|
Frostmourne. It was caught in a hovering, jagged chunk of ice, the runes that ran the length of its blade glowing a cool blue. Below it was a dais of some sort, standing on a large gently raised mound that was covered in a dusting of snow. A soft light, coming from somewhere high above where the cavern was open to daylight, shone down on the runeblade. The icy prison hid some details of the sword's shape and form, exaggerated others. It was revealed and concealed at the same time, and all the more tempting, like a new lover imperfectly glimpsed through a gauzy curtain. Arthas knew the blade -- it was the selfsame sword he had seen in his dream when he first arrived. The sword that had not killed Invincible, but that had brought him back healed and healthy. He'd thought it a good omen then, but now he knew it was a true sign. This was what he had come to find. This sword would change everything. Arthas stared raptly at it, his hands almost physically aching to grasp it, his fingers to wrap themselves around the hilt, his arms to feel the weapon swinging smoothly in the blow that would end Mal'Ganis, end the torment he had visited upon the people of Lordaeron, end this lust for revenge. Drawn, he stepped forward. The uncanny elemental spirit drew its icy sword. "Turn away, before it is too late," it intoned. * * * His evil is legend. Lord of the undead Scourge, wielder of the runeblade Frostmourne, and enemy of the free peoples of Azeroth. The Lich King is an entity of incalculable power and unparalleled malice -- his icy soul utterly consumed by his plans to destroy all life on the World of Warcraft. But it was not always so. Long before his soul was fused with that of the orc shaman Ner'zhul, the Lich King was Arthas Menethil, crown prince of Lordaeron and faithful paladin of the Silver Hand. When a plague of undeath threatened all that he loved, Arthas was driven to pursue an ill-fated quest for a runeblade powerful enough to save his homeland. Yet the object of his search would exact a heavy price from its new master, beginning a horrifying descent into damnation. Arthas's path would lead him through the arctic northern wastes toward the Frozen Throne, where he would face, at long last, the darkest of destinies.
|
 Good Place to Start |
| Review Date: April 24, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Mr. William D. Akers, Blacksburg, VA |
If you're a player of World of Warcraft, but not into the old RTS games or the books that have come before, this novel is the place to jump and see some of the story behind the game you've been playing.
Christie Golden has crafted a strong character-centric tale following the life of Arthas Menethil. It shows him growing into a young man, joining the ranks of the paladins, and his eventual fall from grace in a way that is quick, concise, and yet still meaningful. Arthas is portrayed as neither a spoiled brat or an arrogant upstart, but as a well-meaning person with a good soul and a few very human and realistic character flaws that gets twisted into something horrible, party by outside forces, but also by the lack of control he has over himself. As I read it, I found myself comparing it to the fall of Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars Saga, and I hate to say it, Golden did a superior job with her take on how a hero becomes the villain.
If this book has any weakness, is that its a little too short. The first two volumes take place at a good pace, always moving but taking the time to really show us all that's transpiring. As the book moves through its third act, those familiar with Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne will note at how briefly the events of the undead campaign are covered. In contrast to the first two thirds of the book, the last third skips over large chunks of the storyline to make sure the crucial points get the time needed, which is good.
The main story in no way feels slighted. But for those of already familiar with the first draft of events, so to speak, it seems as if Golden were either pressed for time, or had a page count limit she was working under because the trek through Anub'Arak is given only the barest of mentions, and the encounter with Sapphiron is treated as if it never happened. An odd choice, given how the dragon features prominently in the World of Warcraft game at the moment.
Lastly, the book concludes with a Further Reading section. This is something new readers can really appreciate. The novel touches on events and places from other games, and expanded upon in earlier novels. This section lets the reader know where to learn more about those places and events, what novels to buy and what games to play. Some might call it shameless marketing, but it makes a handy reference section for new readers. |
Completely faithful
|
| Review Date: May 1, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Tasha Mac, |
| Christie Golden knocks it out of the park again. Arthas's story is one driven by the characters and their emotions more than bare-bones action, and of all the people in Blizzard's writing arsenal, Golden is the only one who could tackle such a story. And that she does, with amazing grace and tenderness toward every character, delivering each in an unbiased light. The lore is rich without being intimidating, the characters warm and developed, and it gives us Warcraft lore buffs some tasty things to chew on for a long while after. Highly recommended for anyone who likes Warcraft! |
Great book
|
| Review Date: May 20, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Sioken, Nebraska |
This book was really great. It followed the lore of Warcraft very close. This book even created a childhood for Arthas that was never really known. In the game I didnt't really like Arthas that much for the way you acted as a Paladin. In this book it can make like him for the bit where he is actually kind and not wanting vengence. You see the relationship Arthas and Jaina had that was not real clear in the Warcraft game. Pretty this book starts with his childhood and all the way to where hes at in the Frozen Throne. Which this is why the book is Rise of the Lich King.
I say anyone that loved the Warcraft lore should read this or any people that have played World of Warcraft and want to know who the Lich King really was before all madness broke loose in Azeroth. |
Excellent book
|
| Review Date: May 25, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Amber K. Hofschulte, Rochester, MN |
| I thought this was an absolutely excellent book. It was wonderful in how it tied in all of the other Warcraft books in the history of Arthas and how it related to him. |
perfect for people who have played warcraft 1-3
|
| Review Date: June 20, 2009 |
| Reviewer: B. Dellario, Plymouth, PA |
| this is a great book if you have played warcraft 3 or even if you havent. the book describes the events that happened in the game better then the game itself considering the technology of the time. if your not familiar with warcraft lore i recomend you either play warcraft 3 or read the other books first which will help make things make more sense. or you can go to wowwiki and look stuff up there. there where some things left out that other people said before like sapphiron but overall i thought it was a great book that leads right up to WoW: wotlk when he wakes up. |
|
No video reviews found for this product.
