World of Warcraft: The Shattering

Prelude to Cataclysm

By: Christie Golden

Narrated by: Christie Golden

Thrall, wise shaman and the warchief of the Horde, has sensed a disturbing change . . .

Long ago, Azeroth’s destructive native elementals raged across the world until the benevolent titans imprisoned them within the Elemental Plane. Despite the titans’ intervention, many elementals have ended up back on Azeroth. Over the ages, shaman like Thrall have communed with these spirits and, through patience and dedication, learned to soothe roaring infernos, bring rain to sun-scorched lands, and otherwise temper the elementals’ ruinous influence on the world of Azeroth.

Now Thrall has discovered that the elementals no longer heed the shaman’s call. The link shared with these spirits has grown thin and frayed, as if Azeroth itself were under great duress. While Thrall seeks answers to what ails the confused elements, he also wrestles with the orcs’ precarious future as his people face dwindling supplies and growing hostility with their night elf neighbors.

Meanwhile, King Varian Wrynn of Stormwind is considering violent action in response to mounting tensions between the Alliance and the Horde, a hard-line approach that threatens to alienate those closest to him, including his son, Anduin. The conflicted young prince has set out to find his own path, but in doing so, he risks becoming entangled in political instability that is setting the world on edge.

The fate of Azeroth’s great races is shrouded in a fog of uncertainty, and the erratic behavior of the elemental spirits, troubling though it is, may only be the first ominous warning sign of the cataclysm to come.

©2023 Blizzard Entertainment (P)2023 Blizzard Entertainment

Another Amazing Book

Just another amazing book by Christie Golden. Nothing else to say. Listen to it yourself and enjoy :)

My favorite so far!

I’ve read about 10 of the books so far, and this one has the theme beat hands down.

Prelude to the cataclysm expansion

A really good read that describes what happened prior to death wings arrival and how cairne bloodhoof ended how he did. A very good book that shows the personalities of garrosh and thrall as well as other key characters.

Hit or Miss

Relessing to this for the first time since it came out only reminds me just how poorly written garrosh is as a hero or villain?
What kind of Warrior with a shred of honor wouldn't realize the paper cut you just gave somebody's chest has completely paralyzed them.
He is as dumb is the story demands one moment and a tactical genius the next...

Love the lore - hard to listen to

I like the book, just as I like most of Christie Goldens books. But the intonation of the sentences makes it really hard to listen to :( It doesn't feel like someone is telling you a story but reading something they have never read before, although she has written it herself.

Just an honest opinion, I like her work and will continue to buy and support. I just can not bear her reading the books. Sorry.