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In the wake of the Cataclysm, conflict has engulfed every corner of Azeroth. Hungering for more resources amid the turmoil, the Horde has pressed into Ashenvale to feed its burgeoning war machine. There, acting warchief Garrosh Hellscream has employed a brutal new tactic to conquer the region and crush its night elf defenders, a move that will cripple the Alliance's power throughout the World of Warcraft.Unaware of the disaster brewing in Ashenvale, the night elves' legendary leaders, High Priestess Tyrande Whisperwind and Archdruid Malfurion Stormrage, conduct a summit near Darnassus in order to vote the proud worgen of Gilneas into the Alliance. However, resentment of Gilneas and its ruler, Genn Greymane, runs deep in Stormwind's King Varian Wrynn. His refusal to forgive Genn for closing his nation off from the rest of the world years ago endangers more than just the summit: it threatens to unravel the Alliance itself.
Varian's animosity is only one of many unsettling developments in Darnassus. An uneasiness creeps over the once-immortal night elves as the first of them fall victim to the infirmities of age. While they cope with their mortality, tensions flare over the reintroduction of the Highborne, formerly the highest caste of night elf nobility, into their society. Many night elves are unable to pardon the Highborne for the destruction unleashed on Azeroth millennia ago by their reckless use of magic.
When a murdered Highborne is discovered on the outskirts of Darnassus, Malfurion and Tyrande move to stop further bloodshed and unrest by appointing one of the night elves' most cunning and skilled agents to find the killer: the renowned warden Maiev Shadowsong. Yet with all that is transpiring in Darnassus, the Alliance might be powerless to stop the relentless new warchief Garrosh from seizing the whole of Ashenvale.
Varian's animosity is only one of many unsettling developments in Darnassus. An uneasiness creeps over the once-immortal night elves as the first of them fall victim to the infirmities of age. While they cope with their mortality, tensions flare over the reintroduction of the Highborne, formerly the highest caste of night elf nobility, into their society. Many night elves are unable to pardon the Highborne for the destruction unleashed on Azeroth millennia ago by their reckless use of magic.
When a murdered Highborne is discovered on the outskirts of Darnassus, Malfurion and Tyrande move to stop further bloodshed and unrest by appointing one of the night elves' most cunning and skilled agents to find the killer: the renowned warden Maiev Shadowsong. Yet with all that is transpiring in Darnassus, the Alliance might be powerless to stop the relentless new warchief Garrosh from seizing the whole of Ashenvale.
510 pages
First published September 13, 2011
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3488 people want to read
About the author
Richard A. Knaak
283 books1,480 followersRichard A. Knaak is the bestselling author of Dragonlance novels, the Dragonrealm and Black City Saint series (his own creations), six novels for Blizzard Entertainment's Diablo series, and six works in the Warcraft universe. He has also written several non-series fantasy books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
August 17, 2016
Garrosh Hellscream, newly appointed Warchief of the Horde, is preparing a grand invasion of Ashenvale while Tyrande Whisperwind is desperately struggling to preserve the unity of the Alliance. The induction of the worgen of Gilneas is under threat by the unforgiving animosity of Varian Wrynn, King of Stormwind.
Wolfheart might just be the best book I've read from Richard A. Knaak. The writing is better and it provides an insight into many minor aspects of Warcraft lore that I'm glad to have.
And of course, it provides an insight into the character and leadership of Varian, which in light of recent happenings was rather emotional.
Wolfheart might just be the best book I've read from Richard A. Knaak. The writing is better and it provides an insight into many minor aspects of Warcraft lore that I'm glad to have.
And of course, it provides an insight into the character and leadership of Varian, which in light of recent happenings was rather emotional.
September 13, 2015
I'm sure I've said before that I would never read another World of Warcraft book by Richard A. Knaak, and yet here we are once again. I guess I just never learn my lesson.
Of course, I had my reservations, but my interest in the game's lore and characters won out in the end, especially since I discovered from the title and description that this book was going to be focused on King Varian Wrynn. I never really cared much for him as an in-game NPC, but after reading the World of Warcraft comics he started to really grow on me. I was curious what this book would add to his character.
I really shouldn't have bothered. I have to say he's pretty unlikeable in this book -- petty, arrogant, pig-headed, annoying...the list goes on and on. The worst part is, it was done in such a ham-fisted way in order to make the flimsy plot work.
This whole book also reads like a very bad piece of fan fiction. I know I shouldn't expect that much from game tie-in novels, but I've actually read some pretty decent ones in recent years and I think my standards are pretty realistic and I'm not demanding too much. The problem, I think, is Richard A. Knaak; I'm just not a fan of his writing. Guess I'll just stick with WoW books by other authors from now on. Christie Golden, for instance, has written some that I thought weren't too bad.
Of course, I had my reservations, but my interest in the game's lore and characters won out in the end, especially since I discovered from the title and description that this book was going to be focused on King Varian Wrynn. I never really cared much for him as an in-game NPC, but after reading the World of Warcraft comics he started to really grow on me. I was curious what this book would add to his character.
I really shouldn't have bothered. I have to say he's pretty unlikeable in this book -- petty, arrogant, pig-headed, annoying...the list goes on and on. The worst part is, it was done in such a ham-fisted way in order to make the flimsy plot work.
This whole book also reads like a very bad piece of fan fiction. I know I shouldn't expect that much from game tie-in novels, but I've actually read some pretty decent ones in recent years and I think my standards are pretty realistic and I'm not demanding too much. The problem, I think, is Richard A. Knaak; I'm just not a fan of his writing. Guess I'll just stick with WoW books by other authors from now on. Christie Golden, for instance, has written some that I thought weren't too bad.
July 20, 2014
The title's a bit misleading, as I was expecting the story to revolve around the worgen, when in fact this was a very heavily Night Elf-based story..even though it's technically about King Varian Wrynn.
I'm mixed on whether I actually liked this novel, versus liking it purely because of its rich involvement of the Night Elves (of whom I'm very fond of). While I enjoyed the overall concept of the story, I feel Knaak majorly lacked ability at portraying the characters' personalities. Being a long-time World of Warcraft player, I know these characters. I know their feats, their capabilities, their weaknesses..I played by their side for many years..and I was not impressed with Knaak's representation of them. It did many characters little justice - especially the fabled Malfurion Stormrage and King Varian Wrynn.
I found it mildly irritating that Knaak constantly kept referring back to Illidan Stormrage, who had no involvement in the story itself, besides a little history behind several characters. It felt he was stretching to gain the audience's attention by mentioning a well-like character over and over, regardless of their actual contribution to the story.
I mentioned I enjoyed the concept of the story, but I think it could have been better written. There were too many out-of-character ocurrances by many key individuals, actions/dialog that didn't fit the situations, and parts that just sounded downright childish.
I feel Knaak's talent lies more in writing from ancient lore versus more modern storyline. I enjoyed his "War of the Ancients" trilogy as well as "Day of the Dragon" - stories in which did not take place in the game itself, but attributed to later playable storyline - and find much to be desired with his modern storyline works such as "Stormrage" and "Wolfheart".
Overall, would I read it again? Sure. Would I recommend it for other fantasy readers? Possibly. Would I recommend it to other WoW players? No.
I'm mixed on whether I actually liked this novel, versus liking it purely because of its rich involvement of the Night Elves (of whom I'm very fond of). While I enjoyed the overall concept of the story, I feel Knaak majorly lacked ability at portraying the characters' personalities. Being a long-time World of Warcraft player, I know these characters. I know their feats, their capabilities, their weaknesses..I played by their side for many years..and I was not impressed with Knaak's representation of them. It did many characters little justice - especially the fabled Malfurion Stormrage and King Varian Wrynn.
I found it mildly irritating that Knaak constantly kept referring back to Illidan Stormrage, who had no involvement in the story itself, besides a little history behind several characters. It felt he was stretching to gain the audience's attention by mentioning a well-like character over and over, regardless of their actual contribution to the story.
I mentioned I enjoyed the concept of the story, but I think it could have been better written. There were too many out-of-character ocurrances by many key individuals, actions/dialog that didn't fit the situations, and parts that just sounded downright childish.
I feel Knaak's talent lies more in writing from ancient lore versus more modern storyline. I enjoyed his "War of the Ancients" trilogy as well as "Day of the Dragon" - stories in which did not take place in the game itself, but attributed to later playable storyline - and find much to be desired with his modern storyline works such as "Stormrage" and "Wolfheart".
Overall, would I read it again? Sure. Would I recommend it for other fantasy readers? Possibly. Would I recommend it to other WoW players? No.
January 26, 2025
This one starts to become what I thought these books were…boring, slow to develop, and hampered by the impossibility of fitting a gaming world into a true novel…
The central conceit is too hard to swallow…it’s been 10,000 years and the same folks are doing the same shit…unbelievable in the extreme.
The central conceit is too hard to swallow…it’s been 10,000 years and the same folks are doing the same shit…unbelievable in the extreme.
January 8, 2021
“My name is Varian Wrynn, but I am also Lo’Gosh.”
★★★★✩
This book actually has a funny story behind it. I wanted to give my boyfriend a copy of this book for our one-month anniversary as I knew he wanted this book for a while yet. Ofcourse, as a fellow Warcraft fan, I ordered a second copy for myself with it. My idea was that when we both finished reading, we could talk about the plot and details and more. This was well over a year ago and he still hasn’t read it, though I don’t blame him as he isn’t a reader like me. (He loved getting it though, and that is what counts for me!) But yeah, this is the reason I postponed reviewing it until I outright forgot it (oops!). Better late than never, right?
The story takes place in the wake of the Cataclysm. Though the title Wolfheart refers to Variann Wrynn, the king of Stormwind and leader of the Alliance, the book is more focussed on the Night Elves. First there is a summit in their capital for a vote that the Worgen may join the Alliance and later the Night Elves have to defend their land in Ashenvale against the Horde looking to farm resources in the zone. At first, the title may be a bit misleading, but the character arc of Varian Wrynn is very interesting and important in this book, but not the main plot. But that doesn’t matter, as the book itself is quite good.
I am a Horde player myself, so I often don’t get the experience the Alliance side of the story of certain events, which made me enjoy this book even more. Though it was a bit of a bummer this book was so Alliance centered and the Horde was portrayed as a real evil and the Alliance as the good guys, while they obviously aren’t. It felt a bit unrealistic. I understand the perpective of the Alliance towards the Horde may portray them as such, but when a chapter is a Horde POV, it shouldn’t be that way. In the World of Warcraft, neither of the factions is bad or good and when one is portrayed as one, it is usually on character or a small group that go rogue or become evil, but that doesn’t define the whole factions. Feels a bit like bad writing from that point of view and I think this book could have been so much more if this wasn’t the case.
I absolutely loved reading this book, as I don’t know too much detailed lore from older zones in the game and this book tells the story of Ashenvale beautifully. You don’t have to read any previous books in the Warcraft series to understand and enjoy this book, aslong as you have some basic knowledge about king Varian, the Night Elves, the Worgen and the Horde under Garrosh’s reign. I do think that reading them all before this one will make you understand more things, but it is absolutely not needed. Most important things get addressed so the reader, even without too much knowlegde, understand what is happening and why.
The story itself was really a good and action packed. It wasn’t full of just fighting scenes, but also really strong and important conversations between various leaders and scenes with important events happening. This kept me hooked throughout the entire book and I really enjoyed these sorts of actions. The best thing is how the characters stayed really true to their in-game counterparts, which made everything feel really familiar.
I would really recommend this book, as it is really informative about certain events in the World of Warcraft. I gave it four stars as the title is a little misleading over the story, as it is more centered around the Night Elves, than on king Varian and sometimes the writing was a bit bumpy or hard to follow, but not too often that it was really a bother. Overall, a really enjoyable read and I look forward to read more Warcraft novels in 2019!
Read more reviews on my blog:
https://ezziesbookshelf.wordpress.com
January 21, 2013
Another audible.com audio book here. Yay!
When you see the title Wolfheart, coupled with piercing human eyes, you think "My name is Varian Wrynn, but I am also Lo'Gosh." And you would be right, except Varian's story is not the plot of this book. The plot is the Horde's encroachment into the Night Elves' Ashenvale led by Garrosh Hellscream. Varian is a major player and even the key to saving Ashenvale, but he is in the book much less than one would think. Varian's story is more focused on his interactions with the worgen and his quest to fully embody the spirit of Lo'Gosh.
Wolfheart is action-packed. Lots of death and destruction. A large subplot revolves around Maiev and Jarod Shadowsong. It seems Maiev has sunken further into madness than anyone new and is at the heart of a major deception concerning the Highborne. She is a bizarre character and very enjoyable to read. There is a mighty battle between Varian with his sword Shalla'tor the Shadow Render and Garrosh with his father's ax Gorehowl. (However, in my opinion, the fight between Jaina and Thrall in Tides of War was far more exciting and poignant.)
I gave it max stars because it kept me engaged and it was so action-packed I didn't have time to be annoyed by whiny characters or Knaack's writing style.
Other Warcraft characters of note are: High Priestess Tyrande Whisperwind and Archdruid Malfurion Stormrage of Darnassus, and Genn Greymane of Gilneas.
When you see the title Wolfheart, coupled with piercing human eyes, you think "My name is Varian Wrynn, but I am also Lo'Gosh." And you would be right, except Varian's story is not the plot of this book. The plot is the Horde's encroachment into the Night Elves' Ashenvale led by Garrosh Hellscream. Varian is a major player and even the key to saving Ashenvale, but he is in the book much less than one would think. Varian's story is more focused on his interactions with the worgen and his quest to fully embody the spirit of Lo'Gosh.
Wolfheart is action-packed. Lots of death and destruction. A large subplot revolves around Maiev and Jarod Shadowsong. It seems Maiev has sunken further into madness than anyone new and is at the heart of a major deception concerning the Highborne. She is a bizarre character and very enjoyable to read. There is a mighty battle between Varian with his sword Shalla'tor the Shadow Render and Garrosh with his father's ax Gorehowl. (However, in my opinion, the fight between Jaina and Thrall in Tides of War was far more exciting and poignant.)
I gave it max stars because it kept me engaged and it was so action-packed I didn't have time to be annoyed by whiny characters or Knaack's writing style.
Other Warcraft characters of note are: High Priestess Tyrande Whisperwind and Archdruid Malfurion Stormrage of Darnassus, and Genn Greymane of Gilneas.
June 23, 2012
I like Varian Wyrnn much better after this book.
October 1, 2013
Every chapter was like a mini story but I didn't like the end I got nothing but much love for the horde! This is one of Richard's better books b
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2021
"برای او هرگز عشقی بالاتر از وظیفه وجود نداشته"
من نتونستم ارتباط خوبی با کتاب برقرار کنم.
اول از همه در رابطه با داستان، از لحاظ زمانی مربوط به بعد از کاتاکلیسم و چالش پیوستن وارگن ها به اتحاد بود (حدودا اوایل توسعه دهنده مربوطه). من انتظار داشتم که اطلاعات خیلی بیشتری راجع به گذشته وارین داده بشه.
ترجمه به طور کلی خوب بود. گرچه نوشتن "جن" برای Genn از اونجا که من همیشه "گن" تو ذهنم بود، خیلی نامتعارف بود.
شخصیت پردازی بد نبود اما ناک کتاب های بهتری از این نظر داشته و به نظرم بهترین کارش نبود. به هر حال، این مساله که من به جز ولین، نسبت به بیشتر کاراکترهای کتاب، در بهترین حالت، حسی خنثی داشتم، بر روی شکل نگرفتن علاقه بی تاثیر نبود.
دیالوگ های تاثیرگذار چندانی هم لااقل در این ترجمه نظرم رو جلب نکرد.
من نتونستم ارتباط خوبی با کتاب برقرار کنم.
اول از همه در رابطه با داستان، از لحاظ زمانی مربوط به بعد از کاتاکلیسم و چالش پیوستن وارگن ها به اتحاد بود (حدودا اوایل توسعه دهنده مربوطه). من انتظار داشتم که اطلاعات خیلی بیشتری راجع به گذشته وارین داده بشه.
ترجمه به طور کلی خوب بود. گرچه نوشتن "جن" برای Genn از اونجا که من همیشه "گن" تو ذهنم بود، خیلی نامتعارف بود.
شخصیت پردازی بد نبود اما ناک کتاب های بهتری از این نظر داشته و به نظرم بهترین کارش نبود. به هر حال، این مساله که من به جز ولین، نسبت به بیشتر کاراکترهای کتاب، در بهترین حالت، حسی خنثی داشتم، بر روی شکل نگرفتن علاقه بی تاثیر نبود.
دیالوگ های تاثیرگذار چندانی هم لااقل در این ترجمه نظرم رو جلب نکرد.
January 31, 2020
Following Malfurion's drugged odyssey in Stormrage, this Varian Wrynn -almost- full head-on action is just exactly what I needed.
May 10, 2017
This is the best book that that I have read that is also a game. The Warcraft book series have always been one of my favorite and what got me into trying the game and I have played the game since 2008. Wolfheart is my favorite because it has all of my favorite races of the game in it, the night elves, humans, and worgens. This book is for people that have played the game and want to know more about it and for the people that haven't played the game and find an interest to from this book.
September 23, 2011
While the World of Warcraft books never really set the bar (or even approached it) when it comes to fantasy writing, this one is amongst the better, more engaging ones. It really speaks volumes when someone who's a big fan of the Horde such as I would be engrossed in the happenings of the war in Ashenvale and cheering for the hapless Night Elves. A most worthwhile read.
April 15, 2012
I thought it was intresting that they brought the worgan in as the enemy at first, not giving many hits that it really was a worgan. Though I wish they would've spent less time focusing in on the night elves, overall, it was a rather enjoyable book.
October 12, 2011
Another good book I read entirely too fast.
April 7, 2012
Loved this book. My first WoW lore book and I have to say it was really interesting delving into the lives and history's of the characters I've come to know by name only.
January 9, 2013
Better than I expected it to be.
Full review to come.
Full review to come.
June 8, 2012
Richard A. Knaak did not lose my interest w/ this novel. :)
July 19, 2013
Great Warcraft book, Nice to finally see Varian King of Storwind in all his glory.
December 31, 2024
I felt conflicted there for a while...
In a large part of the book, I felt that I had difficulty grasping the concept and intent. I love Knaak's writing and I love the characters the way he portrays them. However I felt like there were several plots going on at the same time and even 60% into the book I didn't know what I was expecting at all, which in this case was not a good thing. I didn't feel the suspense as in the more concentrated War of the Ancients where you from the start were wondering what was going to happen to the time travelers.
All this was redeemed towards the end when all the plots were woven together and the exact same feeling I had in War of the Ancients came back. Knaak really knows how to describe an action-packed battlefield and immerse the reader into it. The excitement was there and the feeling was there.
Even though the book was unclear for so long, I have to give it a high rating. At least there were very few times I felt bored. The ending also made the beginning make so much more sense. Full circle.
Also + for dwarves getting to be part of the story as well. Dwarves are usually what I miss most of all in the Warcraft books.
In a large part of the book, I felt that I had difficulty grasping the concept and intent. I love Knaak's writing and I love the characters the way he portrays them. However I felt like there were several plots going on at the same time and even 60% into the book I didn't know what I was expecting at all, which in this case was not a good thing. I didn't feel the suspense as in the more concentrated War of the Ancients where you from the start were wondering what was going to happen to the time travelers.
All this was redeemed towards the end when all the plots were woven together and the exact same feeling I had in War of the Ancients came back. Knaak really knows how to describe an action-packed battlefield and immerse the reader into it. The excitement was there and the feeling was there.
Even though the book was unclear for so long, I have to give it a high rating. At least there were very few times I felt bored. The ending also made the beginning make so much more sense. Full circle.
Also + for dwarves getting to be part of the story as well. Dwarves are usually what I miss most of all in the Warcraft books.
May 3, 2020
Unread shelf project 2020: book 30.
Work from home 2020: book 37.
I have conflicting thoughts about this book.
1. It felt like what I needed right now, in terms of night elf drama and battle scenes evoking all the emotions.
2. I haven’t ever really liked Varian so the hamhanded way that Knaak wrote his parts of the book didn’t bother me that much.
3. I enjoyed the relationship between Malfurion and Tyrande, and getting to know more of the lore behind Jarod and Maiev was interesting too.
4. The prose was purpley but that also satisfied some need I had for lavish writing.
5. I didn’t love Knaak’s writing but I also didn’t hate it as much as I did the last time I tried reading one of his books. What this says about my standards, I’m not sure. 😅
6. This book also hammered home how tragic it really is when there are deaths among your faction (or, honestly, the opposing faction too). When you’re immersed in the gameplay, deaths don’t seem very meaningful, but having the battle scenes written out in this book made them seem a lot more heart wrenching and sad.
Work from home 2020: book 37.
I have conflicting thoughts about this book.
1. It felt like what I needed right now, in terms of night elf drama and battle scenes evoking all the emotions.
2. I haven’t ever really liked Varian so the hamhanded way that Knaak wrote his parts of the book didn’t bother me that much.
3. I enjoyed the relationship between Malfurion and Tyrande, and getting to know more of the lore behind Jarod and Maiev was interesting too.
4. The prose was purpley but that also satisfied some need I had for lavish writing.
5. I didn’t love Knaak’s writing but I also didn’t hate it as much as I did the last time I tried reading one of his books. What this says about my standards, I’m not sure. 😅
6. This book also hammered home how tragic it really is when there are deaths among your faction (or, honestly, the opposing faction too). When you’re immersed in the gameplay, deaths don’t seem very meaningful, but having the battle scenes written out in this book made them seem a lot more heart wrenching and sad.
November 20, 2017
I read this book on recommendation from a huge Varian Wrynn fan [so huge, that she's since quit the game after his untimely demise on the Broken Shore in-game]. I have to say I'm not quite sure what I was expecting, other than it featured him at some point [she was clear he wasn't around from the off], however, I really did enjoy reading it. I enjoyed reading all the Night Elven bits, and picked up a few tidbits of information that I didn't realise [such as Shandris Feathermoon being in love with Jarod Shadowsong].
I really enjoyed the mystery of who or what was killing the Highborne off. I enjoyed Jarod coming back into the fold with his kin, and I most of all enjoyed Tyrande and Malfurion and the dialogue between them two - very clear that they're in love and have been for eons.
My only real issue is - I was expecting a lot more Varian Wrynn! But the bits that were there were brilliant. Nothing like the game, I'm not sure if that's because World of Warcraft can't convey such emotion in the game, but this Varian Wrynn you want to, and I paraphrase my recommendee here, wrap in cotton wool and tell him everything will be ok. He goes from 0 to full throttle on his anger and he's very sassy, superb reading.
All in all I'd recommend this book for fans of the Warcraft series and games. It adds more depth to characters that the game simply cannot put across, and it's great reading about in-game events that have happened and knowing where on the map they were, etc.
I really enjoyed the mystery of who or what was killing the Highborne off. I enjoyed Jarod coming back into the fold with his kin, and I most of all enjoyed Tyrande and Malfurion and the dialogue between them two - very clear that they're in love and have been for eons.
My only real issue is - I was expecting a lot more Varian Wrynn! But the bits that were there were brilliant. Nothing like the game, I'm not sure if that's because World of Warcraft can't convey such emotion in the game, but this Varian Wrynn you want to, and I paraphrase my recommendee here, wrap in cotton wool and tell him everything will be ok. He goes from 0 to full throttle on his anger and he's very sassy, superb reading.
All in all I'd recommend this book for fans of the Warcraft series and games. It adds more depth to characters that the game simply cannot put across, and it's great reading about in-game events that have happened and knowing where on the map they were, etc.
May 24, 2021
The book was a boring slog.
The actual "Wolfheart" part was only like 20% of the book. Everything else was boring Night elf filler.
I'm so glad it's over.
The actual "Wolfheart" part was only like 20% of the book. Everything else was boring Night elf filler.
I'm so glad it's over.
April 15, 2024
As a fan of the games I really enjoy all of the books that support the groundbreaking series. This book is filled with action and battle making it a great read and really gripping.
January 2, 2025
You would think this book was about Varian given the cover but you would be wrong.
November 26, 2017
So, I am not a fan of Alliance themed stories, but I can't deny that this book had it's highlights. Set in the era of the Cataclysm, this book focus's on the growth of King Varian as a king, Genn Greymane and the Worgon coming into the Alliance, as well as the night elves coming to terms with being mortal. Overall this was a four star book. :)
January 2, 2020
Wolfheart, by Richard A. Knaak is a fantasy novel and a great book to read. Instead of the usual action-based approach this series takes, the main plot of this story is a mystery. Of course, there is still some fight scenes inside the book but it is not the main plot. This story follows the night elves, who are struggling to hold back the Horde in Ashenvale as they chop down the forest to harvest wood for themselves and dealing with a mysterious assassin who is killing highborne, former high ranking night elves. I really did enjoy reading this book, but there is a big issue that I did have with it.
When you read the title and see the picture, you would expect the book to be about the worgen and Varian Wrynn. But the story is actually very focused on the night elves and Varian’s inner conflict with himself and dealing with the struggles of being a leader is more of a subplot. I wish that Knaak explored Varian’s story a little bit more. I feel as if there was a lot more things that could have been explored with his character as well as the worgen.
One of my favorite parts of the book is when Varian took control of himself and learned how to handle his rage and came to terms with himself. “The rage surrendered to his will. He had broken its hold over him and now it would serve Varian, not the other way around.”
When you read the title and see the picture, you would expect the book to be about the worgen and Varian Wrynn. But the story is actually very focused on the night elves and Varian’s inner conflict with himself and dealing with the struggles of being a leader is more of a subplot. I wish that Knaak explored Varian’s story a little bit more. I feel as if there was a lot more things that could have been explored with his character as well as the worgen.
One of my favorite parts of the book is when Varian took control of himself and learned how to handle his rage and came to terms with himself. “The rage surrendered to his will. He had broken its hold over him and now it would serve Varian, not the other way around.”
June 8, 2012
When Thrall left the horde to heal the world, Garrosh, son of Grom HellScream became warchief and start an attack to Ashneval. Furion and Tyrande was trying to gather the alliance and re-unite them, but Varian Wrynn, king of Stromwind denied joining Worgen of Gilneas to the alliance.
There is no much history about this clan, but it seems that they were infected by forsaken (Sylvanas) and became wolves. Then they found a way to control their anger and found tranquility, with the help of Furion, they hoped to be able to join alliance.
In the gathering, Velen, the prophet of the draenei was also there and talked with Anduin, son of King Varian and then Anduin decided to leave his father and go with Velen to learn more about holy light.
Velen is my favorite character in this series, one of the oldest creatures who denied sargeras's offer to join his legion and escaped, while his comrades, Archiomand and Kil'jadan accepted.
On the other hand, Jarod Shadowsong, after years of absence, returned to the society of the elves seeking Tyrande's help to cure his wife, but it was late. They understood that they are aging and their immortality is fading.
It was mentioned in this book that his sister, Maiev, managed to hunt Illidan and kill him, but no detail was provided here. Now she was training her watchers for better protection of the elves, but in fact, she was using them as a troop to overcome Malfurion and kill the highborns who wanted to come back to their society, Although she killed several high born and imprisoned Malfurion, she didn't succeed because of Jarod.
King Varian, was suffering from his past, loosing his father in first war with orcs, then poisoned and lost his memory and lived as a gladiator and then regained his memories and returned to his kingdom, all had made him so angry person who easily lost his control. With help of Worgen, he found his tranquility and agreed to fight beside them. He was the wolfheart.
Priestess Tyrande took the position of leader in defending Ashneval, but Garrosh was so smart and his tactics were so successful in disabling Tyrande from doing any magic and was almost defeating her, but suddenly, King Varian with worgens joined the battle and defeated Garrosh. This part was not very pleasant that without any especial tactic, Varian managed to defeat the horde.
There is no much history about this clan, but it seems that they were infected by forsaken (Sylvanas) and became wolves. Then they found a way to control their anger and found tranquility, with the help of Furion, they hoped to be able to join alliance.
In the gathering, Velen, the prophet of the draenei was also there and talked with Anduin, son of King Varian and then Anduin decided to leave his father and go with Velen to learn more about holy light.
Velen is my favorite character in this series, one of the oldest creatures who denied sargeras's offer to join his legion and escaped, while his comrades, Archiomand and Kil'jadan accepted.
On the other hand, Jarod Shadowsong, after years of absence, returned to the society of the elves seeking Tyrande's help to cure his wife, but it was late. They understood that they are aging and their immortality is fading.
It was mentioned in this book that his sister, Maiev, managed to hunt Illidan and kill him, but no detail was provided here. Now she was training her watchers for better protection of the elves, but in fact, she was using them as a troop to overcome Malfurion and kill the highborns who wanted to come back to their society, Although she killed several high born and imprisoned Malfurion, she didn't succeed because of Jarod.
King Varian, was suffering from his past, loosing his father in first war with orcs, then poisoned and lost his memory and lived as a gladiator and then regained his memories and returned to his kingdom, all had made him so angry person who easily lost his control. With help of Worgen, he found his tranquility and agreed to fight beside them. He was the wolfheart.
Priestess Tyrande took the position of leader in defending Ashneval, but Garrosh was so smart and his tactics were so successful in disabling Tyrande from doing any magic and was almost defeating her, but suddenly, King Varian with worgens joined the battle and defeated Garrosh. This part was not very pleasant that without any especial tactic, Varian managed to defeat the horde.
October 2, 2011
Definitely one of Knaak's better Warcraft novels. The prose seems less flowery and the characterizations a bit more dimensional. The action scenes were too long in some cases but not as bad as usual.
I wasn't expecting this novel to be so focused on the night elves, given the title of "Wolheart". I found it interesting seeing the night elves begin to deal with their mortality. The entire battle setup in Ashenvale rather bored me though.
This novel brought together almost all the Alliance leaders and key figures together, and I really enjoyed their interactions - from the clashes and tensions, to their bonding together to overcome the horrors of the post-Cataclysm world. Even the gnomes were depicted for a few paragraphs, which is more time than they've gotten in other Warcraft novels.
I gained a deeper understanding of Varian and Genn, and even Malfurion, so in the end it was worth reading for Warcraft lore fans.
I wasn't expecting this novel to be so focused on the night elves, given the title of "Wolheart". I found it interesting seeing the night elves begin to deal with their mortality. The entire battle setup in Ashenvale rather bored me though.
This novel brought together almost all the Alliance leaders and key figures together, and I really enjoyed their interactions - from the clashes and tensions, to their bonding together to overcome the horrors of the post-Cataclysm world. Even the gnomes were depicted for a few paragraphs, which is more time than they've gotten in other Warcraft novels.
I gained a deeper understanding of Varian and Genn, and even Malfurion, so in the end it was worth reading for Warcraft lore fans.
September 25, 2011
My opinion on this book is somewhat divided. I enjoyed the exploration of the Night Elves shift in culture on the heels of becoming mortal after thousands of years of relative immortality (never sickening or growing frail due to age and infirmity, with only violence possibly ending their lives). It was interesting seeing how they coped with the first death due to age and infirmity amongst their race, this on the heels of a cultural shift ending their self-imposed exile from the world at large.
On the other hand, there were several issues I had with characterizations in the book and alterations to some character's powers and abilities for the sake of the plot. Characters who have gained immense power and skill being unable to escape from relatively simplistic circumstances, as well as characters who exhibit the pinnacle of more mundane ability (from martial prowess to political maneuvering) seeming to be dull-witted and slow when required. This kind of storytelling always leaves me feeling conflicting, as the overall feel is one of rushed and sloppy execution.
All in all, the book was a fascinating read and I would recommend it to any already invested in the overall arc of the Warcraft Universe's lore. It is not without its flaws, but most can be overlooked in favor of the more appealing background elements (it's just a shame that it has to be done that way, it would be much greater if the background and foreground elements merged seamlessly).
On the other hand, there were several issues I had with characterizations in the book and alterations to some character's powers and abilities for the sake of the plot. Characters who have gained immense power and skill being unable to escape from relatively simplistic circumstances, as well as characters who exhibit the pinnacle of more mundane ability (from martial prowess to political maneuvering) seeming to be dull-witted and slow when required. This kind of storytelling always leaves me feeling conflicting, as the overall feel is one of rushed and sloppy execution.
All in all, the book was a fascinating read and I would recommend it to any already invested in the overall arc of the Warcraft Universe's lore. It is not without its flaws, but most can be overlooked in favor of the more appealing background elements (it's just a shame that it has to be done that way, it would be much greater if the background and foreground elements merged seamlessly).
November 5, 2018
Quite a slugfest of a read. I had to take frequent breaks while reading wolfheart, it's not that I didn't like the setting, the writing just felt off to me and the scenes seem to drag on. I hate how King Varian Wrynn is used as the ex machina of the story saving the day for the night elves. The story badly portrayed the night elves as a weak race that has seemly haven't experienced war before( I refuse to believe that 10,000 + year old Night elves would put up as weak of a fight as was portrayed in the novel). King Varian is portrayed as an asshole for most of the book and what gave him a change of heart is becuase Anduin left him and also becuase of a hunting activity(I legit rolled my eyes). The finale battle is eerily similar to LOTRs battle of pelennor fields with charging mounts routing the ranks of orcs while being pushed back yet again by large mammoth like creatures, and finally being saved by some ex machina. The only thing that kept me from quiting to finish this book is the story of Maive in his Brother Jarod Shadowsong.
Pros:
- Some Good fights scenes
- Maive and Jarod Shadowsongs story
- ??
Cons:
- Boring writing/ bad pacing
- Not portraying the Night Elves correctly
- Having Varian Wrynn become the Male version of a Mary sues
- Little to no story progression
Pros:
- Some Good fights scenes
- Maive and Jarod Shadowsongs story
- ??
Cons:
- Boring writing/ bad pacing
- Not portraying the Night Elves correctly
- Having Varian Wrynn become the Male version of a Mary sues
- Little to no story progression
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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