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tyelpe's review against another edition
i have more opinions on this book than it deserves and it's sad that this is like my first actual review on here. but i need to say that the contrast between what this book is trying to be and what it actually ends up being is amazing and makes for a very fun read once you accept that it's not a good book.
i need everyone to know that i do not think this a good book. when i say it was a fun read that does not mean that it's a good read, it just means that centering an entire book around the trial -- and morality -- of a character who by this point in time has (unfortunately) been reduced to p much a one dimensional villain is hilarious. i get the intentions of the book but they simply do not work, there's not a lot of nuance to Garrosh as a character anymore so all of the morality discussions just sound so tone deaf. it's amazing.
idk how to rate this. if i rate it by quality and what it's trying to be it'd be very low. (additionally i'm just not a fan of golden's writing in general and frankly find her approach to writing this book kinda distasteful and disrespectful.) but again, reading it as the trainwreck that it is? very fun experience that i could indeed recommend.
[vague spoilers below]
i just need to point out that "Your Majesty, are you genocidal?" is a question that Varian is genuinely and completely seriously asked. I doubt it's trying to be funny but it absolutely is and still cracks me up. and it's been months since i read this.
i will say that the parts with Anduin and Garrosh were kinda fun but only by imagining them in a difference context where Garrosh was still a nuanced and interesting character with a much shorter list of awful crimes committed. Anduin and Garrosh are both characters I really liked at one point and putting them in the same room and making them have a conversation is a nice premise.
i need everyone to know that i do not think this a good book. when i say it was a fun read that does not mean that it's a good read, it just means that centering an entire book around the trial -- and morality -- of a character who by this point in time has (unfortunately) been reduced to p much a one dimensional villain is hilarious. i get the intentions of the book but they simply do not work, there's not a lot of nuance to Garrosh as a character anymore so all of the morality discussions just sound so tone deaf. it's amazing.
idk how to rate this. if i rate it by quality and what it's trying to be it'd be very low. (additionally i'm just not a fan of golden's writing in general and frankly find her approach to writing this book kinda distasteful and disrespectful.) but again, reading it as the trainwreck that it is? very fun experience that i could indeed recommend.
[vague spoilers below]
i just need to point out that "Your Majesty, are you genocidal?" is a question that Varian is genuinely and completely seriously asked. I doubt it's trying to be funny but it absolutely is and still cracks me up. and it's been months since i read this.
i will say that the parts with Anduin and Garrosh were kinda fun but only by imagining them in a difference context where Garrosh was still a nuanced and interesting character with a much shorter list of awful crimes committed. Anduin and Garrosh are both characters I really liked at one point and putting them in the same room and making them have a conversation is a nice premise.
the_sunken_library's review against another edition
5.0
I must say, I believe this to be the best Warcraft novel Christie Golden has ever written. She is incredibly masterful when handling the complex and utterly unique personalities of the upper echelons of Warcraft society; Horde, Alliance and "neutral" alike.
Its the trial of the century. Finally Garrosh Hellscream will be forced to face all his sins, watch as each action and atrocity he has ever made is dissected in front of him and used as fodder to fuel the fires of hate, in the hope that he will be sentenced to execution. But there is hope, even though everyone feels he deserves none, and he not only has an accuser but also a defender, who is fighting for understanding and the chance for Garrosh to think, lament and change while imprisoned for life.
This isn't just a trial for the condemned orc though. It will force many others to think over their own actions and beliefs, question their choices and offer them the same opportunity as they provide evidence to condemn or defend young Hellscream; the chance to grow and become, possibly, a better being.
Its the trial of the century. Finally Garrosh Hellscream will be forced to face all his sins, watch as each action and atrocity he has ever made is dissected in front of him and used as fodder to fuel the fires of hate, in the hope that he will be sentenced to execution. But there is hope, even though everyone feels he deserves none, and he not only has an accuser but also a defender, who is fighting for understanding and the chance for Garrosh to think, lament and change while imprisoned for life.
This isn't just a trial for the condemned orc though. It will force many others to think over their own actions and beliefs, question their choices and offer them the same opportunity as they provide evidence to condemn or defend young Hellscream; the chance to grow and become, possibly, a better being.
alduina's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ashslay's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
eirikvii's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
beastreader's review against another edition
3.0
I have only read a few of the World of Warcraft (WOW) books. Even though I play the game. The ones that I have read, I enjoyed. I can tell the author is also a fan and player of WOW. The author really makes the world come alive and be just like you are playing the game, only in the books. Of course if you play the game, you are excited than to the next expansion and fighting new bosses. So I wanted to read up on this book to see if I could get a little more insight to the new expansion coming soon. I got a little information but not like I had hoped. Also, this book until others past did not have a bunch of action happening in it. It was more of less a lot of talking between all the different characters in the different realms. The trial dragged on and on. Finally there was the ending while was a given was alright.
reilala's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bekab20's review against another edition
4.0
Garrosh is an arrogant bastard to the very end. He doesn't have even one redeeming quality about him at all. And I'm rather annoyed with everyone but dumbass Garrosh learning anything in the whole book. The heroes and leaders on these stories are almost becoming too soft and goody goody. Blizz better redeem some of these characters in this upcoming expansion!
hidekisohma's review against another edition
3.0
so....this was an interesting read. I've always been a fan of world of warcraft and I wanted to read a book where it mentioned pandaria. Welp, this is the first one i've come across, so I thought i'd give it a read. And honestly...meh. Why do I say meh? Well i'll tell you.
Firstly, this book is a trial book. Meaning that Garrosh Hellscream is on trial and it's up to the horde and alliance to defend and prosecute the guy accordingly. Hard to do when everyone including the horde wants him dead. It's also not easy to defend him when this guy has committed more atrocities than hitler.
The biggest problem i have with this story are the main characters in it. The main characters can be boiled down to
Jaina, Anduin, Garrosh, Sylvanas, Baine, and Tyrande. Let me break it down.
Tyrande I already don't like because in Legion she's extremely whiny. In this book though she's a terrible prosecutor who gets frustrated easily and who doesn't know how to keep her composure. Why they picked her I have no idea.
Jaina is her usual terrible self. She's a witness, but other than that she shouldn't be playing a large role in this trial, but that doesn't stop her as she takes up a large portion of the book with her whining.
Anduin is so saccharinely sweet it's disgusting.
Garrosh hardly did anything in his own book.
Baine...was okay. I got bored with his backstory though.
Honestly, the only person who had their head on straight was Sylvanas who was like "The hell with the trial, let's poison him." Then, just when you think that's going to happen, her sister wussies out and they end up not doing it. Yeah, it's one of those books.
Oh, and if you wanted to see some sort of resolution or conviction or sentencing? Well too bad. you don't get that.
Honestly, the only reason this book is a 3 is because it reads well and being a WOW fan like myself, it's cool to see some of the things that happened as i'm not completely brushed up on my lore. Most of the characters are frustrating, but I didn't DISLIKE it. If I could, i'd give it a 2.5 ,but it doesn't deserve a 2 so....3. I'm feeling generous.
Firstly, this book is a trial book. Meaning that Garrosh Hellscream is on trial and it's up to the horde and alliance to defend and prosecute the guy accordingly. Hard to do when everyone including the horde wants him dead. It's also not easy to defend him when this guy has committed more atrocities than hitler.
The biggest problem i have with this story are the main characters in it. The main characters can be boiled down to
Jaina, Anduin, Garrosh, Sylvanas, Baine, and Tyrande. Let me break it down.
Tyrande I already don't like because in Legion she's extremely whiny. In this book though she's a terrible prosecutor who gets frustrated easily and who doesn't know how to keep her composure. Why they picked her I have no idea.
Jaina is her usual terrible self. She's a witness, but other than that she shouldn't be playing a large role in this trial, but that doesn't stop her as she takes up a large portion of the book with her whining.
Anduin is so saccharinely sweet it's disgusting.
Garrosh hardly did anything in his own book.
Baine...was okay. I got bored with his backstory though.
Honestly, the only person who had their head on straight was Sylvanas who was like "The hell with the trial, let's poison him." Then, just when you think that's going to happen, her sister wussies out and they end up not doing it. Yeah, it's one of those books.
Oh, and if you wanted to see some sort of resolution or conviction or sentencing? Well too bad. you don't get that.
Honestly, the only reason this book is a 3 is because it reads well and being a WOW fan like myself, it's cool to see some of the things that happened as i'm not completely brushed up on my lore. Most of the characters are frustrating, but I didn't DISLIKE it. If I could, i'd give it a 2.5 ,but it doesn't deserve a 2 so....3. I'm feeling generous.
namaria's review against another edition
2.0
After the defeat of Garrosh Hellscream, he stands trial in a Pandaren court. While many are crying out for a swift execution, it is the August Celestials who are the jury and will render a verdict after a fair trial has been performed. Meanwhile, the Dragonmaw are amassing allies to free Garrosh, and the Windrunner sisters are working together to try and poison Garrosh before the final verdict is given.
I struggled with this book. I've read most of the Warcraft novels, and to this date, I'd only been disappointed in one. When I picked up this book, I really wanted to like it as I had the others. But I didn't. Until the final chapter, this book was nothing but a courtroom filled with characters we're familiar with. Many of those characters were warped beyond recognition (e.g. Tyrande Whisperwind). I found myself incredibly bored of the trial, which felt like something straight off of Court TV. There was very little drama at all. There were formal phrases used in the trial ("With respect, I protest!") that are variations of what are used in today's courtrooms ("I object!"), and they felt very out of place in a Warcraft novel.
I've come to expect a changing, smoothly flowing storyline from Warcraft novels with lots of action scenes. This isn't present in War Crimes. You get the one scene (the Temple of the White Tiger and the trial), the same characters, and they're doing the same motions chapter after chapter. There are a few scenes here and there that break up the tedium and make things just a tad bit interesting, but it's not enough to save this book.
I wish I had saved my money and time and left this book off my Kindle. I wasn't sure whether to give this book a one star or two star rating. Since I've enjoyed Christie Golden's previous novels, like her writing style, and understand she has certain guidelines to work with when writing a Warcraft novel, I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt and give this novel a two star rating. But don't squander it, Ms. Golden. If your next book doesn't live up to expectations (which have lowered after reading War Crimes), you'll lose more than just an extra star in my rating.
I struggled with this book. I've read most of the Warcraft novels, and to this date, I'd only been disappointed in one. When I picked up this book, I really wanted to like it as I had the others. But I didn't. Until the final chapter, this book was nothing but a courtroom filled with characters we're familiar with. Many of those characters were warped beyond recognition (e.g. Tyrande Whisperwind). I found myself incredibly bored of the trial, which felt like something straight off of Court TV. There was very little drama at all. There were formal phrases used in the trial ("With respect, I protest!") that are variations of what are used in today's courtrooms ("I object!"), and they felt very out of place in a Warcraft novel.
I've come to expect a changing, smoothly flowing storyline from Warcraft novels with lots of action scenes. This isn't present in War Crimes. You get the one scene (the Temple of the White Tiger and the trial), the same characters, and they're doing the same motions chapter after chapter. There are a few scenes here and there that break up the tedium and make things just a tad bit interesting, but it's not enough to save this book.
I wish I had saved my money and time and left this book off my Kindle. I wasn't sure whether to give this book a one star or two star rating. Since I've enjoyed Christie Golden's previous novels, like her writing style, and understand she has certain guidelines to work with when writing a Warcraft novel, I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt and give this novel a two star rating. But don't squander it, Ms. Golden. If your next book doesn't live up to expectations (which have lowered after reading War Crimes), you'll lose more than just an extra star in my rating.