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tyrannosaurusteeps's review against another edition
2.0
I’m not really sure who this book is for. ‘The Last Guardian’ and ‘The Rise of the Horde’ both chronicle and dramatise the events of the first war much better than this novel.
If you specifically want this version of the story, or want to see what these characters are like in the flesh, then the movie is for you.
2.5 stars
If you specifically want this version of the story, or want to see what these characters are like in the flesh, then the movie is for you.
2.5 stars
the_sunken_library's review against another edition
2.0
Unsurprisingly this was as bad as the film with regards to storyline. Unlike the film though, a book cannot pull it back with fabulous CGI and a wonderful soundtrack, the only saving grace to a bad story is excellent writing and unfortunately Christie Golden simply doesn't provide that.
As one of the creator's of WOW, Chris Metzen has the right to re-write the lore but he also has the responsibility to make it convincing, coherent and compelling. This re-telling of the orcs invasion into Azeroth is crap. A clunky plot, cheesey dialogue (yes wow has cheese but it has always had a decent script), unconvincing unlikable characters (Garona!!!!! Lothar!!!!! Totally ruined IMO) - this was a slow read. Usually I race through the WOW books, especially Golden's efforts, but this took me nearly 2 weeks to read and it's not long, thought-provoking or presenting challenging language.
I didn't read her new re-telling of Durotan's story and I am not sure I will bother. Straight to Illidan by William King and back to the original world.
As one of the creator's of WOW, Chris Metzen has the right to re-write the lore but he also has the responsibility to make it convincing, coherent and compelling. This re-telling of the orcs invasion into Azeroth is crap. A clunky plot, cheesey dialogue (yes wow has cheese but it has always had a decent script), unconvincing unlikable characters (Garona!!!!! Lothar!!!!! Totally ruined IMO) - this was a slow read. Usually I race through the WOW books, especially Golden's efforts, but this took me nearly 2 weeks to read and it's not long, thought-provoking or presenting challenging language.
I didn't read her new re-telling of Durotan's story and I am not sure I will bother. Straight to Illidan by William King and back to the original world.
thebookmagpie1989's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
sabregirl's review against another edition
5.0
This is so much better than I thought it would be! It makes me wish I saw the movie in theatres first but I think it was better for the twists and turns to read the book first. I was surprised by a few things, like Llane being killed by Garona. Which really in the end amounted to NOTHING. Why the hell you kill off Dominic Cooper you bastards But who came out to be Garona's father wasn't that much of a surprise. I really like Khadgar in this, I need an entire book about him I need to know more about why he like Kirin Tor and his travels before this. I need more W.O.W history stuff!
bookfairy99's review against another edition
5.0
I'll start by saying I haven't yet seen the movie. I'd heard enough terrible reviews to have avoided it until now, but after reading the book, I'll definitely be watching the movie! I really enjoyed the novelization. I've loved Christie Golden's previous Warcraft books, and as usual, she didn't disappoint. Her knowledge of Azaroth lore shines as usual, and her fondness for the world (and the game) is clear in everything she writes in this world.
After playing the game for a decade, I consider myself pretty well versed in Azeroth lore -- yet Golden never ceases to amaze and impress me with her approach to telling the stories of the characters we've come to know and love. Best of all, reading the book has refuelled my love for the game. I'm now once again fully immersed in my beloved RPG, and that's a gift every one of Golden's Warcraft novels has given me. Every time I start to get a little bored, or I begin to think I've done all there is to do in Azeroth, all I have to do is pick up one of Golden's books and I'm right back there, experiencing that wide-eyed wonder of a newbie player all those years ago. Another terrific novel for my Warcraft shelf!
After playing the game for a decade, I consider myself pretty well versed in Azeroth lore -- yet Golden never ceases to amaze and impress me with her approach to telling the stories of the characters we've come to know and love. Best of all, reading the book has refuelled my love for the game. I'm now once again fully immersed in my beloved RPG, and that's a gift every one of Golden's Warcraft novels has given me. Every time I start to get a little bored, or I begin to think I've done all there is to do in Azeroth, all I have to do is pick up one of Golden's books and I'm right back there, experiencing that wide-eyed wonder of a newbie player all those years ago. Another terrific novel for my Warcraft shelf!
earlapvaldez's review against another edition
5.0
Believe me, there are stuff in the movie that need to be clarified. A good thing the novelization is here.
xakyr's review against another edition
4.0
It took me a while to get this book going, but when it did, I kept having to pull myself out of World of Warcraft to read it, it inspired me to play the game that much!
There's a lot of the lore that we already know from the game woven into it, but it also picks up where [b:Warcraft: Durotan|27038915|Warcraft Durotan|Christie Golden|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1455502998s/27038915.jpg|47079607] leaves off. I found a few surprises waiting for me between these pages! Sadly, I can't say much, because it would spoil the book/movie for folks, but I can say that the characterization was very well done, and I found myself connecting with a number of the characters. I was even in tears at the end of the book, especially with the events of the Legion pre-expansion! All things considered, it was a highly enjoyable read, and it has me looking forward to both watching the movie it is based on, and playing World of Warcraft!
There's a lot of the lore that we already know from the game woven into it, but it also picks up where [b:Warcraft: Durotan|27038915|Warcraft Durotan|Christie Golden|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1455502998s/27038915.jpg|47079607] leaves off. I found a few surprises waiting for me between these pages! Sadly, I can't say much, because it would spoil the book/movie for folks, but I can say that the characterization was very well done, and I found myself connecting with a number of the characters. I was even in tears at the end of the book, especially with the events of the Legion pre-expansion! All things considered, it was a highly enjoyable read, and it has me looking forward to both watching the movie it is based on, and playing World of Warcraft!
circus_of_damned's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I'll admit if you've seen the live action movie you almost wholly know the plot of this novel. The only variations you'll find between the movie and novel is the last few chapters that expand on the story. Which allows for a more satisfying ending while still leaving the ending open to be expanded on. This still has the amazing characters and plot that leads to gut retching moments. That gives the ending the punch it has.
galaxies's review against another edition
3.0
Just like in the movie my favourites were Khadgar, Anduin and Taria. I really liked getting a few more scenes with them and some background information.
This book would've needed waaaay more editing/spellcheck though. There were so many typos, words written twice right behind each other and so on.
This book would've needed waaaay more editing/spellcheck though. There were so many typos, words written twice right behind each other and so on.
monkomon's review against another edition
3.0
Nothing special, simply a retelling of the retconned film narration. Polish translation felt a bit hopeless, but what to expect when the translator has not bothered to even play the game?