WarCraft Books in Order

Christie Golden's WarCraft books focus on foundational moments in the history of the Horde and the conflict between orcs and humans. They are useful reads for anyone who wants the emotional and political background behind later World of Warcraft stories.

Lord of the Clans is the key starting point. It follows Thrall, an orc raised by human captors who intended to shape him into a weapon. Instead, he escapes, learns about the traditions stolen from his people, and moves toward the leadership that will change the Horde.

Thrall's story is about reclaiming a past.

Rise of the Horde goes further back to Draenor, before the orcs' invasion of Azeroth. The clans live alongside the draenei until the Burning Legion and Kil'jaeden manipulate them toward bloodshed. It explains how a scattered people became an army and why that history remains a burden.

Beyond the Dark Portal, written with Aaron Rosenberg, follows the Alliance expedition through the reopened portal as threats on Draenor put more than one world at risk. Together, these books make a good historical arc of origin, war, and consequence.

Start with Lord of the Clans for Thrall. Start with Rise of the Horde if you want the earliest point in the chronology.