World of Warcraft: Arthas: Rise of the Lich King

 (80 customer reviews)

If you're a player of World of Warcraft, but not into the old RTS games or the books that have come before, this novel is the place to jump and see some of the story behind the game you've been playing.

Christie Golden has crafted a strong character-centric tale following the life of Arthas Menethil. It shows him growing into a young man, joining the ranks of the paladins, and his eventual fall from grace in a way that is quick, concise, and yet still meaningful. Arthas is portrayed as neither a spoiled brat or an arrogant upstart, but as a well-meaning person with a good soul and a few very human and realistic character flaws that gets twisted into something horrible, party by outside forces, but also by the lack of control he has over himself. As I read it, I found myself comparing it to the fall of Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars Saga, and I hate to say it, Golden did a superior job with her take on how a hero becomes the villain.

If this book has any...Read more

First let me say, if you are a player of the game and want to expand a little on the mythos behind it, then this would be a good book for you. If you are like me and have read pretty much all the WoW books, then "Arthas" is a must read. For those of you that neither play the game, nor have read any other WoW book, you won't feel slighted. This is a good fantasy novel about a prince who follows the road paved with good intentions to hell.

Christie Golden seems to be a fan of writing the "bad guy" story. She's written both Rise of the Horde and Lord of the Clan (though the argument could be made that the leader of the orcs is not a bad guy in the true sense). With Arthas: Rise of the Lich King she gets the nod from Blizzard (the company who owns WoW) to write an account on one of the most powerful and profound characters in the WoW universe. And she does VERY well.

I agree, however, with the other reviews that state she seemed to become bored, or was strapped...Read more

I loved the dream in the introduction and ending. The rest was just a regurgitation of Warcraft 3's (and the frozen throne's) campaigns. I was hoping for a proper ending for the campaign mode; but it was nothing really new.