Novel guide

Interested in reading some of the Warcraft publications, but unsure where to start? Here's the answer! Your very own novel guide.

Warcraft imprint
These books were published using the WARCRAFT trademark.

Original series

 * 1) Day of the Dragon by Richard A. Knaak
 * 2) Lord of the Clans by Christie Golden
 * 3) The Last Guardian by Jeff Grubb
 * Of Blood and Honor by Chris Metzen (unnumbered, not technically a novel)

Despite being clearly numbered, The Last Guardian is set years before Day of the Dragon and Lord of the Clans, during the First War. The Kirin Tor of Dalaran send a young mage, Khadgar, to serve as an apprentice to the Last Guardian, the great Medivh. After spending some time within the Kingdom of Stormwind and teaming up with an unlikely person, Khadgar discovers a horrible truth.

Two years after the Second War, the mage Rhonin — accompanied by elven ranger Vereesa Windrunner and the dwarf Falstad Wildhammer — is sent on a special mission in Grim Batol. They soon discover the mission involves dragons and their legendary leaders, the Dragon Aspects.

Many years after the end of the Second War, Lord of the Clans and Of Blood and Honor happen contemporaneously. While the former gladiator known simply as Thrall is liberating his people from the internment camps, the honor of paladin Tirion is being tested when an orc saves his life.

These novels can be read in any order, as all contain spoilers for the events of Warcraft: Orcs & Humans and Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness.

War of the Ancients
All by Richard A. Knaak
 * 1) The Well of Eternity
 * 2) The Demon Soul
 * 3) The Sundering

Though acting as a prequel to the events of all Warcraft games and novels, this trilogy involves characters from Day of the Dragon traveling through time, and thus has spoilers for that novel and Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos and Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne. Though reading Day of the Dragon and Reign of Chaos are helpful for understanding events and characters, they are not required.

WoW imprint
The following novels were published under the WORLD OF WARCRAFT trademark (this is the publication order):
 * 1) Cycle of Hatred by Keith R. A. DeCandido
 * 2) Rise of the Horde by Christie Golden
 * 3) Tides of Darkness by Aaron Rosenberg
 * 4) Beyond the Dark Portal by Aaron Rosenberg & Christie Golden
 * 5) Night of the Dragon by Richard A. Knaak
 * 6) Arthas: Rise of the Lich King by Christie Golden
 * 7) Stormrage by Richard A. Knaak
 * 8) The Shattering: Prelude to Cataclysm by Christie Golden
 * 9) Thrall: Twilight of the Aspects by Christie Golden
 * 10) Wolfheart by Richard A. Knaak
 * 11) Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War by Christie Golden
 * 12) Dawn of the Aspects by Richard A. Knaak
 * 13) Vol'jin: Shadows of the Horde by Michael Stackpole
 * 14) War Crimes by Christie Golden
 * 15) Illidan by William King
 * 16) Traveler by Greg Weisman
 * 17) Traveler: The Spiral Path by Greg Weisman
 * 18) Before the Storm by Christie Golden
 * 19) Traveler: The Shining Blade by Madeleine Roux
 * 20) Shadows Rising by Madeleine Roux
 * 21) Rise of the Horde & Lord of the Clans: The Illustrated Novels by Christie Golden
 * 22) Sylvanas by Christie Golden

In spite of the trademark and the slogan "based on the best-selling video game", some of these books are not set during the events of World of Warcraft.

Cycle of Hatred is set 1 year before WoW; Rise of the Horde, though told through a series of flashbacks just prior to World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade, is set almost a century earlier; Tides of Darkness and Beyond the Dark Portal relate the events of the Second War and the Invasion of Draenor. Arthas: Rise of the Lich King deals with the early years of Prince Arthas and the events of the Third War and its aftermath. Night of the Dragon is set prior to the events of World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King and reveals the state of the black dragonflight, and Stormrage is set after the defeat of the Lich King but shortly before those of World of Warcraft: Cataclysm. The Shattering: Prelude to Cataclysm takes place after Stormrage but before Cataclysm, heralding its coming. Both, Wolfheart and Thrall: Twilight of the Aspects take place during the events of the Cataclysm. Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War is set after the death of Deathwing and ties to Mists of Pandaria. Dawn of the Aspects taking place during the events on Pandaria shows the creation of the Dragon Aspects before mortal history through flashbacks. Vol'jin: Shadows of the Horde deals with the aftermath of the assassination attempt on Vol'jin and with a new Zandalari threat. Garrosh's imprisonment in the end of Mists of Pandaria is dealt with in War Crimes which bridges Warlords of Draenor. The Illidan book spans and covers the events of Warcraft III to the demon hunter's death in The Burning Crusade. The Traveler series happen at some point after the Cataclysm. Before the Storm happens after Legion, prior to the Burning of Teldrassil which starts Battle for Azeroth. Shadows Rising occurs after Battle for Azeroth leading to Shadowlands.

Manga

 * Legends Vol.1-5
 * Death Knight
 * Sunwell Trilogy
 * Shadow Wing Vol. 1: The Dragons of Outland, and Vol. 2: Nexus Point
 * Mage
 * Shaman

Comics

 * Ashbringer
 * World of Warcraft: The Comic Vol.1 and Vol.2 (Issues 1-14)
 * World of Warcraft: The Comic Vol.3 and Vol.4 (Issues 15-25)
 * Pearl of Pandaria
 * World of Warcraft: The Comic Special Issue 1: Beginnings and Ends
 * Curse of the Worgen
 * Warcraft Saga
 * Dark Riders
 * Bloodsworn
 * Gul'dan and the Stranger
 * Blackhand
 * Blood and Thunder
 * Magni: Fault Lines
 * Nightborne: Twilight of Suramar
 * Highmountain: A Mountain Divided
 * Anduin: Son of the Wolf
 * Jaina: Reunion
 * Magni: The Speaker
 * Windrunner: Three Sisters
 * Mechagon

Novellas

 * Elegy
 * A Good War
 * Quest for Pandaria
 * Blood of the Highborne

Short stories

 * Shadowlands
 * Terror by Torchlight
 * We Ride Forth


 * Battle for Azeroth
 * A Moment in Verse


 * Legion
 * Dark Mirror

Savage World:
 * Hellscream
 * Code of Rule
 * Apocrypha

Destination: Pandaria:
 * Li Li's Travel Journal
 * Faction Stories:
 * The Trial of the Red Blossoms
 * Bleeding Sun
 * The Blank Scroll
 * Death From Above
 * The Strength of Steel
 * Over Water
 * The Untamed Valley
 * The Jade Hunters

Leader Short Stories:
 * Lord of His Pack
 * The Judgment
 * Heart of War
 * In the Shadow of the Sun
 * Edge of Night
 * Fire and Iron
 * Cut Short
 * Seeds of Faith
 * As Our Fathers Before Us
 * Trade Secrets of a Trade Prince
 * Prophet's Lesson
 * Blood of Our Fathers

Others:
 * War of the Shifting Sands
 * Unbroken
 * Road to Damnation
 * Charge of the Aspects

Video-series

 * Cataclysm Recap Video: Legendary Rogue
 * Burdens of Shaohao
 * Lords of War
 * Harbingers
 * Warbringers
 * Afterlives

Lore guides

 * Ultimate Visual Guide
 * Annual 2015
 * World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1
 * World of Warcraft: Ultimate Visual Guide, Updated and Expanded
 * World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 2
 * World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 3
 * World of Warcraft: Exploring Azeroth: The Eastern Kingdoms‎
 * World of Warcraft: Exploring Azeroth: Kalimdor
 * World of Warcraft: Grimoire of the Shadowlands and Beyond
 * World of Warcraft: Folk & Fairy Tales of Azeroth

Cinematics and trailers

 * The Thunder King trailer

Warcraft movie literature
Despite having the Warcraft mark, the following are from the movie continuity, different from the game continuity.
 * Warcraft: Durotan
 * Warcraft: Bonds of Brotherhood
 * Warcraft: The Official Movie Novelization

Full chronological order
Prehistory
 * Warcraft Saga
 * World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1 (begins)

-147,000 
 * Dawn of the Aspects (past)

-24,974
 * Rise of the Horde (Argus)

-13,000 (Approx.)
 * Death From Above

-10,000 (Approx.)
 * War of the Ancients 1: The Well of Eternity
 * War of the Ancients 2: The Demon Soul
 * War of the Ancients 3: The Sundering
 * The Burdens of Shaohao
 * Curse of the Worgen (past)

-2,600
 * The First Guardian (Legends Vol. 5)

-1000
 * War of the Shifting Sands (past)

-823
 * ''Cycle of Hatred (past begins)
 * World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1 (ends)
 * ''The Last Guardian (past begins)

-230
 * Shaman (prologue)

prior the year -45
 * A Warrior Made (Legends Vol. 4 and 5)
 * Blackhand (prior the formation of the Horde)
 * Lords of War (past)

-45 to -44
 * Rise of the Horde (Draenor)
 * Blood and Thunder (20 years before the formation of the Iron Horde (approximately the same date before the Orcish Horde))

-1
 * Family Values (Legends Vol. 2 starts)
 * Unbroken (begins)

0
 * Rise of the Horde (Draenor, ends)
 * Lord of the Clans (beginning)
 * First War (Warcraft: Orcs and Humans)
 * World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 2 (begins)

3
 * The Last Guardian
 * Blood of the Highborne (chapter 1)

5
 * Tides of Darkness (begins)
 * Arthas: Rise of the Lich King (begins)

6
 * Second War (Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness)
 * Genn Greymane: Lord of His Pack (past)
 * Ashbringer (beginning of #1)
 * Tides of Darkness (ends)
 * World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 3 (begins)
 * Beyond the Dark Portal (prologue)

8
 * Invasion of Draenor (Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal)
 * Beyond the Dark Portal (main story & ending)
 * World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 2 (ends)

10
 * Day of the Dragon
 * Unbroken (ends)

17
 * Mage (past)

18
 * Lord of the Clans (main story)
 * Road to Damnation

19
 * Of Blood and Honor
 * Lord of the Clans (ends)

20
 * Third War (Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos)
 * Vol'jin: The Judgment
 * Arthas: Rise of the Lich King (part 2 and 3)
 * Death Knight (chapters 1-3)
 * Blood of the Highborne (chapters 2 and 3)
 * Ashbringer (middle of #1)
 * A Cleansing Fire (begins, Legends Vol. 5)
 * Illidan (prologue)

22
 * Aftermath of the Third War (Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne)
 * Arthas: Rise of the Lich King (end of part 3)
 * Illidan (first chapters)

23
 * Ashbringer (ending of #1, plus #2-#4)
 * Sunwell Trilogy
 * War of the Ancients (present (starts and ends))

24
 * A Cleansing Fire (ends, Legends Vol. 5)
 * Cycle of Hatred

25
 * World of Warcraft (World of Warcraft)
 * The War Effort
 * War of the Shifting Sands (present)
 * The Thrill of the Hunt (Legends Vol. 3)
 * Bloodsail Buccaneer (Legends Vol. 4)
 * How to Win Friends (Legends Vol. 1)
 * Miles to Go (Legends Vol. 2)
 * An Honest Trade (Legends Vol. 1)
 * Warrior: Divided (Legends Vol. 2)
 * Warrior: United (Legends Vol. 5)

26
 * Blood of the Highborne (chapter 4)
 * Shadow Wing Vol. 1: The Dragons of Outland, and Vol. 2: Nexus Point


 * The Burning Crusade (The Burning Crusade)
 * Rise of the Horde (present and ends)
 * Garrosh Hellscream: Heart of War (past)
 * Illidan (main story and ends)
 * The Journey (Legends Vol. 1)
 * Crusader's Blood (Legends Vol. 3) (in conflict, because of the appearance of Renee Lauer)
 * I Got What Yule Need (Legends Vol. 3)
 * Blood Runs Thicker (Legends Vol. 4)
 * World of Warcraft: The Comic (begins)

27
 * Night of the Dragon
 * ''Arthas: Rise of the Lich King (interludes and epilogue)
 * World of Warcraft: The Comic (ends)
 * Mage (present)
 * Lor'themar Theron: In the Shadow of the Sun
 * Fallen - Fear - Fiend - Fate (Legends Vol. 1, 2, 3 and 4)


 * Wrath of the Lich King (Wrath of the Lich King)
 * Death Knight (ends)
 * Li Li's Travel Journal (1-4)
 * Pearl of Pandaria
 * Glory
 * Garrosh: Heart of War (present)
 * World of Warcraft: The Comic Special Issue 1: Beginnings and Ends
 * Stormrage (along Nightmares from Legends Vol. 5)
 * Shaman
 * The Shattering: Prelude to Cataclysm

28
 * Gelbin Mekkatorque: Cut Short
 * Dark Riders
 * Curse of the Worgen (present)
 * Sylvanas Windrunner: Edge of Night
 * Tyrande & Malfurion: Seeds of Faith
 * The Council of Three Hammers: Fire and Iron


 * Cataclysm (Cataclysm)
 * Bloodsworn
 * Gallywix: Trade Secrets of a Trade Prince (ends here, unknown start)
 * Baine Bloodhoof: As Our Fathers Before Us
 * Genn Greymane: Lord of His Pack (present)
 * Wolfheart (after the Cataclysm but before the new Ashenvale questline)
 * Velen: Prophet's Lesson
 * Varian Wrynn: Blood of Our Fathers
 * Thrall: Twilight of the Aspects
 * Charge of the Aspects
 * World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 3 (ends)

30
 * Quest for Pandaria
 * Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War


 * Mists of Pandaria (Mists of Pandaria)
 * Li Li's Travel Journal (5-11)
 * The Trial of the Red Blossoms
 * The Strength of Steel (begins)
 * Bleeding Sun
 * Dawn of the Aspects (present)
 * Vol'jin: Shadows of the Horde
 * The Blank Scroll
 * The Strength of Steel (ends)
 * Over Water
 * Traveler
 * Traveler: The Spiral Path

31
 * The Jade Hunters
 * The Untamed Valley
 * War Crimes
 * Hellscream
 * Gul'dan and the Stranger
 * Code of Rule


 * Warlords of Draenor (Warlords of Draenor)
 * Lords of War (present)
 * Apocrypha (present line)

32
 * Magni: Fault Lines
 * Nightborne: Twilight of Suramar
 * Dark Mirror
 * Highmountain: A Mountain Divided
 * Anduin: Son of the Wolf

33
 * Before the Storm
 * Elegy / A Good War