World of Warcraft: Arthas: Rise of the Lich King [Mass Market Paperback]

Christie Golden (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Of all the Warcraft manga, comic books, and novels I have read, Arthas has the most solid, balanced writing and best realized characters....There's much to love about this book....When it ended, I could feel the pangs in my heart as if I was one of the participants." -- WowInsider.com

"This book is an overdosed cocktail of lore and continuity that will numb your senses....I can only say one thing about this. I (beep) love this book!!!" -- Blizzplanet.com

Product Description

Frostmourne.

It was caught in a hovering, jagged chunk of ice, the runes that ran the length of its blade glowing a cool blue. Below it was a dais of some sort, standing on a large gently raised mound that was covered in a dusting of snow. A soft light, coming from somewhere high above where the cavern was open to daylight, shone down on the runeblade. The icy prison hid some details of the sword's shape and form, exaggerated others. It was revealed and concealed at the same time, and all the more tempting, like a new lover imperfectly glimpsed through a gauzy curtain. Arthas knew the blade -- it was the selfsame sword he had seen in his dream when he first arrived. The sword that had not killed Invincible, but that had brought him back healed and healthy. He'd thought it a good omen then, but now he knew it was a true sign. This was what he had come to find. This sword would change everything. Arthas stared raptly at it, his hands almost physically aching to grasp it, his fingers to wrap themselves around the hilt, his arms to feel the weapon swinging smoothly in the blow that would end Mal'Ganis, end the torment he had visited upon the people of Lordaeron, end this lust for revenge. Drawn, he stepped forward.

The uncanny elemental spirit drew its icy sword. "Turn away, before it is too late," it intoned.

* * *

His evil is legend. Lord of the undead Scourge, wielder of the runeblade Frostmourne, and enemy of the free peoples of Azeroth. The Lich King is an entity of incalculable power and unparalleled malice -- his icy soul utterly consumed by his plans to destroy all life on the World of Warcraft.

But it was not always so. Long before his soul was fused with that of the orc shaman Ner'zhul, the Lich King was Arthas Menethil, crown prince of Lordaeron and faithful paladin of the Silver Hand.

When a plague of undeath threatened all that he loved, Arthas was driven to pursue an ill-fated quest for a runeblade powerful enough to save his homeland. Yet the object of his search would exact a heavy price from its new master, beginning a horrifying descent into damnation. Arthas's path would lead him through the arctic northern wastes toward the Frozen Throne, where he would face, at long last, the darkest of destinies.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Star; Reprint edition (January 26, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 143915760X
• ISBN-13: 978-1439157602
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #29,752 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

  #67 in	Books > Entertainment > Puzzles & Games > Video & Electronic Games
  #62 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Games & Strategy Guides > Video Games
  #6 in	Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Authors, A-Z > ( G ) > Golden, Christie

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Place to Start, April 23, 2009

By	Mr. William D. Akers "Barachiel" (Blacksburg, VA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: World of Warcraft: Arthas: Rise of the Lich King (Hardcover)

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 weakness, is that its a little too short. The first two volumes take place at a good pace, always moving but taking the time to really show us all that's transpiring. As the book moves through its third act, those familiar with Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne will note at how briefly the events of the undead campaign are covered. In contrast to the first two thirds of the book, the last third skips over large chunks of the storyline to make sure the crucial points get the time needed, which is good.

The main story in no way feels slighted. But for those of already familiar with the first draft of events, so to speak, it seems as if Golden were either pressed for time, or had a page count limit she was working under because the trek through Anub'Arak is given only the barest of mentions, and the encounter with Sapphiron is treated as if it never happened. An odd choice, given how the dragon features prominently in the World of Warcraft game at the moment.

Lastly, the book concludes with a Further Reading section. This is something new readers can really appreciate. The novel touches on events and places from other games, and expanded upon in earlier novels. This section lets the reader know where to learn more about those places and events, what novels to buy and what games to play. Some might call it shameless marketing, but it makes a handy reference section for new readers.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good "Bad Guy" story, May 3, 2009

By	S. Nisbet (Fort Belvoir, VA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: World of Warcraft: Arthas: Rise of the Lich King (Hardcover)

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 for time, near the end of the story. While I understand the desire to not "re-write" some things that have appeared (or may appear) in other WoW novels, sometimes the story jumped from "A" to "C" to without satisfactorily touching on "B". There are parts in the book where it was almost like "By the way, there was this big war and the good guys won"; where one sentence was the springboard past epic events in the history. Noticing it as one who has a strong understanding of the lore, I can only imagine someone who has no idea scratching their heads before reading on.

Otherwise, as I've said, enjoy the story, you won't be disapointed.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Completely faithful, May 1, 2009

By	Tasha Mac - See all my reviews

This review is from: World of Warcraft: Arthas: Rise of the Lich King (Hardcover)

Christie Golden knocks it out of the park again. Arthas's story is one driven by the characters and their emotions more than bare-bones action, and of all the people in Blizzard's writing arsenal, Golden is the only one who could tackle such a story. And that she does, with amazing grace and tenderness toward every character, delivering each in an unbiased light. The lore is rich without being intimidating, the characters warm and developed, and it gives us Warcraft lore buffs some tasty things to chew on for a long while after. Highly recommended for anyone who likes Warcraft!