Görkem Nurata's Reviews > Sylvanas

No worries: Spoiler Free Review

First of all, since first it was announced and after I heard it would be voiced by Patty Mattson, my initial plan was always to both read it from text and meanwhile listening to her. Oh, and what a satisfying experience it was! I especially read it slowly in a 10 day time, I stopped, turned back, read and listened some parts once more.

So, this must be said while beginning the review, as I have also replied to the tweet of Christie Golden while she was also praising Patty Mattson's performance:
She was indeed truly amazing! Yes, it was like Sylvanas herself was telling her story to me in person but that was already expected, also the characters beyond Sylvanas, the range in her voice acting is unbelievable, from cute children to Lich King, Jailer... And more! Again, with the true definition of the word: Amazing.

Audio book production quality is really good too, all clear and easy to follow, occasional background music etc. (and again as I said) *chef's kiss* Super tasty!

But of course, the "Audible" part aside, this is after all a literary work and I have read it as an avid World of Warcraft player and a Loremaster; a title which I don't just already have in game but also by loving and learning the lore of the game and its deep and long story by reading all the books, comics, short stories etc. some several times and most of those repeats had either whole or at least some work of "Master" Christie Golden already.

And in this book, I must say, she excelled her craft; took it to a new level. The storytelling, the captivating construct of the plot and the flow of the fluent dialogues and stories were all perfect.

Yes, there were some rare small splinters that took my attention and made me wince, a little contradiction with the previously told stories every now and then, some gaps, some retellings, but they were so miniscule and did not bother me in the general construct of the story, at all. Just caused one small star out of perfection, but I guess Master Golden would understand and forgive me for that.

For me, as a reader and whose main World of Warcraft character is a Sylvanas Loyalist, my greatest expectation from this book was to know Sylvanas Windrunner better, and this book succeeds in giving me; the reader exactly that.

As a Loyalist, I can promise everyone, you will understand Sylvanas. Our former Warchief and our eternal Dark Lady, and of course our Queen.

She will remain all those for me still, because now after reading this book, I truly know her and now, love her character a lot more. I now know the reasons and underlying thought process of her actions.

After all, that is something everyone deserves: Being able to tell their side of the story. As proven here too, it works, she may seem "punished" in game when you look from outside, but the story of our Queen does not end here with this book, this is at the same time a new beginning.

Some may even say "A New Hope"...

Overall:
I would personally strongly suggest every World of Warcraft player to read this great book. Especially if you love the lore of the game and want to know its characters a lot better.