Beyond the Dark Portal

By: Aaron Rosenberg & Christie Golden

Beyond the Dark Portal is a novel set in the World of Warcraft universe, specifically in The Alliance & Horde era.  

Plot: The Second War is all but finished.  Ogrim Doomhammer has been captured, the horde is in retreat, and Gul'dan is presumed dead after entering the tomb of Sargeras, and never coming out.  The Horde being in shambles, has no choice but to return to their ruined world of Draenor, to regroup and rethink their strategy.

The Alliance has the same thought.  They can not afford to let the Horde return through the dark portal, regroup, and then wreak havoc once again.  The Alliance sends an expeditionary force, led by a paladin named Turalyon, to defeat the orcs on their home turf.

With the death of Gul'dan and the aid of the Black Dragon Deathwing, Ner'zhul returns to the scene by taking up the leadership role of the Horde.  He sets out to take the orcs to a new world, and will let nothing stop him in his conquest.

Review:  Having played this expansion when it came out for DOS way back when, the outcome of the story was not much of a surprise.  However, just like the game, the journey is the best part, not the destination.  Reading the plot unfold with more detail definitely steps up the storyline, and provides great entertainment.  This novel is a good read, but is a must read for any of us old-timers that loaded up the game on our 486 computer, and lost several days, never looking back..