World of Warcraft just revealed its next entry in the Exploring Azeroth lore book series is coming to shelves later this year. The upcoming World of Warcraft lore book is returning players to the eastern-themed continent introduced in the Mists of Pandaria expansion.
Exploring Azeroth is a series of World of Warcraft lore books whose entries take a closer look at a particular continent through the lens of a handful of beloved lore characters. So far, Blizzard has released three Exploring Azeroth books set in the Eastern Kingdoms, Kalimdor, and Northrend, each narrated by a couple of iconic characters from World of Warcraft.
This makes Exploring Azeroth: Pandaria the fourth entry in this particular series of lore books. This upcoming World of Warcraft book is centered around Li Li Stormstout and her uncle Chen, as well as their swashbuckling friend Catelyn the Blade, as they “wander the land seeking adventure and revelation, and [learn] what it means to leave–and return–home.” This entry is written by Alex Acks, author of Exploring Azeroth: Northrend, and is expected to be released on October 17, 2023.
Previous Exploring Azeroth books have been the subject of much scrutiny in the past. While Exploring Azeroth: Eastern Kingdoms was relatively well-received, Exploring Azeroth: Kalimdor was criticized for problematic reliance on outdated stereotypes. Reviews of Exploring Azeroth: Northrend were generally positive, though players were a little disappointed in the book’s hesitance to develop beyond pre-existing lore of the zones. As Exploring Azeroth: Pandaria is written by the same author, players can expect an enjoyable and colorful romp through zones like the Jade Forest and the Wandering Isle.
Players are excited to see what Exploring Azeroth: Pandaria adds to the series. Though Mists of Pandaria was originally criticized for its divergence from typical atmospheres, it eventually became one of the best expansions in World of Warcraft’s history. Fans of Li Li and Chen are especially excited to see what they have been up to in recent years, and cannot wait to see the incredible new art found within the Exploring Azeroth series.
World of Warcraft players have a lot of literature coming out this year. A is for Azeroth: The ABC’s of World of Warcraft is coming out in July, and The Dragonflight Codex: A Definitive Guide to the Dragons of Azeroth releases in August. Additionally, World of Warcraft just announced an unnamed novel is coming in October. Fans will have plenty of reasons to visit their local book stores in the downtime between patches in Dragonflight.
World of Warcraft is available now on PC.
Source: Amazon