Reviews

Warcraft: Durotan by Christie Golden

thebookmagpie1989's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense fast-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? No

5.0

namaria's review

5.0

Christie Golden is probably the best author of Warcraft novels that I've read. Whenever a new Warcraft book is being released, I check who wrote it. If Christie Golden's name appears, I pre-order without hesitation. I've never been disappointed in her novels, and this one was no exception.

Warcraft the movie is about to be released June 10th, and when I found out there was a prequel book, I wanted to read it. Prequels give a lot of back story that directors aren't able to put into their films, and I like going into the theater knowing a bit about what's going on and what led up to the point the movie begins.

Spoiler

Warcraft: Durotan did a superb job of explaining why the Frostwolf clan chooses to enter Azeroth. Draenor, their world, is dying. When Gul'dan, a green Orc and the only known warlock on Draenor, approached Garad, the chieftain of the Frostwolves, he was offering them a new home if they joined his Horde. A home on a new world where, as Draka put it, their food fights amongst themselves to have the honor of being their dinner. Garad didn't like Gul'dan (and according to Drek'thar, a shaman, the Spirits didn't either), so naturally, he turned the offer down. When Garad is poisoned by the dagger Gul'dan provides to end the parley ritual, he is weakened and unable to fight in the mak'gora when the Frostwolves fight against the Red Walkers, another Orc clan. He was killed, and Durotan became the new chieftain of the Frostwolves.

Durotan does his best to fill his father's shoes, and he's the ideal leader during this time when Draenor is dying. The Frostwolves are having a hard time finding resources to keep themselves alive. Fruit is rotten and doesn't produce seeds, plants are unable to grow, animals are dying from lack of food and water, and the elements themselves are turning against the world. Mountains spew rivers of blood, the earth opens its maw to swallow the Orcs whole, and the sand itself is on fire and burns so hot, they have difficulty walking on it. They soon discover the Spirits are suffering, so the Frostwolves travel to the Seat of the Spirits to find a way to heal them in the hopes it'll bring the world back into balance.

I think Christie Golden did a fabulous job with this story. The scenes flow seamlessly into each other without the reader ever feeling like there is filler. There aren't any holes left at the end of the book, so the reader isn't left wondering what happened. I found myself looking for spare time so I could sit and read the next few chapters. It kept me engaged, and I was sorry when it ended. This book leads nicely into the movie, and now I can't wait to see it in theaters! If the movie is even half as good as this book, it will be worth the price of admission.

I can't wait for Christie Golden's next Warcraft novel!

sabregirl's review

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.