Hi,
SPOILERS
Just wanted to present a list of bits that i found positive and negative regarding the book.
The whole novel revolves around a pact made by those Zandalari that hate Talanji for her bond with Bwonsamdi, and the Dark Rangers with Nathanos and Sira, that want to kill the loa. And how the Alliance and Horde discover all this while hunting down Sylvanas.
On to my list:
Pros
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Alliance tensions surfacing: The author presents a nice twist regarding how the Alliance frictions may arise in the future.
Turalyon and Alleria are shown particularly warlike and âshadyâ in their methods regarding how they try to hunt Sylvanas down. Curiously enough, these methods clash with JAINA of all people (who seems more invested in the current armistice), and have the tacit support of ANDUIN. -
Anduin: he is portrayed as increasingly eroded, and even broken by the recent events. He endorses radical measures, and desperate attempts that clash with his previous characterisation. He is taunted to the point he calls forth the Void (or some dark energy that isnât clear yet). This worries several characters.
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Night elves they are portrayed in one of the most menacing representations of their leaders to date. Tyrande makes Thrall and the Horde representatives flee. She makes them fear for their lives, and downright states that nothing short of the razing of Orgrimmar and several Horde populations will placate her.
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Character development: Several characters gain importance throughout the novel.
Zekhan plays the role as lens through which we get peeks at the relation between Bwonsamdi and Talanji, and we have teases regarding the upcoming expansion and the Maw.
Rokhan also has a nice portrayal, and surprisingly enough, Flynn and Shaw have quite the story (and additional background regarding both). -
Bwonsamdi: One of the best developments of the novel. Thanks to his character, we get to know more about the relation between Loas and trolls, and we are shown more about a shady figure that still has the trolls interests at heart. This is some major spoiler, but he is now crowded the new âLoa of Kingsâ. His actions throughout the book regarding Zandalar, Talanji and Zekhan, make him worthy of this title.
Cons
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Shallowness regarding the âBad guysâ: Nathanos, does have some development, to the point we have even hints regarding how he regrets stuff he did (the rest of him reminded of Nazgrim with Garrosh). But Sira remains a one-dimensional killing machine, and a hollow robot whose death apparenly only fuelled some desire to end all life. And Sylvanas cameo is but Maleficent incarnate.
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Talanji: While we have the author going to great lengths to present the Nigh elves as this fearsome and independent force, the Zandalari get the opposite treatment.
Talanji is introduced in a way that has her being ineffectual regarding her rule, and regarding how she is to deal with the problems that arise with the Zandalari.
Long story short, she is hammered with the message that the Zandalari need the Horde in order to be saved from their problems.
And Talanji, who started being quite vindictive regarding her grievances, realises that she is to let go of her vengeance and build a more stable future with the Horde by accepting the armistice with Jaina. -
The new bad guy: Apari. She was apparently Yazmaâs daughter, and is completely irrelevant to the story except for one reason: She is Talanjiâs âmirrorâ regarding what would happen if she didnât let go of her grudge (Apari hates Talanji for abandoning her while fatally wounded in the siege, and hates Jaina for invading the city).
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Horde council: It screams weakness all over it. They are shown constantly behaving with deference towards the Alliance. They are the ones that are more fretful about breaching the armistice, and at some points, are shown as pushovers for Anduins demands (who presents them with several ultimatums such as invading Zandalar).
In all, the author seemed to lean on making the Horde âweakâ (to make a comparison, they are shown as Anduin was during his peacemonger phase) in order to highlight the darker shades of the Alliance that poke at readers several times throughout the novel.
In all, the novel does have its lights and shades, and Roux didnât lie when she said she wanted to explore different angles.
There are some key events that i feel like highlighting at random because i think were interesting plot points for the novel:
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-Shaw is captured by the Zandalari when he lands on the island looking for clues, and Anduin demands Thrall to hand him over or he will invade the island. From that moment on, it was a race against the clock.
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-Flynn and Shaw both come from a family of thieves. The latter joined Stormwindâs army because of it.
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-Shandris is painted as the âreasonableâ Night elf. Even standing against Tyrande when she blames the entire Horde for Sylvanas (the argument she makes is that Tyrande wouldnât want to be called out on crimes other members of the Alliance did)
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-Talanji and Bwonsamdi come close to severing their bond, as part of a âdealâ that Talanji makes with Bwonsamdi: She saves him, but he will leave her and her kingdom be. In the end, she realises that said bond makes her and her people stronger, and decides to keep it.
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-Rastakhan (as a spirit) makes a cameo and hints that the Other Side seems to be having some strange troubles going on. Yes, he was specifically saved from the Maw by Bwonsamdi.
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At the end of the book, Talanji pledges the Zandalari to the Horde as one amongst equals in the Horde council.
Anyway, do tell me if youâd like some information regarding these, or any other bits.
Overall, iâd give the novel a solid 7/10.