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Assassin's Creed: Last Descendants #1
Last Descendants: An Assassin's Creed Series
Nothing in Owen's life has been right since his father died in prison, accused of a crime Owen is certain he didn't commit. Monroe, the IT guy at school, might finally bring Owen the means to clear his father's name by letting him use an Animus — a device that lets users explore the genetic memories buried within their own DNA. The experience brings Owen more than he bargained for. During a simulation, Owen uncovers the existence of an ancient and powerful relic long considered legend — the Trident of Eden. Now two secret organizations will stop at nothing to take possession of this artifact — the Brotherhood of Assassins and the Templar Order. It soon becomes clear to Owen that the only way to save himself is to find the Trident first.
Under the guidance of Monroe, Owen and a group of other teenagers enter a simulation of memories they all share within their DNA: the 1863 draft riots in New York City. Owen and his companions will find themselves tested on the gritty streets of New York, and their experiences in the past will have far-reaching consequences in the present.
Under the guidance of Monroe, Owen and a group of other teenagers enter a simulation of memories they all share within their DNA: the 1863 draft riots in New York City. Owen and his companions will find themselves tested on the gritty streets of New York, and their experiences in the past will have far-reaching consequences in the present.
332 pages, Paperback
First published August 30, 2016
271 people are currently reading
3005 people want to read
About the author
Matthew J. Kirby
29 books464 followersMatthew Kirby was born in Utah, and grew up in Maryland, California, and Hawaii. As an undergraduate he majored in history, and then went on to pursue an M.S. in school psychology. For ten months out of the year he works with students, and during the rest of the year he writes. He and his wife currently live in northern Utah.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 267 reviews
July 18, 2017
RECENZJA FILMOWA - https://youtu.be/-xtJ4bMDk3U
Ta książka mnie mocno zaskoczyła.
Miałem już styczność z uniwersum Assassin's Creed poprzez kilka gier, chociaż nie była to długa znajomość.
Nie zrozumcie mnie źle - po prostu nie jestem raczej typem gracza, ale sama fabuła gier zawsze bardzo mnie interesowała.
Z tego co wiem, książki o AC Olivera Bowdena są mocno spójne z historią z gier. W tym przypadku jest zupełnie inaczej, co uważam że dobrze robi książce.
Dobra, idę nagrywać film bo się Wam tutaj rozgaduję! :D
Po prostu cały znany nam dotąd konflikt pokazany jest z zupełnie innego punktu widzenia...
August 16, 2016
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!!
September 1, 2022
3,5 stars
I liked this book more than I like the other Assassin's creed book series I liked.
11/08/22
Up from 3,5 to a 3,75. I remembered more than I thought I would with it being 4 years since I listened to the audio book last time.
I liked this book more than I like the other Assassin's creed book series I liked.
11/08/22
Up from 3,5 to a 3,75. I remembered more than I thought I would with it being 4 years since I listened to the audio book last time.
September 30, 2022
"Laa shay'a waqi'un moutlaq bale kouloun moumkine"
I don't know what higher power holds me from geeking THE FUCK out, but whatever it is, it does a terrible job at it. 'Cause I will... I LOVED IT!! I starve for a good Assassin's Creed story and this book delivers what I was craving! I haven't been this lore-crazy for the franchise since the reveal of Amunet in AC: Origins. Hey, do you remember what Assassin's Creed used to be about??? Before it fell in the same black hole that every multimedia franchise (like Star Wars, Harry Potter etc.) ends up? Well, I do because I'm here since the original game! AC is "Indiana Jones meets The Matrix", okay? What it was cool was that I could imagine getting inside the Animus and reliving the memories of my ancestor, MY ancestor, OR an ancestor that's related to the protagonist of the game. Remember Desmond Miles and how Ubisoft did him dirty because they wanted to milk their cash-cow? Protagonist goes in the Animus-relives genetic memories of his/her ancestor- reveals secrets and clues that play important role on the overarching plot in the modern world. Assassins vs Templars without conflicting ideologies is just noise. The excessive use of a hidden blade is like the excessive use of a lightsaber, it's like eating the icing and not the cake!
Well, I'm happy to say that Matthew J. Kirby understands what AC is all about. We get equally an interesting modern world and the setting of our "Animus playground" is the New York City draft riots in 1863. The characters are mostly interesting but what impressed me the most is Kirby's job of adapting the videogame material in literature form. It's adequate, not great, but impressive nonetheless. In the book we also got some firsts like: multiple people reliving the same memory through their different ancestors AND we experience (in a short paragraph but I'm still thinking about it) ancestor dreams that we catch glimpses through the Animus. Great stuff! Things that the games never bothered with.
So why 4 stars? Well, it's more like 3 or 3.5 stars if I'm being honest. Personally I want to rate it 5, but it's not a great book, or a masterpiece. It's a good Assassin's Creed story, a story that if you aren't familiar with the games I'm not sure you'll enjoy as much. And even though Kirby is a good writer there are some extremely eye-rolling moments in the book. Speaking of eye-rolling, the characters. Not sure if I like all of them, I surely find them interesting, but they are more on the "meh" category. In fewer words: the greatest problem with the book is that it has one foot in "let's say an interesting mature story with teenagers" and the other "oh teenagers will read us, let's virtue signal from time to time".
If you love AC, read it! If not, go play AC and then read it.
I don't know what higher power holds me from geeking THE FUCK out, but whatever it is, it does a terrible job at it. 'Cause I will... I LOVED IT!! I starve for a good Assassin's Creed story and this book delivers what I was craving! I haven't been this lore-crazy for the franchise since the reveal of Amunet in AC: Origins. Hey, do you remember what Assassin's Creed used to be about??? Before it fell in the same black hole that every multimedia franchise (like Star Wars, Harry Potter etc.) ends up? Well, I do because I'm here since the original game! AC is "Indiana Jones meets The Matrix", okay? What it was cool was that I could imagine getting inside the Animus and reliving the memories of my ancestor, MY ancestor, OR an ancestor that's related to the protagonist of the game. Remember Desmond Miles and how Ubisoft did him dirty because they wanted to milk their cash-cow? Protagonist goes in the Animus-relives genetic memories of his/her ancestor- reveals secrets and clues that play important role on the overarching plot in the modern world. Assassins vs Templars without conflicting ideologies is just noise. The excessive use of a hidden blade is like the excessive use of a lightsaber, it's like eating the icing and not the cake!
Well, I'm happy to say that Matthew J. Kirby understands what AC is all about. We get equally an interesting modern world and the setting of our "Animus playground" is the New York City draft riots in 1863. The characters are mostly interesting but what impressed me the most is Kirby's job of adapting the videogame material in literature form. It's adequate, not great, but impressive nonetheless. In the book we also got some firsts like: multiple people reliving the same memory through their different ancestors AND we experience (in a short paragraph but I'm still thinking about it) ancestor dreams that we catch glimpses through the Animus. Great stuff! Things that the games never bothered with.
So why 4 stars? Well, it's more like 3 or 3.5 stars if I'm being honest. Personally I want to rate it 5, but it's not a great book, or a masterpiece. It's a good Assassin's Creed story, a story that if you aren't familiar with the games I'm not sure you'll enjoy as much. And even though Kirby is a good writer there are some extremely eye-rolling moments in the book. Speaking of eye-rolling, the characters. Not sure if I like all of them, I surely find them interesting, but they are more on the "meh" category. In fewer words: the greatest problem with the book is that it has one foot in "let's say an interesting mature story with teenagers" and the other "oh teenagers will read us, let's virtue signal from time to time".
If you love AC, read it! If not, go play AC and then read it.
September 11, 2018
Deine Angst hat dir nichts zu befehlen. Aber kannst dir selbst sagen, dass du es schaffen wirst, dann wird deine Angst verschwinden.
3,25 Sterne
Dieses Buch ist unheimlich schwer zu bewerten und ich muss gleich zu Anfang sagen: mit Computerspielen/Konsolenspielen habe ich absolut nichts am Hut und ich habe diese Reihe aus dem Regal genommen, weil ich dachte: "Och, mit Assassinen kannst du eigentlich nichts falsch machen.".
Dazu klang der Text hinten auf dem Buch sehr spannend.
Der gerade erwähnte Auschnitt ist aus dem Prolog und wäre das ganze Buch so gschrieben, hätte es wohl beinahe die volle Punktzahl abgeräumt. Leider ist dem nicht so. Das Buch hat seinen Momente, in denen es nicht aus der Hand zu legen ist und es hat aber auch Momente, in denen ich mich mehr als gelangweilt habe. Dadurch, dass in den Animus- Szene jede Figur zwei Namen hatte, war es zwischendurch doch recht verwirrend, da ich mir irgendwie nicht alle Namen merken konnte und wenn die dann noch durcheinandergewürfelt werden... Dazu kommen viele Perspektivwechsel, bei denen ich nicht immer ganz mitkam und zwischendurch nochmal zurückblättern musste, um nicht komplett den Überblick zu verlieren. Gegen Ende ging die Geschichte in eine Richtung, die spannend werden könnte, ich hoffe nur, dass die nächsten beiden Teile weniger dieser "zu Tode gelangweilt"- Szenen haben.
July 16, 2022
You can read the full review also on my blog Book Notes by Athina
It is set in the Assassin's Creed universe that I love which is why I picked it up in the first pace.
It was a good book but I didn't enjoyed it as much as the other Assassin's Creed books. The story was good and it was executed good enough but my main problem was the fact tat the majority of the story took place in the present and not in the past, as I am used to by the other books. I prefer the Assassin's Creed books I read to be entirely in the past and not mentioning Abstergo and Animus at all.
That said I will continue with series.
It is set in the Assassin's Creed universe that I love which is why I picked it up in the first pace.
It was a good book but I didn't enjoyed it as much as the other Assassin's Creed books. The story was good and it was executed good enough but my main problem was the fact tat the majority of the story took place in the present and not in the past, as I am used to by the other books. I prefer the Assassin's Creed books I read to be entirely in the past and not mentioning Abstergo and Animus at all.
That said I will continue with series.
Want to read
February 23, 2016Looooooooooove Assassin's Creed so I definitely can't wait to read this one!
September 25, 2019
Pentru această lectură trebuie să mulțumesc cutiuței de TBR pentru că imediat după ce am primit cartea s-a nimerit să și extrag bilețelul cu ea ca să o citesc. Trebuie să recunosc că eram puțin sceptică atunci când am început cartea pentru că știu de joc, l-am jucat foarte puțin cu ceva tiiimp în urmă, dar nu m-a impresionat cu nimic. Am zis totuși să dau o șansă cărții pentru că nu se știe niciodată ce pot descoperi. Și nu îmi pare rău!
Am întâlnit în această carte o idee tare interesantă și inovativă. Este folosit ADN-ul unor copii pentru călătoria în trecut, dar din acest ADN sunt folosite amintirile strămoșilor lor stocate în acesta. Prin intermediul unui program, Animus, un grup de copii călătoresc în timp pentru a afla detalii în legătură cu un obicet ascuns în trecut, dar căutat în prezent de diferite organizații competitive. Nu știu cât de bine înțelegeți ce am zis eu aici, dar credeți-mă pe cuvânt că din momentul în care veți începe să citiți veți înțelege totul.
Încă de la început am fost prinsă în acțiune și pe tot parcursul lecturii am fost captivată de tot ce se întampla. Acțiunea a fost alertă și am reușit să înaintez în lectură destul de repede.
Nu mai știu cum era jocul, dar oricum nu vreau să fac o comparație pentru că nu cred că își are rostul aici. Am putut să îmi imaginez destul de clar întregul decor și toate personajele, atât pe cele din prezent, cât și pe strămoșii lor.
Ofer acestei cărți 4 steluțe din 5 deoarece am întâlnit și câteva lucruri care m-au împiedicat să ofer cărții rating maxim din partea mea. Pe întreaga lectură mă simțeam scoasă din acțiune de fragmente de descriere a unor lucruri care nu erau semnificative pentru evoluția acțiunii. Să citesc despre cărămizile unui zid, de culoarea acestora sau de cum au colțurile rupte nu prea m-a încântat. De asemenea, finalul a fost puțin cam sec pentru mine. Nu m-a lăsat mai deloc intrigată pentru următorul volum.
Recomand această carte tuturor celor care vreți să citiți o carte cu o acțiune alertă bazată pe o idee inovativă pe care nu o întâlnești peste tot. Mulțumesc Editurii Paladin pentru această carte și pentru oportunitatea oferită să dau de veste despre aceasta.
Am întâlnit în această carte o idee tare interesantă și inovativă. Este folosit ADN-ul unor copii pentru călătoria în trecut, dar din acest ADN sunt folosite amintirile strămoșilor lor stocate în acesta. Prin intermediul unui program, Animus, un grup de copii călătoresc în timp pentru a afla detalii în legătură cu un obicet ascuns în trecut, dar căutat în prezent de diferite organizații competitive. Nu știu cât de bine înțelegeți ce am zis eu aici, dar credeți-mă pe cuvânt că din momentul în care veți începe să citiți veți înțelege totul.
Încă de la început am fost prinsă în acțiune și pe tot parcursul lecturii am fost captivată de tot ce se întampla. Acțiunea a fost alertă și am reușit să înaintez în lectură destul de repede.
Nu mai știu cum era jocul, dar oricum nu vreau să fac o comparație pentru că nu cred că își are rostul aici. Am putut să îmi imaginez destul de clar întregul decor și toate personajele, atât pe cele din prezent, cât și pe strămoșii lor.
Ofer acestei cărți 4 steluțe din 5 deoarece am întâlnit și câteva lucruri care m-au împiedicat să ofer cărții rating maxim din partea mea. Pe întreaga lectură mă simțeam scoasă din acțiune de fragmente de descriere a unor lucruri care nu erau semnificative pentru evoluția acțiunii. Să citesc despre cărămizile unui zid, de culoarea acestora sau de cum au colțurile rupte nu prea m-a încântat. De asemenea, finalul a fost puțin cam sec pentru mine. Nu m-a lăsat mai deloc intrigată pentru următorul volum.
Recomand această carte tuturor celor care vreți să citiți o carte cu o acțiune alertă bazată pe o idee inovativă pe care nu o întâlnești peste tot. Mulțumesc Editurii Paladin pentru această carte și pentru oportunitatea oferită să dau de veste despre aceasta.
May 19, 2017
The first three chapters were kind of alright but after the 3 chapters, it became great. The book was great it had a little mystery and that's what made it great. I liked the book because it is about assassins. I would recommend this book to people who likes a bit of mystery.
May 20, 2020
Currently waiting for Friday so I can get my hands on HoO and ToA cause I re-read Percy Jackson in a few days. Thanks to Ema Sticea for borrowing them ^-^
January 7, 2019
After his father's death in prison ..Owen tries to find proof of his father's innocency ..
A very fun -fanfiction i'd say- assassin's creed story
A very fun -fanfiction i'd say- assassin's creed story
August 7, 2016
I received this as an ARC through work and having no finished it in a day, I'm honestly quite surprised I enjoyed it as much as I did. I don't mean that to be any sort of back handed compliment, rather my surprise comes from the not so high expectations for an Assassin's Creed novel.
I've followed the Assassin's Creed franchise from the very first game, from its ups (AC 2, Black Flag, and Rogue) to its downs (AC 3, Liberation, and Unity), and despite varying levels of the franchise's quality, it's hard to not get wrapped up in its wild, zany fiction: that mankind was once slaves to a race called Those Who Came Before (aka Precursors), beings that created what we know to be Roman mythology. When humanity rose to dominance after overthrowing their masters, Precursor influence and artifacts gave rise to two factions: the Templar Order, who believe in freedom through control, and the Assassin Brotherhood, men and women who see the Templars as evil. Both groups vie for power by securing artifacts called Pieces of Eden, seemingly mundane objects that have extraordinary powers.
Each Assassin's Creed game has a formula: the Assassin's/Templars uncover the existence of a Piece of Eden and want to find it to further their agendas. To do so, they round up someone who shares the genetic memory of an individual from the last that came Into contact with the Piece of Eden in some shape or form. In the games, it was Desmond Miles, the nobody bartender and son of an Assassin. In Last Descendants, five troubled teenagers are the keys to finding the latest Precursor treasure.
Their quest is set against a specific historical backdrop (another franchise formula element): the Draft Riots of 1863. When President Lincoln institutes an unpopular draft to conscript soldiers during the Civil War (which is the first time the franchise has explored this moment in history) five unrelated people, a cop, Assassin, Templar, two house servants, and an opera singer, find their lives intertwined during a tumultuous time in New York City. Now the novel doesn't explicitly say where it falls within the timeline, but it's assumed to be set after Unity because there are mentions to Abstergo's home version of the Animus, the technological marvel that lets people experience the lives of their genetic ancestors. Led by Monroe, an IT guy for a local high school, he rounds of Owen, Javier, Grace, David, Natalya, and Sean because they've previously inhabited lives that came with a unique Piece of Eden. Armed with troubled pasts, the teens bring their emotional baggage with them in their jaunts to the past.
What this novel does really well -- I mean REALLY well -- is talk about the user experience of the Animus. When playing the games, I always assumed that Desmond was taking direct control of his ancestor's movements and making conscious decisions. Not so, it seems. The Animus is really like Being John Malkovich. The user merely watches events unfold as they did and cannot act because the past cannot be changed. The user can try to influence behavior, but it fest chronicles them from the memory. It's a good way to explain away any plot holes. The only issue is with David, whose ancestor is displayed through extrapolated memories that make his interactions a bit more loose. Honestly, his existence is hard to justify in the story and the explanation is rather convoluted. I had a not so easy time with the back stories of the characters in general. They seemed mostly unnecessary and exist as a Means to give each kid some flavor. There is a little payoff at the end of the novel, but the open ended nature of the conclusion left me feeling a little frustrated.
The novel also pays tribute to its franchise. Frequent callbacks are made to previous adventures and Rogue gets some love (yay! On of my top favorite games in the series) with one of the Templars being the grandson of Shay Cormac, the Assassin turned Templar. Even with its nods and winks, the book doesn't try to rely on past games to tell its story, making it feel all the more original.
All in all, the Last Descendants was an entertaining enough popcorn movie of a novel. It matches the tone of the video game franchise, though using teens to hunt for Pieces of Eden seems a bit irresponsible, while retaining its notable hallmarks of building the central story around a major historical event (no celebrity-style shoulder rubbing with historical figures though) that was fictionally influenced by two battling secret societies.
I've followed the Assassin's Creed franchise from the very first game, from its ups (AC 2, Black Flag, and Rogue) to its downs (AC 3, Liberation, and Unity), and despite varying levels of the franchise's quality, it's hard to not get wrapped up in its wild, zany fiction: that mankind was once slaves to a race called Those Who Came Before (aka Precursors), beings that created what we know to be Roman mythology. When humanity rose to dominance after overthrowing their masters, Precursor influence and artifacts gave rise to two factions: the Templar Order, who believe in freedom through control, and the Assassin Brotherhood, men and women who see the Templars as evil. Both groups vie for power by securing artifacts called Pieces of Eden, seemingly mundane objects that have extraordinary powers.
Each Assassin's Creed game has a formula: the Assassin's/Templars uncover the existence of a Piece of Eden and want to find it to further their agendas. To do so, they round up someone who shares the genetic memory of an individual from the last that came Into contact with the Piece of Eden in some shape or form. In the games, it was Desmond Miles, the nobody bartender and son of an Assassin. In Last Descendants, five troubled teenagers are the keys to finding the latest Precursor treasure.
Their quest is set against a specific historical backdrop (another franchise formula element): the Draft Riots of 1863. When President Lincoln institutes an unpopular draft to conscript soldiers during the Civil War (which is the first time the franchise has explored this moment in history) five unrelated people, a cop, Assassin, Templar, two house servants, and an opera singer, find their lives intertwined during a tumultuous time in New York City. Now the novel doesn't explicitly say where it falls within the timeline, but it's assumed to be set after Unity because there are mentions to Abstergo's home version of the Animus, the technological marvel that lets people experience the lives of their genetic ancestors. Led by Monroe, an IT guy for a local high school, he rounds of Owen, Javier, Grace, David, Natalya, and Sean because they've previously inhabited lives that came with a unique Piece of Eden. Armed with troubled pasts, the teens bring their emotional baggage with them in their jaunts to the past.
What this novel does really well -- I mean REALLY well -- is talk about the user experience of the Animus. When playing the games, I always assumed that Desmond was taking direct control of his ancestor's movements and making conscious decisions. Not so, it seems. The Animus is really like Being John Malkovich. The user merely watches events unfold as they did and cannot act because the past cannot be changed. The user can try to influence behavior, but it fest chronicles them from the memory. It's a good way to explain away any plot holes. The only issue is with David, whose ancestor is displayed through extrapolated memories that make his interactions a bit more loose. Honestly, his existence is hard to justify in the story and the explanation is rather convoluted. I had a not so easy time with the back stories of the characters in general. They seemed mostly unnecessary and exist as a Means to give each kid some flavor. There is a little payoff at the end of the novel, but the open ended nature of the conclusion left me feeling a little frustrated.
The novel also pays tribute to its franchise. Frequent callbacks are made to previous adventures and Rogue gets some love (yay! On of my top favorite games in the series) with one of the Templars being the grandson of Shay Cormac, the Assassin turned Templar. Even with its nods and winks, the book doesn't try to rely on past games to tell its story, making it feel all the more original.
All in all, the Last Descendants was an entertaining enough popcorn movie of a novel. It matches the tone of the video game franchise, though using teens to hunt for Pieces of Eden seems a bit irresponsible, while retaining its notable hallmarks of building the central story around a major historical event (no celebrity-style shoulder rubbing with historical figures though) that was fictionally influenced by two battling secret societies.
December 4, 2016
Assassin’s Creed: Last Descendants.
By Carlos Acevedo
“Two factions have been waging a secret war for the fate of humanity since the beginning of recorded history, the Assassin Brotherhood, and the Templar Order.” That's was honestly the coolest quote I've done for one of these reviews. I will be reviewing Assassin’s Creed: Last Descendants by Matthew J. Kirby. If you do not know, Assassin’s Creed is a game from Ubisoft, (and soon to be motion-picture[fancy wording for movie]) where you play as a an Assassin running through the streets, but more on that later. I haven't really played all of the games that much, but I do have to say they were pretty fun, so I just had to get this book.
This book is about a boy named Owen, his friend Javier, and some other interesting characters you meet along the way. They all have one thing in common: their past. They all are near a time period where they can collect a Piece of Eden, a mythical magic object. They must go in an Animus, a machine that can take you through ancestors memories to find out, so the the Assassins and the Templars don't find it. With Owen also searching for answers on his father’s arrest, it will be a struggle. But if they succeed is the question…
So sadly, I was not as excited while reading this book as I thought I would be. It was pretty slow, but I'm going to start in order of what I think was bad. The beginning was pretty good, in introduced most of the characters and the plot. But when they get in the Animus was when I got let down. There were some somewhat unneeded romantic scenes, that do tie in a little, but do not need the emotion that was given. I also did not see a lot of the assassin until the end. I thought it would revolve around the assassin, but I guess the other characters needed some parts.
Now the good outlays the bad only by a little. Like I said, the beginning was good, and I loved the characters, especially Monroe, who is like the smart tech guy. He's really funny and cool. I also liked the action scenes when given. I also absolutely loved the intertwining with factual events. Really cool you get a little history lesson in a nice little adventure. And the ending, is really, really, good.
Overall, I say you should pick this book up. Don't be looking for tons of assassin action, like I said there is not much of it. So if you enjoy the Assassin’s Creed games, and historical fiction, this is a good book for you. Oh, I can't forget there is sorta some science fiction, and futuristic stuff, which is a really cool mixture. Find this book at your local Scholastic Book Fair, or library, or bookstore. They will probably have it at any of those. They might have it online, too. If you like that stuff.
By Carlos Acevedo
“Two factions have been waging a secret war for the fate of humanity since the beginning of recorded history, the Assassin Brotherhood, and the Templar Order.” That's was honestly the coolest quote I've done for one of these reviews. I will be reviewing Assassin’s Creed: Last Descendants by Matthew J. Kirby. If you do not know, Assassin’s Creed is a game from Ubisoft, (and soon to be motion-picture[fancy wording for movie]) where you play as a an Assassin running through the streets, but more on that later. I haven't really played all of the games that much, but I do have to say they were pretty fun, so I just had to get this book.
This book is about a boy named Owen, his friend Javier, and some other interesting characters you meet along the way. They all have one thing in common: their past. They all are near a time period where they can collect a Piece of Eden, a mythical magic object. They must go in an Animus, a machine that can take you through ancestors memories to find out, so the the Assassins and the Templars don't find it. With Owen also searching for answers on his father’s arrest, it will be a struggle. But if they succeed is the question…
So sadly, I was not as excited while reading this book as I thought I would be. It was pretty slow, but I'm going to start in order of what I think was bad. The beginning was pretty good, in introduced most of the characters and the plot. But when they get in the Animus was when I got let down. There were some somewhat unneeded romantic scenes, that do tie in a little, but do not need the emotion that was given. I also did not see a lot of the assassin until the end. I thought it would revolve around the assassin, but I guess the other characters needed some parts.
Now the good outlays the bad only by a little. Like I said, the beginning was good, and I loved the characters, especially Monroe, who is like the smart tech guy. He's really funny and cool. I also liked the action scenes when given. I also absolutely loved the intertwining with factual events. Really cool you get a little history lesson in a nice little adventure. And the ending, is really, really, good.
Overall, I say you should pick this book up. Don't be looking for tons of assassin action, like I said there is not much of it. So if you enjoy the Assassin’s Creed games, and historical fiction, this is a good book for you. Oh, I can't forget there is sorta some science fiction, and futuristic stuff, which is a really cool mixture. Find this book at your local Scholastic Book Fair, or library, or bookstore. They will probably have it at any of those. They might have it online, too. If you like that stuff.
January 25, 2023
Owen hasn't been right ever since his father died in jail for a crime Owen thinks he didn't commit. The IT guy at school has a solution to his problems with a machine named the Anamis to explore the genetic memories of his father and maybe how to prove his dad's name. However, when he gets more than he bargains for he goes back and finds a powerful weapon named the Trident of Eden, that single-handedly could rule the world. When two powerful sides try to get the trident Owen and Javier and the other chosen ones have to decide who to go with the assassins or the templars, their choices can be the ones to end the world or save it. All these characters that are in the book Owen, Grace, Javier, David, and Sean have separate lives and yet they are all so similar. All of them have experienced some sort of loss in their lives. This book was engaging and fun to read because it was so suspenseful and you never could imagine what happens next. I would recommend this because it is a new perspective and a new thing for me I have never read anything about assassins before.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 8, 2016
So i love AC.
Played all the games - loved them (yes all of them - no exceptions)
Read all the Oliver Bowden AC books - loved them all - no exceptions.
Excited for the movie - very much so.
Given all that though there was no guarantee I would love this.
I expect a very high standard when it comes to AC (and yes Michael Fassbender I am holding you to that)
In the end i did though.
It was different and it didn't hook me straight away but it did hook me.
The setting (like all AC) is modern and historical and was well written and very vivid.
The descriptions of New York in the 1860's were great and really captured the time well.
The characters are very interesting too and fall on both the Assassin and Templar side. I think this will be explored further in the next books in the series and really makes it an interesting plot point.Owen and Javier are central figures but the others are good too (I really liked Eliza as an interesting character)
The action really hums along and there are some interesting easter eggs dropped as well. Its AC so you expect it but it's nicely built up where you think it is going to be revealed and then when it is it's well done.
Overall it hooked me and so I loved it. I'm looking forward to the others in the series.
Highly recommended to AC fans or those who wish to learn a bit more before the movie comes. It would be a nice entry point for newbies as it does explain a bit of the background.
Played all the games - loved them (yes all of them - no exceptions)
Read all the Oliver Bowden AC books - loved them all - no exceptions.
Excited for the movie - very much so.
Given all that though there was no guarantee I would love this.
I expect a very high standard when it comes to AC (and yes Michael Fassbender I am holding you to that)
In the end i did though.
It was different and it didn't hook me straight away but it did hook me.
The setting (like all AC) is modern and historical and was well written and very vivid.
The descriptions of New York in the 1860's were great and really captured the time well.
The characters are very interesting too and fall on both the Assassin and Templar side. I think this will be explored further in the next books in the series and really makes it an interesting plot point.Owen and Javier are central figures but the others are good too (I really liked Eliza as an interesting character)
The action really hums along and there are some interesting easter eggs dropped as well. Its AC so you expect it but it's nicely built up where you think it is going to be revealed and then when it is it's well done.
Overall it hooked me and so I loved it. I'm looking forward to the others in the series.
Highly recommended to AC fans or those who wish to learn a bit more before the movie comes. It would be a nice entry point for newbies as it does explain a bit of the background.
Read
December 14, 2016I really thought this book would be the best book I have ever read, its about this kid Owen who wants to figure out how his dad got accused of robbing a bank, he try's to go back in time through a simulation but he cant. Monroe, the owner of the device found a Peice of Eden, a powerful object. He groups up kids to use the simulation to find where it ended up.
I really liked this book... in the beginning I thought it would be like the games, but when I read more it wasn't. They stayed in the same place and never explored, this book made me fell annoyed because when they could of explored... they didn't. At some parts it was like the game but not as much as I hoped. Near the end it got better but really didn't end in the way I wanted it to. This book isnt like any other book i have read. People that play the game might like this book but for some of the players, they would be disappointed.
I really liked this book... in the beginning I thought it would be like the games, but when I read more it wasn't. They stayed in the same place and never explored, this book made me fell annoyed because when they could of explored... they didn't. At some parts it was like the game but not as much as I hoped. Near the end it got better but really didn't end in the way I wanted it to. This book isnt like any other book i have read. People that play the game might like this book but for some of the players, they would be disappointed.
February 28, 2017
Last Descendents is a book leeding into the mind set of Owen, a boy weeping over his fathers death in prison, seeking for answers while in the help of Monroe, the IT guy at his school. Along with a couple of other friends. They journey into a machine called the Animus, a machine that can make you live the memuries of your ansesters. Owen goes into New York 1848 with his friends trying to get the artifact they came for before the Templars and the Assassins. Will Owen find the truth to his fathers death, or will Owen go down in history. Literally.
I recommend this book to advencherers because it has lots of action and advencher as well as mixed genres too. I overall liked this book and I'm looking forward to the sequel. 8/10
I recommend this book to advencherers because it has lots of action and advencher as well as mixed genres too. I overall liked this book and I'm looking forward to the sequel. 8/10
February 10, 2018
2 Stars
A fairly unimpressive expansion to the Assassin's Creed universe. The writing is simplistic and the characters barely have any depth to them. There's also too many characters and the story backtracks often to incorporate them all, which throws off the pacing.
A fairly unimpressive expansion to the Assassin's Creed universe. The writing is simplistic and the characters barely have any depth to them. There's also too many characters and the story backtracks often to incorporate them all, which throws off the pacing.
November 7, 2018
Thought I wrote a review on this one already?! Read this one with the kid, figured it'd be assassiny and and YA-ish. Turns out it was a little more techno-punky, social, and 1850's Boss Tweedy then I'd have thought.
The good and bad of it is really the same thing. A lot of the book required explanation for the kid - I mean, I had to go and re-familiarize myself again with some of the material. Assassins creed is like that, of course, but in a 320 page largish print volume, and less then 50% of that actually happening in the 1850's, it's not like there was a lot of background to work with.
Then there was the time appropriate racism - realistic, also required a lot of explanations. I don't even think the kid knew the N- word before this. Some of it twas a little tough to read.
Maybe it's geared for an older group... maybe Scholastic shouldn't have been selling it at a school book fair... maybe it was perfect and while the book took a hit in enjoyment it ended up with me and the kid actually talking about important things. I don't even know.
I guess my take on it is that if I were going to rate this purely on "effectiveness" or like, if I were a teacher and wanted to push the envelope with my class... it gets 5 stars. Like, Lit class and History class - middle school, co-opping with this book to mix fiction and history - that'd be cool.
But for a YA book, I think it's asking a lot. Ignoring that - it's lacking in Assassiny goodness - there's only like two real pitched scenes and they're both broken up between points of view. At last for us - it was a little hard to sink our teeth into. If not YA - it's simply not written at a low bar, and a poor installment for the series as a whole.
We're reading book 2 - Tomb of Kahn - so book 1 passed muster. Just, lost on who the audience was, what the point of the book is, really, whats even the point other then finding parts of this new artifact (which none of the main characters even care about!!! Maybe that's what kills it to some extent)
The good and bad of it is really the same thing. A lot of the book required explanation for the kid - I mean, I had to go and re-familiarize myself again with some of the material. Assassins creed is like that, of course, but in a 320 page largish print volume, and less then 50% of that actually happening in the 1850's, it's not like there was a lot of background to work with.
Then there was the time appropriate racism - realistic, also required a lot of explanations. I don't even think the kid knew the N- word before this. Some of it twas a little tough to read.
Maybe it's geared for an older group... maybe Scholastic shouldn't have been selling it at a school book fair... maybe it was perfect and while the book took a hit in enjoyment it ended up with me and the kid actually talking about important things. I don't even know.
I guess my take on it is that if I were going to rate this purely on "effectiveness" or like, if I were a teacher and wanted to push the envelope with my class... it gets 5 stars. Like, Lit class and History class - middle school, co-opping with this book to mix fiction and history - that'd be cool.
But for a YA book, I think it's asking a lot. Ignoring that - it's lacking in Assassiny goodness - there's only like two real pitched scenes and they're both broken up between points of view. At last for us - it was a little hard to sink our teeth into. If not YA - it's simply not written at a low bar, and a poor installment for the series as a whole.
We're reading book 2 - Tomb of Kahn - so book 1 passed muster. Just, lost on who the audience was, what the point of the book is, really, whats even the point other then finding parts of this new artifact (which none of the main characters even care about!!! Maybe that's what kills it to some extent)
February 24, 2021
For a different and new branch of the Assassin's Creed story, I wasn't sure where it was gonna go, but I'm happy with where it went so far. I found myself engaged with the main story that the animus had to tell. I enjoyed the different viewpoints each character provided to help tell the whole story. The book is pretty friendly to people who are new to Assassin's Creed and yet rewards loyal fans of the games by inserting several references throughout, which I had a lot of fun finding.
One detail I really enjoyed was the detailed descriptions of basic animus interactions that are glossed over in the games, like the reason for having a memory corridor, where your mind goes when experiencing the memories of an ancestor first-hand, and the discomfort of desynchronization. One other detail really piqued my interest as it explains a hidden possible misconception (not mentioned in the games) involving the available range of DNA-sequenced memories of ancestors that I never thought of before, and it makes complete sense to add it in the story. However, as welcome as that detail was for my nerdy self, it also served as a way to make one aspect of the story rather predictable. Regardless, it was a fun and engaging read for me, and I look forward to reading the books that follow.
One detail I really enjoyed was the detailed descriptions of basic animus interactions that are glossed over in the games, like the reason for having a memory corridor, where your mind goes when experiencing the memories of an ancestor first-hand, and the discomfort of desynchronization. One other detail really piqued my interest as it explains a hidden possible misconception (not mentioned in the games) involving the available range of DNA-sequenced memories of ancestors that I never thought of before, and it makes complete sense to add it in the story. However, as welcome as that detail was for my nerdy self, it also served as a way to make one aspect of the story rather predictable. Regardless, it was a fun and engaging read for me, and I look forward to reading the books that follow.
December 16, 2021
De cealaltă parte a mesei, cu redingota lungă descheiată, cu părul dat cu briantină și ondulat la tâmple, informatorul își drese glasul. Înserarea luase repede în stăpânire reședința din oraș și omul își golise farfuria înainte de a-și transmite mesajul. „Boss” Tweed i-o îngăduise, avusese răbdare. Dominația sa asupra New Yorkului se bazase întotdeauna pe ceea ce le putea oferi oamenilor, pe poftele pe care le putea ațâța, pe lăcomia pe care o putea manipula.
— E adevărat, spuse în cele din urmă informatorul. În oraș se află un Asasin.
Tweed sorbi încă o stridie sărată.
— Ai un nume?
— Nu încă, răspunse informatorul. Dar cineva se folosește de Reddy Fierarul ca să-i împiedice pe Bowery Boys1 să se-amestece.
Tweed își consolidase puterea până ce ajunsese cel mai influent om din New York. Controla mașinăria politică a lui Tammany Hall2 și, prin ea, străzile și voturile. Rețeaua luide spioni și de politicieni din Washington îl alertase deja în legătură cu prezența unui Asasin în New York. Se zvonea că Frăția intenționează să se folosească de războiul civil ca să treacă la acțiune.
— E adevărat, spuse în cele din urmă informatorul. În oraș se află un Asasin.
Tweed sorbi încă o stridie sărată.
— Ai un nume?
— Nu încă, răspunse informatorul. Dar cineva se folosește de Reddy Fierarul ca să-i împiedice pe Bowery Boys1 să se-amestece.
Tweed își consolidase puterea până ce ajunsese cel mai influent om din New York. Controla mașinăria politică a lui Tammany Hall2 și, prin ea, străzile și voturile. Rețeaua luide spioni și de politicieni din Washington îl alertase deja în legătură cu prezența unui Asasin în New York. Se zvonea că Frăția intenționează să se folosească de războiul civil ca să treacă la acțiune.
December 5, 2022
Niesamowicie wciągająca fabuła i naprawdę ciekawe ramy historyczne, nie mogę się doczekać aż w moje ręce trafi kolejna część i rozwieje wszelkie wątpliwości i zaspokoi głód jakie pozostawiła po sobie ta. Nie wiem czy będę mógł zasnąć, wiedząc, że nie będę w stanie kontynuować tej historii tak szybko...Przysięgam, że dawno żadna książka i przedstawiona w niej historia nie porwała i nie wciągnęła mnie tak bardzo jak ta.
September 14, 2025
Perhaps one of the reads this year I was the most surprised about!
Despite being a novel linked to a video game franchise (which can often be a bit average), this one was really good! The characters were compelling, and the different perspectives were diverse and gave a really thorough view of the setting. It was also very interesting reading about an event of American history that I'd never really heard of before.
This one is a trilogy, and I'm excited that I already have the next book.
Despite being a novel linked to a video game franchise (which can often be a bit average), this one was really good! The characters were compelling, and the different perspectives were diverse and gave a really thorough view of the setting. It was also very interesting reading about an event of American history that I'd never really heard of before.
This one is a trilogy, and I'm excited that I already have the next book.
April 2, 2017
I really enjoyed this as both an assassin's creed fan and a fan of sci-fi/fantasy works. It has a Animorphs/Digimon feel in the way the group are thrown together with only a few knowing each other previously
March 19, 2018
This genre is not to my usual taste, however I found the plot intriguing and the characters likable. In addition, I found this book tended to make one think, or at least consider the world, and its history. I’ll definitely be getting the next book in this series.
April 2, 2017
This was rough to get through. The characters were boring and there were so many it was quite confusing at times. I regret picking this up. Haha. I'd rather watch the movie! :O
August 27, 2019
Really good read this book at grandma Trish and grandpa Pete's house!
January 2, 2022
Truly did not expect to like this as much as I did
February 2, 2019
I'm surprised at how quickly I finished this book. Light, easy, and adventurous, this book definitely has a YA feel to it. It starts off a little slow and there were a couple things that seemed to develop all-too-conveniently, but when we got to the heart of the adventure I enjoyed the ride. I think even someone who has never played any Assassin's Creed game could still enjoy this.
September 28, 2021
Good beginning and plot and character development are also great. I was excited to read names and easter eggs or references from the games. This book is targeted toward the fan club but others will also like it. It needs some explains, like eagle vission, anamus, etc which others won't understand. The story feels like is like a move and not a game. There are a few changes/deviation from the games bit it's ok.
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