The Resurrection Plot

Assassin's Creed: The Engine of History #2

by Kate Heartfield

The conspiracies of the Templars reverberate across nineteenth century Europe as they seize control of the future, and only the Brotherhood of Assassins can hold them back, in this globetrotting adventure from Assassin’s Creed

Cairo, 1869. When a bomb goes off at the Khedivial Opera House celebrating the opening of the new Suez Canal, visiting Assassin Pierrette Arnaud investigates, only to uncover a plot to eradicate free will… To her surprise, her old friend and teacher Simeon Price arrives in Egypt on the same trail, seven years after they allied to stop the Templars in London. But there’s no time to reminisce as the Templars maneuver Europe and Africa like pieces on a chessboard, wreaking havoc on a global scale. As Simeon and Pierrette race to stop further attacks, they unearth plans suggesting a mysterious tower is the key to the ultimate Templar takeover… and with the puzzling Engine of History in their grasp, the Assassins might be outmatched at last.

Genres: Fiction, Fantasy

336 pages, Paperback

Published July 4, 2023

About the author

Kate Heartfield is the author of The Embroidered Book, a Sunday Times bestselling historical fantasy novel published in 2022, which was shortlisted for the Ottawa Book Award. The Valkyrie, published in 2023, is a retelling of Norse and Germanic legends. The Tapestry of Time, published in 2024, is about four clairvoyant sisters fighting the Nazis for control of the Bayeux Tapestry in 1944. Her Alice Payne time travel novellas were published in 2018 and 2019. Her debut novel Armed in Her Fashion (2018) was re-published in a revised edition in 2023 as The Chatelaine. She also writes interactive fiction, including The Road to Canterbury, and The Magician's Workshop, published by Choice of Games. She has published two Assassin's Creed tie-in novels: The Magus Conspiracy and The Resurrection Plot. She has won the Aurora Award for Best Novel three times, and her short fiction has been shortlisted for the World Fantasy, Nebula, Locus, Aurora, Sunburst and Crawford awards, and her journalism for a National Newspaper Award. Her short stories have appeared in Strange Horizons, Lackington's, Podcastle and elsewhere. A former newspaper journalist, Kate lives near Ottawa, Canada.

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to review this book in advance of its release. I really did enjoy this book! I have not read other Assassins Creed books but I have played some of the games so I was really excited to give this book a try and I am glad that I did.

This story feels like a small snippet from a larger story which gives the feeling that there is always more to come—like the games. This adventure follows the main characters of Simeon and Pierrette who are assassins within the Brotherhood and the Brotherhood is trying to stop/thwart the Templars. The Templars appear to have a plot to wreak havoc globally and take down the Brotherhood with the help of ancient artifacts.

I enjoyed Simeon and Pierrette’s characters. They are together in some scenes but for the most part they each have their own missions to carry out. The book moves throughout various areas such as Egypt, London, Paris, Russia, and others. The story also carries over a long time period and there are historical figures and events involved. So while the Brotherhood are trying to stop the Templars they also are fighting in an actual war in France.

I felt the pacing was good. I was never bored reading it as it moved quickly and all aspects of it were interesting. I enjoyed getting to see all the various cities and the politics going on in those areas. I liked all the characters in the book and their interactions. Simeon was a really interesting character and I loved getting his point-of-views. Spider and Konstanze were side character favorites of mine. I enjoyed the depth and tension they added to the story.

Would I recommend this book? Yes! Especially if you have familiarity with the Assassins Creed world—or even if you don’t but you like assassin/mission and political maneuvering books. I had a lot of fun reading this and I definitely want to pick up other Assassin Creed novels.

My only main complaints were the large time jumps, for example something drastic would happen (someone would die or a revelation would happen) and then the next paragraph would say “4 months later” or “___ years later.” It made it feel a little anticlimactic. My other complaint would be the unresolved storylines. The start of the book felt like the story was going to be about a certain artifact but then the artifact felt irrelevant later on and the problem with it never seemed to be resolved or addressed.

Other than those two areas, I really did enjoy this book and I would recommend checking it out!

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read many Assassin’s Creed novels and enjoyed them for the most part. This book is a sequel to The Magus Conspiracy by the same author (which I have not read yet) so I didn’t have the background knowledge of the characters, but I would say that it can be read as a standalone (though it does reference some of the events of Magus).

I really liked all the references to AC, from leaps of faith to hidden blades. It made me feel like I was inside an AC video game which was really cool. I also liked both of the characters and I was happy that Jacob and Evie Frye made an appearance. The story was fast paced and kept me turning the pages.

Overall this was a lot of fun and fans of both AC and adventure stories in general should enjoy this one.

[Amber The Ninth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Orbit and NetGalley for providing the eARC!

As someone who has read previous AC books, this was on point! I especially loved the two POVs.

As always, the tie-in with the video games is amazingly well done; hats off to Kate Heartfield for her adaptation of a great video game. An excellent novel for any Assassin's Creed fan or anyone looking for an action-packed adventure!

[Siobhain McCormick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Introduction
I was given an ARC to review for by Aconyte Books & Netgalley. My reviews are always honest and all opinions are my own. #AssassinsCreedTheRessurectionPlot #AssassinsCreed #KateHeartfield #NetGalley #ACtieinFiction #ARCBookReview #ARCReview #AconyteBooks #BookReview #gifted #ad
Review
Assassin’s Creed: The Resurrection Plot is the second novel by Kate Heartfield and follow up of the 2022 The Magus Conspiracy that was arguably my favourite Assassin’s Creed tie in to date. It is 1869 in Cario when a bomb goes off at the Khedivial Opera House celebrating the opening of the new Suez Canal. The visiting Assassin Pierrette Arnaud investigates the strange event only to uncover a plot to eradicate free will itself. It is not long before she crosses paths with her old friend and tutor Simeon Price who has arrived in Egypt on the same trail. But they have little time to reminisce about their adventures in London as the Templars manoeuvre Europe and Africa like pieces on a chessboard. Creating havoc on a global scale. While the duo race against time and to stop further attacks they unearth plans suggesting a mysterious tower is the key to the ultimate Templar takeover. And with the puzzling Engine of History in their grasp, The Assassin’s might be outmatched at last!

Wow what a ride this book is. It is almost non-stop and I have to say I read it in two sittings. Only because that pesky thing call work got in the way! I adored Pierrette when we first met her Magus Conspiracy and I can honestly say that The Resurrection Plot has cemented that love. Especially with her growing friendship with Evie Frye(another favourite of mine). Kate Heartfield is one of those authors that I feel it is safe to say you can trust with tie in fiction. She knows the source material and delivers something fans are bound to enjoy. More than that though she pairs the source material with historical references and facts and amazingly developed ‘new’ characters that just make the experience all the more enjoyable. I adored that we finally got the see the Twins in this but more than just seeing them I adored how Evie and Pierrette bond. It was so nice as a female Assassin’s Creed (AC) fan seeing two female Assassin’s not only being epic and amazing but not try to out do each other and rather support each other… But I am digressing.

On top of this the plot line itself is top notch and full of action, intrigue and everything else you would expect from something in the AC universe. I adored seeing Cairo and Egypt in this one and how it was as if we were transported back to that time while reading. A testament once again to Heartfield’s research and writing.

This is really a must for AC fans but also fans of good mysteries/espionage and historical novels are bound to enjoy it as well.

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[Tabitha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Aconyte Books for the advanced copy.

I like to start my reviews for these sorts of books with the disclaimer that I am a fan of the Assassin's Creed games and universe. I am used to the many missions and open world of the newer games, but I do prefer the tighter stories of the older games... and this book is more like the new games. Another disclaimer to add is that if you are wholly unfamiliar with Assassin's Creed then this is not the novel tie-in to start with, as it kicks off right away under the assumption you understand this world, its history, and its factions.

Heartfield's AC story is meant to be an epic, sweeping narrative emcompassing 20+ years and numerous Templar plots and Assassin foils... and when I sweeping, I mean meandering. There are as many plot points as years in which the story takes place and few (almost none) are concluded by the end of the story. I'm confused if this is meant to be the start of a series? Pieces of Eden, characters, motives, historical events - all are mentioned, some even highlighted and then all are dropped or never mentioned again?

The characters suffer most under the weight of all these potential plot points, as I feel like we barely get to know them, even though we spend, again, 20+ years following them. There are so many names and characters that it's hard to keep them all straight, and so we really only get to know the superficial. It's a lot of telling and very little showing, basically, and it really frustrated me. This is especially disappointing after the wonderful character work and tight pacing of the last AC book I read, Jaleigh Johnson's Assassin's Creed: The Golden City.

I also found myself disappointed with the setting of this one. I was so looking forward to the Egypt storyline and it's... literally just the very beginning? The bulk of the novel takes place in France, with a little in England, Germany, and Switzerland. We get mentions of the Fry twins (and just a little cameo from Evie) and their work in London, as this is set during the same time period as Syndicate, but nothing of Bayek and Aya. They're two of my faves so when I saw this took place partially in Egypt, I got my hopes up.

Sadly, I don't think this story would have even made a good AC game... but I do love this world and the whole Assassins vs Templar conflict. Three stars for that, I suppose.

[Red Ink Book Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Assassin’s Creed: The Resurrection Plot – Kate Heartfield

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher in order to provide an honest review.



Kate Heartfield is a Canadian author who has written fiction books such as “The Embroidered Book” and “Armed in Her Fashion”.



Follows the story of Pierrette Arnaud, the student of Simeon Price and follows on closely from the events of The Magnus Conspiracy.

After investigating a Templar plot involving a bombing at the Khedivial Opera House in Egypt soon uncovers a plot to eradicate all free will.

This quickly leads Pierrette and her mentor Simeon in a chase over Europe and Africa to track down the Templars and stop their plans from coming to fruition.

They come across mention of the mysterious Engine of History which was the ability to stop the Assassins in their tracks before they even make their first move – it could end free will and everything the brotherhood stands for.



“Assassin’s Creed: The Resurrection Plot” is a story based in the world of the Assassin’s Creed games. However, the main characters mentioned in this story are not found in the game world. I am an avid fan of the video games and the Assassin’s Creed books that were written by the original author Oliver Bowden. I have read a couple stories by Kate Heartfield previously and I am coming across a common theme with her work – she might have a strong idea or story plot, but I find it lacks in the execution. I am always left desiring more, this had so much potential to be more and better than what it was. I feel she let the series down here with this one. From a storyline line such as this I was expecting thrilling action and suspenseful scenes, but it was all really lack luster for me.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher Aconyte Books for the digital ARC, it has not affected my honest review.

I love the world that Kate Heartfield has made in her tie-in novels to the Assassin’s Creed universe so I was delighted to be approved for the sequel to the “Magus Conspiracy”. “The Resurrection Plot” takes place seven years after the last one, with the former acrobat turned Assassin Pierette Arnaud operating out of Egypt. She is on high alert after a bomb goes off at a celebration for the opening of the Suez Canal, chasing after Templars who aim to destroy humanity’s free will using an ancient artefact called the Engine of History. Her chase reunites her with her teacher and friend, Simeon Price, and the two race across Egypt, France, Belgium, Russia and England in an attempt to save the world once and for all. However, after Simeon decides to teach a Templar the Assassin philosophy without telling Pierrette and falls in love with her, things aren't as assured as they seem. All of this culminates with an epic chase through Paris just before the opening of the Eiffel Tower.

The highlights of this book for me were the character development of Pierette and Simeon since their first story, their time apart has made them into people that the other doesn’t know all that well. I also massively enjoyed the depiction of Simeon’s experiences on battlefields, particularly during the French fight against the Prussians, as a huge part of his becoming an Assassin initially was because of being a deserting soldier; there’s a scene with him on a hot air balloon that’s one of the most tense fights I’ve seen, I’d love to see it in a game one day. Pierette’s life in Egypt and her reunion with figures from the “Magus Conspiracy” like the children of Ada Lovelace and the painter Dante Gabriel Rossetti showed how far she’s come, which is exactly what I wanted when I picked up this story. Kate Heartfield combines real historical figures expertly with the fictional narrative, creating a vibrant and tense story that fits perfectly into the world of Assassin’s Creed. I so hope that one day we get to see more of Simeon and Pierette.

[Bertha Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Assassin's Creed, The Resurrection Plot brings us back the adventures of our old acquaintances Pierrete and Simeon, who will try by all means to stop the Templars and prevent the construction of the mysterious Engine of History, while saving the lives of viceroys, queens and empresses and pursue their nemesis, Countess Konstanze von Visler.
I especially liked the follow-up that the author gives to the children of Ada Lovelace and the members of the Aurora Troupe, the circus family of which Pierrete was a part.
A very enjoyable and entertaining story, full of action, with a solid and consistent plot and very human and well-characterized characters. I only hope that the author, Kate Heartfield, continues to delight us with at least one more installment of this line in the fantastic universe of Assassin's Creed.
I highly recommend this book, which she also believes is a must read for Assassin's Creed fans, as well as anyone who wants to spend a weekend reading a very well written story.
The opinion I have expressed above is based solely on what I think and feel about this book.

[Alec ⟠]

Assassin’s Creed: The Resurrection Plot is a book based on the Assassin’s Creed franchise by Ubisoft Entertainment. It follows assassin Pierrette Arnaud as she travels across Europe and Africa to take down Templars and stop them carrying out their deadly and dangerous plans. It is the sequel to The Magus Conspiracy, which I had not read prior to this but I found this book easy to navigate despite that, and it has made me want to read the first book even more to provide some additional context to certain character interactions. I found this a very interesting book, especially when familiar characters like the Frye twins were mentioned, as Syndicate was my favourite Assassin’s Creed game. I would really recommend this book to anyone interested in gaming or even people interested in an action-packed tale of good vs evil. It was very enjoyable to read and I am grateful to have been given the chance to read this ARC.

[Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book by the consistently excellent Kate Heartfield.
This book picks up on characters introduced in Assassin's Creed: The Magus Conspiracy and brings some satisfying closure to some story arcs. I am loath to comment on the plot as I want to avoid spoilers but suffice it to say if you enjoy the Assassin's Creed world or excellent writing with believable and compelling characters, this is a book for you.

I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a lot of fun, enjoyed the story and want to read the previous books as they promise to be as entertaining as this one.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

[Thomas Hobbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sequel to the Magus Conspiracy this historical fictional book was great addition to AC family. A lot of action, love and even betrayal.

[Athina (booknotes_athina) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another book in the Assassin's Creed universe that I really liked. It is not a sequel but it connects with The Magus Conspiracy that Kate Heartfield has written as well.

This time we start in Cairo in 1869 when a bomb goes of and our assassin Pierrette Arnaud along with her mentor Simeon Price try to stop the Templars again and unearth their plans for takeover.
The book is adventurous, mysterious and fast-paced. It has really good character development and I also really liked the writing.

My only complaint is the many time lapses, especially after a big event or revelation.

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[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, infuriating, and entertaining