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.


Book Description
All her life, Claidi has endured hardship in the House, where she must obey a spoiled princess. Then a golden stranger arrives, living proof of a world beyond the House walls. Claidi risks all to free the charming prisoner and accompanies him across the Waste toward his faraway home. It is a difficult yet marvelous journey, and all the while Claidi is at the side of a man she could come to love. That is, until they reach his home . . . and the Wolf Tower.


Card catalog description
When a stranger is captured by the Guards of the House and Garden where she has worked all her life as a slave and maid, sixteen-year-old Claidi helps him escape and sets out with him to journey to his home city through the dangerous Waste.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

All her life, Claidi has endured hardship in the House, where she must obey a spoiled princess. Then a golden stranger arrives,living proof of a world beyond the House walls. Claidi risks all to free the charming prisoner and accompanies him across the Waste toward his faraway home. It is a difficult yet marvelous journey, and all the while Claidi is at the side of a man she could come to love. That is, until they reach his home . . . and the Wolf Tower.

FROM THE CRITICS

KLIATT