Blood Ties

The new WoW (World of Warcraft) expansion is still months away, so it was a treat to read Blood Ties by Christie Golden while I wait. Not only is it a chance to learn some of the lore leading up to the events which are coming in World of Warcraft: Midnight, Blood Ties is an entertaining fantasy adventure (and a little bit horror) in its own right.

Blood Ties follows Arator, the son of two heroes, Alleria Windrunner and Turalyon (though he was raised by Alleria’s sister as his parents were lost in the Void for a thousand years - yeah, that’s as bad as it sounds) as he works to distinguish himself and make his own name as a hero.

By chance, an opportunity arises to investigate a potential new demonic threat in Felsoul Hold, a former demon stronghold while his parents are in Suramar - the city closest to the hold, so the three of them set out together.

When they find signs that a soul engine - a terrible machine that converts living souls into demonic fel energy -  is active, the three of them strike out to eliminate the demons, the trail leading them to Outland - the location of the Void that had taken Arator’s parents away from him for so long.

As its name would indicate, Blood Ties isn’t just an adventure story, it’s also a story about family, about the centuries long relationship between two soldiers and about them reconnecting with each other and with their son that had been left behind.

Blood Ties is the perfect action adventure horror romance to read while waiting for WoW: Midnight to drop or if you’ve never played the game. Christie Golden does a masterful job describing enough of the world and characters for those unfamiliar with the game but not so much that fans will get bored.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Worlds for the advance copy for my unbiased review. Pub. date 11/18/25

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