Assassins Creed 2 by Oliver Bowden 5 Books Collection Set - Fiction - Paperback

Titles in This Set:
The Secret Crusade
Forsaken
Unity
Underworld
Black Flag

Format: Paperback

Overview:
This five-book collection from Oliver Bowden gathers a rich cross-section of the Assassin’s Creed universe, delivering immersive historical fiction across centuries. The Secret Crusade opens the door to Altaïr’s earliest years and his perilous travels through the Holy Land, revealing the roots of the Creed and the moral complexities of its vows. Forsaken follows Haytham Kenway in 1735 London, where personal tragedy and hard-won lessons forge a strategist whose loyalties are tested by a world in flux. Unity transports readers to Paris in 1789, weaving romance, rebellion, and revolution into a tightly wound narrative about justice, identity, and the cost of choosing a side. Underworld plunges us into 1862 London during the Industrial Revolution, where a shadowy Assassin moves unseen through a city of steam, railways, and secrets. Black Flag closes the circle with Edward Kenway’s ascent as a daring privateer-turned-pirate, drawn into the long-running clash between Assassins and Tem plars. Together, these titles offer a gripping, accessible entry point for fans new to Bowden’s work and longtime readers seeking a cohesive, era-spanning arc.

What This Collection Covers:
Across The Secret Crusade, Forsaken, Unity, Underworld, and Black Flag, Bowden traces the evolution of the Assassin’s Creed mythos through distinct protagonists and historical backdrops. Altaïr’s mission in the Holy Land illuminates the creed’s early ethics and the toll of absolute duty. Haytham’s London-born vantage point delves into loyalty, power, and the shades between right and wrong. Unity foregrounds Paris during the French Revolution, exploring social upheaval, personal retribution, and the personal costs of justice. Underworld places a meticulous lens on 19th-century urban transformation, where technology and secrecy collide in the shadows. Black Flag invites us aboard a pirate-era world where adventure and danger mingle with a broader struggle for control of history. The collection emphasizes atmosphere, character-driven stakes, and the way each era shapes the balance between freedom and order, making it a satisfying, binge-worthy reading experience.

Book-by-Book Guide:
The Secret Crusade
Niccolò Polo serves as narrator to Altaïr’s early epic, guiding readers through a landscape of sacred cities, treacherous allies, and a young Assassin discovering the weight of his responsibilities. The narrative emphasizes moral choices, the formation of a creed, and the arduous path toward discernment in a world where trust is scarce and enemies are everywhere. Bowden’s brisk pacing and vivid historical texture render Altaïr’s story in a way that resonates with both game fans and readers who enjoy robust, character-driven adventures across ancient landscapes.

Forsaken
In 1735 London, Haytham Kenway confronts a world that tests every impulse and principle he possesses. A father’s murder, a sister’s abduction, and a relentless drive to protect what remains push him along a path of lethal decisions and quiet strategy. The novel explores the roots of Haytham’s worldview and foreshadows the complex loyalties that will echo through generations. Bowden offers a compelling, morally layered portrait that invites readers to examine how circumstances shape creed, and how even a skilled warrior can wrestle with conflicting duties.

Unity
1789 Paris becomes more than a backdrop; it is a character shaping desire, courage, and revolt. The narrative follows a young protagonist amid the upheaval, weaving personal losses with a larger social upheaval as the city buckles under its own contradictions. Themes of justice, identity, and the tension between public duty and private longing unfold against a richly rendered revolutionary landscape. Unity stands out for its brisk tempo, cinematic settings, and a focus on choices that ripple through a nation as it redefines itself.

Underworld
1862 London, the age of steam and innovation, sets the stage for a shadowy Assassin whose past echoes into the future. A body unearthed during railway construction becomes the catalyst for a suspenseful investigation into power, ambition, and the occulted pieces of history. The novel blends period detail with a noir sensibility, delivering a tightly wound mystery that deepens the ongoing battle between the Assassins and Templars while exploring what it means to fight for something larger than oneself.

Black Flag
Edward Kenway’s ascent from privateer to notorious pirate unfolds with swagger and danger, as he is drawn into the centuries-long struggle between two clandestine orders. Bowden’s narration captures the lure of the sea, the ethics of conquest, and the perilous choices that define a man who becomes a legend in the making. This installment ties earlier installments together with a pirate’s-eye view of the Creed’s enduring influence on the world’s seas, power structures, and moral ambiguities.

Who This Set Is Perfect For:
Ideal for fans of historical fiction and action-adventure who want a deeper, prose-driven immersion into the Assassin’s Creed universe beyond the video games. It suits readers who enjoy character-centric narratives across different eras, as well as gamers looking for tie-in novels that expand lore and context. The collection makes a thoughtful gift for collectors and book lovers who appreciate rich world-building, vivid cityscapes, and fast-paced plots rooted in real historical settings. It also works well for readers seeking standalone reads that form a cohesive multi-epoch arc when read together, or for book clubs exploring cross-era storytelling and ethical complexities in fiction.

Key Benefits:

• Comprehensive five-title set that broadens the Assassin’s Creed universe in one collectible package
• Historical settings brought to life through vivid detail and accessible prose
• Strong, stand-alone stories that also weave into a larger, era-spanning arc
• Perfect for gifting to fans of Oliver Bowden and historical fiction lovers
• Lightly dense with atmosphere and action, ideal for extended reading sessions
• Paperback editions that are easy to handle, lend-friendly, and durable for shelves

About the Author:
Oliver Bowden is the pen-name of a prolific writer whose Assassin’s Creed novels translate the franchise’s gaming lore into immersive historical fiction. He has been instrumental in shaping the narrative voice of the series, adapting iconic figures and eras—from Altaïr to Haytham, Arno, and Edward Kenway—into compelling prose that balances historical texture with brisk, cinematic pacing. Bowden’s work is known for its clear storytelling, vivid settings, and ability to render complex loyalties and ideological conflicts across centuries, making him a key voice for fans who want to dive deeper into the Creed’s world beyond the games.

Why You’ll Love This Set:
This set offers a tangible, cohesive experience of the Assassin’s Creed story across multiple decades and frontiers. Owning the complete collection lets readers binge through distinct yet connected narratives, discovering how each protagonist interprets the Creed and navigates a world in flux. The elegant paperback editions fit neatly on a shelf, making it a reliable gift for fans and a valuable addition to any literary collection that celebrates historical fiction and high-stakes adventure.

Please Note: The individual books included in this listing will be dispatched as per the original UK ISBN and UK edition cover image shown in the image.