Before we start this review, let us take a moment to explain that I’m not a Warcraft fanatic or even a Starcraft hardcore gamer.  In college, I was more of a Command & Conquer fan and played a lot of it, especially during final weeks from what I remember.  With the release of the live-action Warcraft film this weekend, this paperback novel Warcraft: Durotan is the prequel storyline for the Warcraft movie.

This tale begins with the young Durotan learning how to be a leader of the Frostwolves orc clan from his dad Garad and mother Geyah.  For generations, the Frostwolves have been living in Frostfire Ridge near the Greatfather Mountain, which provide food and shelter.  A mysterious warlock Gul’dan appears and tells of a new evil coming to destroy their lands.  Gul’dan asks Garad to join their united orc clans – the Horde.  He promises a land to the South where there is much food, fresh water and better lands.  Chieftain Garad dismisses Gul’dan as evil, but over the years the area of Frostfire Ridge becomes increasingly harder to hunt for food with harsher summers and winters.

[Read more…]