داشت اشاره نشدن ب داستان دزموند مایلز و همراهانش بود ک خیلی دوس داشتم عاقبت دقیق اونا رو هم بدونم ولی نشد
در کل اگه بازیشو دوس دارین کتاباشم بخونید و اگه کلا اشنایی ندارید حتما هم بازی و هم کتاباشو امتحان کنید، عاشقش میشید
از همون اول میخاستم بدونم داستان دقیق این قضایا ب چ شکل هستش ک خوشبختانه فهمیدم این بازی ها رو با کمک کتاباش ساختن و تهیه کردم و شروع کردم ب خوندن ک انصافا خیلی کامل توضیح داده شده بود مسائلی ک بین دو فرقه تمپلار و اسسین هست
ولی مشکلی ک وجود داشت اشاره نشدن ب داستان دزموند مایلز و همراهانش بود ک خیلی دوس داشتم عاقبت دقیق اونا رو هم بدونم ولی نشد
در کل اگه بازیشو دوس دارین کتاباشم بخونید و اگه کلا اشنایی ندارید حتما هم بازی و هم کتاباشو امتحان کنید، عاشقش میشید
June 30, 2018
*2,5*
October 10, 2017
Take it away, Lily!
For the first time in my life I was left to wonder which was worse: the book or the film? I didn’t have to wonder too long, though. They’re both sucktacular. So absolutely, underwhelmingly, astoundingly awful. I’ve never read anything so monotonous and FLAT in my entire existence.
The video game exists in a different medium, you’re probably too awed by the graphics and busy in fight sequences too worry or care about the story behind it. Or maybe it just all comes together in a much better fashion when you have the visuals but this book, dude, this book was so bad I gave up immediately.
To my surprise, the plot of the movie wasn’t quite as deviated from the book as I had thought. The Assassin’s vs Templars conflict and search for the Apple of Eden parts are there. The difference lies in the characters and the purpose of the Apple which is equally stupid and utterly ridiculous in both the film and the book. Like I said, it’s a very strong tie.
About the prose, imagine a beautiful and poignant verse being summarized/translated/simplified by someone who understands the surface but fails to go into the depth of its meaning. Imagine that simplification/explanation/summarization being read by a robot. It’ll still sound better than how this book is narrated.
It’s 500 frickin’ pages long and from the very beginning to the very end, it is sentence after sentence of bland, toneless droning. It’s all tell no show, all emotionless description that is so incredibly tedious it bores you to tears. Things like “killing with deadly accuracy” and “moving in the shadows like a silent wraith” and “he quickly dispatched his enemies”. GIMME A FLIPPIN’ BREAK.
And don’t get me started on how this godforsaken prose is made a hundred times more insufferable by the dumbass-ness of the plot. It’s based on a game and it shows. Our Assassin conquers every obstacle in his path, learns all skills possible, kills every enemy he’s faced with, just happens to overhear all important conversations that reveal all important things and whenever he murders his foes he sneaks a peek into their wallets and finds the missing pages of the Codex his Creed is trying to put together. Yeah, they just happen to keep the most critical piece of information both Assassin’s and Templars are after, in their wallets. ALL of them.
It’s damn MADDENING how convenient and simple everything is for him. And when you impose that on a videogame, it makes sense. That’s exactly how games work but translated into a book? It was not pretty.
I also took issue with the time passage in this book. Years and years pass, our main character goes from 17 to 44 and yet you wouldn’t know it until muuuch later when someone casually mentions it. I was always taken aback by that. Here I was, thinking that he was 19, when in fact he was 27.
For me, there was no difference between Ezio Auditore, the Assassin, and a guy who was killed in an attack in some city, for all the thought put into him. The book spans more than two decades and you still see no development. 17 year old Ezio and 44 year old Ezio are exactly alike. Perfect specimens, physically, psychologically and in terms of skill.
Near the end, when the Order of Assassins comes together to decode those incredibly complex Codex pages (it takes them exactly two seconds), they decide that after fighting for them for 20+ years of his life, making Ezio an official member of the Assassins isn’t such a bad idea.
Woah, woah, slow down there, tigers. Why such hurry?
There is an Italian Glossary at the back of the book, 70% of which comprises of cuss words. So this didn’t entirely go to waste, as I can say, very confidently:
MA CHE CAZZO!!!!!
February 7, 2017
It is hard to rate this book, because there are so many factors to consider.
I have never played or seen anyone play the game, my only meeting with the Assassin's Creed has been in the film I watched last week.
This book seemed like a mix of various things - sometimes it reminded me of the Three Musketeers, sometimes of the Da Vinci Code. The writing had its hiccups and made it visible where one quest ended and a new one started, but that was still fine, if we didn't look at the big picture. In honesty Ezio didn't know much of his father's work or what he protected and was supposedly be motivated by vengeance. But it didn't seem strong enough driving force to make sense and explain all the years he spent chasing something that didn't seem to be driving him.
Also I thought that the last part of the book was a nightmare, it ruined the whole thing. I think it should have ended in Forli. But, obviously, the game doesn't, so the author couldn't just remove that bit. The addition of the 'magic' was also a bit bleh.
Surprisingly though I didn't feel like the book was too bad, it was a quick read and well, I did enjoy the descriptions of Italy in times of Renaissance... And I will definitely look forward to my trip to Venice and Florence to see all the buildings Ezio climbed and ran through.
I have never played or seen anyone play the game, my only meeting with the Assassin's Creed has been in the film I watched last week.
This book seemed like a mix of various things - sometimes it reminded me of the Three Musketeers, sometimes of the Da Vinci Code. The writing had its hiccups and made it visible where one quest ended and a new one started, but that was still fine, if we didn't look at the big picture. In honesty Ezio didn't know much of his father's work or what he protected and was supposedly be motivated by vengeance. But it didn't seem strong enough driving force to make sense and explain all the years he spent chasing something that didn't seem to be driving him.
Also I thought that the last part of the book was a nightmare, it ruined the whole thing. I think it should have ended in Forli. But, obviously, the game doesn't, so the author couldn't just remove that bit. The addition of the 'magic' was also a bit bleh.
Surprisingly though I didn't feel like the book was too bad, it was a quick read and well, I did enjoy the descriptions of Italy in times of Renaissance... And I will definitely look forward to my trip to Venice and Florence to see all the buildings Ezio climbed and ran through.
June 1, 2016
I wanted to read Assassin's Creed just because there will be a movie and I am really excited to see it. However I expected something little different (probably a good assassin who will not kill innocent people, haha), I still liked it. A lot actually. At the beginning I had a little bit problem to get into the story, but after few pages was easy to read the book and I enjoyed Ezio's journey.
I find Leonardo da Vinci quite interesting and I hope, there will be more scenes with him in other books.
Few things I didn't like:
- So many italian words! It really pissed me off.
- So many people and names! Maybe it's just my problem, but I didn't follow the characters - who they are, what they did, why they died?
- I would appreciate detailed description of surrounding. Sometimes I couln't visualize it in my head.
Even if the story is not strong, I will surely read it again.
I find Leonardo da Vinci quite interesting and I hope, there will be more scenes with him in other books.
Few things I didn't like:
- So many italian words! It really pissed me off.
- So many people and names! Maybe it's just my problem, but I didn't follow the characters - who they are, what they did, why they died?
- I would appreciate detailed description of surrounding. Sometimes I couln't visualize it in my head.
Even if the story is not strong, I will surely read it again.
June 29, 2021
It fun was because I could revive the scenes from the game while I was reading it. The plot wasn't particularly surprising, but since I like the story a lot it was enjoyable. The book can be kinda dull sometimes, but Ezio is a great character so he makes you just wanna keep on reading. Leonardo is my second favorite and we discovered a little about his sexuality in the book (not even mentioned in the game).
I still think the Italian words should have been translated, but they weren't that frequent.
I don't know if I want to continue the book series, even though I've heard the author's writing improve over time.
I still think the Italian words should have been translated, but they weren't that frequent.
I don't know if I want to continue the book series, even though I've heard the author's writing improve over time.
December 18, 2016
God, did it seriously take me over a month to finish this? Eh... Such is life. It was a bit clunky in places and got bogged down in its own detail and descriptions from time to time, but for being a book based on a video game this was very good. I loved the historical setting and the people Ezio met, from da Vinci to Lorenzo Medici to Borgia. And the fictional characters were wonderful as well - Teodora and Paola were two of my favorites :) It was fun trying to pick out which were the play-through bits vs the cut scenes from the game. Excited for the next book, and the movie!
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