Wolf Tower: The Claidi Journals

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: 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

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Book
Review: I read some of the reviews written for this book, and I agree with most of them. This book is wonderful, especially for YA readers as it contains adventure, romance, mystery and much more. I've read many books in my life time, and I have to say that the character of Claidi was well-done. Tanith Lee managed to create a unique character that is witty, interesting and humourous. I don't think Claidi is supposed to be a realistic character but an interesting character that would captivate the reader's interest. To me, Claidi's character is refreshingly new, and one of my favorite characters.
I also love the diary style in which Tanith Lee chose to write the book.
Overall, this book definitely merits *****. It is not boring, unfocused or plucky. Though I do like Gail Carson Levine and Tamora Pierce, I still think that the character of Claidi is far more interesting than Ella or Alanna simply because it is new and refreshing to read.
So, if you are interested in reading something totally new and out of this world, read Claidi journals, and enjoy a wonderful world of fantasy and adventure.


Rating:
Summary: Ridiculous story and boring
Review: Neither my 14-year-old daughter nor I could finish this book. I did read the last few chapters to find out what happened, but I don't think that counts. The character of Claidi is difficult to sympathize with -- she makes many stupid decisions and does not appear to learn from her mistakes. My daughter declared that Claidi is an immature twit. We picked up this book thinking it might be on par with Tamora Pierce's books, however, this is a very, very pale imitation. Don't bother buying the book if you are curious, just borrow it from someone or the library.

Rating:
Summary: Ridiculous story and boring
Review: Neither my 14-year-old daughter nor I could finish this book. I did read the last few chapters to find out what happened, but I don't think that counts. The character of Claidi is difficult to sympathize with -- she makes many stupid decisions and does not appear to learn from her mistakes. My daughter declared that Claidi is an immature twit. We picked up this book thinking it might be on par with Tamora Pierce's books, however, this is a very, very pale imitation. Don't bother buying the book if you are curious, just borrow it from someone or the library.

Rating:
Summary: "You too, my girl, ought to be let out of your cage."
Review: Sixteen year-old Claidi has only known a life of hardship as slave to the spoiled Lady Jade Leaf. She has been raised on the constant observance of empty rituals and stories of the dangers of life outside the House, in the Waste. Her life has been full of misery until the arrival of a golden-haired stranger changes that. Lady Jizania Tiger, a House elder, helps Claidi escape with the stranger, Nemian, and tells Claidi of her royal ancestry. The girl follows Nemian into the Waste and finds that the feared land is not as terrible as she thought. It is full of wonders and adventure. In her journey across the Waste, Claidi meets the Hulta, a group of bandits, and their leader Argul, whom she slowly finds herself becoming attracted to. However, little does she know that she is being led each day towards her terrible destiny at the Wolf Tower. Here she will learn that trust should never be given easily and that love can come in many strange and wonderful forms.

This is a great first installment of the the Claidi series and should please many young fantasy fans. Through her journal, we see Claidi blossom from a naive and scared young girl into a strong and confident young woman. Although at times I found myself getting frustrated with her ignorance and sometimes petulant behavior, she grows so much towards the end that I found myself really rooting for her. This should leave many readers eager to get their hands on the next book in the series, "Wolf Star."

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely teriffic!
Review: This story is wonderful, if you really enjoy fantasy with a twist of romance and deseption then you will love this book. Claidi is a servant in a horrible place called the HOUSE and has lived all her life there being hit and cracked on the hands when she does something wrong and sometimes she hasn't even done something. Then one day something incredible happens a stranger from the desert area called the WASTE comes in search for Claidi. Claidi feels enchanted by this stranger and escapes with him to the WASTE and finds that it really isn't a waste as the House calls it. On her way to Neiman's (enchanting stranger) city she lives through some horrible disasters. In one of them she is rescued by a group of so-called bandits called the Hulta. The Hulta's leader Argul, ends up realizing that Claidi is the woman who is right for him, but i'm not going to tell you how he figures this out that would just spoil the story. Argul ends up asking Claidi to stay with the Hulta and Claidi really considers staying with him. But then the enchanting Neiman saunters in and convinces her to go on with him to his city and the Wolf Tower. When she arrives she finds out that Neiman is already married, and she is to be the Wolf Paw or keeper of the law of the Wolf Tower. Then Argul cames and rescues her and takes her back to the Hulta. It's funny, romantic, and a little breath taking at a few moments. I really sugest you read it.

Rating:
Summary: GREAT BOOK!
Review: Wolf Tower is really great! Claidi is so different from all the other books. It has a real twist, and you're never really sure if you like Nermian or not. You're not even sure who Claidi is. I usually don't like books in diary form, but this was different. It has chapters for one, and most of the time you can't tell it's a journal. It has very few dates. This book does have romance, but you get totally surprised by who.Claidi grew up in the House and Gardens, and knows nothing of the outside world, so she has to completely trust Nemian and the bandits. If you liked any of Tanith Lee's other books you should read this. If you like Patrica C. Wrede, Tamora Pierce,David Eddings, or Dave Duncan, READ THIS!