I feel privileged to be able to read the novel after 87 days playing Shadowlands Alpha to understand the lore from both media.
Especially, after playing the Shadowlands Intro Questline where players participate in a ritual at The Frozen Throne to open a way into The Maw in the Shadowlands.
Reading the novel helped me fill up the gap of what led to the new expansion.
Throughout this review, I will offer minor spoilers without names in some instances, or without going into detail. So keep this in mind beyond the break below. If you want to skip the soft spoilers, but want to check out the Table of Content with chapters listed, skip to the image.
Days of Wonder announced the launch of the Small World of Warcraft board game, based on their Small World game mechanics.
A new day dawns on Azeroth. A day like every one before it, and every one after. A day of merciless struggle for the control of the World of Warcraft. Not only is this Small World territory far too tight for everyone, it also hosts the never-ending conflict between the factions of the Alliance and the Horde. Dawn has broken and the time has come to take your place on the front lines.
Small World of Warcraft is a stand-alone board game set in Blizzard’s glorious video game universe, Azeroth. 2-5 players vie for control of several islands in this hostile world and their only hope will be to pick the right combination of races and special powers. After staking your claim to a piece of land, defeat your neighbors and expand your territory. If you can occupy legendary places and control powerful magical artifacts, you’ll reach new levels of domination. However, empires must eventually fall, so be ready to put your over-extended race into decline and lead a new one to glory so you can eventually rule Azeroth.
Update (April 10) — Random House provided via email a summary and the front cover of World of Warcraft: Shadows Rising.
Penned by New York Times bestselling author Madeleine Roux, Shadows Rising is the next epic tale in the World of Warcraft novel series and takes place during the aftermath of Sylvanas Windrunner’s betrayal of the Horde. The prequel novel releases on July 14, 2020, yet fans can pre-order now.
SUMMARY
“The Horde is nothing!” With those infamous words, Sylvanas Windrunner betrayed and abandoned the Horde she vowed to serve. The Dark Lady and her forces now work in the shadows as both the Horde and Alliance, including her own sister, Alleria, race to uncover her next move. Struggling to shoulder the crushing weight of leadership, King Anduin entrusts the void elf and High Exarch Turalyon to uncover Sylvanas’s whereabouts.
The Horde now stands at a crossroads. The various factions form a council, leaving the mantle of warchief to rest. Thrall, Lor’themar Theron, Baine Bloodhoof, First Arcanist Thalyssra, and many other familiar faces rise to this new challenge. But the threats are numerous, and the distrust runs too deep.
When the council is derailed by a failed assassination attempt on Talanji—the Zandalari queen and a key ally—Thrall and the rest of the Horde leaders are forced into action. They empower the young troll shaman Zekhan, still grieving the loss of Varok Saurfang, with a critical mission to aid Talanji and help uncover the rising threat against her.
Meanwhile, Nathanos Blightcaller and Sira Moonwarden have been tasked by the Dark Lady with a terrifying gambit: to kill the troll loa of death himself, Bwonsamdi.
As Zekhan and Talanji work to save Bwonsamdi, their journey will be a key turning point in bolstering the Horde against the coming darkness and finding themselves along the way. Failure to save their allies and the trickster god will surely doom them—but through success, they may rediscover what makes the Horde strong.
Originally posted on February 10, 2020.
Very early in the morning today, the World of Warcraft: Shadows Rising novel by Madeleine Roux appeared with a book description and the pre-order page.
The novel features Sylvanas, Nathanos, Zekhan, Alleria, Turalyon, and several leaders of the Alliance and the Horde.
Sylvanas has given Nathanos and Sira Moonwarden a terrible assassination order. One that will reverberate among Warcraft lore scholars: “how?”
Pre-order is available as Hardcover and Digital (Kindle) — which can be read in the PC app or with Firefox/Chrome/Edge
Wild Bangarang announced their Blizzard licensing agreement will come to an end on February 29th 2020. But not the way you might think. From the blog post’s wording it seems they can no longer sell leggings at their store.
Update (July 11) — The front cover has been revealed.
Update (January 23) — The book description for World of Warcraft: Exploring Azeroth: The Eastern Kingdoms is now available, but my previous gut feeling is starting to take shape with a new bit of information: the book author. Gentlemen and Ladies… this book is written by New York Times best seller author; and current Blizzard Entertainment Senior writer Christie Golden.
Now that’s major eye-popping news. It is much easier to take a guess at its content and structure from the point of view of Blizzard’s two-decade book writer.
January 16, 2020
Blizzard Entertainment is publishing a brand-new book under the Blizzard Legends label that might probably be a mix of concept art and in-depth history about each of the zones of the Eastern Kingdoms.
If true, this is a very different way of doing concept art books. Past Blizzard Games’ Art Books have been themed around a specific expansion, or around encompassing the history of Warcraft as a whole (spanning several expansions).
But publishing an exploration art book focused on the Eastern Kingdoms?
At least 27 of the 15th Anniversary World of Warcraft Server Blades have made their way to eBay in the past few days. These are listed as “New condition.”
These were not the ones sold from 2010-2012 batch. These were originally sold for the Blizzard Charity Auction Benefitting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® through Thursday, October 31 through Tuesday, November 5, 2019.
Some have a “Buy Now” set price, and others have an open bid. Regardless of the deal, always read and make sure the items are listed as new and nowhere in the text specifies the item is damaged in any way. At least 3 of the 27 that I inspected specify a damage to the holding pieces or the acrylic cover itself.
Blizzard Entertainment will re-publish the DC Comics World of Warcraft: Pearl of Pandaria graphic novel under the Blizzard Legends publishing label.
The graphic novel was originally written by Micky Neilson and illustrated by Sean Galloway . The story featured Chen Stormstout and his niece Li Li.
The graphic novel was published on September 2012 as a prelude to the World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria expansion that shipped the same month.
World of Warcraft: Pearl of Pandaria
In this enthralling original graphic novel published in a landscape format, you will meet the PANDAREN, one of the most beloved (and mysterious) races in World of Warcraft!
World of Warcraft: Traveler, Book 3: The Shining Blade
Don’t miss the epic conclusion to the World of Warcraft: Traveler trilogy, brought to life by New York Times bestselling author Madeleine Roux!
Aramar Thorne and Makasa Flintwill have borne their fair share of troubles. Ever since Aram’s father entrusted him with an enchanted compass, Aram and Makasa have traveled the extraordinary lands of Azeroth, seeking out the shards of a legendary weapon: the Diamond Blade. The truth behind the weapon, and the terrible doom it seeks to prevent, seems to have been lost at sea with Captain Greydon Thorne. But not all secrets are meant to stay buried.
As the pair struggles to stay two steps ahead of Malus and the Hidden – dangerous mercenaries and sorcerers who’ll stop at nothing to gain the compass – Aram and Makasa have assembled a powerful band of their own allies. From lively goblins and fantastic creatures to mighty druids and mysterious dryads, people are drawn to the talented young artist and the formidable fighter – a fortunate fact. For in their most desperate hour, Aram and Makasa will need all the help they can get to prevent Azeroth from being plunged into eternal darkness and chaos.
This epic conclusion to the World of Warcraft: Traveler trilogy is penned by New York Times bestselling author Madeleine Roux and features stunning new artwork throughout.
PRODUCT DETAILS
Age Range: 8 – 12 years
Grade Level: 3 – 7
Series: World of Warcraft: Traveler (Book 3)
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Release Date: December 26, 2019
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1338538942
ISBN-13: 978-1338538946
Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 7.6 inches
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Madeleine Roux is the New York Times bestselling author of the Asylum series, which has sold over a million copies worldwide, and whose first book was named a Teen Indie Next List Pick. She is also the author of the House of Furies series, Allison Hewitt Is Trapped, Sadie Walker Is Stranded, and the upcoming Salvaged. Her short story contributions can be found in collections such as Star Wars: From a Certain Point of View, RESIST, and New Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. Madeleine is a 13-year World of Warcraft veteran, a noncombat pet enthusiast, and was briefly known as the Slayer of Incompetent, Stupid, and Disappointing Minions. She spends all her DKP on treats for her beloved corehound in Seattle, Washington.
