World of Warcraft: Vol'jin: Shadows of the Horde

By: Michael A. Stackpole

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 11 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

That night, visions mocked Vol’jin. He found himself in the midst of fighters, each of whom he recognized. He’d gathered them for that final assault on Zalazane, to end his madness and free the Echo Isles for the Darkspears. Each of the combatants took on aspects of a jihui cube, faced to be at their maximum power. Not a fireship among them, but this did not surprise Vol’jin.

He was the fireship, but not yet turned to display his maximum power. This was not a fight, though desperate, in which he would destroy himself. Aided by Bwonsamdi, they would slay Zalazane and reclaim the Echo Isles.

Who be you, this troll, who be having memories of a heroic effort?

Vol’jin turned, hearing the click of a cube snapping to a new facing. He felt trapped inside that cube, translucent though it was, and shocked that it had no values on any face. “I be Vol’jin.”

Bwonsamdi materialized in a gray world of swirling mists. “And who be this Vol’jin?”

The question shook him. The Vol’jin of the vision had been the leader of the Darkspears, but was no longer. Reports of his death would just now be reaching the Horde. Perhaps they had not yet gotten there. In his heart, Vol’jin hoped his allies had been delayed, just so Garrosh could dwell one more day wondering if his plan had succeeded.

That did not answer the question. He was no longer the leader of the Darkspears, not in any real sense. They might still acknowledge him, but he could give them no orders. They would resist Garrosh and any Horde attempt to conquer them, but in his absence, they might listen to envoys who offered them protection. They could be lost to him.

Who do I be?

Vol’jin shivered. Though he thought himself superior to Tyrathan Khort, at least the man was mobile and not wearing sick-robes. The man hadn’t been betrayed by a rival and assassinated. The man had clearly embraced some of the pandaren way.

And yet, Tyrathan hesitated when he should not have. Some of it was a game to make the pandaren underestimate him, but Vol’jin had seen through that. The other bits, though, as he’d hesitated after Vol’jin complimented a move, those were genuine. And not something a man be allowing in himself.

Vol’jin looked up at Bwonsamdi. “I be Vol’jin. I know who I was. Who I gonna be? That answer only Vol’jin could be finding. And for now, Bwonsamdi, that be enough.”

©2013 Michael A. Stackpole (P)2013 Simon and Schuster Audio

Possibly best warcraft audiobooks

Dramatic voiceacting, rich in lore, interesting story with quite a few twists and well done personal reflection of characters in story that realy makes you feel you got to know them. I finally really met Vojin and Chen.

10/10 DO RECOMMEND

out of all the w.o.w. books in the saga, this on had by far been my favorite this far. although I can't pin it to a specific reason for being such. all around amazing storyline and performance

Enjoyable with great development

Note: I play World of Warcraft and enjoyed the Mists of Pandaria expansion.

IMO this story was well written. I don’t require non-stop action to be drawn into a story, it’s setting, and it’s characters. One of the best aspects of this story is that the audience is allowed to learn more about the characters and events taken from/related to the MoP expansion. There are more “action” scenes towards the end (if that’s what you are looking for) and there is a lot of interesting development that leads up to them. I wish the story had gone a bit further into what Vol’jin does/will do but I highly enjoyed the book anyway.

Awesome

I enjoyed the book a lot. I especially liked taran zhu, the different life lessons/parables and the differences between tushui and huojin compared through the boardgame jihui and ofcourse Chen and Yalia.
It was 15 hours long so it took me a while, but was definitely worth it. Scott is a wonderful narrator.
The only downside was the part with kha'lak on the isle of thunder took too long.

Amazing reader

Once again, Michael Brick gives an amazing reading of a story. Each character sounds unique and interesting.

Exceeds Expectations

I was originally skeptical about listening to this book because I didn't care about Vol'jin that much in game. I decided to give it a try because I listened to the other Mists of Pandaria novels (Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War and Warcrimes).

To put it simply, this book was outstanding. If you love WoW lore, then this book is perfection.

Tyrathan Khort better be with us at the end of Legion to fulfill their promise to get the one that got the other.

Trollin' Pandas

Would you listen to World of Warcraft: Vol'jin: Shadows of the Horde again? Why?

Yes. I love all of the characters involved. Even the token human, who was given a great personality and interesting backstory.

Which character – as performed by Scott Brick – was your favorite?

Vol'jin. Easily. He gave an excellent performance despite the Trolls having a Jamaican accent, which could come off as goofy and dumb in a lesser narrator's hands.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Not really, but there were some really great action scenes and even a heartwarming moment towards the end.

Any additional comments?

Not all of the WoW stories feel "complete", but merely as a springboard into some new expansion the game is releasing. This is one of the few books that felt like it had a solid beginning, middle, and end to me.

De good stuff, mon

Scott Brick has rapidly become my favorite narrator for Warcraft novels. His tone, pacing, and ability to mimic the vocal idiosyncrasies of Azeroth's races really help draw me into the story. I enjoyed the depiction of Vol'Jin, which really helped me delve into the troll mindset and understand their racial identity in the setting, something I hadn't gotten too deep into despite years of playing Horde. I'd say that the only parts of the story that didn't resonate with me mainly involved Taran Zhu, but that's my personal dislike for the character and not a knock on the writing. Overall, I'd say this is an excellent book for WoW fans and players on either faction.

as always Stackpole is amazing

awesome story great reader very good buy. and as always the only thing left to say. For The Horde!!

Wow!

The voices Scott Brick did for this were unbelievable! I truly pictured the Troll and Pandaren characters separately as he did the reading! Great story with lots of emotion and thrilling action! Also, the philosophies considered by the characters had me considering my own personal growth and beliefs. Loved it all!