With a 16-year run of stories spanning planets, millennia, and alternate timelines, World of Warcraft has one of the most complicated and deep mythologies in all of gaming. It can be hard to parse everything that's going on just by reading through quests and talking with NPCs, and the latest expansion, World of Warcraft: Shadowlands, makes things even more complicated by bringing players to the realm of the dead where they're interacting with deceased characters from past games.
If you want a better understanding of the setting and the characters that live there you might want to check out some of the tie-in novels. Here's the list of all of them in order and links to where you can buy them. The first novel was published in 2001 and it and some of the others are out of print and can only be purchases used or as part of compilations. This is a hefty reading list, but it's full of thrills spanning demonic invasions, cataclysms, and endless wars.
Of Blood and Honor
The very first World of Warcraft novel tells the story of the paladin Tirion Fordring who comes to question his beliefs that the Orcs are his enemies. The book's been out of print for a while so your best bet is to find it as part of more recent WarCraft archive.
Read the first five World of Warcraft novels in this collection, which serves as a perfect introduction to the complex world of Azeroth and the many forces fighting to control it.
Day of the Dragon
The Mage Rhonin travels into the Orc-controlled lands of Khaz Modan and uncovers a vast conspiracy that endangers all of Azeroth. The book is written by Richard A. Knaak, who has also penned novels set in the worlds of Diablo, Dragonlance, and Conan.
Learn about the Dragon Queen Alexstrasza in this novel following a conspiracy involving the mad dragon Deathwing and his efforts to manipulate both the Horde and Alliance.
Lord of the Clans
Horde players will enjoy reading the story of the first warchief Thrall, who was raised by humans as a slave but broke free of his bondage. This is the first of more than a dozen World of Warcraft and StarCraft novels written by Christie Golden.
The novel tells the story of Thrall based on the plot of the cancelled Blizzard game Warcraft Adventures: Lord of the Clans.
The Last Guardian
The novel tells the story of Medivh, one of the Guardians of Tirisfal bestowed with godlike powers to wage a secret war against the Burning Legion. Author Jeff Grubb has also written books in Dungeons & Dragons' Draglonlance and Forgotten Realms settings.
The Guardian Medivh is tainted by darkness and his struggle to overcome that evil could determine the fate of Azeroth.
The Well of Eternity
The first novel in the War of the Ancients trilogy follows the dragon mage Krasus, the human wizard Rhonin, and the orc veteran Broxigar as they team up to try to convince the demigod Cenarius and the Night Elves to help them. If they can't, the Burning Legion will be able to invade Azeroth again.
Follow time traveling heroes with their own motivations who become unlikely allies in the quest to reveal a terrible treachery that could bring an old enemy back.
The Demon Soul
The War of the Ancients continues with the young Night Elf druid Malfurion Stormrage teaming up with Krasus to fight back the Burning Legion. They get some unexpected help from the leader of the dragons, Neltharion, and the titular artifact which may be able to banish the demonic invaders forever.
Before he was called Deathwing, the Black Dragon Aspect Neltharion led the other dragons by forging a powerful weapon in the fight against the Burning Legion.
The Sundering
The War of the Ancients trilogy concludes with Malfurion and Krasus gathering allies among the dwarves, tauren, and furbolg to fight back the Burning Legion. The events of this novel led to the Great Sundering of Azeroth, dividing it into the continents found in the game.
With the demonlord Archimonde leading the Burning Legion to conqueur most of Kalimdor, a battle uniting the various races of Azeroth will reshape the world forever.
Cycle of Hatred
With the Burning Legion defeated, Thrall and the powerful mage Lady Jaina Proudmore must work together to stop the continent of Kalimdor from being pulled into a new war. Author Keith R.A. DeCandido has also written books based on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Star Trek, and Marvel Comics.
The tentative peace between the humans and orcs of Kalimdor is in danger and the quest to avoid letting old enmities rage again leads to the discovery of a legendary, long-lost wizard and a secret about the world of Azeroth.
Rise of the Horde
Learn about the origins of the orcs, who lived in harmony with the draenei in the world of Draenor before they were corrupted by the demonlord Kil'jaeden. It's a plot that's also explored through The Burning Crusade and Warlords of Draenor World of Warcraft expansions.
The book introduces plot elements integrated into The Burning Crusade expansion, answering questions about the corruption of the orcs and the massacre that led the draenei to flee their home.
Tides of Darkness
Explore the origins of both the Horde and Alliance as the champion of Stormwind Anduin Lothar helps united the human nations while a new orcish leader sets his sights on conquering all of Azeroth. Author Aaron Rosenberg has also penned books based on Star Trek, Stargate: Atlantis, and Warhammer.
The novelization of the events of Warcraft II follows Anduin Lothar as he tries to unite humans, elves, and dwarves to fight against the orcs that destroyed the nation of Stormwind.
Beyond the Dark Portal
The orc shaman Ner'zhul has taken control of the Horde and reopened the Dark Portal, bringing his warriors from the ruined world of Draenor to Azeroth. Now the archmage Khadgar must lead the Alliance through the portal to save both worlds.
The novelization of the events of Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal follows the fight by humans, elves, and dwarves against the orc shaman Ner'zhul as he invades Azeroth.
Night of the Dragon
The follow-up to Day of the Dragon returns to Grim Batol with the dragon mage Krasus facing a new growing darkness. The novel provides insights into the events leading to the Wrath of the Lich King expansion and was originally released just days after the game came out.
While the captive dragons of Grim Batol were freed in Day of the Dragon, a new threat has arrived in the form of the twilight dragonflight and Deathwing's consort Sinestra.
Arthas: Rise of the Lich King
Arthas is one of the most iconic characters in all of Warcraft, and Christie Golden gives him the same treatment she did Thrall in Lord of the Clans. The plot combines elements of Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne and Wrath of the Lich King.
Follow Arthas as child, a young prince in love, and a knight in search of vengeance as the noble hero becomes one of Azeroth's most terrible villains.
Stormrage
The archdruid Malfurion Stormrage has become trapped within the Emerald Nightmare, a corrupted area within the mysterious realm of the Emerald Dream. The novel follows the quest to find and free him before Azeroth is consumed by horrors.
People throughout Azeroth are afflicted with terrible nightmares and some aren't able to wake up. Chief among the victims is the druid Malfurion Stormrage, and heroes must venture into the realm of dream to save him.
The Shattering
The prelude to the events of the Cataclysm expansion kicks off with Thrall realizing that the elementals of Azeroth will not longer obey him and trying to learn why while still protecting his people from the increasingly hostile Night Elves. Tensions are again growing between the Horde and Alliance, but something even worse is coming.
Azeroth's future is uncertain as the very land seems to be under terrible strain and the king of the Alliance considers going to war.
Thrall: Twilight of the Aspects
The direct sequel to The Shattering follows Thrall as he works with other shamans to try to hold Azeroth together following Deathwing's devastating attack on the planet. Thrall must help the great dragonflights unite against their fallen breatheren or a terrible future awaits.
Thrall has given up leading the Horde to try to protect all of Azeroth and he must come to terms with his new life by traveling through time.
Wolfheart
Continuing the story of Cataclysm, Wolfheart follows the growing conflict between the Alliance and Horde as acting warchief Garrosh Hellscream presses into Ashenvale. The book also provides plenty of backstory on the Worgen of Gilneas and how they are integrated into the Alliance.
The Night Elves were once immortal but as they begin to succumb to old age, they must also deal with the potential reintegration of Highborne. Meanwhile, King Varian Wynn threatens to unravel the Alliance itself because of his grudge against the leader of the Worgen.
Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War
The mage Jaina Proudmore tries to prevent war between the Horde and Alliance in this continuation of the story of Cataclysm, but Garosh Hellscream is planning to invade her city, Theramore. Jaina works with the former Blue Dragon Aspect Kalecgos to investigate a theft of an artifact.
While it tells the story of Catacylsm, the events of this book are key to understanding the role its title character plays in the expansion Battle for Azeroth.
Dawn of the Aspects
The Dragon Aspects needed to give up their power to defeat Deathwing and now they struggle to find purpose. Kalecgos journeys to Northrend to learn about the history of the original aspects and all of dragonkind.
Travel into the past of Azeroth to see how savage proto-dragons gained the power to overcome a terrible foe.
Vol'jin: Shadows of the Horde
The story of World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria kicks off with the troll leader facing an assassination attempt by Garrosh Hellscream but being rescued by a Pandaren brewmaster. As he fights to recover alongside a mysterious human, he must grapple with the old struggles between the Alliance and Horde.
Vol'jin must decide between joining the Zandalari invasion of Pandaria or his loyalty to the Horde after the warchief tries to kill him.
War Crimes
Tying into the events of the Warlords of Draenor expansion, the novel follows the trial of Garrosh Hellscream, who has been stripped of the title of warchief of the Horde. Agents of the Bronze Dragonflight use their time manipulating powers to present visions of the attrocities he has committed.
The bloodthirsty warchief Garrosh Hellscream has been captured and stripped of his title, but his story isn't over yet.
Illidan
Tying in to the Legion expansion, the novel follows Illidan Stormrage as he prepares to confront the Burning Legion in Outland by uniting orcs, naga, blood elves, and demon hunters. Author William King is a devoted MMO player who's also written Warhammer books.
Illidan Stormrage and his demon hunters are free once again, but not everyone believes that he's really trying to save Azeroth.
Before the Storm
Leading up to the events of Battle for Azeroth, Before the Storm follows the race between the Alliance and the Horde to capitalize on the newly discovered resource, Azerite. But using the material revealed by the sword of the fallen titan Sargeras endangers the entire planet.
The Alliance king Anduin Wynn and Horde Warchief Sylvannas Windrunner are both new to their positions and their leadership is tested as they fight to control a new material with terrible power.
Shadows Rising
The prequel to World of Warcraft: Shadowlands follows Sylvannas' betrayal of the Horde as the rest of the faction's leaders form a council rather than choosing a new warchief. The new leadership must immediately confront the threats of multiple assassination attempts.
Agents of the Banshee Queen attempt to kill the loa of death, Bwonsamdi, and the Zandalari queen Talanji must try to save them and protect the horde from the machinations of their former leader.
Reading list
What World of Warcraft novels have you read? Tell us your favorites in the comments section and keep checking back here for the latest World of Warcraft news and guides.
