As a fan who has been playing World of Warcraft since before 2017, I adore Azeroth and the people who live there. I'm a die hard Alliance gal but I've also dabbled with the Horde because I love the trolls. With that said, the death of our king hit me so fucking hard. I cried when I first experienced it in game, cursing Blizzard for what they've done (because they also took my beloved Vol'jin) and I cried again 3-fucking-percent into this book.

"We defeated the burning legion and now we honor those who sacrificed all. We honor them not by dying, but by living. By healing our wounds and helping others heal. By laughing and feeling the sun on our faces. By holding our loved ones close and letting them know every hour, every minute of every day that they matter. [...] 

"Places in our hearts will forever remain empty, but if you would serve one king who grieves with you today, if you would honor another king who died for you, then I urge you - live. For our lives, our joy, our world. These are the gifts of the fallen and we must cherish them. For the Alliance!"

I did not consent to you shoving your hand into my chest and turning my heart like a feckin' lever, Miss Golden!

Still, I was hooked from the first sentence to the last. It made me yearn for the game once more (though I don't have the money to pay for it.) I do, however, have a few of the older books that I have not yet read, a decision I regret more after this book.

Despite being an Alliance gal, I don't hate the Horde. I hate a few individuals (cough Sylvanas cough) within the Horde, but not the Horde as a whole. I always loved those few missions where Alliance and Horde got to spend time together, working with each other instead of against each other. They always made me so happy.

When I was still playing, I dreamed that, one day, those walls would come down. I dreamed that all races would be free to choose who they supported (an Alliance troll? Fuck yes!) I doubt it will happen because the story, and much of the fan base is driven by the conflict, by the hatred for the other side. I get it. But...

"Someone once told me that hope is what you have when all other things have failed you."

So, I'll hope for that future.

Also, this may be obvious but I fucking HATE Sylvanas. I don't care what happened to her, that's no fucking excuse. There have been a lot of characters over the years, mostly female, that I could not stand. But this bitch? I loathe her with every fiber of my being. She is a selfish, callous, arrogant, cruel hag that destroys everything she touches. She even kills her own goddamn Forsaken when it suits her! Our king died because of her and don't think for one fucking second I believe she has an ounce of guilt for her decision.

"A curse upon vol'jin and his loa. I should have stayed in the shadows." Yes you should have! You don't deserve to run the Horde! I loved Vol'jin my entire heart and soul, but decision to make her Warchief??? The Horde deserves better! She is not fit to lead anyone and I'm really fucking annoyed that no one has killed this bitch yet.

"You must live for all of them since they cannot."

While most of the book is serious and heart wrenching, there were a few funny, lighthearted moments. For example:

"I knew cats were quiet, but you wolves are almost as stealthy."
"We know how to move to suit the task."
"So I am discovering. Repeatedly." 

I adore the relationship between Anduin and Genn ❤️ They make my heart feel full. Plus, I fear what might have become of our little lion without Genn's guidance over the years.

"I will never, ever stop hoping for peace. I have seen too much good in too many people to paint them all as evil and worthy of slaughter. And I will also never stop believing that people can change. But I realize now, that I've been like a farmer expecting to harvest crops from a poisoned field. It's simply not possible. People can change, but some people will never, never desire to do so. Sylvanas Windrunner is one of those."

After living such a hard life, Anduin had to grow up fast and mature quickly. That's a fact. Even as a child, he didn't know much peace. He grew up to be a great man, though, and he will be a great king. A king that I would be happy to follow, just as I did his father before him.

And, finally, he's realizing that that bitch is beyond saving. She's beyond help, beyond forming an alliance with. She has got to go! She is a rot that's destroying the Horde from the inside out and, soon, that rot will spread to the Alliance.

Rest in peace, Will 🕊️ Thank you for your loyalty to the Wrynn family and to Anduin.

Rest in peace, Varian Wrynn 🕊️ You were a hero to your people and the best damn king Stormwind ever had. 

Rest in peace, Vol'jin 🕊️ While I don't approve of your choice to give the Horde to Sylvanas (I think you doomed them, really) you were still an amazing leader and the best damn troll Azeroth has ever or will ever see.

There were so many amazing quotes in this book, some I regret not writing down, but I feel like I got the most important ones. This author did a fantastic job and so did the narrator. Just top tier 👌🙂‍↕️