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WOLF TOWER, Claidi Journals, Book I Hardcover – June 19, 2000

by Tanith Lee (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 60 ratings
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Cladi, a sixteen year old orphan, and handmaiden to cruel royal family, is looking for a chance at freedom, and thinks she's found it when she helps a hansome and mysterious prisoner escape, but uncovers a conspiracy plot in the process, and must act quickly to avert it. 25,000 first printing.
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  1. Reading age
    11 years and up
  2. Print length
    240 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    7 - 9
  5. Lexile measure
    460L
  6. Dimensions
    5.78 x 0.94 x 8.56 inches
  7. Publisher
    Dutton Juvenile
  8. Publication date
    June 19, 2000
  9. ISBN-10
    0525463941
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0525463948
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-9-Claidi, an orphaned lady's maid to a cruel and mindless princess, jumps at the chance to escape with a handsome air balloonist who has been shot down and imprisoned. Leading Nemian through the dark tunnels and out into the Waste, however, she begins to have second thoughts, which she records regularly in the journal entries that form this enjoyable fantasy. Through encounters with tribes that seem kind, and fierce desert bandits, she learns that appearances can be deceiving. When she shows interest in Argul, leader of the bandits, Nemian pleads with her to keep on traveling with him to his home. Nemian's City and its ruling Wolf Tower are bleakly stark and sad, completely bound by rules and the roll of the dice. It turns out that Nemian's quest was to bring Claidi to his grandmother as her successor. Realizing that the punishing cruelties under which the people lived were products of the old lady's twisted imagination, Claidi takes over and breaks the Rules, proclaiming there is to be no more LAW, before being rescued, yet again, by Argul. The satisfying conclusion completes the story but leaves plenty of room for Claidi's journals to continue in sequels. The fantasy world is clearly and humorously described; its varied cultures are both amusing and believable. In spite of her moodiness, the practical and strong-willed Claidi is a likable heroine with whom fantasy readers can easily identify and they will look forward to her continuing adventures.
Kathleen Isaacs, Edmund Burke School, Washington, DC
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

Lee (Saint Fire, not reviewed, etc.) opens a new series framed, belt and suspenders, in chapters and diary entries. Having grown up serving a petty, vicious princess, Claidi jumps at the chance to help in the escape of Nemian, a handsome, imprisoned prince. In their journey across the barren Waste, the pair weather dust storm and monster attack, pass through towns where sheep and clocks are worshipped, and encounter the Hulta, nomads led by Argul, a kingly youth who takes a shine to Claidi. She is attracted to him, too, especially after he rescues her from a sacrificial rite, but though familiarity has worn some of Nemian’s glitter away, Claidi decides to go on with the prince to his home in distant Wolf Tower. To her dismay, she discovers that Nemian is already married, and that she is the victim of an elaborate ruse designed to force her back into servitude. Lee gives Claidi a modern-sounding voice—believing that some of the Hulta voted against her rescue: “Now when I talk to them, I wonder which ones didn't think I was worth the trouble. I don't blame them. But yuk”—and regards the religion and politics of the Waste's residents sardonically. In the end, Argul rescues her again, and off the two ride into upcoming sequels. A diverting escapade for fans of Karen Cushman’s Catherine, Called Birdy (1994), Gail Carson Levine’s Ella Enchanted (1997), and the like. (Fiction. 11-13) -- Copyright © 2000 Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dutton Juvenile (June 19, 2000)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0525463941
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0525463948
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 11 years and up
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 460L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 7 - 9
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.78 x 0.94 x 8.56 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 60 ratings

About the author

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Tanith Lee

Tanith Lee

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Tanith Lee (19 September 1947 – 24 May 2015) was a British writer of science fiction, horror, and fantasy. She was the author of over 90 novels and 300 short stories, a children's picture book (Animal Castle), and many poems. She also wrote two episodes of the BBC science fiction series Blake's 7. She was the first woman to win the British Fantasy Award best novel award (also known as the August Derleth Award), for her book Death's Master (1980).

Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Photo by Danie Ware (Flickr) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
60 global ratings
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Top reviews from the United States

Shannah Johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars Love it!
Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2019
Verified Purchase
I read this whole series as a child and it was fantastic so I'm starting the series for my daughter. I even want to reread it as an adult.
One person found this helpful
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Laura S
5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorite authors
Reviewed in the United States on September 24, 2018
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I needed his one to complete the series. I may update His review once I’ve had a chance to read them.
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paula cantu
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2018
Verified Purchase
I loved these books SO MUCH!! I plan on re reading them for the third time again!!
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M. Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, fantastic adventure
Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2011
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I love the Claidi journals and would suggest them to anyone who wants an easy read that still allows the reader to just float off to another world for a while!
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N. Hughes
4.0 out of 5 stars Wolf Tower
Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2014
Verified Purchase
** spoiler alert ** This was a quick and enjoyable read. The main character was very likable, and I found myself rooting for her the entire time. There were times I was confused as to who I wanted to see her with, as the one male does a great job in deceiving not only Claidi but the reader as well! I cannot wait to read the rest of this series!
The author describes a new world in a way that the reader can picture exactly what Claidi sees. I am curious as to how the House and Garden, the Waste, and the other cities all came to be. I hope that we are rewarded with this history in the following books.
The writing is endearing; it is Claidi writing in her stolen journal, and the words are definitely that of a young girl writing her feelings. I enjoyed how she used "filthy word" when she refused to repeat swear words that were spoken. There were also a lot of (?)s and (!)s to accompany observations that she made. The reader also was allowed to witness her slowly understanding new phrases and ways of life.
One person found this helpful
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MJ
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2013
Wolf Tower

I enjoyed this book immensely when I was younger, and for a while after but, as an adult, (and not having read it for years) I'm not sure how much enjoyment I would get out of it these days. I believe I would still enjoy it, but just not as much as when I was still young. It was written for young adults, and therefore (probably) best enjoyed by them.

That being said...

I liked the way it was told through diary entries. I've noticed that this doesn't always work in books, as sometimes the writing seems to jump and jump and jump through events that, sometimes, never get told. However, the Claidi Journals addressed this well and I rarely found myself wondering what the heck was going on. Though it was quite obvious it couldn't be a real journal (though, of course, it is in the books) for the fact that it was all to well written and remembered, that was easy to ignore.

I enjoyed the writing and the plot. None of the characters particularly annoyed me, and I found Claidi's naivety to be funny rather then bothersome. I remember laughing a little when she didn't know what a skunk was.

She was also a very believable character. Having grown up in the House, she believes all the people's outside of it to be savages. Therefore, when she meets people outside for the first time, that is how she reacts to them; like they are savage, or at least not trustworthy. Her character develops, and there are no real hops from her being distrustful of anyone to suddenly being welcoming to everyone. We see her change from being afraid of the outside world, to being more accepting of it (and not just through this book).

I liked the element of romance in the book, which wasn't so heavy that it made the book unbearable, and it wasn't so light that it was hard to catch onto. The couple was perfect and the way that got together made me (as a teen) sigh happily.

Even though back then I didn't really know what dystopia novels were (and therefore don't know if I would have liked them), I have since realized that, though this whole book is not dystopia, it does have dystopian elements in this. Mild ones, and only in small parts (The Tower City, etc.), but it's still there. I've also since realized that I quite like dystopia, even mild, fleeting ones. As I said, not this whole book is centered on a dystopian society, or even world, but it's there strongly enough to be enjoyed (perhaps) by those who like dystopia.

This series is also good for those who like bits and pieces of the entire story arc to be scattered through all four books. The reader picks up bits and pieces of what the whole Master Plot/Plan is, not just in one area or time in the book, but throughout all four books, until everything is tied together and shown to be related even if, sometimes, it seems they aren't/shouldn't be.

The ending of the book was great and I remember wanting to go out right away and buy the next book, just to seem how Claidi's journey would continue.

All in all, I recommend this book to young adults who like very very mild dystopia, light LIGHT romance, a strong (if naïve) female lead, and a journey that you can't wait to continue.
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Abby P
1.0 out of 5 stars Missing page.
Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2023
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Page 11/12 has been ripped out and page 9/10 has clearly been taped back into the book.
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Abby P
1.0 out of 5 stars Missing page.
Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2023
Page 11/12 has been ripped out and page 9/10 has clearly been taped back into the book.
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Weavrmom
5.0 out of 5 stars Need a digital version of this wonderful YA fantasy!
Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2019
This YA fantasy series by multi-award-winning writer Tannith Lee has interesting characters, setting and plot.
Not sure why there is no digital or audio version available. Fantasies are timeless.
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