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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
I went into this book thinking that it was going to be a lot like the lore sheets that are online. No real story, just fact in a oddly structured format. I've never read the other lore books and I was told this was the one to read so I grabbed it.
It was strange to find that their was an actual progression of character in Arthas and you can spot the points where he begins to fall from the Light. Golden does an awesome job at making the story understandable even if the reader hasn't played any of the Warcraft games. I think people that haven't played at least World of Warcraft will have a bit of a time with visualizing each place and character. I found that even though I hadn't played Warcraft III, I was still able to grasp these things being as I play WoW.
So in short, this is definitely a gamer's book, but a face value I took it as doom and gloom but its not. There's romance and determination, cunning and deceitfulness. It definitely made me want to pick up Golden's other lore books.
In case you're curious, I play Mornaria - 80 blood elf Holy Paladin on the Turalyon server. :)
It was strange to find that their was an actual progression of character in Arthas and you can spot the points where he begins to fall from the Light. Golden does an awesome job at making the story understandable even if the reader hasn't played any of the Warcraft games. I think people that haven't played at least World of Warcraft will have a bit of a time with visualizing each place and character. I found that even though I hadn't played Warcraft III, I was still able to grasp these things being as I play WoW.
So in short, this is definitely a gamer's book, but a face value I took it as doom and gloom but its not. There's romance and determination, cunning and deceitfulness. It definitely made me want to pick up Golden's other lore books.
In case you're curious, I play Mornaria - 80 blood elf Holy Paladin on the Turalyon server. :)
Starts off as a curious, if not slightly boring, story of Arthas' life prior to becoming the Lich King. Tries to include as many important WoW characters as possible, often simply as cameos. The second part of the book, however, turns out to be a bland retelling of the Warcraft games. Not even Christie Golden's writing can save this waste of time.
Oh, and for all the talk about how she is the most powerful human mage in existence, Jaina Proudmoore is once again treated as a war trophy and a crybaby. Ugh.
Oh, and for all the talk about how she is the most powerful human mage in existence, Jaina Proudmoore is once again treated as a war trophy and a crybaby. Ugh.
I'm actually surprised by all the good reviews for this book. To each their own, though Christie Golden has done much better with other novels. This one felt very rushed, and forced, as though she didn't really have any enthusiasm for writing this one.
If you've played Warcraft III along with the Frozen Throne, there isn't much need to read this. I was also greatly bothered by the injection of the horse - Invincible - into the plot. After Arthas turns to the - ahem - dark side, it seems as though he's constantly thinking about this damn horse. When I still played World of Warcraft, my guild mates and I used to joke around about how Jaina Proudmoore wasn't his true love. That spot was reserved for his damn horse.
I was disappointed by the Kael'thas plot line, because it was actually the only spot in the book that I thought Ms. Golden's talent truly shined. I was disappointed because these moments in the book didn't last long, and they were really interesting. If you're really into World of Warcraft, and really love this book or want to read it, perhaps you'd be interested in buying my signed copy? :D
If you've played Warcraft III along with the Frozen Throne, there isn't much need to read this. I was also greatly bothered by the injection of the horse - Invincible - into the plot. After Arthas turns to the - ahem - dark side, it seems as though he's constantly thinking about this damn horse. When I still played World of Warcraft, my guild mates and I used to joke around about how Jaina Proudmoore wasn't his true love. That spot was reserved for his damn horse.
I was disappointed by the Kael'thas plot line, because it was actually the only spot in the book that I thought Ms. Golden's talent truly shined. I was disappointed because these moments in the book didn't last long, and they were really interesting. If you're really into World of Warcraft, and really love this book or want to read it, perhaps you'd be interested in buying my signed copy? :D
This isn't a book I'd recommend to anyone who is unfamiliar with Warcraft lore. There are a lot of character mentions and event mentions that mean nothing to a person who doesn't know this universe. Events and story threads are also glossed over that are dealt with in the games. The book also ends without a conclusion, again because this is essentially telling Arthas's life from childhood through when he begins to become a threat to Azeroth as the Lich King.
The writing style is good. Christie Golden did a good job of writing Arthas in a way that makes his transition somewhat understandable. She handles the fantastical descriptions of creatures and places in a way that makes sense even if you've never seen these creatures in the games.
I would recommend this book for someone who feels nostalgic for Warcraft. I used to play WoW, starting during the Wrath expansion pack, so this book reminded me of the time spent in that world preparing to fight the main character of this novel.
The writing style is good. Christie Golden did a good job of writing Arthas in a way that makes his transition somewhat understandable. She handles the fantastical descriptions of creatures and places in a way that makes sense even if you've never seen these creatures in the games.
I would recommend this book for someone who feels nostalgic for Warcraft. I used to play WoW, starting during the Wrath expansion pack, so this book reminded me of the time spent in that world preparing to fight the main character of this novel.
Really enjoyed my first World of Warcraft book, having never really known much of the lore before. I love that I can go in game and see / be a part of the entire history, and the characters seem much more alive to me. Pretty sure I'll continue reading the next book and will probably even pick up some warcraft books (ones not related to the MMO).
I have been interested in Arthas' story since The Lich King dlc came out. I think it is invigorating scary how this prominent young prince could be manipulated to such horrible effect and i think that Golden really does a good job of making that clear.
The book is good, not the best i've read, but definently recommendable as it really gives us an insight to Arthas thoughts and worries, something we havent seen much of elsewhere.
That being said i will admit that if you have played Warcraft III, not much is going to surprise you in the book as Golden follows the story made by Chris Metzen (i pressume) when they made the warcraft game.
The book is good, not the best i've read, but definently recommendable as it really gives us an insight to Arthas thoughts and worries, something we havent seen much of elsewhere.
That being said i will admit that if you have played Warcraft III, not much is going to surprise you in the book as Golden follows the story made by Chris Metzen (i pressume) when they made the warcraft game.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Eh. It's the Arthas origin story. If you haven't played the Warcraft 3 games then the pacing and abrupt drop off of certain characters (as they go into their own quest-lines in the games and thus away from the Arthas plot line) will feel really weird and unsatisfying. Not an amazing story, but not terrible. But I'll die on the hill that this is the story that Blizzard should've gone with for their first film.
An equally apt summary: the story of a dude who loved his horse more than literally anything/one else.
An equally apt summary: the story of a dude who loved his horse more than literally anything/one else.
While reading this book I read through some of the reviews, and saw that there were a lot of complaints about the book. I've played the Warcraft games and World of Warcraft, I thought I knew the entire story of Arthas when I went to read this book and I found that I clearly did not know everything. Even as I read through events I already knew, I found myself learning more about Arthas and how he felt, what he thought.
There were some complaints about how much emphasis the author placed on Arthas's horse, Invincible, to the point where someone even complained that the first thing Arthas did was raise his horse from the grave. Clearly some readers seem to miss understand and not fully comprehend the true bond between a horse and his rider, especially one that Arthas had seen born. There was a bond between them from the first moment, and it devastated Arthas so much that he not only did he cause the downfall of his steed, but failed to save him. Arthas's story is one of a young man finding himself to be only average, of not being able to come to terms with his weaknesses and realise that he had strengths that he just couldn't see. He had the possibility to be a great king of his people, instead his own doubt in his abilities took him down a dark path.
The novel isn't just about Arthas, you also learn a lot more about Sylvanas and Jaina. For those who know their roles in Arthas' life, you will know how painful it was for them - this book only emphasises it tendfold.
There were some complaints about how much emphasis the author placed on Arthas's horse, Invincible, to the point where someone even complained that the first thing Arthas did was raise his horse from the grave. Clearly some readers seem to miss understand and not fully comprehend the true bond between a horse and his rider, especially one that Arthas had seen born. There was a bond between them from the first moment, and it devastated Arthas so much that he not only did he cause the downfall of his steed, but failed to save him. Arthas's story is one of a young man finding himself to be only average, of not being able to come to terms with his weaknesses and realise that he had strengths that he just couldn't see. He had the possibility to be a great king of his people, instead his own doubt in his abilities took him down a dark path.
The novel isn't just about Arthas, you also learn a lot more about Sylvanas and Jaina. For those who know their roles in Arthas' life, you will know how painful it was for them - this book only emphasises it tendfold.
Love Arthas. This book unexpectedly took me to the dark side.