The Shadow Lords are a peculiar Tribe. Whereas most werewolves are ever so happy to rend their enemies asunder, red in tooth and claw, the 'Lords believe in thinking things through and outwitting their foes. But because it's hard to write a convincingly smart and manipulative character--let alone an entire society of them--the Shadow Lords' portrayal is anything but consistent. On their best days, they're somewhere between Batman and John Constantine. On their worst days, they're Snidely Whiplash wearing a shirt from Hot Topic.

This book ... is not one of their better days. It's not an especially bad book, this, but it's not especially good, either. But if you really want to know what a Tribe of politically-minded werewolves would act like, you should read "The Prince," then the Red Talons splatbook, then go people-watching for an afternoon.