Featured Read: Voljin: Shadows of the Horde by Michael Stackpole

Featured Read July 2013

Vol'jin: Shadows of the Horde by Michael Stackpole

Goodreads | Amazon

Publisher: Gallery Books (July 2, 2013)
Age Group: Adult
Pages: 352 (Hardcover)
Series: Warcraft #12
ISBN-13: 9781416550679
Genre: Fantasy/Lore Supplement

For fans of World of Warcraft, this book is extremely important to the current progression of the game. With the content release of 5.3 came the Escalation; the escalation of the war. The lore of this quest line is strongly dependent on the events of this book and it will ultimately lead to the Seige of Orgrimmar; something many fans have been looking forward to for four years.

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Shadows of the Horde follows Vol’jin to the lost continent of Pandaria, where the troll chieftain's loyalties are put to the ultimate test when a member of his own faction moves to assassinate him. . . .

Aided by the renowned brewmaster Chen Stormstout, Vol'jin takes refuge in a remote mountain monastery to recover from his wounds. His time there, however, is far from peaceful, as intense visions of the past assault the Darkspear chieftain, and the ancient Zandalari tribe mounts a series of attacks on Pandaria. In his struggle to make sense of what’s happening, Vol'jin must ultimately decide where his allegiances lay—a choice that could save or doom his people . . . and forever alter the fate of the Horde.

Featured Read: Dawn of the Aspects by Richard Knaak

Featured Read: June 2013

Dawn of the Aspects by Richard A. Knaak

Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV | Part V

Publisher: Simon & Schuester
Age Group: Adult
Pages: ~78 (eBook)
Series: Dawn of the Aspects Part I-V
ISBN-13: 9781476708645
Genre: Fantasy/Lore Supplement

After the fall of Deathwing, the aspects no long had their role as aspects and were left powerless and confused about the future of their kind. This 5 part eBook supplement is from the point of view of Kalecgos, the former Blue Aspect. One part of this series has been released each month starting in February and the final gripping conclusion releases June 17, 2013.

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THE AGE OF DRAGONS IS OVER.

Uncertainty plagues Azeroth’s ancient guardians as they struggle to find a new purpose. This dilemma has hit Kalecgos, youngest of the former Dragon Aspects, especially hard. Having lost his great powers, how can he—or any of his kind—still make a difference in the world?

The answer lies in the distant past, when savage beasts called proto-dragons ruled the skies. Through a mysterious artifact found near the heart of Northrend, Kalecgos witnesses this violent era and the shocking history of the original Aspects: Alexstrasza, Ysera, Malygos, Neltharion, and Nozdormu.

In their most primitive forms, the future protectors of Azeroth must stand united against Galakrond, a bloodthirsty creature that threatens the existence of their race. But did these mere proto-dragons face such a horrific adversary alone, or did an outside force help them? Were they given the strength they would become legendary for...or did they earn it with blood? Kalecgos’s discoveries will change everything he knows about the events that led to the...DAWN OF THE ASPECTS.

Featured Read: The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson

Featured Read: May 2013

The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson

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Publisher: Tor Teen
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 378 (Hardcover)
Series: The Rithmatist #1
ISBN-13: 9780765320322
Genre: Epic Fantasy

New York Times Bestselling author Brandon Sanderson has taken his first foray into teen literature with The Rithmatist. Known for his great world building and being chosen by Robert Jordan to finish the Wheel of Time series, Sanderson has created a world of magic and intrigue where new creatures rule in a fantasized American setting.

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More than anything, Joel wants to be a Rithmatist. Chosen by the Master in a mysterious inception ceremony, Rithmatists have the power to infuse life into two-dimensional figures known as Chalklings. Rithmatists are humanity’s only defense against the Wild Chalklings — merciless creatures that leave mangled corpses in their wake. Having nearly overrun the territory of Nebrask, the Wild Chalklings now threaten all of the American Isles. 

As the son of a lowly chalkmaker at Armedius Academy, Joel can only watch as Rithmatist students study the magical art that he would do anything to practice. Then students start disappearing — kidnapped from their rooms at night, leaving trails of blood. Assigned to help the professor who is investigating the crimes, Joel and his friend Melody find themselves on the trail of an unexpected discovery — one that will change Rithmatics — and their world — forever.