Jane Lindskold

The character development was a bit wonky, particularly at the climax, but the plot was nice. I liked the emphasis on education over vigilantism. Learning through experience has plenty of value, as is also shown in the book, but good educators, book learning and solid classroom experiences can also help. I'm concerned that this is the end of the series. While we know in general where the Tree Cats and Sphinxians end up in relation to Manticore in general, and there's clearly a few future plots tied up in reasonably guessable ways, I'd prefer to see more of what's going to happen.

It was a good addition to the Honorverse series, and it's great to see Stephanie continue growing and working her way towards that giant portrait in Ranger HQ. It's still a bit sad, considering the "current" status of the Harringtons on Sphinx, when this book ends so hopeful. But it's a nice stand-in while we wait for another main series book.… (mer)

An old college friend recently informed me that her roommate Jane became a popular science fiction writer. I remember them both being huge sci fi fans and I actually tried reading a few books sci fi books while in college to see what all the hoopla was about.Actually never did see what the fascination was all about. But after 25 years I figured it couldn't hurt to pick up one of Jane's books and give the genre another try.
I've always been fascinated with wolves so I selected Through Wolf's Eyes. And while I did enjoy the whole girl being raised by wolves theme, which was the sole focus of the 100 pages of the book. In the next 400 pages the wolf girl becomes almost secondary to all the petty bickering between the members of the noble families striving to become the next monarch. And unfortunately, all this petty bickering just bored me silly.… (mer)

Parallel world fantasy with a trio of youngsters calling upon an oracle to help them in their quests, ending up with a trio of aged book club members.
Lindskold is a bit hit or miss for me, and this one is a miss. The worldbuilding is not engaging or believable, and while the idea of an ensemble cast with an unusual age
diversity is appealing, none of the characters are particularly convincing or engaging. And the continue use of pop cultural references, which I assume are meant as tongue in cheek funny, 1) falls flat, 2) is jarring and distracting from the plot and 3) interrupts progression of the plot for no good reason.

Diana Wynne Jones did a lot better in Dark Lord of Derkholm… (mer)