World of Warcraft: Exploring Azeroth: Kalimdor

World of Warcraft: Exploring Azeroth #2

by Sean Copeland, Blizzard Entertainment (Creator)

By fang and feather, explore the vibrant lands of Kalimdor!

Join famed hunter Rexxar, his animal companions, and Horde Ambassador Zekhan as they make the perilous journey across the lush and vivid reaches of Kalimdor to learn the secrets of the realm. Leave no stone unturned and no tracks unfollowed as Rexxar and Zekhan reveal lore, insights, equipment, and breathtaking landscapes from the ramparts of Orgrimmar to the golden plains of Mulgore to the wilds of Un’Goro Crater―and share one final kindness with a friend along the way. Featuring stunning, immersive artwork and new insights crafted by Blizzard’s own loremaster, Sean Copeland, Exploring Azeroth: Kalimdor is your next step in a remarkable journey across Azeroth.

Genres: Fantasy, Warcraft, World Of Warcraft, Fiction, Gaming, Video Games

144 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2022

Reviews

[Zachary Schwartz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wish it would have gone into more detail on certain things (completely left out Desolace?) but overall a nice companion to the chronicle books. Looking forward to reading the others.

[Merryn Turner · Rating 2 out of 5]

I could be biased not being a horde player myself, but this book felt severely lacking in comparison to the Eastern Kingdoms version.

Whilst I really like both Zekhan and Rexxar in other stories, their characters were not well portrayed in this book and added nothing to the narrative. The troll ‘dialect’ was distracting and Rexxar’s comments unnecessary. Shaw and Fairwind were a far more entertaining duo!

[Kryptomite · Rating 2 out of 5]

As someone who played horde and alliance, I certainly have no bias toward one faction or the other. That being said, this Kalimdor book was severely lacking compared to its Eastern Kingdoms counterpart. While I do feel that choosing Zekhan and Rexxar as traveling diplomats was a good idea, it didn't feel like their personalities were utilized at all. Most entries were made with a poor attempt at troll dialect, with "father" and "mother" being the only notable word that was changed, and Rexxar more or less said almost nothing at all. The book kinda read like a generic wiki overview of wow zones, and anyone who's played wow for any period of time doesn't really need a refresher on the most basic of information contained in each area. Worse, several interesting areas weren't even covered because Rexxar "said we shouldn't go in there." Oh... Okay, thanks?

Shaw and Fairwind were far more entertaining, even if their book wasn't perfect, and it was definitely due to Christie Golden. Blizzard should have stuck with her for all of these books. We'll see if Alex Acks does any better with the Northrend book.

[Yevhen Chernenko · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was genuinely surprised by the low publishing quality. There were a couple of spelling errors, design inconsistencies, and to top it off, one of the pages was upside down. And not just any page, but the semi-transparent map cover right at the beginning.

The writing, overall, is quite poor. It often feels like the author was rushing to meet a deadline, producing content for the sake of writing. Many paragraphs left me with questions like, “Why would they even include this in the book?”

While the first installment of the series had its flaws, it was more engaging, immersive, and informative overall.

[Tomáš Kratochvíl · Rating 2 out of 5]

As dry as the lands of Kalimdor. In comparison to Eastern Kingdoms, this book is truely a waste of paper. It doesn't tell you much you don't know from the Chronicles. Zekhan somehow lost the characterstics he has in Shadows Rising. And he and Rexxar really cannot compete with Flynn and Mathias. The book, therefore, not only lacks the informativeness, but also the charm of the first one. And on top of that, it's much more poorly written since Sean Copeland is obviously not as much a writter as Christie Golden. Why? Because many times "the chapters" are just unrelated sentences about the location, put together. Or even worse, there is sentence 1, then partially related sentence 2, sentence 3 related to sentence 2, and then sentence 4 which is related to the topic of sentence 1.

Furthermore, there's not much story to tell. Eastern Kingdoms gave you a story Mathias and Flynn go through while exploring. Zekhan and Rexxar just go around until Rexxar finally decides to bury his wolf in the only logical place of all (surprise). This makes his whole participation on the journey unnecessary (in comparison to Flynn).

Quite frankly, this book feels like it's just meant to rip fans of their money.

[Zuzana Hartmanová · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stejně jako v předchozím svazku se čtenáři o původu hrdinů putujících Kalimdorem, jejich společné historii i samotné misi dozvídají z útržků textů a kreseb, kterými dvojice mapuje svou pouť pro velitele Hordy. Kromě důležitých míst a památek jsou tu také ve zkratce zmíněny i zajímavé rozhovory – je jich víc než v předchozím svazku. S předešlým dílem má však Kalimdor společné takřka identické rozložení knihy a to, jak celý cestopis funguje – jak například rozebírá jednotlivá místa a události a dává je čtenářům do historických souvislostí.

Sean Copeland se drží mustru toho, jak by měl vypadat cestopis, zároveň se mu však podařilo napsat text o něco záživněji, než se to povedlo Christie Golden ve Východních královstvích. Ani on se místy nevyvaroval jistých až přehnaně encyklopedických formulací (a některé pasáže tak působily jako text na wikipedii), přesto se mu povedlo putování dvou šamanů polidštit. Nezvolil k tomu humor jako jeho kolegyně, ale vzhledem k hutnému motivu, který si vybral jako důvod pro celou výpravu, šel spíš cestou patosu a jisté melancholie a knize to sedlo daleko víc, než kdyby se pokoušel o odlehčení. Samozřejmě na vtípky také dojde, ale jde spíš o drobnosti mezi řečí či krátkou poznámku.
Svůj díl na tom, že celý Kalimdor dýchá o dost smutnější atmosférou než Východní království, má i skutečnost, že Kalimdor byl mnohem víc postižen válkou – ať už s Aliancí nebo s Plamennou legií –, Kataklyzmatem i jinými útrapami (zmiňme různé nákazy nebo zřícení draeineiské generační lodi z oběžné dráhy…). Procházet těmito ponurými místy nepřidá na náladě hrdinům ani čtenářům.

Na vysoké úrovni zůstává také grafické zpracování cestopisu. Blizzard si na vizuálu všeho, co pustí do světa, dává skutečně záležet. Každá stránka je v jistém ohledu uměleckým dílem. Ať už se jedná o malované okraje stránek, v nichž se hladce přelévají motivy všech obyvatel Kalimdoru, o jednoduché skici i propracovanější kresby nebo o plnobarevné stránkové ilustrace (kterých tu není málo). Každý tah tužkou povznáší tuto knihu o kousek výš a dělá z ní krásný přírůstek do sbírky. Pravda, někdy jednotlivé ilustrace odvádějí pozornost od textu, ale ten naštěstí nikam neuteče, a čtenáři se tak mohou v klidu kochat jednotlivými výtvarnými díly, jak dlouho budou potřebovat.

[Aśka · Rating 3 out of 5]

No w sumie takie 2,5, bo czytało się gorzej od poprzedniej części. Zapowiadało się ciekawie, dwóch narratorów, dopiero co wchodzący do kanonu lorowego szaman Zekhan i znany bohater Hordy łowca Rexxar – zderzenia tych dwóch punktów widzenia powinny ożywić treść… tylko bardzo szybko okazuje się, że łowca jeszcze się uczy liter i jego komentarzy mamy bardzo mało, albo już przefiltrowane przez szamana. Szamana, trolla, który w przez większość czasu posługuje się poprawnym językiem literackim, no w sumie zrozumiałe, lepiej żeby czytelnik zrozumiał, ale trochę szkoda. Świat opisany z perspektywy po dodatku „Bitwa o Azeroth” z przywołaniami wcześniejszych wydarzeń gdzie jest to istotne. Trochę żartów o niedźwiedziu i robalach, ale mało i ciut na siłę, więc całość raczej „sucha” w odbiorze. Ilustracje na wysokim poziomie, więc wizualnie przy przeglądnięciu i na półce książka będzie się prezentować zacnie.

[Timothy Pitkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as great as the other as the other was solid because it had a lot of character and it felt like you were seeing a lot of the travel notes from Mathias and Flynn. This one feels a little dry in comparison and that may be that it lacks a real duo to play of each other. As the Eastern Kingdom one had a serious character and a comedic character playing off each other. In this one their is nothing really like this as both of the Narrators or just narrator are very professional and the only duo interaction they have is that Zekhan is naïve and inexperienced while Rexxar who is barely a Narrator is a silent and keeps to himself so it is mostly Zekhan talking and with only mentions of Rexxar doing something while they are exploring. It is still a very beautiful book with very detailed and great illustrations. But just a little dry compared to the previous Exploring series.

[Sivarg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book greatly but only because it gave me a good amount of nostalgia, which is wild to think that drawings and lots of words can do about a game you played for over a decade and a half. But it did! Some things i raised a brow to though was the mention of battles still ongoing, as if they had to find excuses as to why zones still have npcs fighting in them. I guess this is lore then! I am a rper and reading this will severly change how some rpers talk, as they cant rebute it either now. Some rpers say "ignore the npcs, they arent there etc" "not anymore there", but now its cannon. I liked the small details written too, like the sickly deer mentioned. Great book for the longterm casual fan.

[Nicholas Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a huge Warcraft lore fan. I grew up with it, so I love reading their books, but the lore (no fault at the authors expense) is just really dulling down the “war” side of things. When I read about the alliance, I’m all for the idea of peace, and going to war as a last resort, but I miss the concept of the Horde being this brutal group of monster creatures. Orcs, undead, trolls, fighting with bloodlust. Once, I would love a modern wow book when talking the horde to just go back to the routes. I get it. They have depth. But not every orc has to be thrall, not every troll has to be hippy peace love smoking shamans… do you get what I’m saying? Lol

[E. M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s a stunning book! But it was too rushed and confusing for me, even though I have now read a few wow books and really pay a lot of attention to the lore.
I wish there was more of a story line to it instead of just a little blurb of info on each places. I don’t know if it would have been possible to flesh out a good story in only one book when there are so many places to tackle, but I would not have been against having 2 parts of Kalimdor if it meant taking more time to develop an adventure.
What got me to give it a small 2,5 stars is Huelo and that adorable letter Rexxar wrote to him🙏🏻

[Eric Andersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun. Nice easy read and a trip down memory lane. I love world building and while WoW doesn't have the most complex/intricate story I've ever seen, it's fun.

[OctiWriter E.N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't really like playing with the horde, especially the orcs, but the book was good nonetheless. Maybe I'm bias a bit because I like the Night Elves, and Kalimdor is their native continent.

[Rory Fraser · Rating 4 out of 5]

the patois is probably unnecessary but i like the characterization and description of the history. weird to hear about how things have changed since the cataclysm but not have the game reflect it.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book following the events of BFA - join the great Rexxar as he guides Zekhan across Kalimdor sharing stories from days gone by.

This book is pretty good and adds an extra layer to the events of BFA and how it affected Kalimdor - along with the previous wars which have taken place across the lands.

Plus, the story tells tales of Rexxar and his many animal companions which im all about.