World of Warcraft: Vol'jin: Shadows of the Horde

A good read--I actually started reading it second time because I liked it so much. Gives a lot of background on troll history, which is one of the few areas where there's not a lot of collected material on. It got a little corny between Chen and Yaliya, but it was cute and sorta normal for the high drama atmosphere that is Warcraft, so I just rolled with it. The book kinda left their future hanging though, which isn't so unusual for the Warcraft books because they're essentially a broken up series, but I found it a little disappointing all the same. I was really digging the relationship between Vol'jin and Chen--it was believable, and I LIKED it. They were comrades and they understood each other and it was great. The relationship between Vol'jin and Tyrathan, well, that was considerably less believable, but considering they were from opposite sides of the war, I understand that it's difficult to have two enemies just begin liking each other enough to fight a common enemy without killing each other in the process. It's hard to describe, but it almost felt like Tyrathan was supposed to be a stand in for a PC toon, even though nothing like what happened in the book happened in MoP. The fight scenes flow pretty well without a lot of gore and while I put that it had graphic violence, it really hovers more between "some violence" and "graphic violence"...I just put the latter because there was a LOT of fighting going on. I was suitably entertained and I'm glad I bought the book.

Out of all the Warcraft books that I have read, I will have to this is one of my favorites. When the Mists of Pandaria expansion came out, I thought it was a bit of joke. I found the Panderan race annoying and was never interested in even trying to play as one. However, reading this book came me a new perspective to these aspects of the game and encouraged me to perhaps give the Pandaren and their expansion a try.In previous books, Vol'jin has made appearances and played some minor parts in the events. However, not much was really known about it. This book brings not only him but also the Trolls as a race out a little more into the foreground. Up 'til now, the books have focused primarily on the Orcs, Trolls, and Dragons with the other races as mere support. The roles have reversed and I'm hoping to see a more a continuation in this pattern. Admittedly, this book story-line did not really have an impact in the Azeroth events as a whole. I have a feeling, though, that what transpired will be means of justifying future actions and events.I enjoyed the developing relationship between the two main characters despite the fact that their races are at war with each other.I am very glad that I read this book.

I have always liked Vol'jin, being a troll player in Warcraft myself, so when I heard this novel was coming out I held my breath hoping that it would be good and do the character justice.And for the most part it did, and it did it amazingly.The novel is heads and shoulders above the others in the Warcraft library in terms of writing ability. Stackpole (this is the first time I have read his work) is a great author who not only creates and draws characters well, but who gets nuances of culture clashing in a way that is delightful.However, this book does have some sticking points. The first quarter or so of the book leaves a bit to be desired in properly setting up character realizations and inner growth. Revelations come quick and fast to Vol'jin, whereas if there were a bit more hints as to Vol'jin's state leading up to the realizations it would have had a better impact I think. However, the more action that is introduced to the story, the more this problem sorts itself out and the more set up we have. I think I'll chock it up to him still getting to know the characters at that point.At the end, although it was a good ending, it felts a little quick and the battles had too much of the redshirt syndrome I felt. I feel like there should have been at least a couple of redshirts who graduated (so to speak) and another page at the very end to set up Vol'jin's vision of the Horde and what his plans were.But outside of that, the book is written incredibly well and the characters are developed properly. Whereas past writers like Golden I consider to be decent writers who at least don't distract from the story they tell (though with Golden there are times she repeats the same word too many times or has awkward phrasing), I actually feel like I would read Stackpole's original works and I hope he writes more for Warcraft in the future.I also appreciated the attention he paid to the races and the continuity, where past authors would make quite a few mistakes (Trolls don't have black hair! Gah!), so I appreciate that he has obviously done his research.*spoilers*One minor quibble is that I felt like the Troll Captain, though awesome, really did not need to be infatuated with Vol'jin. It was unnecessary when there were other very good reasons she had to wish to keep Vol'jin alive, and it really never came up outside one page. There was also at times a little too much stereotypical female/male dynamics, but his women characters were strong enough that it wasn't too annoying to me and it wasn't done in a way that limited them in their actions.

For one this was the first true dip into the history of warcraft.I found it the perfect balance of peace and war.The battle scenes had me at the edge of my kindle needing to know what happened. And I was not disappointed.Nor was I disappointed in the lulls of peace, they mended together in a artistic way.The build up and anticipation were superbly executed.Vol'jin was my favorite from the start in my WoW experience, not just in character design but the fact he thinks as a whole instead of 'troll'. He has a sense of being I only wish I could comprehend.The pandaren parables are something to not just write off as a story's progression. Most parables no matter the story can fit in our lives as well.Do you see yourself as a skull or helmet crab?One happy with their life wanting no change, or a wandering spirit with no desire to stop moving, taking ' home' with you?I had a lot of deep thinking over this book which I can't say for many I have read. It challenged my own thoughts by reading of the troll and humans doubts, successes, and beyond.I challenge you to try the same.I will surely be rereading this book time and time again.

Ich bestellte wie gewohnt das nächste in der ziemlich spannenden und nie schlecht geschriebenen Reihe von Warcraft-Fantasy-Romanen -und wurde mal wieder überrascht - diesmal vom Witz und dem Tiefgang zwischen den Charakteren Vol'Jin, den man so intensiv wie niemals zuvor kennenlernt - ich habe ihn niemals mehr geliebt für seine Ehre, seinen Stolz, seinen Glauben und seine Urteile und Entscheidungen- und seinem Counterpart, einem menschlichem Jäger, der seinerseits schon viele Trolle getötet hatte und sich innerlich wünscht, aufzuhören mit dem Töten anderer Lebewesen - dies jedoch das beste, was er kann, daher verbietet er sich selbst den Umgang mit seiner geliebten Familie.Der Autor Michael A. Stackpole hat einen seltenen Tiefgang zwischen zwei Charakteren aufgebaut, die sich nur für wenige Wochen/Monate ihres jeweiligen Lebens kennen. Sie könnten unterschiedlicher nicht sein, und haben doch eine große gemeinsame Teilmenge an Erfahrungen und persönlichen Einstellungen und Regeln. Bis zum Ende war mir unklar, ob einer von beiden den anderen in großer Freundschaft umbringen würde - Spannung pur! Die pandarischen Nebencharaktere sind ebenfalls wunderbar detailliert ausgearbeitet und die Dialoge gerade ästhetisch in Szene gesetzt - hier wird viel von Chinas Philosophie, charismatischer Ruhe und Weisheit auf Blizzards Fantasy-Welt umgesetzt.Im englischen Original jedenfalls ist dieser Roman ein Hochgenuß - ich freue mich schon darauf, wenn ich das Buch in den nächsten Jahren wieder lesen werde.Please, Mr. Stackpole: Give us more! Stay true to the course!By-the-way:Die Warcraft-Mangas von Tokypop kann ich auch empfehlen, wenn auch die Dialoge nciht so tief gehen, hier ja auch tolle Zeichnungen, die selbstverständlich Platz einnehmen müssen.

I have read just about every World of Warcraft book and while I've enjoyed them all on one level, this one was a cut above. Christie Golden is one of the best but Michael Stakpole is my new favorite. The detail, pacing and characterization were all top-notch.This makes me excited to see what is in store for us with Vol'jin at the helm of The Horde. :)

I really enjoyed this book; try not to let people's negative reviews put you off. True, there is not a swathe of the usual lore characters, but I loved getting to know the trolls a lot more. Chen was also a really fun addition to the book. Well worth a read!

Great product, Great Price Fast shipping ,will order again!!

Sieht aus wie auf dem Bild!