Assassin's Creed
Entertainment | Historical Fiction | Sci Fi & Fantasy
Aconyte
01 Jun 2021
4/5
Netgalley
The Ming dynasty becomes a battleground for the Brotherhood of Assassins and the Order of the Templars in this blockbuster action novel from a previously unexplored part of the beloved Assassin’s Creed universe.
China, 16th century. The Assassins are gone. Zhang Yong, the relentless leader of the Eight Tigers, took advantage of the emperor's death to eliminate all his opponents, and now the Templars hold all the power. Shao Jun, the last representative of her clan, barely escapes death and has no choice but to flee her homeland. Vowing to avenge her former brothers in arms, she travels to Europe to train with the legendary Ezio Auditore. When she returns to the Middle Kingdom, her saber and her determination alone will not be enough to eliminate Zhang Yong: she will have to surround herself with allies and walk in the shadows to defeat the Eight Tigers.
“The Ming Storm: An Assassin’s Creed Novel” by Yan Leisheng is a historical fiction that delves into the Ming dynasty, offering readers a blend of fantasy, adventure, and video game lore. The novel follows Shao Jun, the last representative of her clan, as she seeks vengeance against the Eight Tigers after the fall of the Assassins in China. Her journey takes her to Europe to train with the legendary Ezio Auditore before returning to her homeland to confront her adversaries.
The book has received mixed reviews, with an average rating of 3.50 on Goodreads. Some readers appreciate the vivid world-building and the detailed martial arts styles, while others feel that the novel’s flow is hindered by its technical specificity. The characters are well-drawn, and the historical setting is richly evoked, though some believe the constraints of a gaming novel format may have limited the author’s storytelling potential.
Overall, “The Ming Storm” seems to cater to fans of the Assassin’s Creed franchise and those interested in Chinese history and culture. However, it may not fully satisfy those looking for deep character development or a seamless narrative experience. The novel is now part of a trilogy, with subsequent books also considered non-canon to the Ubisoft game series, which may affect how some fans perceive the story.
