Action & Adventure
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Sylvanas (World of Warcraft)
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • The epic, definitive story of Sylvanas Windrunner, one of World of Warcraft's most enduring and iconic characters, as chronicled by bestselling author Christie Golden.
Ranger-General. Banshee Queen. Warchief. Sylvanas Windrunner has borne many titles. To some, she is a hero-to others, a villain. But whether in pursuit of justice, vengeance, or something more, Sylvanas has always sought to control her own destiny.
The power to achieve her goals has never been closer, as Sylvanas works alongside the Jailer to liberate all Azeroth from the prison of fate. Her final task? Secure the fealty of their prisoner-King Anduin Wrynn.
To succeed, Sylvanas will be forced to reflect on the harrowing path that brought her to the Jailer's side and to reveal her truest self to her greatest rival. Here, Sylvanas's complete story is laid bare: the breaking of the Windrunner family and her rise to Ranger- General; her own death at the hands of Arthas and her renewed purpose in founding the Forsaken; the moment she first beheld the Maw and understood the true consequences of what lay beyond the veil of death.
But as her moment of victory draws near, Sylvanas Windrunner will make a choice that may ultimately come to define her. A choice that's hers to make.
Ranger-General. Banshee Queen. Warchief. Sylvanas Windrunner has borne many titles. To some, she is a hero-to others, a villain. But whether in pursuit of justice, vengeance, or something more, Sylvanas has always sought to control her own destiny.
The power to achieve her goals has never been closer, as Sylvanas works alongside the Jailer to liberate all Azeroth from the prison of fate. Her final task? Secure the fealty of their prisoner-King Anduin Wrynn.
To succeed, Sylvanas will be forced to reflect on the harrowing path that brought her to the Jailer's side and to reveal her truest self to her greatest rival. Here, Sylvanas's complete story is laid bare: the breaking of the Windrunner family and her rise to Ranger- General; her own death at the hands of Arthas and her renewed purpose in founding the Forsaken; the moment she first beheld the Maw and understood the true consequences of what lay beyond the veil of death.
But as her moment of victory draws near, Sylvanas Windrunner will make a choice that may ultimately come to define her. A choice that's hers to make.
Readers Top Reviews
Hajouan LuaiNi
This book has vastly improved the shoddy and frankly... Horrible storytelling of the game itself. Had a portion of excerpts of this book been available in game, or in short stories throughout the expansion cycle, I feel that Sylvannas' character as well as the expansion itself would've been received much better. Though there were so many other things left to be desired... Blizzard really needs to learn how to incorporate this story telling into the game somehow. Maybe Christie Golden can get in line and help this move along. It's detrimental to the lore and the story's flow. Most people don't read the books. As for her(Sylvannas) story, I knew it was tragic. It was a part of the character I always loved. While I was never a fanboy of hers, I still loved how the character prevailed and seemed to make the best of what she was dealt. Even in her more questionable moments. Then Legions end and BFA hit and the writing and lack of context or insight forced me to hate who she was. And this is the problem. But this story made me rekindle my appreciation for the character. And it's much more understandable of why she did what she did. Truth is as Anduin had said, no one really knows how you're gonna react when put in such situations and backed into a corner with no where else to go. This is what comes out of it. And of all mediums, Blizzard, you chose her book to reveal the depths of Zovaals manipulation... You really know how to drop the ball. Christie, I must say, you managed to pull a horse out of a hat on this one. This was a pretty solid book. Great job I appreciate you tackling a character that's been dragged through the dredges of muddy trash that blizzards shoddy story telling created. I liked the flow, you skipped when necessary and honed on when it was also. I really liked the brief deep dive into her previous family life too.
Ashley M Hajoua
I am a huge fan of Christie. Her WoW books are the best, and as a WoW player/Lore lover this book was just what I needed. Christie captures the lore like no other.
Victoria TomkivAs
Let me offer my perspective on the story. It took me about 9 hours to read the book and it had been a tough experience. I have cried a few times and now I feel sad, emotional and generally a little bit lost. I guess all people feel this way when any story they liked comes to an end, but I connect my feelings generally to the mood of the book. I guess all of us know by this point that Sylvanas' life hasn't been too cheerful, but this book is something else entirely. While it does have some bright and cheerful moments, particularly in the first half of it, surprisingly even it, even the living Sylvanas' life, even in her childhood hasn't been always bright - complicated relationships with her sisters and her mother, the idea of Windrunner legacy - all of that bearing down on the character even in the happiest times of her life. I feel like for a lot of people this book will look as an attempt to justify or explain Sylvanas' action, what shaped her and what turned the Ranger-General into someone who would burn Teldrassil. I got my answer and I feel that this transformation is sufficiently explained, as well as her connectin with the Jailer and the "how could she be so stupid to believe him" part. I liked the story, it was emotional and raw, making me feel and understand a fictional character now that I see some things through her eyes. I liked Sylvanas providing insight into other characters outside of her family and their motivations: Thrall, Lor'Themar, Jaina and Anduin, however brief some of them might be. There's one thing I'd like to see in the book, but didn't find there - the part after Sylvanas got back her soul is covered only in the Epilogue and to me it feel like a little bit of a jump. I think the story might have benefited from describing her sorrow and grief now that she knows she's been played. I get this book is full of grief as it is and I get that we got the Shattered Legacies cinematic, but I still would have love to see a chapter or five dedicated to it. Anyway, I enjoyed the story. It was my second WoW book I read after "Shadows Rising". Thank you, Christie, I'm now sad and overwhelmed, but hopeful.
Aaron C EndsleyVi
It was enjoyable and probably one of the better blizzard stories of the last 3 years in my opinion. It did seem to bring closure to the oddities in the character of sylvanas as of late.
YOMAMA!Aaron C En
Having played World of Warcraft in all phases and seeing the story unfold from the player’s perspective, it was refreshing to see the history of Azeroth from the viewpoint of a major lore character who had been through it all. The story goes a long way to explain the thought process of a flawed character whose concept of a greater good ultimately led her down a dark path. The most enjoyable parts of the book for me was the tales of her early life; Sylvanas before the Banshee Queen. I would highly recommend for anyone wishing to explore the history of this character, for anyone seeking to maybe find meaning in her road to redemption.
Short Excerpt Teaser
Chapter One
"Let me see, let me see!" Vereesa begged. The balcony walls, white and curving as the throat of a swan, were too tall for her to peer over, and Sylvanas sighed. She cast a final longing look at the crowd milling below, then darted back into their chambers for a stool. As Vereesa happily clambered atop it, Sylvanas returned her attention to the scene.
Their parents did host some gatherings-Father said it was "prudent" to do so from time to time-but they were usually small affairs. While Lord Verath Windrunner was one of King Anasterian's most trusted advisers and his wife, Lireesa, was the ranger-general of Silvermoon, lesser nobles like the ostentatious Lord Saltheril threw much more lavish celebrations. But Lireesa had little patience with pretense and politics, and their quietly brilliant father's idea of a fine evening was a glass of wine, a good book, and candles to read by.
But today, everything was different. Some of those gathered at the base of the spire were nobility like the Windrunners. Others would have once been considered commoners, but their athleticism, agility, and almost uncanny skills in marksmanship and tracking had elevated them to another sort of nobility. Certainly Sylvanas and her sisters had been raised with respect for and almost awe of the Far striders, and thus far Sylvanas had seen nothing to disabuse her of the notion that they were worthier of respect than someone who'd simply been born with a title.
She had seen many of the Farstriders already for one reason or another, but they had usually come at the ranger-general's request and interacted little with the rest of the family. Sylvanas was most familiar with Lor'themar Theron. Perhaps because of his white hair, he was one of the few elves who looked older than they were, and he bore himself with the same quiet, elegant dignity that Sylvanas saw in her father. Another Sylvanas had met was a relative newcomer, Halduron Brightwing. He had a cheerful grin and unruly dark blond hair, and he always greeted her and Vereesa if they were present. Like Halduron, the petite Jirri was also a relative newcomer, and clearly quite young if her obvious excitement and wonder at the spire was any indication. The blue-black color of Ranger Vor'athil's hair made him stand out in a sea that was overwhelmingly gold and silver. Beyond the crowd, Lieutenant Helios spoke quietly to Rangers Lethvalin and Salissa while Ranger Tomathren waited, impatiently, for Helios's attention.
Talthressar, Rellian, Auric Sunchaser, Alleria's friend Verana-so many of them. Sylvanas's heart was racing; she was so excited for what was to transpire that she might as well be the one undergoing the test, not her big sister, Alleria, who stood beside her mother in silence.
Ordinarily, the resemblance between mother and eldest daughter was uncanny. They had the same lean frame, though Alleria was still somewhat gawky on coltish long legs; hair that flowed like melted gold down their backs; the same curve of the mouth when they smiled. But now Lireesa's belly was round and full, the child growing within due to make its happy appearance sometime in the next few weeks. In this moment, neither woman smiled. What was about to happen was far too serious.
Sylvanas watched Lireesa turn to Alleria and nod. As the two stepped forward, the Farstriders spread out into a circle, with mother and daughter in the center.
The ranger-general's voice was strong and clear, used to uttering commands in the heat of battle and to having them be obeyed. It carried easily as she addressed the elite unit of the finest rangers in the entire kingdom.
"When I was a young woman, my mother, Alleria, trained me, the eldest child, to become ranger-general, as her mother had before her. Now my daughter, whom I have named after she who bore me, wishes to prove her worthiness and begin formal training. So that all may know that both Alleria and I understand the duty and importance of the position of ranger-general, I have set her a challenge."
Lireesa turned to her daughter. There was no softening of the older woman's mien as she spoke.
"Alleria Windrunner. Are you willing to do what is necessary to lead the Farstriders in times of both peace and war?"
"I am." Alleria's voice, unusually deep for one so young, betrayed no emotion.
"Then this is your challenge. Listen well. A springpaw lynx has been identified and tagged as your target. Its known territory ranges from Goldenmist Village to Farstrider Enclave. You must find it, slay it with a single arrow, field-dress it, and bring the pelt to me before the last ray of light fades. If you fail any of these charges, you fail the test."
The ran...
"Let me see, let me see!" Vereesa begged. The balcony walls, white and curving as the throat of a swan, were too tall for her to peer over, and Sylvanas sighed. She cast a final longing look at the crowd milling below, then darted back into their chambers for a stool. As Vereesa happily clambered atop it, Sylvanas returned her attention to the scene.
Their parents did host some gatherings-Father said it was "prudent" to do so from time to time-but they were usually small affairs. While Lord Verath Windrunner was one of King Anasterian's most trusted advisers and his wife, Lireesa, was the ranger-general of Silvermoon, lesser nobles like the ostentatious Lord Saltheril threw much more lavish celebrations. But Lireesa had little patience with pretense and politics, and their quietly brilliant father's idea of a fine evening was a glass of wine, a good book, and candles to read by.
But today, everything was different. Some of those gathered at the base of the spire were nobility like the Windrunners. Others would have once been considered commoners, but their athleticism, agility, and almost uncanny skills in marksmanship and tracking had elevated them to another sort of nobility. Certainly Sylvanas and her sisters had been raised with respect for and almost awe of the Far striders, and thus far Sylvanas had seen nothing to disabuse her of the notion that they were worthier of respect than someone who'd simply been born with a title.
She had seen many of the Farstriders already for one reason or another, but they had usually come at the ranger-general's request and interacted little with the rest of the family. Sylvanas was most familiar with Lor'themar Theron. Perhaps because of his white hair, he was one of the few elves who looked older than they were, and he bore himself with the same quiet, elegant dignity that Sylvanas saw in her father. Another Sylvanas had met was a relative newcomer, Halduron Brightwing. He had a cheerful grin and unruly dark blond hair, and he always greeted her and Vereesa if they were present. Like Halduron, the petite Jirri was also a relative newcomer, and clearly quite young if her obvious excitement and wonder at the spire was any indication. The blue-black color of Ranger Vor'athil's hair made him stand out in a sea that was overwhelmingly gold and silver. Beyond the crowd, Lieutenant Helios spoke quietly to Rangers Lethvalin and Salissa while Ranger Tomathren waited, impatiently, for Helios's attention.
Talthressar, Rellian, Auric Sunchaser, Alleria's friend Verana-so many of them. Sylvanas's heart was racing; she was so excited for what was to transpire that she might as well be the one undergoing the test, not her big sister, Alleria, who stood beside her mother in silence.
Ordinarily, the resemblance between mother and eldest daughter was uncanny. They had the same lean frame, though Alleria was still somewhat gawky on coltish long legs; hair that flowed like melted gold down their backs; the same curve of the mouth when they smiled. But now Lireesa's belly was round and full, the child growing within due to make its happy appearance sometime in the next few weeks. In this moment, neither woman smiled. What was about to happen was far too serious.
Sylvanas watched Lireesa turn to Alleria and nod. As the two stepped forward, the Farstriders spread out into a circle, with mother and daughter in the center.
The ranger-general's voice was strong and clear, used to uttering commands in the heat of battle and to having them be obeyed. It carried easily as she addressed the elite unit of the finest rangers in the entire kingdom.
"When I was a young woman, my mother, Alleria, trained me, the eldest child, to become ranger-general, as her mother had before her. Now my daughter, whom I have named after she who bore me, wishes to prove her worthiness and begin formal training. So that all may know that both Alleria and I understand the duty and importance of the position of ranger-general, I have set her a challenge."
Lireesa turned to her daughter. There was no softening of the older woman's mien as she spoke.
"Alleria Windrunner. Are you willing to do what is necessary to lead the Farstriders in times of both peace and war?"
"I am." Alleria's voice, unusually deep for one so young, betrayed no emotion.
"Then this is your challenge. Listen well. A springpaw lynx has been identified and tagged as your target. Its known territory ranges from Goldenmist Village to Farstrider Enclave. You must find it, slay it with a single arrow, field-dress it, and bring the pelt to me before the last ray of light fades. If you fail any of these charges, you fail the test."
The ran...
