World of Warcraft: Arthas: Rise of the Lich King

World of Warcraft: Arthas: Rise of the Lich King
by Christie Golden

World of Warcraft: Arthas: Rise of the Lich King
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Book Summary Information

Author: Christie Golden
Edition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2009-04-21
ISBN: 1416550771
Number of pages: 320
Publisher: Pocket Books
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Book Reviews of World of Warcraft: Arthas: Rise of the Lich King

Book Review: World of Warcraft: Arthas: Rise of the Lich King
Summary: 3 Stars

World of Warcraft: Arthas: Rise of the Lich King, by Christie Golden

"Arthas: Rise of the Lich King" feels like it should be the best of all the Warcraft books published so far. Golden has a lot to work with: the previous Warcraft books, all the Warcraft games and expansions, and the multitude of lore and history that exists. But there's a feeling I'm always left with after finishing this book - a feeling that *something* is missing.

The novel is the story of Arthas Menethil, heir to the throne of Lordaeron; a bright boy with a promising future. But instead of becoming a wise king and faithful paladin, Arthas will fall into the dark and icy deep and rise as the Lich King. The book starts out well enough, with Golden tying many of the scenes into other published Warcraft novels and game history. Arthas is established as a boy desperate to do the right thing, eager for his father's approval, and to be his own person. He makes a misguided vow to do whatever necessary to protect his people, one that he holds to at all costs. Golden is good at writing misguided characters, ones that start with noble intentions that disintegrate - it seems to be her forte; she's done this in the other Warcraft books she's authored.

But I feel something is missing from "Arthas: Rise of the Lich King." For me, Arthas' fall is too fast. There isn't enough believability in his fall from grace - while all Warcraft players know that he becomes evil, Golden doesn't do a good enough job of making it a realistic journey. The third section of the book also glosses greatly over many important events; barely mentioning some and forgetting others all together. The end comes far too quickly. In my opinion the third section is very lacking; it could have used more detail, length, and coverage of important Warcraft events.

Fans of the game will appreciate the little touches Golden puts in, such as Arthas' anger being described often as righteous fury, a spell paladins have. Or the smell of peacebloom, a common herb in the game. "Arthas: Rise of the Lich King" also features Jaina Proudmoore, Kael'thas Sunstrider, and Sylvanas Windrunner, all legendary figures in their own right.

"Arthas: Rise of the Lich King" was the first Warcraft book to be published in hardcover, and while I did splurge and purchase it in hardcover, I feel $25 is a bit much for this book. Only buy it if you have a good coupon, or wait for the paperback. It's too short for my tastes, and isn't long enough to be worth that much, frankly. I was very excited when this book was published, and I couldn't wait to read it, and I do enjoy rereading it, but I just wish there was more too it. I always feel a bit blah at the end, and I wish I didn't feel that way.

3/5.

Summary of World of Warcraft: Arthas: Rise of the Lich King

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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