<P> The first novel of this collection, Renaissance, was published in 2009 . The novel features Ezio Auditore da Firenze, a man who seeks revenge for the murder of his family . Ezio begins to train himself as an assassin and becomes drawn into a war between the Assassin's Brotherhood and the Templar Order . The two secret organizations have been combating each other for centuries to secure an ancient technology, called the "Apple of Eden," a relic which can control human minds . Both groups also seek a vault in Italy, which contains the knowledge and technology of an ancient, technologically superior civilization . </P> <P> Brotherhood--the second novel in the series, was released in 2010 . It's a novelized version of the popular game Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood . Just like its previous book, Assassin's Creed: Renaissance, it does not contain any of the game's present - day events including Desmond, only a reference to a "phantom" by Ezio . The story takes place four years after the video game's story (1499), in 1503 . Ezio Auditore struggles to free the city of Rome from the tyranny of Cesare Borgia, who seeks to take over Italy . </P> <P> The Secret Crusade's story follows Altaïr, as told by Niccolo Polo . It details the life of Altaïr, an Assassin; beginning with the death of his father . Altaïr watches his father's execution; which was carried out for causing the unintended death of a noble . Some time later, he also watches one of his father's fellow Assassins kill himself out of guilt over the death of Altaïr's father . Altaïr soon begins to train under Al Mualim, leader of the Assassin Order . Al Mualim instructs him not to tell his fellow Assassin Abbas of his father's suicide . Despite this, Altaïr tells Abbas, who receives the news poorly . The news that Abbas' father killed himself causes problems between himself and Altaïr . </P> <P> The Secret Crusade then progresses to many years later where an older Altaïr with his wife, Maria; and their son, Darim; are returning to Masyaf Altaïr's home after successfully assassinating Genghis Khan . In their absence, Abbas proclaimed himself "Master of the Assassins" and taken over Masyaf, ruling with tyranny . Altaïr is met with cold indifference . He discovers that despite being told that his son Sef had traveled to Alamut, his son was actually murdered by Malik . Malik has been imprisoned but claims innocence . Altaïr breaks him out of jail planning to confront Abbas and reclaim his place as Master Assassin . These plans are thwarted when Abbas has Malik killed and frames Altaïr for his death . Out of anger, Altaïr uses the Apple of Eden to kill the man responsible for Sef's death but also inadvertently causes Maria's death . Devastated, Altaïr flees Masyaf . </P>

What order should i read the assassin's creed books