tghis is like the 5th time yall posted this.....
At what point do I not bother to buy the book anymore?
To cut off a lot of comments, they actually did a pretty good job of representing the highlights needed to enjoy the story, actually in the game this time. We already knew the two sides fought a bloody war. That the Incarnates were imprisoned. We've seen Raszageth invade the Forbidden Reach in animations. An ingame cinematic told us all about Alexstrasza and Vyranoth having been close. About her promise no dragons would have the will of the Keepers forced on them. That the Keepers transformed eggs. And that Alexstrasza had a responsibility in that, that she regrets. We knew that Iridikron was a schemer that was captured last, and was willing to make dark deals to extend his war.What this story does, is take those story points, and write a tale around them that provides more detail. A grand narrative taking place over 500 years or so, visits many locations, and gives you incredible insights into the inner monologues, feelings and perspectives of the dozen characters it follows in this story told through their eyes. In ways that can't be represented ingame. Given how Blizzard treated novels in the past, with Garrosh' escape from his trial to start the Iron Horde only being referenced in a book, with the Nightmare War from the Stormrage book taking place worldwide in modern Azeroth without a whisper of those events making it into the game, or with us waiting like 5 years for a book to learn Sylvanas' true motivations and how the Jailer twisted things to suit his goals, it's great that this time they actually did their best to give us the important details ingame, for those paying attention. It's worth acknowledging.I think it also excels at the character work. The details of the book are alright. But the story is great. And the characterization of the characters, phenomenal. If they're going to be doing books, this is the best format: Something that takes place in the past, that clarifies things we've been told, that tells a story in so many places and times that the player character can't really play a role in the narrative. And that is focused so much on exploring these characters. You can't get 28 chapters of character perspective from ingame dialogue and cutscenes. You just can't. You can't witness their inner thought and feelings. It also paints a nuanced picture. Not of Fyrakk and Iridikron perhaps: They just revel in being destructive. But everyone else is nuanced, including their followers. No side is made out to be evil. Neither choice is fully evil or good. And I believe it sets up the true lesson in the background that we'll see in 10.2. That it was making a choice, and trying to put one side in the box of good, and the other of evil, was itself the wrong things to do. That letting perspectives, distrust and ideologies divide you rather than letting shared goals unite you, brings about centuries of suffering and war.So, can I recommend this book? I can say it's not required reading. If you're not interested in experiencing more with the Aspects and the Incarnates? Don't buy it. You've got all the details you need ingame. Or if you just want the brute facts, analysis posts and youtube videos like Nobbel's. But if you want to get to know these characters better? If you want to enjoy a story that spends more time with Alexstrasza and Fyrakk? If you want to know how a primal dragon like Vyranoth sees Azeroth? Then consider a purchase. Because it does great justice to all the characters involved in this story.
I've been interested in this so, it was very interesting to read a detailed review. A lot of good points were raised. I kind of wish 'I suppose' wasn't used since that made this article a little silly.
