Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade
General Info
| ISBN | 978-0-425-24061-4 |
|---|---|
| Author | Oliver Bowden |
| Genres | Historical Fiction, Adventure Fiction |
| Book Name | Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade |
| Languages | English |
| Publisher | Penguin Group |
| Release Date | 2011-06-20 |
| Number of Pages | 464 |
| Original Title | Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade |
| Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
| Publisher Website URL | https://www.penguin.co.uk/ |
Overview
We travel with Altair from his early years, after his tenuous rise through the ranks of the Brotherhood, to his most important clashes with corrupt leaders and the Templars. His relentless quest for truth, justice and peace takes us from the dusty streets of Acre through the impressive monuments of Jerusalem to the secret strongholds of the Templars. Exciting and insightful, The Secret Crusade highlights Altaïr's compelling nature in a way that games can only offer. It satisfies the curiosity of die-hard fans and attracts new readers with its intricate plotting, fluid plotting, and deep sense of historical authenticity. This book deftly wields the charming narrative sword that Assassin's Creed fans have come to love.
Plot
After the tragic events that led to the execution of his brothers, Altaïr desires revenge. He defies the Assassin code and relentlessly searches for the culprit, Robert de Sable. His impulsive actions lead to the fall of the Assassin stronghold of Masyaf and Al Mualim, the leader of the Assassins, demotes Al Mualim to the rank of recruit. This event marks the beginning of Altaïr's journey of redemption.
Altaïr's duties revolve around the assassination of nine main Templar figures, each a master in their own field, who wreak havoc during the Third Crusade. After each successful kill, Altaïr uncovers cryptic information that makes him question his true enemies.
Parallel to these events is the intriguing relationship between Altaïr and Maria, a templar turned assassin, which adds an engaging complexity. Maria challenges Altair's beliefs and slowly transforms from a prisoner to a companion, greatly influencing his quest.
The story also shows how Altajar went from a brash and reckless youth to a humble and wise master assassin, estranged from his son and the Order in his final years. Altair's legendary story is one of regret, retribution and redemption, a journey that reverberates across the harsh landscapes of the Holy Land.
Altaïr's gripping and suspenseful story, marked by intense conflict, enigmatic conspiracies, and heartwarming relationships, makes Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade a must-read for any fan of the Assassin's Creed universe. His relentless quest to wash away his sins not only shapes his character, but also redefines the Assassin's Creed.
Development
Focusing on the story of Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad, the book delves into his turmoil against the Templars and sheds new light on the events of the first game. The famous author of the franchise, Oliver Bowden, used a combination of compelling storytelling and careful historical research to bring the characters and the era to life.
The challenge was to balance the fast action of the game and find the essence of the game with the complexity of the printed word. The secret war between the Assassins and the Templars had to be portrayed realistically, reflecting the political, cultural and social dynamics of the 12th century.
In addition to revealing familiar and new plot secrets, The Secret Crusade expansion also revealed more of the history and ideology of the Assassin Brotherhood. This enriched depth and perspective served to perfectly match the book with the game, cementing its position as an undisputed great in the world of game-inspired fiction.
With a complex storyline and great attention to historical detail, the development of Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade pays homage to the enduring appeal of the Assassin's Creed universe, guided by themes of power, control and the eternal struggle for freedom.
Publication
The novel greatly expands our understanding of Altair, his thinking, motivations, trials, and personal growth. The author delves into these aspects and presents them against the background of the picturesque and stormy landscape of the Holy Land of the 12th century. This entry goes beyond the game's story and delves into the main character's relationships, further developing characters that players have had only a fleeting connection with. Secret Crusade takes its readers on the ruthless path of a dedicated assassin, from Altaïr's youthful arrogance, through his horrific fall from grace, to his rise as the respected leader of the Assassin Brotherhood. Bowden gives us a front-row seat to Altair's journey from inexperienced boy to respected master Assassin, describing how he understands the meaning of his mentors' teachings: "Nothing is true, everything is permitted." His mature interpretation of these words forms the core of the story, paralleling the monumental events of the time.
As such, Altaïr's story is not only an engrossing account of the conflict between Assassins and Templars, but also an exploration of personal growth and intent in the face of difficult choices. Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade expands the Creed universe with its release, making it a must-read for all fans.
Release
This tense novel also provides a deeper understanding of the dynamic and complex relationship between Altair and Al Mualim, the would-be assassin's mentor. Between the engaging story and the painstakingly recreated details of Altaïr's world, The Secret Crusade enriches the original story while still serving the purpose of a compelling novel. But it is not entirely Anglocentric; readers can also glimpse Altaïr's adventures in real-life historical events and encounters with authentic historical characters, seamlessly blending fact and fiction, an incredibly unique feature of the franchise. Readers interested in a deeper understanding of the Assassin's Creed universe should delve into this thrilling account of Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad's journey in The Secret Crusade.
Reception
Readers particularly appreciated Bowden's rich characterization of Altair, commenting on the intricate detail in which he explores the protagonist's inner conflicts and motivations. Bowden not only laid out the events of the game on paper, but also added depth and nuance to the story, fleshing out Altair's character in an emotionally compelling way.
In addition, fans applauded the book's action sequences, demonstrating Bowden's ability to vividly depict thrilling, heart-pounding and suspenseful scenes. Every jump, every fight, every kill of Altair is described to reflect the excitement and adrenaline that the game is known for.
Despite the book's many strengths, some readers have found that the plot frequently jumps between different time periods, which can be a bit confusing. However, most agree that this does not detract significantly from the overall reading experience.
In short, Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade was well received by fans and regular readers. It offers a deeper understanding of Altair's journey and successfully captures the essence of the Assassin's Creed franchise.
Cultural impact
The book reveals another layer of the game's history, drawing a lot of attention to the culture of the Middle East during the Crusades, which has always led to a greater interest in learning more about this important era. In essence, it is not just a work of fiction. It combines verified events of the past with a fictional touch and offers readers a taste of reality embedded in an artificial construct. Major characters from the game, such as Altaïr, become three-dimensional in the book, adding realism and a stronger connection to fans, perhaps even sparking interest in historical figures they might not otherwise know. Such depiction of history and culture broadened the reader's horizons.
In addition, the book contains chapters based on real life aspects of the Knights Templar and provides a unique insight into the Middle Ages, blending fantasy and reality to create a curiosity that goes far beyond the game itself.
In the bigger picture, Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade contributed to a better understanding of cultural history. The game raised the bar, and the books, including this one, raised it even higher, creating a sense of wonder and intrigue that mirrored the adventures of our gaming counterparts.