Customer Reviews

WOLF TOWER, Claidi Journals, Book I

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Tanith Lee writes marvelous YA fantasies-- witty, imaginative, vibrant, and thoroughly entertaining. Wolf Tower is an excellent example of her many talents, including the rare ability to write in the perspective of a teenager-- and make it sound completely genuine and convincing. There's a marvelous sense of immediacy throughout the novel as it is told in the form of a journal by sixteen year old Claidi, by turns sharp, naive, and sarcastic.

Most readers (particularly teenage girls) will be able to easily identify with Claidissa Star, even though they haven't been virtual slaves in a tightly ordered and hierarchical House. Despite continuous harsh treatment, Claidi retains much of her rebellious nature. When the handsome stranger Nemian comes to the House, she is given the opportunity to journey with him to dangerous and bizarre lands beyond the House's confines where she has her own destiny to fulfill. But it's not a destiny Claidi particularly wants...

Peopled with lively characters from a mix of highly original cultures, Wolf Tower is an unusually creative and unpredictable YA fantasy that neatly avoids many fantasy cliches and tells a thought-provoking story at the same time. If you like Wolf Tower, your best bet is probably either waiting for sequels, or reading Tanith Lee's Unicorn trilogy (Black Unicorn, Gold Unicorn, Red Unicorn) which contains the same level of originality and intelligence. By the way, Wolf Tower is one of those books that gets better with multiple readings-- I liked it much more after rereading it.

Ailanna

I am writing this review because I was reading other readers' reviews, and realizing that too many of them had given away important surprising aspects of the book. When I read Wolf Tower, I did so without having any idea what the book was about, save for the vague summary on the back cover. I know you have probably already read the editor review that gives away the entire story, but I hope not.

Claidi lives in the House, an isolated oasis in the middle of what House residents call the Waste: a place of horrors where the profaners of sacred rituals are sent into exile. Claidi believes the dreadful tales of the Waste, and goes on suffering as a servant to Lady Jade Leaf in the House... until a balloon crashes in the House garden, and the balloon's occupant is put on trial. Then Claidi is swept into an adventure of her own, alongside Nemian, the golden stranger from the balloon. She comes to discover that the Waste is not at all what she has been led to believe, most things aren't what they seem, and that following her heart is, in the long run, going to make her happier than doing what her better judgement tells her is right.

I am a big fan of Tanith Lee, and have become even more so after reading Wolf Tower. The characters and places come alive, and hold more clarity than even some things in life. If you choose not to read this book, then you are truly missing a wonderful and beautiful tale. If you do decide to read it, then be prepared for a delightful, humorous, and sometimes poignant look into the life of Claidi, an ordinary girl on an extraordinary adventure.

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!

This adventurous book will have you craving for more! Well, before I cut to my opinion let me tell you a bit about the book itself.
Claidi is a servant to this wretched princess Lady Jade Leaf, who is always complaining. So, Claidi is fed up with her and so is everyone else. Well, one day the hate pauses for a few moments. A mysterious balloon is found and shot to death. They retrieve a handsome young man with talent, looks, and charm. When the royal families question him he gives the oldest Lady a flower to which she understands something others don't. Lucky Claidi is chosen by the old woman to go on an adventure with this fine man whose name is Nemain. Together they go for an adventure that Claidi will never forget. Also, you get to read it from her thoughts from Her diary, so it is like you are with her all the way!
I Loved this book because it shows you that first impressions aren't has great as they seem, and that there really is no such thing as love at first sight. Claidi is like a hero to those who aren't outgoing and free willed. I look up to her for that and I think the author wrote a very good book! So, are you ready for the challenge? If you are then get the book now and READ!!!

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

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

I picked this book up one day when I was really rushed for time, and I read the entire book that day. Lee's characters are well-developed, especially Claidi. Claidi's voice changes as her journey continues, and the descriptions are vivid and full of color. I felt that I was transported to each of the places that Claidi visits. When I realized that this is the first book of more, I eagerly checked to see what the other books were. To my disappointment, they aren't out yet! This will definitely be a book that I read more than once, and I hope that the other books are just as good. Wolf Tower really caught my attention and I am always glad to find a new author to read.

In this inspiring journey with a young woman, Claidi the only thoughts you can think are..."I want to read it again!"

Claidi, a slave, a lady's maid. Anyway you say it, it will always be the same. Until one day Claidis wildest dreams come true when a golden stranger appears at the House. In order to save him, and herself Claidi must flee with this mysterious being. She finds that outside of the house, is not a poisened wasteland, but a sanctuary. In order for Claidi and this stranger to reach his City they must endure forests, deserts, ruins, and town upon town. But when they finally reach the City, Claidi learns she must fufill her destiny and be the new keeper of the Law. But will she be able to escape from the iron jaws of the Law?

I am just going to dive straight in, and list all the great things about this novel and Tanith Lee!
Tanith Lee writes the most creative, entertaining, novels I have ever read, full of funny, quirky, spunky characters that make you laugh. I think she managed to write very acurately how a teenager from Claidi's world would react to certain circumstances. I love Tanith Lee's inventiveness, none of her worlds or her cultures fit into any fantasy stereotypes, it is pure fun and delight to read. The characters unique and unforgettable, and Tanith Lee's descriptions are interesting and different. I find myself wanting to read this book again over and over again and marvel at her the pure genious of her work! The odd rules governing Claidi's world, and the strange un-stereotypical people Claidi meets, are new and interesting. I just love the easy, breezy way Tanith Lee writes, as if (just like she said), she was actually there! It made the book so much more fun to read! For a book to read over and over again until the binding falls apart read Claidi Journals. For a memorable, funny, character - read Claidi Journals. This novel is definitely not going to bore you to sleep, quite the opposite! Pick it up and read it, I can't be anymore enthusiastic than this!

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.