Rise of the Horde

By: Christie Golden

Rise of the Horde is a novel set in the World of Warcraft universe, specifically in The Doom of Draenor era.  

Plot: The Orcs are a peaceful, shamanistic society that takes pride in the hunt, and is one with nature.  All that changes when Ner'zhul is tricked by Kil'jaeden into believing that the draenei are enemies, and that the path to the salvation of their race is to assemble a massive horde, which will abandon their long honored shaman magic for darker, warlock magics instead.

However, Durotan, the young chieftain of the Frostwolves clan, is not fooled by Ner'zhul's proclamations.  Having met the draenei when he was younger, he knows the truth of their character.  However, as a chieftan, he must do what is best for his people, and is forced to choose between what is right, and what the Horde wants.

Review:  This novel offers great insight into who the orcs truly were before they were overwhelmed by bloodlust.  The author truly is a master storyteller in the fact that she will have you sympathizing with the orcs, and the draenei, within a few pages of the novel.  The plot is extremely entertaining, and the characters are very much real, which will captivate the reader right from the beginning.

The morality involved in this novel is gripping, where even the lines are blurred between good guy and bad guy.  People can be easily fooled into doing bad things with the best of intentions, and if there is any lesson to be learned in this novel that is it.  I highly recommend this novel for any reader interested in the World of Warcraft or any person interested in a good plot with larger than life characters.