The Assassin’s Creed series has never been just about high-stakes assassinations or parkour across historical cities. Its deep lore, intricate conspiracies and morally-complex characters make it one of the mostnarrative-drivenfranchises in gaming. While the games provide a firsthand experience of these stories, the novels expand on them in ways the games never could.
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Some fill in the gaps of a character’s past, others retell the events of the games with deeper context and a few introduce entirely-new stories that fit seamlessly within Assassin’s Creed’s historical playground.
10Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey
A Spartan Tale That Dares to Forge Its Own Path
The Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey novel doesn’t just retell the game’s story – it refines it. Instead of forcing readers to choose between Kassandra and Alexios, it firmly establishes Kassandra as the protagonist, bringing a new level of focus to a story that, in the game, allowed for too many narrative variations.
With no need for RPG mechanics or player choice, the book delivers a more cohesive and emotionally-driven tale of Kassandra’s journey through Ancient Greece. While the game leaned heavily into itsmassive open worldsand endless content, the novel trims the fat and zeroes in on the core story, providing richer dialogue and deeper character interactions.
Kassandra’s relationship with her family, especially the heartbreaking conflict with Deimos, feels more raw and personal here than in the game, where choices could water down the emotional impact. For players who loved Odyssey but wanted a more direct and character-focused version of the story, this book delivers exactly that. It strips away the distractions of side quests and lets Kassandra’s journey shine in a way the game never fully could.
9Assassin’s Creed: Desert Oath
A Prelude That Forges the Hidden Blade’s Future
Before Bayek became the Medjay-turned-founder of the Hidden Ones in Assassin’s Creed: Origins, he was just a young boy navigating the harsh realities of Ptolemaic Egypt. Desert Oath explores this formative period, diving into his early struggles, his relationship with his father and the moments that shaped his unshakable sense of duty.
What makes Desert Oath stand out is how it expands on Bayek’s character beyond what Origins was able to showcase. The game introduced him as a vengeful warrior, but the book reveals his innocence before tragedy struck, making his transformation into an assassin even more compelling. The novel also fleshes out the political landscape of Egypt at the time, adding layers to the world players explored in Origins.
For those who want to understand Bayek’s past before playing the game, or even after finishing it, this novel serves as an essential companion piece.
8Assassin’s Creed: Unity
Love and Revolution, but This Time With a Better Story
TheAssassin’s Creed: Unitynovel does what the game struggled to do: it makes Arno’s story feel complete. While the plot often felt disjointed due to pacing issues and its attempt to juggle too many ideas, the novel takes a more focused approach.
Arno’s journey from reckless youth to hardened assassin is given more emotional weight, and his relationship with Elise – a highlight of the game – receives even more development here. Elise herself benefits greatly from the novel, as it dives into her perspective, making her a more fleshed-out character with clear motivations and personal struggles.
The French Revolution is still a brutal and chaotic backdrop, but the novel doesn’t rely on historical spectacle as much as the game did. Instead, it focuses on character-driven moments that feel more personal and meaningful. Anyone who felt Unity had untapped potential will find the novel a satisfying alternative that delivers a stronger version of Arno and Elise’s story.
7Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood
A More Ruthless Ezio with No Time for Side Quests
Ezio Auditore’s rise to become the leader of the Assassin Brotherhood was a pivotal moment in the games, but the Brotherhood novel presents a sharper, more determined version of the character. Without distractions like rebuilding Rome or completing optional contracts, the book focuses solely on Ezio’s mission to dismantle the Borgia.
Unlike the game, which still showed glimpses of Ezio’s youthful charm, the novel portrays him as a man who has lost too much to allow any distractions. His grief over losing his family still lingers, but it fuels his relentless pursuit of Cesare Borgia.
The book also takes some liberties with the story, adding small moments that give characters like Machiavelli and Leonardo da Vinci more depth. It’s not a drastic departure from the game’s plot, but it refines the narrative in a way that makes it a compelling read – even for those who know the game by heart.
6Assassin’s Creed: Renaissance
The Story That Brought Ezio Auditore to Bookshelves
As the novelization of Assassin’s Creed 2, Renaissance had the tough job of adapting one of the most beloved games in the series. While it follows the same storyline, it makes several changes that give Ezio’s story a slightly different feel.
The biggest difference is in its tone. The book presents a more brutal and mature version of Ezio’s journey, stripping away some of the humor and charm that made the game so iconic. It also expands on certain moments that the game rushed through, giving more weight to Ezio’s relationships and personal growth.
Some fans found the writing style a bit too direct compared to the rich world-building of the game, but as an adaptation, it does a solid job of capturing the essence of Assassin’s Creed 2. It may not replace the game, but it serves as an interesting alternative for those who want to revisit Ezio’s story from a new perspective.
5Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag
A Pirate’s Tale, Sharpened by Ink
The Caribbean may be vast and lawless inAssassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag, but its novelization zeroes in on something even more treacherous: Edward Kenway’s personal journey. Stripping away the distractions of an open world, Black Flag refines Edward’s transformation from a reckless privateer to an Assassin, making it feel even more profound.
Unlike the game, where Edward’s character arc sometimes takes a backseat to naval combat and treasure hunts, the novel delves deep into his thoughts, his relationships and his slow realization that wealth and infamy aren’t enough. His bonds with historical figures like Blackbeard and Charles Vane hit harder when the story isn’t interrupted byside missions. Mary Read, in particular, benefits from this adaptation. Her layered dynamic with Edward is given more room to breathe.
While no book can fully replicate the thrill of storming a fortress or engaging in a ship battle, Black Flag succeeds by making its protagonist feel more fleshed out than ever. For fans who loved the game but wanted a more personal take on Edward’s story, this novel is a treasure chest waiting to be opened.
4Assassin’s Creed: The Ming Storm
A New Chapter in the Brotherhood’s History
Unlike most Assassin’s Creed novels, which expand on existing games, The Ming Storm carves its own path. Set in 16th-century China, it follows Shao Jun, the last surviving member of the Chinese Brotherhood, as she hunts down the Eight Tigers, a faction responsible for its destruction.
First introduced in Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China, Shao Jun never got the same depth as other protagonists, but The Ming Storm corrects that. The book explores her past, her training under Ezio Auditore and the political chaos of the Ming Dynasty. The result is a story that’s both deeply-personal and grand in scale, blending palace intrigue with high-stakes assassinations.
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What sets The Ming Storm apart is its fresh perspective. Instead of revisiting familiar historical settings, it dives into a part of the Assassin Brotherhood’s history that the games have barely explored. With its rich atmosphere, compelling protagonist and intense action, this novel proves that the Assassin’s Creed universe still has plenty of untold stories.
3Assassin’s Creed: Underworld
The Dark Side of Victorian London
Set before Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate, Underworld shifts the focus away from Jacob and Evie Frye and onto Henry Green, the Assassins’ key ally in the game. While Henry plays a supporting role in Syndicate, this novel explores his early days in London, revealing his struggles against the city’s growing Templar influence.
Unlike the game, which leans into humor and high-energy action, Underworld embraces a darker, grittier tone. The book explores the ruthless criminal underbelly of Victorian London, where the line between Assassin and outlaw is often blurred. Henry’s character, often overshadowed in Syndicate, finally gets the development he deserves, showing the sacrifices he made long before the Fryes arrived.
For those who wanted Syndicate to dive deeper into its setting’s corruption and intrigue, Underworld delivers. It’s a gripping look at the Brotherhood’s struggles in an era where Templars ruled from the shadows, proving that London’s greatest battles weren’t always fought in the streets.
2Assassin’s Creed: The Secret Crusade
Altair’s Story, Finally Told in Full
Altair Ibn-La’Ahad is one of the most legendary figures in Assassin’s Creed history, but much of his life remained a mystery until The Secret Crusade. This novel fills in the gaps left by the original Assassin’s Creed, chronicling his rise, fall and eventual redemption.
Told from the perspective of Niccolo Polo (father of Marco Polo), The Secret Crusade reads like an epic historical chronicle. It follows Altair beyond the events of the first game, detailing his struggles against internal betrayal, his efforts to reform the Brotherhood and his discovery of the Apple of Eden’s true power. The novel also expands on his personal life, particularly his relationship with Maria Thorpe, giving the Master Assassin a more human side.
While the original Assassin’s Creed focused heavily on gameplay innovation, The Secret Crusade strengthens its narrative foundation. By the time the book reaches its conclusion, Altair feels like a man who lived, fought and sacrificed everything for the Creed.
1Assassin’s Creed: Forsaken
The Tragic Tale of Haytham Kenway
Few Assassin’s Creed characters are as complex as Haytham Kenway. First introduced as the playable protagonist in Assassin’s Creed III, Haytham was one of the franchise’s most compelling figures – a man raised as an Assassin but ultimately choosing the Templars. Forsaken dives into his life, offering a perspective rarely explored in the series.
Unlike most Assassin’s Creed novels, Forsaken is written as a first-person journal, giving readers direct access to Haytham’s thoughts. The book covers his childhood, the tragic events that led him to the Templars and his complicated relationship with his son, Connor. Seeing the American Revolution through Haytham’s eyes is fascinating as it reframes the conflict in shades of gray rather than a simple battle between good and evil.
What makes Forsaken stand out is its emotional weight. Haytham is neither a hero nor a villain – he’s a man caught between ideals, duty and personal loss. By the end, his story feels just as tragic as it is captivating. For anyone who wanted to understand one of the series’ most morally-ambiguous characters, Forsaken is an essential read.
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