The Wolf Tower by Tanith Lee

… 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… 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… 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. Read the rest.