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meganagain's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
styanax's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Pretty good. Filled in some of my knowledge gaps on the lore. Writing was not spectacular, but kept me engaged.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Animal death
Moderate: Death of parent
rinbee's review against another edition
2.0
Arthas is a faithful adaptation that both retells and expands upon the story of titular Arthas Menethil from Warcraft III and its expansion The Frozen Throne, all of which happens before the story in Wrath of the Lich King. As a huge fan of the series and particularly the Lich King and his origins, I enjoyed this book because it was cool to read those pivotal moments from the game in prose.
There were some things I didn't like, mostly cheesy dialogue in the romance scenes between Jaina and Arthas as well as a sort of forced unrequited love between Jaina and Kael'thas—I just don't think romance was necessary for this story (and it certainly wasn't necessary to justify Kael's rage at Arthas). I found myself enjoying the scenes that were exact retellings of cutscenes/big moments in the game because I recognised the dialogue, and not so much enjoying some of the original moments (like the afore-mentioned romance between Jaina and Arthas). "Don't deny me" as pillow-talk was a particularly big turn off.
I can't say if someone who isn't a fan of Warcraft would enjoy this novel. I think fantasy lovers and fans of a good Byronic hero might be able to enjoy it, and I think Arthas' story is amazing and beautiful, but I think the Warcraft games tell it better. And in the case of books based on games, whether or not a person who isn't a fan of the franchise enjoys the book is an important judge of its quality and this book does feel like one that only people who are already fans of Warcraft/WoW would enjoy. But for people who are unfamiliar with Arthas and his story: just watch the Warcraft III cutscenes, they tell the story much better.
There were some things I didn't like, mostly cheesy dialogue in the romance scenes between Jaina and Arthas as well as a sort of forced unrequited love between Jaina and Kael'thas—I just don't think romance was necessary for this story (and it certainly wasn't necessary to justify Kael's rage at Arthas). I found myself enjoying the scenes that were exact retellings of cutscenes/big moments in the game because I recognised the dialogue, and not so much enjoying some of the original moments (like the afore-mentioned romance between Jaina and Arthas). "Don't deny me" as pillow-talk was a particularly big turn off.
I can't say if someone who isn't a fan of Warcraft would enjoy this novel. I think fantasy lovers and fans of a good Byronic hero might be able to enjoy it, and I think Arthas' story is amazing and beautiful, but I think the Warcraft games tell it better. And in the case of books based on games, whether or not a person who isn't a fan of the franchise enjoys the book is an important judge of its quality and this book does feel like one that only people who are already fans of Warcraft/WoW would enjoy. But for people who are unfamiliar with Arthas and his story: just watch the Warcraft III cutscenes, they tell the story much better.
elionthesun's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
katyanaish's review against another edition
3.0
***3.5***
Having played this game for ... well, longer than I care to admit... I always meant to check out the books, but never did. Well, I finally picked up the book for the backstory on one of my favorite expansions.
TBH, I had a really hard time keeping my attention on it. Maybe this is because the story is familiar to me, from the game. Or maybe it was because ... well, Arthas' petulant man-baby inner monologue reads particularly poorly in today's crappy world of incels and bros.
*shrug*
Having played this game for ... well, longer than I care to admit... I always meant to check out the books, but never did. Well, I finally picked up the book for the backstory on one of my favorite expansions.
TBH, I had a really hard time keeping my attention on it. Maybe this is because the story is familiar to me, from the game. Or maybe it was because ... well, Arthas' petulant man-baby inner monologue reads particularly poorly in today's crappy world of incels and bros.
*shrug*
baphomeow's review against another edition
5.0
Since the first moment I 'met' Arthas in Warcraft III, I became attached to him. This book just extended this affection.
Since I played both Warcraft III's, and beat the Lich King in WoW, this book was filled with so much emotion and memories of the time I played. (Not to mention how well his romance was included-a gift for the fangirls, for sure-and his rivalry with well... you know who)
I'm not judging the writing, because my love for the lore opaques any flaw to be honest.
Since I played both Warcraft III's, and beat the Lich King in WoW, this book was filled with so much emotion and memories of the time I played. (Not to mention how well his romance was included-a gift for the fangirls, for sure-and his rivalry with well... you know who)
I'm not judging the writing, because my love for the lore opaques any flaw to be honest.
ashslay's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
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
5.0
chrisii's review against another edition
5.0
TW Horror, Tod, gore, Sklaverei, betrayal
Ich weiß gar nicht, wo ich anfangen soll, weil O M G
Seit inzwischen sechs Jahren spiele ich aktiv WoW und bisher hat mich das Universum rund um Azeroth irgendwie kalt gelassen.
Also ja. Natürlich kenne ich einige Namen und Orte und Dreh- und Angelpunkte in der Geschichte, aber für mich hat das Game einfach andere Vorzüge, die mich interessieren.
Ich queste nicht, um die lore des Gebietes zu erfahren, sondern um gear upgrades oder Gold zu bekommen.
Das. Hat. Sich. Jetzt. Geändert!
Christie Golden hat einen GROẞARTIGEN Schreibstil, der mich gänzlich in seinen Bann gezogen hat.
Ich konnte das Buch gefühlt gar nicht weglegen und war jedes Mal bestürzt, wenn ich pausieren musste (weil ich es mit meinem Buchclub zusammen gelesen habe und wir uns jeweils einen Teil für eine Woche vorgenommen haben.)
Diese Welt aus Pixeln, durch die ich seit Jahren mit Scheuklappen laufe, ist plötzlich in meinem Kopf lebendig geworden und ehe ich mich versehen hab, bin ich mitten in einen epischen Fantasyroman eingetaucht!
Ich habe daraufhin mit meinem Buchclub all die Orte, an denen das Buch spielt, ingame besucht. Wir haben über unsere Gedanken gesprochen und über all das, das nach der Handlung des Buches passiert - die Abenteuer, die wir seitdem gemeinsam erlebt haben.
Meine Liebe zu World of Warcraft wurde neu entfacht und ich freue mich jetzt schon auf die Bücher, die ich hiernach in diesem Universum lesen werde.
Absolute Lesemepfehlung, sogar für diejenigen, die nichts mit dem Game zu tun haben. Mitreißend und weltenstoppend.
Ich weiß gar nicht, wo ich anfangen soll, weil O M G
Seit inzwischen sechs Jahren spiele ich aktiv WoW und bisher hat mich das Universum rund um Azeroth irgendwie kalt gelassen.
Also ja. Natürlich kenne ich einige Namen und Orte und Dreh- und Angelpunkte in der Geschichte, aber für mich hat das Game einfach andere Vorzüge, die mich interessieren.
Ich queste nicht, um die lore des Gebietes zu erfahren, sondern um gear upgrades oder Gold zu bekommen.
Das. Hat. Sich. Jetzt. Geändert!
Christie Golden hat einen GROẞARTIGEN Schreibstil, der mich gänzlich in seinen Bann gezogen hat.
Ich konnte das Buch gefühlt gar nicht weglegen und war jedes Mal bestürzt, wenn ich pausieren musste (weil ich es mit meinem Buchclub zusammen gelesen habe und wir uns jeweils einen Teil für eine Woche vorgenommen haben.)
Diese Welt aus Pixeln, durch die ich seit Jahren mit Scheuklappen laufe, ist plötzlich in meinem Kopf lebendig geworden und ehe ich mich versehen hab, bin ich mitten in einen epischen Fantasyroman eingetaucht!
Ich habe daraufhin mit meinem Buchclub all die Orte, an denen das Buch spielt, ingame besucht. Wir haben über unsere Gedanken gesprochen und über all das, das nach der Handlung des Buches passiert - die Abenteuer, die wir seitdem gemeinsam erlebt haben.
Meine Liebe zu World of Warcraft wurde neu entfacht und ich freue mich jetzt schon auf die Bücher, die ich hiernach in diesem Universum lesen werde.
Absolute Lesemepfehlung, sogar für diejenigen, die nichts mit dem Game zu tun haben. Mitreißend und weltenstoppend.
staralfur's review against another edition
4.0
This book covers the story of one of the best known, and most influential characters in the Warcraft universe, up until he was at his peak as the Lich King. His main story concluded by the end of the WoW expansion Wrath of the Lich King (released 2008), but his shadow has loomed in the background ever since, especially through Anduin Wrynn's storyline all the way up until right now in Shadowlands.
While I wouldn't exactly call this book great literature, it is certainly worth a read if you enjoy playing the Warcraft games. You most likely already know most of his story if you've played Warcraft or World of Warcraft, but I found that this book filled in the moments in-between all the great tragedies and victories quite nicely.
You will of course run into other characters that you know, such as Jaina Proudmoore, Uther the Lightbringer, Calia Menethil, Sylvanas Windrunner, Kael'thas Sunstrider, Illidan Stormrage, Muradin Bronzebeard, Medivh, Varian Wrynn, Thrall, Ner'Zhul, Mal'Ganis, Kel'Thuzad, and many more. And of course his beloved steed Invincible.
While I wouldn't exactly call this book great literature, it is certainly worth a read if you enjoy playing the Warcraft games. You most likely already know most of his story if you've played Warcraft or World of Warcraft, but I found that this book filled in the moments in-between all the great tragedies and victories quite nicely.
You will of course run into other characters that you know, such as Jaina Proudmoore, Uther the Lightbringer, Calia Menethil, Sylvanas Windrunner, Kael'thas Sunstrider, Illidan Stormrage, Muradin Bronzebeard, Medivh, Varian Wrynn, Thrall, Ner'Zhul, Mal'Ganis, Kel'Thuzad, and many more. And of course his beloved steed Invincible.
lkholsberg's review against another edition
4.0
Sad story, but explained a lot of the lore in the game.