Rating: 
Summary: wonderful book that almost anyone would like!
Review: First let me tell you a bit about the story. Claidi is a servant to the ugly freakazoid princess named Jade Leaf. When a hot air balloon is shot down, out comes a cheeky but handsome prince. The prince, Nimian, connects somehow with an old princess(it's weird having a princess be like 100 years old!), who tells Claidi to free him and then follow him through the barren lands called the Waste. They travel for a LOOOOOONNNGGGG time(in fact the book is pretty much made up of their traveling to the destination), stopping at several towns, each one more significant than the last. Then *****************************************. I'm not much of a book spoiler. No revealings for you!
As my title suggests, the beginning is not so great. Claidi seems to be portayed as a stupid immature girl who doesn't learn from her various mistakes. But me patient, my young Padawan(Going a little Star Wars on ya). Abot halfway through the book, things get better. It becomes exciting when they reach the towns--actually one town in particular. *wink wink* It was the ending I liked, not the very end-ended-in-2-pages-end, but sorta the beginning of the ending, when the whole story takes this HUGE turn. Like, the big almighty twist. I don't know about you, but I was sincerly SHOCKED when ******** happened. Maybe I was just being ignorant. So everybody who is reading this, I'll just tell you: if you ever decide to read this, hold it out through the boring stupidity of the beginning. If you like surprises, then you might as well finish this book, because there's a HUGE one. Well that's all for now, folks. (First Star Wars and now Looney Toons. What next?) I'll be back. (Ah, the Terminator. Sorry everybody, you've caught me in one of my wacko stages) Though I really do mean, I'll be back. A couple months ago I've really gotten into reviewing books. So bye!
Rating: 
Summary: "It Was If I Heard You, Calling..."
Review: "The Wolf Tower" (also published as "The Law of the Wolf Tower") is the first of a quartet of books concerning Claidi, a young woman and her series of adventures in a fantasy realm, as told and recorded by her in her journal. Her story begins in the House where she works as a slave to the spoilt Lady Jade Leaf, which Claidi recounts in the book that she's stolen from her mistress's stationary chest. She's not entirely sure what made her do such a dangerous thing, especially since there's nothing particularly interesting to write about her life - she slaves after Jade Leaf night and day, living in fear of beating and punishments and attending the endless rituals of the rigid House.
But then something does happen: a hot air balloon is shot down over the Garden, and the House guards drag back an extraordinary young man named Nemian. Claidi is at once transfixed by him, and when she is summoned to the presence of the Great Lady Jizania Tiger, she's astonished and delighted to find that she's being offered a chance at escape with the handsome Nemian. All she has to do is take Jizania's key, unlock the prison door, and Nemian will take her to his own City - to freedom.
And so Claidi's journey begins across the land known as the Waste, and all the many strange tribes, villages and people she meets throughout - some dangerous, some friendly, but all fascinating and worthy of recording in her beloved book. Finally Nemian's City looms, and his secret agenda is revealed - it seems Claidi's fate is inexplicitly linked to something known as the Wolf Tower, and the terrible Laws that are governed from its heights. But by this stage, Claidi is prepared to take matters into her own hands...
Young readers will love exploring the range of interesting landscapes and worlds that Tanith Lee vividly describes, everything from rainforests to deserts to huge cities are wonderfully brought to life through her descriptive prose - predominantly of note is the band of nomadic bandits, including their charismatic leader Argul. It's as close as you can possibly get to really experiencing these places without actually being there yourself, whilst at the same time uncovering Claudi's hidden past and the conspiracy that follows her journey to the forbidding Wolf Tower. Freedom is the theme of the story, whether it's freedom from tradition and rules, or the restrictions one imposes upon oneself, as Claidi not only goes from captivity to freedom, but from reliance on other people to independent thought.
Claidi herself makes a rather insipid heroine at first - quite a few of her decisions are obviously foolish and her behaviour at times is rather confusing (plus her love story with Argul is rather too sudden and unconvincing), but the complete honesty and wit that she uses in writing down her experiences more than compensate for this.
In fact, what makes "The Wolf Tower" so readable, is the way in which the story is told. Rather than third-person, or even strictly first-person, Tanith Lee makes the book itself Claudi's journal - and Claidi herself is talking directly to the reader. Obviously Claidi has no idea who it is that is reading her words, but she ponders on this mystery, wondering how far her book has travelled, how far into the future it's being read, and what the reader thinks of her. In terms of Claudi's direct addresses to an unseen reader, this is the most personal and interactive book I've ever read. The connection between the real-life reader (whoever it might be) and the fictional Claidi is remarkable, and something that is not read, but experienced. Tanith Lee creates the bond ingeniously, and young readers between ten and thirteen (male or female) are bound to be captivated by this intimacy.
It's just a shame that the publishers didn't go a bit further in their presentation of the book, perhaps using a handwritten font, or making the book appear as an actual journal. But never mind - "The Wolf Tower" and the following books in the series are must-reads for any fantasy fans, especially those inclined to Tanith Lee's wonderful stories.
Rating:
Summary: I was so lucky to have picked it randomly off the book shelf
Review: An amazing adventure about a princess who is a servant, an adventure who fears what's outside the house walls, a fearless clever woman hidden in the bold and vulnerable body of a girl, and a dreamer who dreamt that someone would one day read her tale. Claidi.The fantastic story is written in a journal style, the entire novel is told first hand from the viewpoint of Claidi, a servant girl who is given the chance to run away with the handsome Prince Nemien. Fearing death in the Waste deserts beyond her home but also longing to be free of the House, where she is treated worse than a slave, and with her new desire for Nemien, Claidi accepts this new challenge. Through villages where the inhabitants speak to sheep as family and places where the people risk their lives in their efforts to fly, Claidi follows Nemien and falls in love. She's willing to follow him anywhere and he's leading her to his home city and The Wolf Tower. But when a dangerous bad of bandits save their lives, Claidi's life is truly torn apart. Nemien may not be the perfect prince she'd fallen in love with and perhaps there's more to head strong Argul, leader of the bandits, than meet's the eye. Remember: Nothing is ever as it seems. *I loved this book from start to finish! The journal style of writing helps the reader to feel connected to Claidi as you share, like a closest friend, her inner most thoughts and feelings. The characters are portrayed amazingly and the ones you thought you'd never love continue to stay with you in fond memory even after you put the book down. I've read this novel more that once and I highly recommend it for the little adventurer in everyone that is trying to break free!
Rating:
Summary: A moving adventure for older teens
Review: Claidi has always known the harsh life of being a palace handmaiden dependent on the savage will of her spoiled princess mistress, so when she's given an opportunity to flee the kingdom and enter a strange new land, she reluctantly takes on the challenge, only to find new hardships and adjustments. Her journey takes her through a foreign land and on encounters which will test her ability to survive even harsher rule than her vanished kingdom in this moving adventure for older teens.
Rating:
Summary: Intriguing, fast-paced, and hilarious!
Review: Claidi is a daring, extremely likeable, and very sarcastic person. Her sarcasm is hilarious and her writing very plausible and intriguing. Tanith Lee creates an amazing world where rain falls sticky red, trees froth over, extraordinary towns (Peshamba) and infamous Towers exist. The Claidi Journals, in my opinion, are perfect for anyone of 10 years or older. Some may consider it petty and too forthright, but this series is perfect for anyone up for a good fantasy read. I have only completed my reading up to Book 3, Wolf Queen, and urge anyone who enjoys Wolf Tower to continue reading the series.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: Claidi is a maids servant in the House where silly rituals are the law. She steals a book from her master, and it becomes her journal. That is how the book reads, from her diary entrys. Everything is dully suitable untill a strange balloon is shot down. The man traveling in it has a trial and during the trial gives a flower to the much respected elderly Jizania Tiger. This flower comes from the supposed barren waste where those disobediant are exiled. Jizanian then asks Claidi if she will help the strange man, Nemian, escape. She is supposed to be well cared for it she goes.
Claidi's adventures into the Waste are quit exciting. She meets sheep people whose language consists of baa's, feather people who have strange rituals, and the Hulta with their young leader.
Claidi travels along with Nemian in a wonderful tale. She is spunky and learns well from her mistakes. She betrays to prove who she is and is betrayed in return for it.
This book is great. It is very highly recommended. The story is intriguing, the characters wonderful, and the writting superb. This is a great read but its sequel Wolf Star is a sad let down.
Rating:
Summary: Worth reading
Review: Claidi's voice is strong and the diary style of her retelling very appealing. This book is worth reading for it's unpretentious recounting of rather extraordinary events. You will come to enjoy the whimsical characters and the ridiculous and bizarre world she inhabits, and jolly well end up liking her very much indeed.
I must say when I read this book I was reminded of myself in all my bumbling glory and Tanith Lee makes no effort to put her heroine up there with the usual pedestalled and dainty princess' nor with the heroic axe swinging warrior type amazons of other books which are all well and good, in a very liberated way, but a ordinary girl like Claidi is wonderfully refreshing and very likeable.
Have not yet read part 3 but part two was an absolute delight.
Not just for young adults but this book will be enjoyed by anyone who has wondered what would happen if adventure really did come to them?
I must also recommend TL's other series Red, Gold & Black Unicorn which are excellent although a little more fantastical than this. (You probably won't think that's possible)
ENJOY
Rating:
Summary: You'll Love it
Review: Do you like fantasy books? If you do this is the book for you. Tanith Lee has woven a truely beatiful story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I'm sure you will enjoy it.
Rating: 
Summary: Uneven and uninteresting
Review: For sixteen years, Claidi has been a slave in the House, until one day when a stranger blows in and is captured. She helps him escape and then travels with him across the Waste to reach his home. Despite his indifferent treatment of her, she imagines herself in love with him and lives to regret her loyalty. The story is told through Claidi's journal.
Do not bother reading this book. It's boring and unfocused and suffers from very uneven writing. Instead of being swept up by the story, I found myself gritting my teeth, forcing myself to read the whole thing--a highly unusual state of events. Claidi is a naive idiot, despite the attempt to convince the reader she's a plucky heroine. She simply isn't a believable character.
Tanith Lee tries to write the story as though Claidi is writing it in her journal, but the writing unintentionally (I hope!) staggers in and out of that conceit-only a few entries, mostly toward the beginning, actually seem like real diary entries.
Please don't waste your time with this one when so many others out there are truly wonderful. Read something by Tamora Pierce, Margaret Peterson Haddix, Gail Carson Levine, or Patricia C. Wrede instead!
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous New Fantasy Novel for Readers Young and Old
Review: For the course of her entire life, sixteen-year-old Claidi, and orphan, has had to endure the hardships of living as a servant in the House, where she must obey every command from the spoiled princess she waits on hand and foot; and is forced to observe, and participate in countless ridiculous rituals. That is, until a golden-haired stranger appears at the House, proving that there truly is life beyond these walls. Claidi feels endless hope and happiness from his arrival, but the other House members don't, for they lock him away. So Claidi grasps onto every bit of strength and bravery that she has to free the prisoner, and follows him through the Waste to his homeland. Claidi enjoys the journey very much, and she is with a man she knows she could love. That is, until they finally reach their place...the Wolf Tower.
As a fan of Gail Carson Levine's ELLA ENCHANTED, I had a feeling that I wuld enjoy Tanith Lee's WOLF TOWER, and I truly did. Lee's fantastically rich descriptions of life for Claidi are marvelous, while Claidi's sharp tongue and quick wit couldn't be more enjoyable. The supporting characters are all filled with their own crazy quirks, while more and more adventure and danger appears on every page. Overall, this is a fabulous new addition to the YA genre that will be loved by fantasy readers young and old.
Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper
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