20 May 2013 | |
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This review of the World of Warcraft: Dawn of the Aspects: Part 3 novel by Richard Knaak is of the spoiler-free variety. Check out the entire Blizzard catalog in our Extensive Extended Universe post.
Before diving into the review proper, it’s important to note that Blizzard is releasing this book in a new fashion. Knaak’s latest work in the World of Warcraft universe will trickle out over the next few months in five installments. Each ringing up at $1.99, effectively costing more for those that purchase the full set. The serialized eBook is currently scheduled to wrap up in mid June. As such, this review will be concise.
Review of Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5.
Dawn of the Aspect has been a struggle to read through. The delayed releases of the individual parts of the eBook has endangered the novel further in my eyes. Rather than continuing reading to reach the next interesting plot point or gloss over additional unnecessary and repetitive detail, one has been left waiting weeks to see anything move forward. It’s been slow going during the first two installments, comprising of 10 chapters. Continue Reading
9 April 2013 | |
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This review of the World of Warcraft: Dawn of the Aspects: Part II novel by Richard Knaak is of the spoiler-free variety. Check out the entire Blizzard catalog in our Extensive Extended Universe post.
Before diving into the review proper, it’s important to note that Blizzard is releasing this book in a new fashion. Knaak’s latest work in the World of Warcraft universe will trickle out over the next few months in five installments. Each ringing up at $1.99, effectively costing more for those that purchase the full set. The serialized eBook is currently scheduled to wrap up in mid June. As such, this review will be concise.
Review of Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5.
The story arc of Dawn of the Aspects is slow. Knaak divides the book between two timelines. The reader is rooted in the current timeline, focusing primarily on Kalecgos and, like his predecessor, his fearful decline into madness. Jaina Proudmoore is the only character aside from the former aspect that has a meaningful role in this thread. The reader may be rooted in the current World of Warcraft universe, but the majority of the novel pertains to the evolution of proto-dragons to dragons and the eventual creation of dragon aspects.
Hit the jump for the full review of Part II of Dawn of the Aspects. Continue Reading
26 February 2013 | |
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This review of the World of Warcraft: Dawn of the Aspects: Part 1 novel by Richard Knaak is of the spoiler-free variety. Check out the entire Blizzard catalog in our Extensive Extended Universe post.
Before diving into the review proper, it’s important to note that Blizzard is releasing this book in a new fashion. Knaak’s latest work in the World of Warcraft universe will trickle out over the next few months in five installments. Each ringing up at $1.99, effectively costing more for those that purchase the full set. The serialized eBook is currently scheduled to wrap up in mid June. As such, this review will be concise.
Knaak returns to his dragonkind after their pyrrhic victory against Deathwing. The former Earth-warder gone only at the cost of the Aspects themselves. The Aspects remain alive, but without their powers leaving them to be known only by their proper monikers. Kalecgos, the former blue aspect after Malygos’ terror was ended, notices a disturbing change in the other, older comrades. They’ve given up, removed themselves from the struggle against the persistent evils of Azeroth. Leaving the chore up to the “younger” races.
Hit the jump for the full review of Part 1 of Dawn of the Aspects. Continue Reading
11 February 2013 | |
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This review of StarCraft II: Flashpoint novel by Christie Golden is of the spoiler-free variety. Check out the entire Blizzard catalog in our Extensive Extended Universe post.
Ready for an SAT comparison? Flashpoint is to StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm as World of Warcraft: Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War is to Mists of Pandaria. Christie Golden’s latest effort comes on the heels of Devil’s Due, her previous work in the universe, and launches the story of James Raynor, his Raiders and their “allies” into the early workings of Blizzard’s second entry into the StarCraft II trilogy.
Fans looking for deeper understanding of the Zerg or Protoss won’t have much success with Flashpoint. Sure, Sarah Kerrigan is a main character of the novel. One that’s largely comatosed for the novel following the closing cinematic events of StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. That’s not to suggest Flashpoint is lore that should be skipped. Completely the opposite in fact. Golden keeps the focus on the Terran struggles by returning to James Raynor, his Raiders, their struggle against Arcturus Mengsk and hope for redeeming the Queen of Blades.
Unlike the previous novels featuring back story to humanity’s most successful backwater Marshall, Flashpoint puts readers right in the thick of the universal struggle to be continued in Heart of the Swarm. Connected to past keys events in the lives of Raynor and Kerrigan via flashbacks, Golden describes the constant struggle the pair have had with trust. From leaders to friends, their past is littered with betrayal. A constant companion. Continue Reading
5 October 2012 | |
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This review of the World of Warcraft: Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War novel by Christie Golden is of the spoiler-free variety.
No novel has been more appropriately aligned with in-game events than Tides of War. Released just weeks ahead of Mists of Pandaria, Christie Golden was given the task of developing a story arc to kickoff the war between the Horde under Warchief Garrosh and the Alliance. With both sides still reeling from the final events of Cataclysm nearly all expected a lull in factional fighting, perhaps even a renewed chance at peace. Despite her best efforts, Jaine Proudmoore, ever the diplomat and focus of the novel, is unable to reach warmongering Garrosh before violence begins.
Golden is pure Golden in Tides of War. Her characters are spot on, from dialog to emotions, showcasing her in-depth understanding of the universe. Golden isn’t just articulating characters she’s worked with before. That’d be too easy. She’s reaching, grabbing and utilizing now-major players created by others, like Kalecgos and Rhonin, and humanizing smaller players such as General Marcus Jonathan.
Readers beware, like the players of World of Warcraft, the material in this book has grown up compared to other novelizations. There’s the obvious battle and dwarven alcohol references, but the descriptions of certain events and the impact they have on the major characters raise the bar. Characters on both sides of the struggle are so enraged, distraught and disgusted by actions taken by Garrosh that alcohol is openly discussed as an escape mechanism, rather than a comical subtle reference. Furthermore, an honest to god swear is uttered. Continue Reading
2 December 2011 | |
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This review of the World of Warcraft: Wolfheart novel by Richard A. Knaak is of the spoiler-free variety.
The latest novel for Warcraft’s Expanded Universe sits firmly in the current timeline of the game, as most recent novels have. Readers are placed in a small window after the Cataclysm and the events of Lord of His Pack, but before the official induction of the worgen to the Alliance. This is notable because the author, Richard A. Knaak, tends to write in his own timeline. Nearly all of his work has been set in the game’s past, including a handful of plots that few living beings would have intimate knowledge of. Knaak’s other common trait is the inclusion of “his” characters, Tyrande Whisperwing and Malfurion Stormrage. Both of these characters play an integral role to the dual plot.
Yes, a dual plot. Interested?
Knaak weaves two distinct threads throughout Wolfheart. Not so shockingly, one tale features the struggles of the Alliance, while the other showcases the audacity of the reinvigorated Horde. Making this novel fully capable of playing a fantastic Benedict Arnold (overall, more Alliance focused).
Hit the cut to find out how the novel comes together and if Knaak has finally won over one of the Lore Hounds. Continue Reading
17 October 2011 | |
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This review World of Warcraft: Thrall: Twilight of the Aspects novel by Christie Golden is of the spoiler-free variety.
Thrall: Twilight of the Aspects opens like many other recent World of Warcraft novelizations. We’re introduced to the star character, Thrall. Said character is then introduced to a challenging force known to any player that has been following the overall storyarc. Today, that’s Deathwing and the devastation his reentry left on Azeroth. Readers are quickly shown how inept Thrall is at his new craft, shamanism. An adjective rarely applied to the renowned – on both sides – leader. Despite his spiritual growth at he hands of Draka in The Shattering, he can barely keep up with his Earthen Ring brethren, leading them to dismiss him, a former Warchief.
Thrall. He’s known by many names, for many reasons. The greenskin is known by both factions, loved and hated independent of such fissures. Warcrafters know more about him than any other faction leaders, quite possibly any other figure in the decades-long universe. And yet, fans don’t know him. Fans know his deeds, the legends, what he’s created and what he has left behind. Golden rectifies this in Twilight of the Aspects. Continue Reading
2 May 2011 | |
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This review of StarCraft II: Devil’s Due is of the spoiler-free variety.
Devil’s Due picks up five years after the final operational by the Heaven’s Devils (review), one which forced the remaining squad members to go AWOL. James Raynor and Tychus Findlay remain comrades-in-arms, but of a different variety. Now the pair performs snatch-and-grabs, “freeing” credits from the Confederacy’s hands to spend with reckless abandon at local, often seedy, establishments. The tandem has spent a half decade performing these odd jobs, causing the local authorities and bigger fish to take notice. Before Raynor and Finlay get comfortable in their new life, their past acts come back to haunt them.
Author Christie Golden makes it immediately clear that Devil’s Due is going to be a different type of tale. We’re not going to learn about Raynor’s heroism, his bravery in the face of battle, the Heaven’s Devils’ reunion or officer attributes. This is a dangerous time in Raynor’s and Tychus’ life. They’re a criminal element, walking a fine line between Robin Hood-esque robberies and moral destitute. They frequent seedy establishments. The kind that are full of alcohol, prostitutes, recreational drugs – legal and not – and backroom deals, like Wicked Wayne’s. This is a mature look in to Raynor’s moral development. Golden paints him as an anti-hero at best and a reserved thug at worse.
Continue Reading
