Dnf it was well written it has good concept I just don’t have the attention span ( )

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. ( )

I had such high hopes for this book. As someone who loves both fantasy and wolves, this series seemed like a perfect fit for my tastes... but instead, I admit I was tempted to abandon it at various points, and for the first time I can remember, I decided to simply actively skim whole chapters devoted to particular characters. That is, obviously, not a good sign for how I felt about the book as a whole.

On its surface, the concept here is simple--and I think that's where its power lies. For me, the chapters that focused on Firekeeper, her wolf companion Blind Seer, and their immediate companions were the heart of the work, and although I would have liked a bit more attention to be paid to Blind Seer--rather than him sometimes seeming only like a human voice in wolf form vs an actual wolf--those chapters felt engaging and true to the concept that made me pick up the book. Unfortunately, I'd say that half of this book was devoted to exploring court lineage and intrigue, to the extent of including full chapters focused on characters who, truly, the reader didn't need to get to know at anywhere near such length. The book would have been so much stronger if the writer had forced herself to stick to telling the story through chapters focused on Firekeeper and her immediate companions. Instead, however, it felt as if Lindskold wanted to spend time explaining every bit of world-building she'd come up with and every character's family--even if, in the end, they'd have no real effect on the story.

I suspect that, had this book been around 300 pages instead of near 600, I would have raved about it and immediately ordered the rest of the series. As things stand, I doubt I'll read anything more from the author. I do already have the second book in the series--I got it together with the first, I was so sure I'd enjoy this--so I may look at the book jacket and see if it sounds like there's a stronger focal point in the second book, but it's just as possible that I'll simply give the book away. This was an incredibly disappointing read, and I suspect the author was more interested in writing about court intrigue than fantasy, but thought this would be an angle through which to sell court politics. Certainly, that's how it felt. ( )

"Too many side characters&subplots. Darian Carter does not seem like a real person--one reviewer called him too damn lucky. I hope Lindskold does something with the UST she's built up w/ Firekeeper and Carter. Soon. Firekeeper is a damn cool character." ( )

I loved this book. The character of firekeeper was engaging and her understanding and interpretation of the people she encountered was fascinating. I loved how she was a loved and valued member of the wolf pack. I'm very eager to read the next book in the series. ( )