This review of the World of Warcraft: Dawn of the Aspects: Part 4 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.
Action packed, it’s simply the most concise way to articulate Part 4 of this eBook experiment. Knaak has been saving his combat chops for this stretch of the five-part novel. It’s been an agonizing wait till this point, but the plot and related subplots finally drive forward with reckless abandon. Kalecgos hidden in the mind of Malygos, and the rest of the future Aspects and other sentient proto dragons set out to confront the behemoth Father of Dragons known as Galakrond. Regardless of his immense size and mutation, the evolving proto dragons understand that his hunger and growing undead army will bring about their extinction in short order.
The latest installment begins to bring each subplot together. Jaina and Kalecgos, in the present timeline, work towards discerning the purpose behind the ancient and power artifact. Knaak delivers a different sort of action, touching upon the unspoken feelings between the two powerful mages of different species to instill drama. Jaina, in her capacity of Archmage, begins skirting her duties to help her friend adding to the unusual feelings. Part 4 ends with the two storyline slowly converging. This leads the reader with a desire to read more instantly out of engagement. Unlike the boredom previous parts have ended on.
For all his strengths with plot development, action and drama in the penultimate installment Knaak continues to struggle with day-to-day descriptions. By constantly referring to proto dragons as large creature capable of filling caves and casting wide shadows he loses adjectives and size comparisons for Galakrond. This inhibits his ability to paint a picture of how massive and grotesque the violent beast is. Furthermore, Galakrond, referred to as a leviathan in early parts, continues to grow throughout. Having already peppered his story with every possible synonym the scale of Galakrond becomes muddled.
Dawn of the Aspects – Part V comes out June 17.
Interested in exploring Warcraft’s recent lore further?
Blizzard has released a torrent of Warcraft novelizations as WoW has gained in popularity. Most directly related to Dawn of the Aspects are Jaina Proudmoore: Tide of War and The Shattering – Prelude to Cataclysm both by Christie Golden.
Knaak, as the master of WoW dragonkind, has dabbled with them since he began working with Blizzard. Pick up Day of the Dragon, Night of the Dragon or the unfinished Dragons of Outland. Knaak penned the War of the Ancients trilogy as his freshman entry into the Warcraft universe, years ahead of WoW’s release.
Check out all of the novelizations of Blizzard products in the our Extensive Extended Universe rundown.
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