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World of Warcraft (Christie Golden) Books in Order

Part ofChristie Golden Books in Order

Browse World of Warcraft books by Christie Golden in order, with summaries, Azeroth context, character arcs, and clear suggestions for where to start.

Last updated: July 14, 2026

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World of Warcraft (Christie Golden) books in publication order

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11 books

1

Rise of the Horde

by Christie Golden

2006

On Draenor, the orc clans live beside the draenei until the Burning Legion begins twisting them toward war. This prehistory of the Horde follows the manipulation that turns a divided people into a devastating invading force.

2

Beyond the Dark Portal

by Christie Golden

2008

The Dark Portal opens again, and Alliance heroes cross into ruined Draenor to stop Ner'zhul from tearing worlds apart. Khadgar, Alleria, Turalyon, and their allies face war, betrayal, and a mission with no guarantee of return.

3

Jaina Proudmoore

by Christie Golden

2008

Jaina Proudmoore tries to preserve peace between Horde and Alliance after the Cataclysm. When Garrosh targets Theramore and a stolen dragon artifact deepens the crisis, her faith in diplomacy is tested beyond its limits.

4

Arthas

by Christie Golden

2009

Prince Arthas Menethil begins as a gifted paladin determined to protect his people. As war and fear close in, his need to stop the Scourge drives him toward choices that will transform him into the Lich King.

5

Chronicles of War

by Christie Golden

2010

This collected Warcraft volume brings together major Horde history, including Thrall's rise in Lord of the Clans and the orcs' earlier fall in Rise of the Horde. It is a useful entry point for the roots of Azeroth's conflicts.

6

The Shattering

by Christie Golden

2010

As Azeroth's elementals become impossible to calm, Thrall searches for answers while Horde and Alliance tensions rise. Political conflict, dwindling resources, and a young Anduin's search for purpose signal the catastrophe to come.

7

Thrall

by Christie Golden

2011

In the wake of the Cataclysm, Thrall helps hold Azeroth together at the Maelstrom while wrestling with doubt about his new role. A terrible vision of the Hour of Twilight forces him to find his purpose again.

8

War Crimes

by Christie Golden

2014

After the siege of Orgrimmar, Garrosh Hellscream stands trial in Pandaria for his atrocities. Visions from the past force Azeroth's leaders to revisit painful choices while a hidden plot threatens the court and everyone in it.

9

Before the Storm

by Christie Golden

2018

Azeroth is wounded after the Legion's defeat, and the discovery of Azerite threatens to restart war between Horde and Alliance. Anduin seeks peace, but Sylvanas has plans of her own as old hatred returns.

10

Exploring Azeroth - The Eastern Kingdoms

by Christie Golden

2020

Matthias Shaw and Flynn Fairwind travel across the Eastern Kingdoms in this illustrated guide to Azeroth's places, artifacts, and history. It moves from Stormwind to Stranglethorn and the Plaguelands with lore, humor, and a loose adventure frame.

11

Sylvanas

by Christie Golden

2022

Imprisoned Anduin Wrynn confronts Sylvanas Windrunner as she looks back on the choices that made her Ranger-General, Banshee Queen, and Warchief. Her story moves through loss, vengeance, death, and her struggle to control her own fate.

World of Warcraft (Christie Golden) books in chronological order

  1. Book cover for "Rise of the Horde"

    Rise of the Horde

    by Christie Golden

    2006World of Warcraft, Book 3
  2. Book cover for "Beyond the Dark Portal"

    Beyond the Dark Portal

    by Christie Golden

    2008World of Warcraft, Book 5
  3. Book cover for "Jaina Proudmoore"

    Jaina Proudmoore

    by Christie Golden

    2008World of Warcraft, Book 6
  4. Book cover for "Arthas"

    Arthas

    by Christie Golden

    2009World of Warcraft, Book 8
  5. Book cover for "Chronicles of War"

    Chronicles of War

    by Christie Golden

    2010World of Warcraft, Book 11
  6. Book cover for "Thrall"

    Thrall

    by Christie Golden

    2011World of Warcraft, Book 12
  7. Book cover for "War Crimes"

    War Crimes

    by Christie Golden

    2014World of Warcraft, Book 15
  8. Book cover for "The Shattering"

    The Shattering

    by Christie Golden

    2010World of Warcraft, Book 10
  9. Book cover for "Before the Storm"

    Before the Storm

    by Christie Golden

    2018World of Warcraft, Book 17
  10. Book cover for "Exploring Azeroth - The Eastern Kingdoms"

    Exploring Azeroth - The Eastern Kingdoms

    by Christie Golden

    2020World of Warcraft, Book 19
  11. Book cover for "Sylvanas"

    Sylvanas

    by Christie Golden

    2022World of Warcraft, Book 20

Series background & context

Christie Golden's World of Warcraft novels are a strong route through Azeroth's history because they stay close to the people making the decisions. The setting has dragons, demons, undead armies, ancient magic, and faction warfare. Golden often asks what those enormous events cost a leader, a family, or someone trying not to repeat an old mistake.

Lord of the Clans and Rise of the Horde are useful starting points for Horde history. The first follows Thrall from captivity to his rediscovery of orcish identity. The second goes further back to Draenor, where the orc clans are manipulated into war against the draenei.

Then the world starts to crack.

Arthas: Rise of the Lich King follows a prince's path toward becoming one of Azeroth's defining villains. The Shattering and Thrall: Twilight of the Aspects lead into the Cataclysm, mixing political strain with elemental chaos. Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War brings the Alliance and Horde conflict painfully close to home in Theramore.

Later books such as War Crimes, Before the Storm, and Sylvanas focus on the fallout of war. Trials, fragile peace talks, and old grudges matter as much as combat. These are books for readers who like Warcraft when its famous heroes have to sit in a room together, explain themselves, and still prepare for the next disaster.

You can read in publication order, but character-based entry points work well too. Pick Thrall, Arthas, Jaina, or Sylvanas, then follow the eras that grow out from their story.

Edited by

Richard Reis

Software engineer whose passion for tracking book recommendations from podcasts inspired the creation of MRB.

Anurag Ramdasan

Lead investor at 3one4 Capital whose startup expertise and love for books helped shaped MRB and its growth.

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