World of Warcraft: Before the Storm (Titan Books)

An all-new, official tie-in novel to Blizzard Entertainment's critically acclaimed World of Warcraft, from New York Times bestselling author Christie Golden. AZEROTH'S RECKONING HAS BEGUN Azeroth is dying.

The Horde and the Alliance defeated the demonic Burning Legion, but a dire catastrophe is unfolding deep below the surface of the world. There is a mortal wound in the heart of Azeroth, struck żeby the sword of the fallen titan Sargeras in a final act of cruelty.

For Anduin Wrynn, king of Stormwind, and Sylvanas Windrunner, warchief of the Horde and queen of the Forsaken, there is little time torebuild what remains, and even less to mourn what was lost. Azeroth's devastating wound has revealed a mysterious material known as Azerite.

In the right hands, this strange golden substance is capableof incredible feats of creation; in the wrong ones, it could bring for thunthinkable destruction. As Alliance and Horde forces race to uncover the secrets of Azerite and heal the wounded world, Anduin enacts a desperate plan aimed at forging a lasting peace between the factions.

Azerite jeopardizes the balance of power, and so Anduin must gain the trust of Sylvanas. But the Dark Lady ever has her own machinations. For peace to be possible, generations of bloodshed and hatred must be put to rest.

But there are truths that neither side is willing to accept and ambitions they are loath to relinquish. As Alliance and Hordealike grasp for the Azerite's power, their simmering conflict threatens to reignite all-out war-a war that would spell doom for Azeroth.