Customer Reviews:
  If You Were Let Down by Knaak... August 13, 2008
...then rejoice because Christie Golden's "Rise of the Horde" delivers everything you've come to expect from fantasy - an interesting plot, good character development, and, most importantly, professional literary writing that sets it well apart from the stylistic disasters that were "The War of the Ancients" and "Day of the Dragon".
The eventual culmination of the book contains no secrets to anyone who has played World of Warcraft or, indeed, any of the Warcraft RTS games. The backstory of Archimonde, Kil'Jaeden and Velen is very well-told and contains valuable lore for anyone who appreciates World of Warcraft for its, well, world.
As you can imagine, the focal point is the rise (or, as one could say, the fall) of the Orcish Horde. Christie traces its evolution from its humble beginnings as a collection of scattered Orc tribes to its emergence as a single entity - and the dark bargains made and betrayals that took place along the way.
What I like the most about the book is its writing style. Although Christie Golden makes a few stylistic faux pas, they're mostly limited to tautology, and, as such, the book itself feels like a much higher quality read that Knaak's Warcraft works. If you were disappointed by Knaak's works - as I was - then Christie Golden is here to show you that there are still books in the WoW setting that can be read without cringing.
 Excellent! May 30, 2008
This was a great read and leaves you with a wealth of background knowledge on the horde and Draenei!
You learn loads about: Durotan, Ogrim Doomhammer, Velen, Kil'jaeden, The Naaru, Ner'zhul, Guldan, Archimonde, Sargeras, Blackhand, Drek'Thar, Grom Hellscream, Blood Lust, Draenor -Hellfire Peninsula/Terrokar/Nagrand.
The book tells you everything you need to know about the corruption of the Eredar and the escape of Velen and the Draenei, it also tells of the Orcs heritage and tradition and their unification and corruption leading to them waging war on the Draenia and the opening of the Dark Portal.
I found the background to the Draenei's tale particulaty interesting!
An excellent read!
Make sure you follow it up with 'Lord of The Clans' also by Christie Golden, as the tale continues.
Root for the Horde in this tale from the World of Warcraft December 13, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I've always been a big fan of the World of Warcraft game where I play a level 60 Alliance Mage fighting the Horde. So, I was pleasantly surprised with this story that describes their rise - and fall - in a well crafted story that sets the scene for many familiar locations and characters within the game.
Those of you who have purchased The Burning Crusade expansion will also find a wealth of information on the origin of the Draenei race and the building of the Dark Portal, all tightly woven into a well written storyline. Those of you who play the Horde in the game will also find a great deal of information on many, key Horde characters including Durotan and Doomhammer.
Overall, a well told story that is in keeping with the warcraft theme that will keep you entertained and add to the colour of your online gameplay.
For the Horde! (oops I meant the Alliance!)
A refreshing Warcraft read May 30, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Ever since the release of 'Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos', I've been a fan of the series of games. They have a great plot and a well thought-out world. I've read all the Warcraft novels that have been released up until now and I have to say this is one of the better. The story is interesting and ties in to the one in the games almost perfectly. Finally we know the story of the orcs on their homeworld Draenor. One problem I had with the novel was with the character Ner'zhul. He was always represented as a person with evil ambitions who converted the orcs to his cause. In this novel however he seems rather reluctant with what's happening. In conclusion, it's a good read, but only if you're a Warcraft fan.
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