Terrier by tamora pierce

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I don't know what it is about Tamora Pierce, but when I get into Tortall, I don't ever want to leave.

My office building has a plethora of pigeons fluttering around it, and that, I think, added an extra dimension to reading Terrier.

I stopped reading this book on Friday, and the entire weekend I found myself longing for it, wishing I'd had the foresight to bring it home with me to devour.

Moreover, I truly desire a cat like Pounce to boss me around and dispense instructions.

It's as if Tortall has cast a spell on me, drawing me in and making me reluctant to return to the real world.

The combination of Pierce's captivating storytelling and the vivid imagery she creates makes the world of Tortall come alive in my mind.

I can't wait to pick up Terrier again and continue my adventures with the characters.

Perhaps one day, I'll have a feline companion like Pounce to keep me company and offer his unique brand of guidance.

Until then, I'll keep losing myself in the enchanting world of Tamora Pierce's Tortall.

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nethack

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I have an immense love for Tamora Pierce.

I recall attempting to read this some time ago but giving up during Beka's first day on the job. This was because none of the familiar characters I adored were present, haha. However, earlier this year, I snatched up all three books during a sale as I was determined to finally read them.

Beka is every bit as heroic as Alanna, Daine, and Keladry. I am enamored with her unique brand of magic and her attitude. Her magic, in particular - communicating with the dead via pigeons - is truly awesome. As always, Tammy weaves a rich tapestry of characters. Kora, Aniki, Lady Sabine, Goodwin, Tunstall - literally everyone - I loved them all.

"Terrier" is set two hundred years before the other Tortall books, with Beka becoming a member of the city guard, or the Dogs. While King Jonathan's Tortall remains the fictional realm I most desire to escape to, King Roger's is also quite remarkable. Technologically, it felt very much like the same world.

The plot does suffer from the same issue that every police procedural does - you can somewhat guess the villain from the start. Nevertheless, aside from that, I really enjoyed how it unfolded. I liked how Beka and the other Dogs were constantly interacting with the Rats and rushers.

And, of course, I adored Pounce.

This review was written for an island prompt in the Book Coven Pirate Challenge.

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byleth

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I absolutely adored this book. It was a unique combination of a police procedural and high fantasy, which made it truly captivating.

Set in the fascinating Tortall world, it had a light touch of magic that added an extra layer of charm.

I have the habit of reading while I work out, and this book was the first in a very long time that had such a powerful effect on me. It completely made me forget where I was and what I was doing. In fact, it made me wish that the workout session could go on for a lot longer so that I could continue indulging in this wonderful story.

The characters were well-developed, and the plot was full of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. It was a truly immersive experience that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a great read.

I can't wait to see what else this author has in store for us in the future.

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KieranBako

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Set before all the other Tortall tales, this is the captivating story of George's ancestor, Beka Cooper. It takes us back to the early days of Tortall, a place that is darker and less recognizable. Crime is running rampant, and yet, despite having endured a very hard life, Beka chooses to join the 'Dogs'.

The Dogs are a group of dedicated guards whose task is to combat crime in the city. As a puppy, Beka embarks on her training alongside the most talented guards.

Beka has a special desire to assist the people in the poorer areas. There has been an alarming increase in disappearances, more than what is considered normal. With her touch of magic, Beka has certain advantages as she endeavors to track down those responsible. However, it is no easy feat and will be extremely dangerous.

I appreciate that this installment presents a darker side of Tortall, with slavery and crime plaguing every corner. Beka, too, is a much different heroine. Having grown up in the slums and lived a relatively unprivileged life, she brings a unique perspective. I truly enjoyed this book, but I must admit that perhaps I still have a slight preference for The Immortals series.

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Cbxtheking

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

5 stars

This book is truly excellent. However, it took me a little while to get through it as I wasn't accustomed to the old English used within its pages.

The language presented a bit of a challenge at first, but as I persisted, I began to appreciate the beauty and charm of the old English. It added a unique flavor to the story and made the reading experience all the more special.

Despite the initial difficulty, I found myself completely engaged in the narrative. The characters were well-developed and the plot was captivating. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in exploring literature written in old English or who simply enjoys a good read.

Overall, it was a great discovery and I'm glad I took the time to persevere and overcome the language barrier.

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3jade

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

4.5

This was truly an excellent piece of work!

It initially took me some time to fully immerse myself in it because there were numerous characters and a fair amount of terminology to familiarize myself with. However, once I reached the 100-page mark, I became completely hooked.

The lead character was outstanding, and the supporting characters were equally engaging. The plot was highly interesting, constantly keeping me on the edge of my seat.

Although the way Pierce concludes her stories sometimes feels a bit abrupt, I actually prefer this to having them drawn out for too long.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable read, and I am eagerly anticipating the release of the next book in the series!

I can't wait to see what new adventures and challenges the characters will face.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an exciting and engaging read.

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Potatonoob

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Beka Cooper is a member of the newest class of Puppies to join the Dogs. The Dogs are the city's lawkeepers, patrolling the city day and night to combat crime. As a Puppy, Beka volunteers for the worst area in the city, the Lower City, and ends up with the most notorious Dogs from there, Goodwin and Tunstall.

Growing up in the Lower City, Beka witnessed a man leave her mother with five children and all she owned after her mother contracted Lung Rot. Beka pursued the man using her special abilities and, after reporting him to the Dogs, ended up disarming one of the biggest gangs of thugs in the Lower City. From that day forward, Beka's only desire was to be a Dog, and she joined as soon as she could, marking the beginning of her story.

I adore the world Tamora Pierce has crafted. Set in Tortall, this book follows a determined young woman as she navigates the most crime-ridden part of the city, driven by a sense of justice. Throughout the book, you truly feel the city's depravity and gain an amazing understanding of the people who live in this area - the fighters and survivors who will do whatever it takes to stay alive.

Moreover, the diverse cast of characters Pierce introduces in this book is both entertaining and engaging. From the Dogs who uphold the law to the Court of the Rogue (the city's thieves), people from all walks of life come together to battle a common enemy, the Shadow Snake.

United against a common foe, you see an unlikely group collaborating to catch a killer, ultimately disrupting the entire Lower City. This was a highly enjoyable read, and I was delighted to reenter the world of Tortall. I'm hoping the next book in the trilogy builds on this one and shows more of the interactions between all the different characters, as that was my favorite aspect of this book.

Even though I know Rosto is on the opposite side of the law from Beka, I firmly believe they would make an excellent pair. I'm glad this book didn't focus on romance, but I find it hilarious that he keeps trying to court her and she's so determined to say no, despite liking him. After all, what better way to maintain order in the city as a Dog than to date the new Rogue?

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CasualTroll

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I truly had a great affection for numerous plot elements within this book.

The aspects such as law enforcement and the pursuit of the villain, the presence of magic, and the ability to communicate with pigeons or dust devils to obtain correspondents were really fascinating and unique from my perspective.

The characters were excellent, and the murders that they were attempting to solve were captivating. Personally, I also did like the first-person journal writing style.

However, the problem for me was that the book was extremely long and provided an excessive amount of details. I believe that if the book had been abbreviated, it would have been significantly better.

I came across a humorous review that stated the author would write things like, “She knocked on my door 5 times. I put on all 3 items of my clothing, then I took 6 steps to the door. She was standing there with 5 rolls.” Obviously, this is an exaggeration, but it kind of illustrates the point.

Also, we spent a considerable amount of time building up to figuring out who the snake was and what house the diggers were in, only for it all to be wrapped up in just one chapter. There were no action details for those significant take-downs, despite there being so many minor details leading up to the final chapters.

I did appreciate the twist regarding who the snake was, and I absolutely LOVE ROSTO. I adored this book during my childhood, but I'm excited to continue reading to see what occurs with ROSTO and Becka. It simply took me a long time to get through this book, and I found myself constantly checking how close I was to finishing, so I wasn't enjoying it as much as I desired during the third quarter or the middle halfish.

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Beka Cooper #1

Terrier

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