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justalittlefox's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
amibunk's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Fantasy books rely heavily on their world building. If the world is confusing or overly complicated (or worse, flat out boring) it’s hard to enjoy the book.
This series’ world of magic, skin shifting, and spirits is a little fussy and dense but relies also on predictable plot points to make the entire combination easier to experience.
This is a decently written fantasy novel that does seem to have lots of talk of violence and rape that all happens “off stage.” (To make it less hardcore for the author’s targeted audience? Or did she lack the skills to adequately convey the atrocities of her villains? I don’t know.)
The characters are a little flat and static- the bad guys are completely bad, the heroes are completely good. But the ideas about magic are truly interesting and the action is fast paced and engaging.
Overall, it’s a good read.
Fantasy books rely heavily on their world building. If the world is confusing or overly complicated (or worse, flat out boring) it’s hard to enjoy the book.
This series’ world of magic, skin shifting, and spirits is a little fussy and dense but relies also on predictable plot points to make the entire combination easier to experience.
This is a decently written fantasy novel that does seem to have lots of talk of violence and rape that all happens “off stage.” (To make it less hardcore for the author’s targeted audience? Or did she lack the skills to adequately convey the atrocities of her villains? I don’t know.)
The characters are a little flat and static- the bad guys are completely bad, the heroes are completely good. But the ideas about magic are truly interesting and the action is fast paced and engaging.
Overall, it’s a good read.
meixiaotian's review against another edition
3.0
A few thoughts:
I like the worldbuilding and the characters. The worldbuilding especially; there’s a lot of details that aren’t important but are there anyway, giving the feeling of depth and a real world.
I’m not a huge fan of how some things or exposition suddenly Happen when relevant instead of being set up earlier.
The way the plot switches in the middle from being inter-Family politics & war to a quest for a magic artifact is a bit weird.
I’m not a fan of how every woman is Very Sexy and/or a victim of sexual assault, but it *was* written in the 90s.
It turned out to be less weird werewolf romance than I expected from the first few chapters, which I appreciate. Not sure if that element will come back in later books.
I like the worldbuilding and the characters. The worldbuilding especially; there’s a lot of details that aren’t important but are there anyway, giving the feeling of depth and a real world.
I’m not a huge fan of how some things or exposition suddenly Happen when relevant instead of being set up earlier.
The way the plot switches in the middle from being inter-Family politics & war to a quest for a magic artifact is a bit weird.
I’m not a fan of how every woman is Very Sexy and/or a victim of sexual assault, but it *was* written in the 90s.
It turned out to be less weird werewolf romance than I expected from the first few chapters, which I appreciate. Not sure if that element will come back in later books.
bookfairy99's review against another edition
5.0
���A phenomenal high fantasy novel; Holly Lisle blew me away. DIPLOMACY OF WOLVES is gritty, rough, realistic, violent, dark, sexual, romantic, intense, emotional, complex and thoroughly engaging. Just when I thought I had a firm handle on where she was taking me, the plot veered slightly, introducing a new dimension I hadn't expected. A brilliant start to what promises to be a wonderful trilogy. (A+)
tbd's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I can't believe I read this in middle school. There are so many disturbing things (see content warnings). All of the non-5 star reviews so far I agree with. Still going to read the other books in the series because I'm a sucker for adventure and magic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence, Stalking, and Rape
Moderate: Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Torture, Genocide, Classism, Abandonment, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, and Slavery
Minor: Child abuse, Sexism, Outing, Murder, Infidelity, Grief, Trafficking, Pedophilia, Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
ecooper99's review against another edition
5.0
���A phenomenal high fantasy novel; Holly Lisle blew me away. DIPLOMACY OF WOLVES is gritty, rough, realistic, violent, dark, sexual, romantic, intense, emotional, complex and thoroughly engaging. Just when I thought I had a firm handle on where she was taking me, the plot veered slightly, introducing a new dimension I hadn't expected. A brilliant start to what promises to be a wonderful trilogy. (A+)
deannasworld's review against another edition
4.0
I've never heard of Holly Lisle, but saw her book and took a chance. Really glad I did. Worth every minute I spent reading the book. It was complex and captivating, leaving me curious and wondering "what's next". Much better than I thought it would be, will definitely get the next book.
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jwells's review against another edition
I'm glad I kept reading this after an unpromising start. There were two rape scenes, and then it looked like it might turn into a fated mates shifter romance (not my cup of tea). Ry may still think that's the book he's in but I think he may find he's mistaken.
Mercifully, it's settled down into an epic fantasy without more sexual violence (in this volume at least) and with some interesting layers of plot. I'm glad I already have the rest of the series, considering how this one ends...
Mercifully, it's settled down into an epic fantasy without more sexual violence (in this volume at least) and with some interesting layers of plot. I'm glad I already have the rest of the series, considering how this one ends...
monzz's review against another edition
4.0
Pretty decent bit of fantasy, though since it was a new 'verse I was a bit confused on who everyone is supposed to be and the specific terminology they use. A strong female character is nice, but there are two more books in the trilogy to go!