Patch 5.4 patch notes
Virtual Realms feature revealed
The Proving Grounds are coming
The latest patch 5.4 newsThe Shattering: Prelude to Cataclysm available for preorder
by Anne Stickney 
Jun 16th 2010 at 8:00PM
The next book in the Warcraft novel series, World of Warcraft: The Shattering: Prelude to Cataclysm by Christie Golden is now available for preorder on Amazon.com both in hardcover edition and for the Kindle. This book (which incidentally has the longest title I've ever seen for a Warcraft book) covers the events prior to the release of the Cataclysm expansion, and as mentioned is written by award-winning author Christie Golden, who brought us other novels such as Lord of the Clans, Rise of the Horde and Arthas: Rise of the Lich King.
Both the Kindle preorder and the hardcover print edition preorder have a release date set for August 31st, 2010. While some may view this as a tip off to Cataclysm's release date, I'd advise people not to get too excited -- generally the novel release dates aren't tied to the release of expansions at all. I am, however, looking forward to the book; Golden's prior works have always made for an entertaining read, and while we have no information regarding the contents of the book, it can be assumed we'll be seeing more of Deathwing, Warchief Thrall, Garrosh Hellscream, King Varian Wrynn, Malfurion Stormrage and many of the other characters that may play major parts in the Cataclysm expansion. Thank you to reader Patrick for the tip!
Both the Kindle preorder and the hardcover print edition preorder have a release date set for August 31st, 2010. While some may view this as a tip off to Cataclysm's release date, I'd advise people not to get too excited -- generally the novel release dates aren't tied to the release of expansions at all. I am, however, looking forward to the book; Golden's prior works have always made for an entertaining read, and while we have no information regarding the contents of the book, it can be assumed we'll be seeing more of Deathwing, Warchief Thrall, Garrosh Hellscream, King Varian Wrynn, Malfurion Stormrage and many of the other characters that may play major parts in the Cataclysm expansion. Thank you to reader Patrick for the tip!
Filed under: News items, Lore, Cataclysm
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 3)
Buffles Jun 16th 2010 9:20PM
Anyone else casually read the headline and see "Cataclysm" and "Preorder" and about pee themselves before realizing what it really was?
Sad...
Although I am stoked for a new novel. I always love reading about the Warcraft lore.
MusedMoose Jun 16th 2010 10:30PM
Trust me, you weren't the only one. I saw the title and was like "Cataclysm preorder?!" And then, reality set in. ^_^ Ah, well. A day will come when those words are written together and it's not for the novel.
Sunstreaker84 Jun 17th 2010 9:52AM
Oh...@#$! yeah.
Dirty pool guys!
Irem Jun 16th 2010 9:22PM
Oh my lord, my roommate and I were JUST wondering when this would come out this morning. So psyched. o___o
McGuffer Jun 16th 2010 9:30PM
Interestingly although there is a kindle version of this book there is no epub for sony or kobo or anyone else to use. You would think blizz would want to get this out to the most people in the most formats possible either that or they are silly enough to think that everybody with an e reader is using a kindle.
Andrew Timson Jun 16th 2010 9:43PM
There will be; however, most ebook retailers do not do preorders. Amazon is an exception.
Jahka Jun 16th 2010 9:44PM
I feel like a minority >.> *likes Knaak's writing* BUT, Christie Golden is SO MUCH BETTER.
Koleckai Jun 16th 2010 9:44PM
Hmm... I'll have to add it to my Kindle software and check it out on my iPad.
SaintStryfe Jun 16th 2010 9:51PM
I hope there's an audiobook too. I hated Stormrage, but I loved the Audio Book of it, simply for the format.
jacktheriffer86 Jun 16th 2010 10:03PM
After just finishing the Arthas novel, I don't think I'll pick this up now that I know Golden has penned it. Perhaps I'm in the minority, but to me Arthas read like a bad Arthas/Jaina romance fanfic with some WarCraft III mission summaries tossed in. It's nothing I couldn't have gotten from reading WoWWiki.
Perhaps George R. R. Martin has me spoiled on what fantasy writing CAN be.
Oznak Jun 16th 2010 10:24PM
Perhaps Arthas wasn't that great, I wouldn't know having not read it. And while it's true that GRRM absolutely blows out of the water virtually any other fantasy writing, Lord of the Clans and Rise of the Horde (both by Golden) were two of the best Warcraft books I've read, so I'll certainly be picking this up.
McGuffer Jun 17th 2010 12:09AM
It's all about taste. For me I can't stand GRRM it's too bleak and dark even for me and I love bleak and dark. When people ask about it in the bookstore my general recommendation is well if you enjoy rape and murder every five pages you'll love it but I'm not a fan.
On the same note Robert Jordan is crap as far as I'm concerned and I tell people that. On the other hand Tolkien and Lewis were geniuses and I fell in love with Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden as soon as I read it the same with Naomi Novik's Temeraire series. But I have friends who hate both those series for various reasons and I respect that.
To me Golden produces what I expect of series novels like Star Trek, Star Wars, or Warcraft which is a decent story involving characters I know and love and lore that I will enjoy from their universe. Knaak on the other hand is everything wrong with the universe and must be destroyed before he can produce more Mary Sues that I have to accept quests from and talk to.
Pryn Jun 17th 2010 4:41AM
I quite enjoyed Arthas and will likely buy this book too. I can't even bring myself to stomach writing something about Kna...... nope I cannot even type it!
GRRM for me is in just such a different league to the majority of fantasy writers (rape and murder every five pages? Hardly!) and it is very difficult to settle back to run of the mill fiction after visiting Westeros. That being said, A Song of Ice and Fire may be my personal literary equivilent of a fillet steak meal, but that certainly won't stop me enjoying the odd Drive-Thru snack while waaaaaiting for 'A Dance with Dragons'. So hopefully this latest Golden book will be a tasty enough offering ;)
Hollow Leviathan Jun 17th 2010 2:50PM
@McGuffer Even money says the next main character in a Knaakbook also marries an Elven Ranger General and/or princess.
arcaneterror Jun 19th 2010 11:49PM
I've read two Warcraft books so far: Arthas and Stormrage. And I have to say, Golden > Knaak. I'll probably get this book once it's out in stores :P
david_maurice Jun 16th 2010 11:03PM
Hopefully she won't mention Invisible on every other page again.
Othor_NL Jun 17th 2010 3:50AM
This well know dutch webshop lists a release date of 19 november 2010 for Cataclysm (Game not the book) (Thanks to a Tip of one of my Guildies)
http://www.bol.com/nl/p/games/world-of-warcraft-cataclysm/1004004008493710/index.html
MusedMoose Jun 17th 2010 7:43AM
Until we get word from Blizzard, any listed release date is just speculation, no matter where it comes from.
Mr.X Jun 17th 2010 5:13AM
Already Pre-Ordered mine, shame it takes an extra 2-4 weeks for delivery
either way should be an interesting read
Batch Jun 17th 2010 7:59AM
This book is also available at Borders.com, B&N.com, or very likely any book retailer.
Not sure why WoW.com felt it necessary to hasten the demise of the retail book industry by only mentioning Amazon.