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whatthehelliknow's review against another edition
adventurous
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
andys_readingtracker's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
rkiladitis's review
4.0
Owen is going through some rough stuff. He and his mother live with his grandparents; they were forced to after his father was arrested for robbing a bank and died in prison. Owen believes he was innocent, but that doesn’t stop his grandparents from badmouthing his dad whenever they get a chance. His best friend, Javier, has been more distant lately, so he really feels alone until the school IT guy, Monroe, invites him to use his device called the Animus, which will help him explore memories buried in his DNA. He convinces Javier to come along and make sure things sound on the level, and Javier ends up having a shared genetic memory in the Animus with Owen. Use of the Animus sets off some kind of alarm, though, and Monroe brings the two teens to a hideout he’s established, where they meet four other teens who have used the Animus. Monroe explains that the group all have roots in one (or both) of two ancient orders: the Brotherhood of Assassins or the Templar Order. There’s a precious relic that needs to be found, and their group is the only group that can do it through a shared genetic experience. The teens find themselves in the bodies of their ancestors, transported into the 1863 New York City, on the even of the infamous Draft Riots.
This is the first book in a YA Assassin’s Creed series, based on the insanely popular video game. I’ve never played Assassin’s Creed – I think I’ve mentioned in the past that I’m fairly inept beyond a joystick and firing button – but I love the mythology behind the game, which my eldest has played for years. Having a YA series that follows teens descended from the Assassins and Templars, going through different eras in history? I loved it! We get a look at the Gangs of New York-era Lower East Side through an interesting fantasy perspective, with some nice groundwork about the two dueling factions in place for newbies to Assassin’s Creed (I double-checked some info with my son as I read). Being a Gangs of New York fan and a student of Lower East Side history, I was thrilled to see how Kirby worked the gangs into the main storyline. The story flows through multiple perspectives, yet he keeps everything together so readers shouldn’t be confused by whose voice they’re reading, especially appreciated when characters are in the Animus and living through their ancestors. There’s great character development, action, and he doesn’t flinch from the racism that fueled the riots. The ending leaves no doubt that there will be a sequel, and I can’t wait to read it.
I’ve liked Matthew Kirby’s writing since I devoured Icefall four years ago. He creates great characters and skilfully weaves historical fiction and fantasy. With an Assassin’s Creed movie hitting theatres in a little more than two weeks, this is a book you need front and center on your displays (and on your holiday lists – we all know someone who loves this franchise). Put this one on your purchase lists.
This is the first book in a YA Assassin’s Creed series, based on the insanely popular video game. I’ve never played Assassin’s Creed – I think I’ve mentioned in the past that I’m fairly inept beyond a joystick and firing button – but I love the mythology behind the game, which my eldest has played for years. Having a YA series that follows teens descended from the Assassins and Templars, going through different eras in history? I loved it! We get a look at the Gangs of New York-era Lower East Side through an interesting fantasy perspective, with some nice groundwork about the two dueling factions in place for newbies to Assassin’s Creed (I double-checked some info with my son as I read). Being a Gangs of New York fan and a student of Lower East Side history, I was thrilled to see how Kirby worked the gangs into the main storyline. The story flows through multiple perspectives, yet he keeps everything together so readers shouldn’t be confused by whose voice they’re reading, especially appreciated when characters are in the Animus and living through their ancestors. There’s great character development, action, and he doesn’t flinch from the racism that fueled the riots. The ending leaves no doubt that there will be a sequel, and I can’t wait to read it.
I’ve liked Matthew Kirby’s writing since I devoured Icefall four years ago. He creates great characters and skilfully weaves historical fiction and fantasy. With an Assassin’s Creed movie hitting theatres in a little more than two weeks, this is a book you need front and center on your displays (and on your holiday lists – we all know someone who loves this franchise). Put this one on your purchase lists.
leslie_turner0121's review
3.0
I was excited to read this book since it was based on the Assassin's Creed games. It has a ton of historical places, times, and people in it just like the game. It was a bit slow to start, though, and the writing style was a bit more juvenile than I would have expected. I'm hoping that if the series does continue, the writing style matures a bit.
gjmaupin's review
3.0
You know, taken for what it was & what it set out to do, this was well executed.
meadowofravens's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
queens_flame's review
4.0
First off I would like to thank the publisher, Scholastic Inc, and hug you guys a million times for approving me for this ARC. I am a HUGE huge Assassin’s Creed fan. I love the games, I want an AC tattoo, like this is serious everyone. So when the book arrived at my doorstep I literally jumped around in excitement. And let me tell you, I was not at all disappointed.
I won’t lie, I WAS a bit skeptical about this book, a start to a YA AC series. The video game is just so well done, and so beautifully intricate and crafted with the mingling history and plot line that I wasn’t sure the book could live up to that. However, it definitely did.
Before I start gushing over how amazing this book was, I would like to say a few things that may creep out/push away readers who are not familiar with Assassin’s Creed.
I feel like this book only somewhat describes the history behind the Templars (who they were), the Assassin’s (who they are) that the video game goes into some more depth about. There’s really no explanation as to why they do what they do, more about their societies, so you’re kinda almost like why should I care? So all I can say is that I HOPE more is described about the Templars & the Assassin’s Brotherhood and especially where the “Pieces of Eden” come from. I still HIGHLY recommend this book to people who haven’t played the video game as it’s definitely an intriguing idea that Ubisoft has created.
The second thing was that there was how exactly these fifteen year olds get introduced to the animus. There is a tech guy working at their school who takes kids to his trailer to let them into the animus (the animus is where they go into their ancestors memories. like I said it’s super complicated). But yeah, this screamed a bit pedophile to me and I almost hope it doesn’t push away new readers. Things like this happen. Main character meets stranger in creepy place and yeah. Haha.
Alright now onto the actual review of the book. Last Descendants follows Owen, a young fifteen year old just trying to find the truth about his father’s arrest & death. He ends up trying to find answers through Monroe, the tech guy, who brings him into the animus, into the world of assassin’s and templars, and they try and find a dagger which they need to make sure doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.
Plot-wise, I felt that the beginning of the book was a little slow. After reading though, it was important so that non-video game players can get introduced to the world a little more and understand how everything works. However, as a player of the video game, I kept asking “when are we going into the animus to see these kid’s bad-ass ancestors??” When it finally happened though, it was exciting.
More characters were introduced later on, and let me tell you this is one diverse book and I absolutely LOVE that the author did this. We have Owen and Javier, Grace and her brother David (who are African American), Natalya (I believe she’s from Kazakhstan), and Sean who is disabled. Plus, one of these happens to be part of LGBTQ+. I won’t tell you who as it was a surprise (not for me, but it was supposed to be):). We’ve got a very diverse cast, with each and everyone of them having a unique personality. I love them all and desperately want to know more about them and more of their ancestors.
This series has a historical background, taking place right during the draft riots of 1863 when the kids go into their ancestor’s memories and live out what happened to them in the past to try and find this Piece of Eden. The Piece of Eden is a relic from the times before humans when gods ruled the world. They’re magical and can be used for the wrong reasons when in the wrong person’s hands. I loved the history, I love that the AC creators always tie fictional events to historical events. It makes it all seem real, even though it never actually happened.
Each and every one of the characters POVs interact in this animus and I loved watching everything unfold. My favorite part was the end though, when more information comes out about the piece of eden and how it’s only a piece of a bigger weapon. It sets up the plot for the next few books and I am BEYOND excited to keep reading.
It was a thrilling book in which once I hit a certain point I did not want to put it down. The plot thickened, more and more information. You’re never sure who to trust (cough trust the Assassin’s), who’s right, who’s wrong. It messes with your head but you fall for the characters and this first novel in this gripping series pulls you in making you craving the rest of the series. This is a wonderful series of those who like historical fiction, who like the present tying into the past, historical fantasy…it’s just an interesting world and I honestly loved every second spent reading this book.
Thank you again Scholastic for giving me the chance to read, and I will definitely be buying the finished copy & continuing this series. If you love Assassin’s Creed and young adult books, pick this up when it comes out on August 30, 2016 everyone!!
I won’t lie, I WAS a bit skeptical about this book, a start to a YA AC series. The video game is just so well done, and so beautifully intricate and crafted with the mingling history and plot line that I wasn’t sure the book could live up to that. However, it definitely did.
Before I start gushing over how amazing this book was, I would like to say a few things that may creep out/push away readers who are not familiar with Assassin’s Creed.
I feel like this book only somewhat describes the history behind the Templars (who they were), the Assassin’s (who they are) that the video game goes into some more depth about. There’s really no explanation as to why they do what they do, more about their societies, so you’re kinda almost like why should I care? So all I can say is that I HOPE more is described about the Templars & the Assassin’s Brotherhood and especially where the “Pieces of Eden” come from. I still HIGHLY recommend this book to people who haven’t played the video game as it’s definitely an intriguing idea that Ubisoft has created.
The second thing was that there was how exactly these fifteen year olds get introduced to the animus. There is a tech guy working at their school who takes kids to his trailer to let them into the animus (the animus is where they go into their ancestors memories. like I said it’s super complicated). But yeah, this screamed a bit pedophile to me and I almost hope it doesn’t push away new readers. Things like this happen. Main character meets stranger in creepy place and yeah. Haha.
Alright now onto the actual review of the book. Last Descendants follows Owen, a young fifteen year old just trying to find the truth about his father’s arrest & death. He ends up trying to find answers through Monroe, the tech guy, who brings him into the animus, into the world of assassin’s and templars, and they try and find a dagger which they need to make sure doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.
Plot-wise, I felt that the beginning of the book was a little slow. After reading though, it was important so that non-video game players can get introduced to the world a little more and understand how everything works. However, as a player of the video game, I kept asking “when are we going into the animus to see these kid’s bad-ass ancestors??” When it finally happened though, it was exciting.
More characters were introduced later on, and let me tell you this is one diverse book and I absolutely LOVE that the author did this. We have Owen and Javier, Grace and her brother David (who are African American), Natalya (I believe she’s from Kazakhstan), and Sean who is disabled. Plus, one of these happens to be part of LGBTQ+. I won’t tell you who as it was a surprise (not for me, but it was supposed to be):). We’ve got a very diverse cast, with each and everyone of them having a unique personality. I love them all and desperately want to know more about them and more of their ancestors.
This series has a historical background, taking place right during the draft riots of 1863 when the kids go into their ancestor’s memories and live out what happened to them in the past to try and find this Piece of Eden. The Piece of Eden is a relic from the times before humans when gods ruled the world. They’re magical and can be used for the wrong reasons when in the wrong person’s hands. I loved the history, I love that the AC creators always tie fictional events to historical events. It makes it all seem real, even though it never actually happened.
Each and every one of the characters POVs interact in this animus and I loved watching everything unfold. My favorite part was the end though, when more information comes out about the piece of eden and how it’s only a piece of a bigger weapon. It sets up the plot for the next few books and I am BEYOND excited to keep reading.
It was a thrilling book in which once I hit a certain point I did not want to put it down. The plot thickened, more and more information. You’re never sure who to trust (cough trust the Assassin’s), who’s right, who’s wrong. It messes with your head but you fall for the characters and this first novel in this gripping series pulls you in making you craving the rest of the series. This is a wonderful series of those who like historical fiction, who like the present tying into the past, historical fantasy…it’s just an interesting world and I honestly loved every second spent reading this book.
Thank you again Scholastic for giving me the chance to read, and I will definitely be buying the finished copy & continuing this series. If you love Assassin’s Creed and young adult books, pick this up when it comes out on August 30, 2016 everyone!!
alexisthecrow's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I love this series so much! Assassin's Creed is my all time favorite video game series and this book series is amazing 👏
mooluvs's review
3.0
I LOVE the assassins creed the assassins creed series and the other books aimed at adults for the series but I don't really think this series was for me. Don't get me wrong the writing was ok,i didn't hate it nor do I regret reading this book but I just don't feel a need to complete the series as I don't really care about any of the characters or the main modern story. The only two character I cared about was cudgel cormac and I only really liked him because he was related to shay (I like seriously love shay) however I am not exactly in the target audience for this series and I think that someone younger thank me or maybe a less serious reader would really like this book series.