Behind the legend stands a being hungry for justice and vengeance as the adventure, intrigue, and heroism of World of Warcraft, the global phenomenon, rise to a new level.You are not prepared. Illidan Stormrage is one of the most powerful beings ever to walk the lands of Azeroth. He is also one of the least understood. Behind his legend, beneath his enigmatic mission, lies a brilliant mind … his enigmatic mission, lies a brilliant mind whose machinations are comprehended by few—and trusted by even fewer. Illidan’s righteous reign of justice and vengeance has begun.
Long ago, the night elf sorcerer Illidan infiltrated the demonic Burning Legion to ward off its invasion of Azeroth. Instead of hailing him as a hero, his own kind branded him the Betrayer, questioning his intentions after he appeared to aid the demon lords. For ten thousand years, he languished in prison—vilified, isolated, but never forgetting his purpose.
Now the Legion has returned, and there is only one champion who can truly stand against it. Released from his bonds, Illidan prepares for the final confrontation in the alien realm of Outland, gathering an army of grotesque fel orcs, serpentine naga, cunning blood elves, and twisted demon hunters to his side. He alone knows what deeply hidden motives guide his hand; he alone understands the price that must be paid to defeat the enemies of creation. Yet as before, he is assailed by those who see his schemes as a cynical quest for power, including the night elf Maiev Shadowsong, his former jailor. Warden Shadowsong and her Watchers have pursued the Betrayer to Outland to exact retribution for his crimes, and she will not rest until Illidan is in her custody . . . or in his grave.
Praise for Illidan
“William King kicks off a great story with Illidan.”—BlizzPro
“For many people, new and old players alike, this book will be an eye-opening journey.”—All Things Azeroth
“I enjoyed World of Warcraft: Illidan a great deal.”—BlizzPlanet
“Damn fun . . . There’s virtually never a dull moment in Illidan.”—Cinelinx
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I’ve been a fan of the World of Warcraft game for quite a while now, and inevitably my fandom led me to exploring the lore a bit more in depth. I got my start in the game during the Burning Crusade era, so reading this book was a bit like returning to my game origins, for it is the novelization of the events in Outland of that entire expansion. However, it is so much more than that. What this book does is ties the events that occur in Outland during the Burning Crusade era to the upcoming events in Legion, through a sub-plot involving the Night Elf Vandrel and his quest for vengeance against the Burning Legion.
What I found most interesting was the fact that no one actually took the time to sit down with Illidan and discover what his true motivations were. Basically, here he is, the one unique person that can describe the Legion’s plans in detail and his own plans for defending Azeroth, and yet every person on the planet and in Outland hated his guts! He wasn’t the Betrayer, he just was trying to defend his homeworld. It makes him the most misunderstood Villain in the game.
To me, this was well worth the read. Makes me really want to go back to Outland, quest through the zones, see the sights that were discussed in the book, then run the raids to see how this all wove together. I hope we see more of this lore to come!
The reason I read this book is, because this book was published for the release of World of Warcraft: Legion, the 14th book in the novelseries of the game. Illidan is a really cool character in the game and this book showed some of his backstory in Outland, but not from his youth and how he became a demon hunter. I loved the story, I did, but it took me really long to get through it. I think it is because of a major reading slump I was in, but did not admit, and some slower parts in the book. That’s why I gave it 4 stars.
Do I recommend this book? Yes and no. Even though this book is the 14th in the series, it is not a direct follow up on the 13th one and can be read in any order really. BUT if you don’t have any knowledge about lore in the World of Warcraft game, specifically lore about Illidan and his backstory pre-Outland, there are many things in this book you just won’t understand and that will make this book a boring read. This is not a problem if you have read all the previous books ofcourse.
I love the Warcraft books and I’m not a gamer. I honestly believe more readers (gamers or not) should delve into this series because it is amazing! The lore, the chance to see POVs from each side . . . just magnificent.
The only thing I didn’t care for in this book was Maiev Shadowsong’s relentless anger and paranoia. For me, it was a little over the top. I was also expecting a little more from Illidan’s POV instead of spread out between so many characters. I expected something much darker, but still, amazing book. It was very well written and I am excited to delve even deeper into this fantastic world!
One of the World of Warcraft lore books. Great read if you are a gamer.