Warcraft Books and Novels Overview

Looking for additional information about World of Warcraft's lore? This guide collects all World of Warcraft books that will transport you to the depths of one expansion after another. The following is our suggested reading order for the Warcraft universe's published novels, short stories, non-canon books, and comics.

The Chronicle books cover a big portion of the story and give rich, fundamental background in a few pages. These novels can be viewed as dense information packages covering substantial portions of the story. As a result, they do not fit well into the chronological order provided in the section below. However, we recommend you read Chronicle Volumes 1 and 2 at the start of your lore journey, as they cover the very early history of Azeroth and provide a lot of information to set the stage for the events that follow. Volumes 3 and 4 also add to the overall world-building but can be read at a later point, as detailed in the list below.

1. World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1: (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
   • The first volume spans from the creation of Azeroth, the Titans, and the universe all the way up to 45 years before The Dark Portal was created.
2. World of Warcraft Chronicle Volume 2: (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
   • The second volume spans from the origins of Draenor and its history up until the end of the Second War.
3. World of Warcraft Chronicle Volume 3: (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
   • The third volume covers the aftermath of the Second War all the way until Cataclysm with the re-emergence of Deathwing and his defeat.
4. World of Warcraft Chronicle Volume 4 (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
   • The fourth volume covers lore from five expansions: Mists of Pandaria, Warlords of Draenor, Legion, Battle for Azeroth, and Shadowlands.

The suggested reading order is to chronologically piece together World of Warcraft's lore. However, please note that Dawn of the Aspects and War of the Ancients have been mentioned twice in the list, since both feature heavy time travel. You can either choose to read them first or later. We would recommend reading them later in the timeline if you are new to the lore since they contain spoilers for later books. If you are already familiar with most of the story, you can read them first.

1. Dawn of the Aspects: (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
   *This book includes time jumps. Read first if you are already familiar with the lore since it will have spoilers for the next books. If you’re new to the Lore, read it at position 36 only.
2. War of the Ancients Archive: (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
   
   1. The Well of Eternity (Bk. 1): (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
   2. The Demon Soul (Bk. 2): (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
   3. The Sundering (Bk. 3): (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
3. Rise of the Horde: (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
4. Unbroken [Short Story]: (Read here)
5. The Last Guardian: (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es) [Also found in Archive - (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)]
6. Tides of Darkness: (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
7. Beyond the Dark Portal: (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
8. Day of the Dragon: (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es) [Also found in Archive - (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)]
9. War of the Ancients Archive: (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
   1. The Well of Eternity (Bk. 1): (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
   2. The Demon Soul (Bk. 2): (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
   3. The Sundering (Bk. 3): (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
10. Road to Damnation [Short Story] (Read here)
11. Lord of the Clans: (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es) [Also found in Archive - (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)]
12. Rise of the Horde & Lord of the Clans - Compilation of the two, combined with new and old artwork. (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
13. Of Blood and Honor [Only found in Archive - (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)]
14. Arthas: Rise of the Lich King: (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
15. Vol'jin: The Judgement [Short Story] (Read here)
16. Cycle of Hatred: (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
17. War of the Shifting Sands [Short Story] (Read here)
18. Illidan: World of Warcraft: (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
19. Night of the Dragon: (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
20. Lor'themar Theron: In the Shadow of the Sun [Short Story] (Read here)
21. Garrosh Hellscream: Heart of War [Short Story] (Read here)
22. Sylvanas Windrunner: Edge of Night [Short Story] (Read here)
23. Stormrage: (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
24. The Shattering: (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
25. Gelbin Mekkatorque: Cut Short [Short Story] (Read here)
26. The Council of Three Hammers: Fire and Iron [Short Story] (Read here)
27. Tyrande and Malfurion: Seeds of Faith [Short Story] (Read here)
28. Gallywix: Trade Secrets of a Trade Prince [Short Story] (Read here)
29. Baine Bloodhoof: As Our Fathers Before Us [Short Story] (Read here)
30. Genn Greymane: Lord of his Pack [Short Story] (Read here)
31. Wolfheart: (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
32. Velen: Prophet's Lesson [Short Story] (Read here)
33. Varian Wrynn: Blood of our Fathers [Short Story] (Read here)
34. Thrall: Twilight of the Aspects: (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
35. Charge of the Aspects [Short Story] (Read here)
36. Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War: (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
37. Dawn of the Aspects: (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
38. Quest for Pandaria [Short Story] (All parts linked below)
    1. Part 1
    2. Part 2
    3. Part 3
    4. Part 4
39. Li Li's Travel Journal [Short Story] (Read here)
40. Death from Above [Short Story] (Read here)
41. Bleeding Sun [Short Story] (Read here)
42. The Trial of the Red Blossoms [Short Story] (Read here)
43. Vol'jin: Shadows of the Horde: (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
44. The Blank Scroll [Short Story] (Read here)
45. The Strength of Steel [Short Story] (Read here)
46. The Jade Hunters [Short Story] (Read here)
47. Over Water [Short Story] (Read here)
48. The Untamed Valley [Short Story] (Read here)
49. War Crimes: (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
50. Hellscream [Short Story] (Read here)
51. Code of Rule [Short Story] (Read here)
52. Apocrypha [Short Story] (Read here)
53. Dark Mirror [Short Story] (Read here)
54. Before The Storm (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
55. Shadows Rising (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
56. Sylvanas (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
57. Dragonflight: War of the Scaleborn (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
58. The Voices Within (Short Story Collection surrounding the events of The War Within) (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
    1. A Whisper of Warning (Read here)
    2. The Calling (read here)
    3. The Goblin Way (read here)
    4. The Lilac and the Stone (read here)
    5. Trials (read here)

The movie universe functions on a distinct lore chronology as a result of story modifications. You can, however, read the accompanying novels separately:

1. Warcraft: Bonds of Brotherhood (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
2. Warcraft: Durotan (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
3. Warcraft Official Movie Novelization (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)

The novels listed below are considered non-canon. Their intention is to explore the whole World of Warcraft universe or share lighthearted stories.

1. The Traveler series (non-canon books)
   • Traveler: (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
   • Traveler: The Spiral Path (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
   • Traveler: The Shining Blade (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
2. World of Warcraft: The Official Cookbook: (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
3. The Art of World of Warcraft (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
4. World of Warcraft: Exploring Azeroth Series
   • World of Warcraft: Exploring Azeroth - the Easter Kingdoms (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
   • World of Warcraft: Exploring Azeroth - Kalimdor (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
   • World of Warcraft: Exploring Azeroth - Northrend (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
   • World of Warcraft: Exploring Azeroth: Pandaria (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
   • World of Warcraft: Exploring Azeroth: Islands & Isles (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
5. World of Warcraft: Grimoire of the Shadowlands and Beyond (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
6. World of Warcraft: The Dragonflight Codex: (A Definitive Guide to the Dragons of Azeroth) (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
7. World of Warcraft: Folk and Fairy Tales of Azeroth: A collection of tales and legends that delve into the myths and folklore of Azeroth’s many cultures. This is a set of 12 short stories written by different authors who are rooted in canon or written as a traveler telling the tale. (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)

If you prefer reading graphic novels, mangas, or comics, there are other noteworthy illustrated series developed within the World of Warcraft setting that you may like.

The original Warcraft Legends manga series brings the World of Warcraft to life via exciting adventure stories. However, the Warcraft Legends series is a collection of stories from various points in the Warcraft timeline, which means it does not always follow an exact chronological order. They add to the universe's context and complexity without directly impacting the main story, making them ideal for casual reading at any time:

• Warcraft Legends Vol 1. (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
• Warcraft Legends Vol 2. (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
• Warcraft Legends Vol 3 (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
• Warcraft Legends Vol 4. (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
• Warcraft Legends Vol 5. (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)

The Sunwell Trilogy is set after the events of Warcraft III and before World of Warcraft, making it the perfect read for anyone wanting to dive deeper into the lore of Quel'Thalas:

1. Dragon Hunt (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
2. Shadows of Ice (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
3. Ghostlands (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)

For fans of visually compelling storytelling in the Warcraft universe, we have arranged the comics in an order that matches the game expansions they accompany. This list, presented in publishing order, should help provide a consistent narrative experience as you progress through the illustrated series:

1. World of Warcraft #1 - 25 (2007 – 2009), a series published by DC Comics imprint WildStorm.
   • World of Warcraft: Book One (#0-7) (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
   • World of Warcraft: Book Two (#8-14) (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
   • World of Warcraft: Book Three (#15-21) (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
   • World of Warcraft: Book Four (#22-25) (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
2. World of Warcraft: Ashbringer (2008 – 2009), a collection of the four-issue mini-series published by WildStorm. (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
3. World of Warcraft: Curse of the Worgen (2012), a five-issue mini-series published by DC Comics (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
4. World of Warcraft: Pearl of Pandaria (2012) (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
5. World of Warcraft: Dark Riders (2013) (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
6. World of Warcraft: Bloodsworn (2013) (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
7. World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor (2014) a three-issue ebook comic series published by Blizzard
   • Gul’dan and the Stranger (read here)
   • Blackhand (read here)
   • Blood and Thunder (read here)
8. Warcraft: Bonds of Brotherhood (2016), a Warcraft film comic published by Legendary comics (considered non-canon) (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)
9. World of Warcraft: Legion (2016) a four-issue ebook comic series published by Blizzard
   • Magni: Fault Lines (read here)
   • Nightborne: Twilight of Suramar (read here)
   • Highmountain: A Mountain Divided (read here)
   • Anduin: Son of the Wolf (read here)
10. World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth (2018) a four-issue ebook comic series published by Blizzard
    • Jaina: Reunion (read here)
    • Magni: The Speaker (read here)
    • Windrunner - Three Sisters (read here)
    • Mechagon (read here)
11. World of Warcraft Comic Collection: Volume 1 (2020) a collection of all digital comic books from the eras of Warlords of Draenor, Legion, and Battle for Azeroth (Amazon.com, .co.uk, .ca, .de, .fr, .it, .es)