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A review by rinbee
Arthas: Rise of the Lich King by Christie Golden
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.