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World of Warcraft: Arthas: Rise of the Lich King

Price: $7.99

 

Product Features

• ISBN13: 9781439157602
• Condition: New
• Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

 

Editorial Reviews

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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Customer Reviews

Wayne's Books Said: Thin gruel indeed ( Sep. 1st 2010 )

I used to play WoW a while back. Gave it up for a lack of time. But I saw this book, which intrigued me.

At first, seeing all the familiar places and names kept me turning pages. But Arthas' rise is essentially an Anakin Skywalker rehash of the Star Wars prequel trilogy... except Arthas had it easy compared with Anakin. I mean really, aww, he was impatient and his favorite horse died. He doesn't know whether or not to commit to Jaina. This leads to the rise of the Lich King? *eye roll*

The writing level is juvenile and predictable. The romance would fit well in a local high school. Characters are mostly archetypes. The dour dwarf. The stuck-up elf. Uther, the serious and devoted paladin. Jaina, co-dependent. Arthas just seems like a college student unable to pick his major. Everybody is as they seem.

Maybe I've been spoiled by the gritty and character-driven fantasy of the Sword of Truth and Game of Thrones. But this novel lost me in 50 pages.

Jason Johnston Said: Why I want to be a Kingslayer... ( Aug. 1st 2010 )

This book started with the tale of Arthas, Prince of Lordaeron. I very much enjoyed reading about the Elves of Quel'Thalas and the Kael'dorei. Later on in the book we get to see the birth of the Sin'dorei, which I enjoyed very much, being HORDE at heart.

This book tells the story of why we see Eastern Kingdoms, with its Ruins of Lordaeron, Western and Eastern Plaguelands, the way they are today. Towards the first part of the book, we get to walk through the complete "Culling of Stratholme" dungeon-story, including the prequel and post-actions of Arthas and Jaina Proudmoore.

We get to see all the power that Arthas wields to this day, prior to his downfall. We get to see the story behind Kel'Thuzad and his ride to power, and later on Arthas and Illidan do a great battle or 2. I especially liked the story of how Sylvannas became the Banshee queen, leader of the Forsaken, as we know her today.

I very much enjoyed the lore behind this story, it didn't get into anything terribly deep, but it touched on many areas of the game and the story behind the Warcraft saga. All at the same time, we come to understand the hatred that the Alliance and Horde both have for this Lich King, who ransacked lands, people, tribes and traditions all in the name of the Scourge.

If you enjoy the back story behind the game, I suggest reading this book. It will explain better why we see what we do today, and why the Lich King must be stopped!

Scott Said: Retelling of WC3 Story ( Jun. 16th 2010 )

I would not recommend this book for anyone who has played the Warcraft 3 RTS game and the Frozen Throne expansion. Golden retells the human and undead campaigns from the game, often brushing past action parts to jump from cut scene to cut scene using the game as a script. I'm sure this approach was by design but rather disappointing. I was expecting more original content after enjoying her previous novels, Lord of the Clans and Rise of the Horde, which greatly expand on the backstory, motivation and humanity behind the fierce green-skinned brutes.

Eric Hawkins Said: A solid read ( May. 9th 2010 )

Arthas is a great read about the tragic hero from Warcraft lore. Chronicling his life and undeath from start to finish with very specific details that can spark memories from playing his original game Golden's book adds enough extra to the story to even knowing what is going to happen doesn't hamper the reading experience. Even someone who doesn't play the game can appreciate the tragic hero and his tale, so long as fantasy isn't a problem.

C. Townsend Said: Great, quick read. Bit of a rehash for those familiar with Warcraft 3. ( Apr. 26th 2010 )

Christie Golden has done a wonderful job of bringing the video game character to life. Those familiar with Warcraft 3 and it's expansion pack (The Frozen Throne) will recognize most of the material contained in the book. Many of the video game's cutscenes are captured verbatim in the dialog of the book.

The expansion of the relationship between Jaina and Arthas and the introduction of the Kaelthelas triangle are interesting additions to the universe lore. Golden has succeeded in creating an engaging expansion to the story line. She gives insights into the the darkening path traveled by Arthas as he forsakes his mortal coil and eventually becomes the infamous Lich King.

The development of backstory related to Arthas's childhood is engaging, particularly the inclusion of his boyhood steed, Invincible.

The book only took a few hours to read from cover to cover but was time well spent. The story is engaging and the inclusion of the cutscenes will tickle those familiar with the earlier games.