Warcraft Books and Novels

It's happy hour, the alcohol is flowing. It's time to pull up a tankard of ale, bottle of wine for the ladies and regail tales of heroism and grandeur.

Topic/Postby Tiermaya » 10 Sep 2013, 01:11

Okay. So my aunt just slapped money into my bank account to buy books for my kindle I thought I'd buy a couple of Warcraft novels to throw into the mix (as I've not read any before and this seems silly given my love of the franchise). But I don't want to rush into purchases as it's birthday money and I don't have any cash of my own to throw around so obviously I want to get some bang for my buck.

I'm currently considering Getting Arthas: Rise of the Lich King (How much of this is treading ground I've already seen in Warcraft 3? The reviews on it a very mixed and all very vague on that particular question. Am I getting anything new?) and Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War (I've just heard a lot of good about this one). Anyone read these books willing to give their spoiler free opinion. What sort of tone/action should I expect? How compelling are they? I've heard Christie Golden is a great writer but what do you guys think of her work I'm open to recommendations with similar comments. if they're detailed but I'm not too interested in Thrall-centric stuff otherwise I'd be considering The Shattering (I've heard it contains a bit too much Thrall moping).

I'm less fussed about reading stuff surrounding the major events in the past and until I can afford to waste a bit of money I'm reticent to touch a Knaak book as I've heard his style is irritating.
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Topic/Postby Shevron » 10 Sep 2013, 08:08

I hate Knaak. I have all this warcraft novels just for the sake of having them, but never managed to finish a single one. He drags and drags, and reading his books makes me want to kill myself. No.

As for Golden ... I have mixed feelings. I like her stories mind, but I can't help shaking off the feeling that lately she's watering things down to make stuff more "young people" friendly. Azeroth is a cruel, unforgiving world, yet after reading Arthas (which I do love mind - read it 3 times) I feel like I've read some book written for kids and tried to make it seem more adult-player friendly with some fancy words.

I still prefer her miles over Knaak - but perhaps I'm biased and I'd rather read the minutes of the latest Labour party's budget meeting than sitting down for his torture :Q

Arthas I recommend highly if you manage to ignore the silly things - I even have the signed special edition :D

The Shattering and Twilight of the Aspects ... Thrall, Thrall and more fucking Thrall. I wish they'd stop writing about Thrall.

My favourite warcraft book so far remains The Last Guardian. I was reading that while we were raiding Karazhan, so it had that magical feeling for me.
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Topic/Postby Shevron » 10 Sep 2013, 08:25

Or I'm just getting old and bitter.
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Topic/Postby Tormeron » 10 Sep 2013, 09:04

Shevron, most people are salty (if you ever tasted blood, it's salty!)
So, you are a very special individual!

Anyhows, bookwise I like the Margarette Weiss books, also tracy hickman has some good books but you might have already read those books.

I'm bad with names so i can't give you any more recommendations
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Topic/Postby Shevron » 10 Sep 2013, 09:24

Torm, it's a Warcraft novels thread :P
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Topic/Postby Cherwina » 10 Sep 2013, 09:34

@Shev: You find Knaak drags on? You'd hate any book by Dan Abnett... I don't find Knaak drags on and have read through all the books up to Arthas without issue. On the other hand I didn't even get half way through the first Horus Heresy novel because Abnett managed to spend what felt like a quarter of the book describing a man walking down a street (Nothing happened, it was an empty street), eventually finding a bar and then getting drunk.

Personally, I'd say it depends on what part of Warcraft's lore you enjoy. I really loved the whole War of the Ancients trilogy but was a bit blah about Rise of the Horde and Tides of Darkness. Whereas people I know who are Horde fans felt the other way around with those.

It's a shame neither of the archives are available on Kindle otherwise I'd suggest getting the first archive as that has a story from each of the four main writters and will give you a better idea of what books you are likely to enjoy after that.
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Topic/Postby Tormeron » 10 Sep 2013, 11:19

@Shevron: you might have a point
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Topic/Postby Claresta » 10 Sep 2013, 11:58

I've read the Jaina novel.

It's probably going to be a little spoilt now anyway as you know how Theramore ends and have probably picked up some further info while playing.

It all felt pretty safe and simple with a bit of a odd twist near the end. You only have to look at the Amazon reviews though and it's quite clear a lot of people enjoyed it.

The characters were pretty much acted how you would expect. Jaina acts to protect her city while Garrosh is quite cunning until he throws a temper tantrum later in the book. The division within the Horde grows and you will be introduced to some new characters.

I can't really go further without spoiling it. I enjoyed the book but I'd hardly say I found it utterly compelling.

I've mixed feelings for Knaak. I certainly felt the Diablo's Sin war trilogy dragged on. Although for that universe I'd just advise getting the Book of Cain anyway as it summarises the history of sanctuary. /Off topic yay.
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Topic/Postby Alwynn » 10 Sep 2013, 15:01

So far I've enjoyed every single Warcraft book I've read (The Last Guardian, Rise of the Horde, Tides of Darkness, War of the Ancients trilogy and Cycle of Hatred). I have no problems with Knaak.
I also agree with Cherwina, it depends on what parts of the lore you enjoy the most.
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Topic/Postby Shevron » 10 Sep 2013, 15:08

I soooo want the book of Caine
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