Review: Assassin's Creed: Book 3

Assassin's Creed: Book 3 by Oliver Bowden

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Here we go then. This was, as I thought from the start, a preface, shall we say, to the new game and book coming out in November: Assassins Creed Revelations. It reads as the recounting of Altair's story by Niccolo Polo told to Maffeo Polo, his brother. It goes from Altair's experiences as a young child born into the order, his missions against the Templars (and the betrayal he faces in the wake of this), his return to the Order and his ascent as the Assassin Master. It also brings to light how the Piece of Eden, The Apple, was brought to the knowledge of the Assassins, how Altair learned its secrets and wrote the Assassin Codex, how the Codex was lost and how the Creed was brought to the east.



Another Assassin's Creed book knocked back and I am left feel at once satisfied and hungry for more. This books was a brilliant insight into the life of the greatest of Master Assassins. Released as a bit of a pre-buffer to Revelations, hinting at items called "keys" that, I can only assume, with feature as the main quest driver for the new game. The body of the book is, as I said, Niccolo Polo recording telling Altair's story to his brother Maffeo in his journals. In the prologue and the epilogue the reader is shown that these journals are being read by a Master assassin, <spoiler>later reveled to be Ezio Auditore whom is on his way to Constantinople in search of these scattered and hidden "keys", whatever they may be for.</spoiler>



It was exciting; each chapter left me wanting to turn to the next and learn more. Altair's story was woven so well, throwing up new twists when you felt sure that the bulk of his story was drawing to a close. As the final climax of the story built up I could not put it down: I had to finish it.

And not only was the storytelling engrossing, but the quality was much improved on Bowden's previous work. As always, some klunky writing was present, however the story felt like a whole. It felt like it had a solid beginning, a solid middle and a solid end, whereas Renaissance and Brotherhood did feel kind of like the end was rushed and tacked on as an after-thought. Not with Crusade; it was solid, steady, exciting, engrossing and satisfying while teasing you with enough information and tips about what might come, enticing you as to what the next instalment of AC might bring. I can't wait for Revelations now.



Very good read, if you're willing to overlook some slightly less-polished moments.



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Summer in the City

Nope, this isn't going to be a about Summer in the City; the huge youtube gathering that goes on in London. As much as I would like it to be...
Today, I spent about 6 hours in Norwich, which was really nice. I really like going into the city when I have no particular reason to because I can just roam and explore. Best thing about summer in Norwich? The buskers. Some of them are... well, I'll be honest, they're pretty rubbish to be honest. There was this one guy that was obviously homeless, poor bloke, and he had a tin whistle. Problem is... he could only play one tune, and then not that well. But we do seem to have a good crop of street performers. There's a guy who plays the mandolin outside Waterstone's, the guy that was playing the Hurdy Gurdy sometimes we get Swervy World (who are always good). Today I happened across a young lady, name of Jade playing down London Street. I heard her as I was walking up that way and really liked her sound (I have a real soft spot for female vocalists; if they're good, I can't help but listen). So, I propped up the front of Costa for a bit and had a listen, which was fine. But one of the thing's I found was... I couldn't stop listening. I just wanted to listen to her all afternoon. Before too long she popped down her Uke and waved me over. After thanking me from my patience and attention she produced a CD from her bag (which I can safely say, is really great).
A quick chat was had and, before long, I was residing on the bench nodding along to a few originals and some King Blues, Nirvana and Cranberries covers, done Ukulele stylee! Absolutely fantastic way to spend an afternoon; great music, fun company. :)
If anyone read this (and that's pretty unlikely) I would totally recommend you get to youtube and check out Myself Me Ukulele.

***

Today was a really great day; bright, warm, chilled out. I managed to get a little caching in, although I went for a couple that I couldn't find. Either there seemed to be nowhere for it to hide (i.e. the St Peter Mancroft church) or there were too many muggles, and seemingly drunk ones at that (i.e. Haunted Norwich - Maddermarket). However I managed to find Peace Pole and Isengard... which, technically, Gemma and I placed it but it had to be moved and I didn't actually know where it was). I was very pleased with how well we hid it; it's very clever. :P
I missed Gem today, it was weird, I was just sat in Mc Donald's eating lunch and I was just thinking "hmm. This is a really nice day. I'd like to hang out with someone. Gem would like today. I miss Gem. Hmmm". I could have done with her cache finding skills... :P

Overall; today was great. Great weather, great city, great music, great company, and I read a great book for about an hour in Chapelfield Gardens (AC: Renaissance).

Oh, and I found John Green's books in Waterstones. Yes, I left a note in one of them. It was cool.