The Library - Cycle of Hatred

Warcraft's history abounds with heroic tales, fierce battles, and painful losses that have had a lasting impact on the world of Azeroth. This new series, "The Library," will present fiction depicting some of the Warcraft universe's most epic moments and greatest mysteries.

For this first article, let's take a look at Cycle of Hatred, written by Keith R.A. DeCandido. Set years before the Cataclysm, this story takes place on Kalimdor at a time when the Horde and the Alliance are living side by side in relative peace, despite the bloody conflicts of their past.

After orcs and humans united to help defeat the Burning Legion during the Third War, Thrall and Jaina struggle to heal their peoples' wounds and overcome the long-standing animosity between their two races. Yet regardless of their leaders' shared efforts and victories, orcs and humans still look upon each other with deep-seated bitterness.

The fragile peace is threatened by a series of strange events and the warlike behavior of Jaina's and Thrall's closest advisors. As both leaders strive to guide their people forward, they discover that there is a dark and malevolent force behind the building tension.

Cycle of Hatred details how Jaina and Thrall ultimately deal with this perilous threat and prevent the downfall of their proud factions.