Assassin’s Creed Heresy was the second AC novel I read, and it surprised me in a few unexpected ways. I wasn’t aware it had any connection to the Assassin’s Creed movie, so finding out it was a kinda tie-in genuinely caught me off guard, especially since the film itself was absolutely terrible. And yet, somehow, the book makes that connection feel interesting, even valuable. It also does something that really impressed me as a fan: it continues the modern-day storyline from the games all the way up through Syndicate. That storyline isn’t exactly loved by everyone, but I personally enjoy it a lot. I think it adds a philosophical weight and broader context to everything, and I appreciated how seriously the book treated it. The modern-day plot follows Simon Hathaway, a senior Templar working for Abstergo in London. Simon enters the Animus to explore the memories of one of his ancestors, Gabriel Laxart who fought alongside Joan of Arc during the Hundred Years’ War. Gabriel, as it turns out, was associated with the Assassin Brotherhood which adds a nice layer of internal conflict to Simon’s story. He begins the book as a firm Templar loyalist, confident in the righteousness of the Order. But as he witnesses Gabriel’s life and Joan’s role in it, he begins to question everything he believes. What’s so clever about this setup is how the book uses real historical mystery, Joan’s visions, her unexpected military genius, her rise and fall and reinterprets it through the lens of Assassin’s Creed. The franchise is known for taking real-world events and twisting them just slightly with conspiracy, ancient. Here technology, Joan’s Vision are Isu Technology, her sword is a Piece of Eden, the same one that appears in Assassin’s Creed Unity, and she herself has a very high amount of Isu DNA. But the book never completely strips her of her mystique. She remains powerful, independent, and deeply human. The Assassins support her at first, but it becomes clear that even they don’t fully understand her. Christie Golden, who I already knew from her work on Star Wars (and whose books I usually enjoy, except Dark Disciple. If you want to know why read my Review about that book), does a great job with the writing. Both Modern-Day and Historic Stories are compelling, and both characters feel fully realized. I especially liked how Simon’s slow disillusionment was handled. His admiration for Joan grows as he learns more about Gabriel’s life, and it starts to conflict with his modern role within the Templar hierarchy. That tension gives the book emotional depth beyond the usual lore. The historical segments are where the book shines brightest. Gabriel’s journey with Joan feels authentic, with vivid depictions of key battles, moments of doubt, and intense loyalty. Joan is portrayed with strength and grace, but also a tragic inevitability. You always know how her story will end, and yet watching it unfold through Assassin’s Creed’s unique lens gives it new meaning. Not everything lands perfectly. The modern-day arc becomes a bit convoluted near the end, and some of the final twists don’t have enough time to breathe. I wish certain parts of the climax had been given more clarity, and the resolution for Simon feels a little rushed. I think Heresy is a strong and genuinely compelling AC novel. It tells a standalone story that feels important, takes real creative risks, and gives one of history’s most iconic figures a new place in Assassin’s Creed lore. If you’re interested in the modern-day narrative, or just curious how the franchise would handle someone like Joan of Arc, this book is absolutely worth reading.

Als AC-Spieler gleich mal vorneweg: nein du läufst nicht als Assassine durch Frankreich und rettest Orleans im Alleingang. Dafür hast du als Beobachter den besten Sitzplatz um Jean d‘Arcs Geschichte zu verfolgen. Und diese ist, wie man es von der Story/Spielereihe kennt , sehr gut geschichtlich recherchiert und wiedergegeben. Natürlich sind Templer und Assassinen auch hier wieder kräftig am Ziehen der Fäden, die das Kriegsgeschehen und das Schicksal Frankreichs bestimmen. Da hier der Protagonist kaum ins Geschehen eingreift, könnte manchem Leser die Action fehlen aber das müsst ihr selbst entscheiden

Die Reise an der Seite von Johanna von Orléans war interessant, aber mir fehlte irgendwie die Action. Es war okay, aber für mich der bisher schwächste Teil aus der AC Reihe. Etwas mehr Action hätte ich cool gefunden. Das Hauptthema dreht sich um den geschichtlichen Hintergrundinformationen Jeanne D'Arc. Es ist mehr oder weniger eine Neuaufarbeitung um das Thema der Jungfrau. Historien Fans kommen definitiv auf ihre Kosten, wiebich finde. Vorteil: Meiner Meinung nach, kommen auch die gut ins Buch, die noch nie Berührung mit den Assassinen hatten.