Reviews

Warcraft: Durotan by Christie Golden

sabregirl's review against another edition

4.0

Read the novelization first, I enjoyed that. This one, dragged a a bit. The time line too seemed off. It would seem like months would pass and it was like days. A better established time line probably would've been good. Plus some more in depth story, but that might just because I'm used to the events for the game and not the actual story time.

patremagne's review against another edition

4.0

Pleasantly surprised, though I guess I shouldn't be considering Christie Golden wrote it. Compelling prequel to the movie which I now really want to see detailing how Durotan came to be the leader of the Frostwolves and what led him to bring his people into the Horde.

Toby Longworth was a fantastic narrator. Wish he narrated more often.

xakyr's review against another edition

4.0

I wasn't expecting much from this story, but it wound up being an excellent addition to the lore! It tells the original history of the Frostwolf clan, but in doing so, it makes some of the things that you see in the Warlords of Draenor expansion of the game make sense. I was able to easily relate to the characters and their struggle for survival, and was even heartened to see the evidence of the coexistence between the Draenei and the Orcs of Draenor. My chief complaint is that some of the lore that I knew was only vaguely referred to or hinted at, and the book ends on a very abrupt note. All things considered, it was a great read, but one I wanted more out of.

nathaliemlromer's review against another edition

5.0

I've played World of Warcraft for almost 9 years, and I was not sure what to expect of a book that was based on the upcoming movie Warcraft The Beginning. It's definitely a departure from the established Lore of the game. The movie is intentionally parallel with the game. It is not a movie made from a computer game as some may think.

Because of that, I think Christie Golden had an added challenge to bring a story to the pages, which was fresh, and which presented the characters as humane, compassionate, often times as people with their own hopes, dreams, wishes, and desires. The danger they face is real, and it is vividly described so that I, as a game player of World of Warcraft, can actually imagine how the world they knew, was actually like.

Draka and Geyah are two characters in the World of Warcraft Lore that I was always curious and in awe of. Two strong women who where thrust into a life that neither asked for or wanted. In this book they come to life in a beautiful way, and earned a renewed respect from me for Christie Golden as an author.

Worth reading even if you've never played the game, as this story stands up on its own merits.

julievandemoere's review against another edition

4.0

Very difficult to put down. But i think that sometimes the bad things happened too soon after one another. Some happy stories would have made the book more pleasant.

monroev1225's review against another edition

5.0

I was enamored by the story and enjoyed the escape to another university. Durotan was a deep and amazing character. I hurt with him and the clan, I laughed, and loved with their every step. I am truly impressed with it. I was not expecting much going in, perhaps some action and hacking/slashing. What I found was a beautiful story of survival, family, and overcoming.

circus_of_damned's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I've never played the game Warcraft, but was a little familiar with the concept and storyline. However when the live action came out I was intrigued. I didn't watch the movie right away, but when I finally got around to watching it I enjoyed the film. While it is a bit campy, it an enjoyable campy. So when I found out there was a prequel novel to the live action movie I was intrigued to see what it was about. The noel fallow Durotan, the main Orc you fallow in the live action movie. The prequel novel tells the story of how Durotan became chieftain, and how his clan joined the Horde. The novel gave insight and background to Durotan and the Horde while also making them amazing characters to fallow and watch grow. The heartfelt interactions between the Frostwolves and humorous moments together really built sympathy for some of the Orcs and there situations. Enjoyed and flew through this prequel novel.

markcdickson's review against another edition

4.0

“to pretend it did not exist is to forget how dreadful the impact was.”

I love how this book grapples with the morality of a good person forced to do horrible things to protect their people.

Despite knowing it was all going to end in tragedy, seeing the descent was very compelling and heartbreaking to see.

itssyryus's review against another edition

5.0

I love this with all my heart!! I love the horde sooo much! And this is a good retelling of the movie.

readermonica's review against another edition

4.0

The narrator was excellent and I always enjoy Golden's writing. There was a discrepancy in the story though. If you have read Rise of the Horde, there is a story of Durotan and his best friend Orgrim being saved by a draeni hunting party, but in this one it is implied that Durotan's first interaction with draeni is as an adult. That point wasn't crucial to the story, so my nerd girl sensibilities were a bit agitated about it. If you haven't read any of the Warcraft stories and are looking for a starting place this would be a good one to pick up if you don't want too much backstory on the world of Draenor. If you really want a detailed beginning I HIGHLY recommend picking up Rise of the Horde if you can find it, or the anthology, Chronicles of War which has it as the first book. It's what got me hooked on this fantastic series. Full review to come.