THE CLAIDI JOURNALS by Tanith Lee, 2000

Tanith Lee takes readers on a harrowing adventure from Claidi's young life in the House to her struggle to prove her love and honor in Wolf Queen. With a powerful voice and brave characters that match the creations of Tamora Pierce and Robin McKinley, Lee creates a heroine whose journey out of servant life -- and toward self-discovery, as she learns about the Towers' war and her own past in the third book -- will absorb and startle you from page one of Wolf Tower. (Goodreads)

Reviewed by Laina, writer, bookworm, and British television addict

It is impossible to take any of the four books out of context and just review one because they all flow together. WOLF TOWER, WOLF STAR, WOLF QUEEN, and WOLF WING are the four books, and the copies I own actually has the first three books in one and I recently found the fourth at a book sale (hurray for book sales!)

Claidi’s story is told through her journal. As a writing style I’m actually not always a fan of that type of telling, but for Claidi’s story it was superb. Just as it is impossible to read one of the books (or review one), it is also impossible to explain the full breadth of Claidi’s story. Set in a beautiful, magical, and harsh world, it follows Claidi, a young girl who is far more important than she might realize. There is intrigue and malice from the Houses, games and betrayals and heartbreak and so many other things that make this story a fascinating journey. It is a fantasy tale of great quality. 

I’ve always liked original worlds, and everything about this story is original. The characters are varied and very often surprising, with twists coming and snatching me along for the ride. Claidi is a wonderful heroine with a bit of a rebellious streak that often gets her into trouble, but then helps her get out of it. I would definitely recommend you read her journal.

Market: Young Adult

Language: Mild

Sensuality: Mild

Violence: Mild

Mature Themes: Mature Themes: manipulation, power, abandonment, loneliness, fear