Rating: 
Summary: Entrancing, but only a START
Review: The beginning of the book was a bit slow, but once I got into it, I couldn't put it down! But be WARNED: this book is addictive and it DOES NOT SOLVE ANYTHING. It is merely a set up for the next book. When you buy this book, be SURE to buy the next two books, too!
Rating:
Summary: I'd love to find this series in a single volume.
Review: The opening of "Diplomacy of Wolves" is fast and dark. I love that. It's darker and more tense than any of her other work. Holly's development as a writer can be seen easily, here. In her "Arhel" novels (her first series, from about ten years ago) character motivation was sometimes sketchy. In the two "Secret Texts" novels I've read so far, that isn't the case. Holly's first great strength as an author is her ability to create and maintain tension. Her second great strength is her use of humor. While her books cannot be considered funny she manages to work in some of the simplest and most effective humor I've ever found in Fantasy. Third is her avoidance of preaching. That isn't to say she doesn't have her points to make, or that her characters don't, but we aren't mugged with them. She does a great job of leaving the ending of "Diplomacy of Wolves" open. Rather than annoying me it made the next book that much more appealing. What do I hate about this book? I hate that I read "Courage of Falcons" first! ::Thunk on head::
Rating: 
Summary: Fascinating world, stupid characters
Review: There is some very fine world building that has gone into DIPLOMACY OF WOLVES; the world, its history, and the cultures which inhabit it, are all well drawn, with many clever touches. The plot, unfortunately, is only kept moving by the characters making the most idiotic decisions possible. Everyone jumps to the most outrageous conclusions about other characters' actions and fates, never thinking about alternate possibilities. No one questions the information given to them by mysterious supernatural entities. The plot moves quickly, but at only by sacrificing any credibility or sympathy the characters might have. I managed to read all of DIPLOMACY OF WOLVES, but the last several chapters were a slog towards the painfully obvious conclusion (which nevertheless is a surprise to the characters). I have no desire to read any further in the series.
Rating: 
Summary: Mary-Sue...or is it Kait?
Review: This book has elements that make a great story; plots & betrayal, ancient magic, ancient curses and so on. I found it very enjoyable, however it was marred slightly by Mary-Sue characteristics that Kait has. She's luscious, fully-bodied, sexual, beatiful and enchants everyman who meets her (literally) except when he knows her dark secret. She's also extremely talented in diplomacy and a natural at magic - and her deep dark secret bestows upon her many other skills. In other words, she's more of a wish fullfillment character for the author than one who stands on her own. This mars the book. It could have been great, but is merely good.
Rating: 
Summary: A book that truly deserves 6!
Review: This book is amazing. Lisle expertly mixes world-shattering destinies and plots with deft characterizations and personal veiws. The world of Matrin stands out from the Middle Earth clones, relatively urban, and *tropical*, it captured my imagination and held it. The septs of wizards, their similar but vastly different magic styles, and the idea of magic being illigal but still practiced are marvelous. The politics form a crucial background to the story, but do not drown out the more personal character details. The Karnee Curse is a very unique take on werewolves, and I like the fact that there is a story behind the curse. Hero/ine on quest for magical object to save the world is hardly an underused plot line, but here it certainly feels new. Kait believes herself to be on her quest for purely selfish reasons- she *thinks* the Mirror of Souls will resurrect her dead family. And there's no real 'guiding figure' a nice departure from the Gandalfs, Merlins, and Belgaraths. All in all, a lovely new novel mixing the best of the old and what's likely to prove the best of the new.
Rating:
Summary: Fantstic, absolutely amazing book!
Review: This book is one of the most amazing fantastical books that I have ever read! It's interesting magical concepts leave you baffled. And its suprise ending leaves you dying to read the next book.
Rating:
Summary: Diplomacy of Wolves
Review: This book is stunning! It grabs you straight away with the intrigue and doesn't let you go, not even at the end. Everything is so real the charcters become people to you and the writing is masterful, all the events flow so well that when something doesn't go right the shock and disappointment absolutly floors you. It's fabulous and the cliff-hanger is beyond any bounds of fairness on the reader: "Noo! You can't end like this!"
Rating:
Summary: Overflowing with originality and magic!
Review: This book was definately a book where you could get lost in a world of magic, wizards, and danger. When I was done I was screaming, "Wait! That can't be the end," and luckily it wasn't because there's at least two more books that you can order each one better than the last. Any person with at least a little imagination would love and appreciate this book. I hope everyone can enjoy this book of lost and lust. It kept me turning the pages a mile a minute.
Rating:
Summary: Wow....I tell you what...WOW!
Review: This book was fantastic! It pulls you in immediately and just won't let you go until you put it down. That is what makes a good book for me. It must capture your interest. It must have creativity. And it's plot can be as basic as the alphabet as long as it has lotsa crooks, turns, and sideroads.
My only complaint? If you didn't buy the 2nd book and the 3rd book, you better go out and buy it before you finish reading the first.
I didn't like how it left you hanging with the group (Kait, Ian, Hasmal, and Ian's two friends) stranded on the undiscovered country. Good thing I bought all three at once. :-D
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating!
Review: This book was given to me as a birthday gift on my 12th birthday from a fellow writer, and close friend. If I still knew her today, I don't think I could thank her enough. I was immediately drawn into Kait's world, and fell in love with the characters. Holly Lisle's words really come to life on the pages, and in the reader's mind. You could find me walking through the school, my nose buried in the pages of the book. I find all of Holly Lisle's work to be spectacular, but this one, being the first book by her I'd read, is definitely my favourite. It's got a little bit of everything, and it's the kind of book that I read for myself, lent to my brother, and we both enjoyed it, despite different tastes. Finishing the book was disappointing - I didn't want to be drawn out of the story! It's still just as interesting today, over four years later, despite my reading it several times. Buy the book - you won't be disappointed, until you hit the end.
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