Having previously delved into some of Tamora Pierce's earliest literary offerings, I have now embarked on one of her more recent creations. To a certain degree, not a great deal has undergone transformation: it remains a female-centric YA fantasy (in fact, it inhabits the same fictional world as those earlier tomes).

However, there are some crucial disparities. The Alanna series struck me as rather foreseeable, whereas Terrier boasted a more robust and unified plot that never divulged more than the broadest of outlines to me. Of lesser significance, yet more conspicuous, is the fact that the book is composed as a succession of first-person journal entries. This device generally serves the story well, although certain elements of it prove repetitive and irksome. (I am utterly mystified by the blurb's excessive emphasis on this aspect; after all, stories that are better conveyed in the first person are so, and those that aren't, simply aren't.)

On the side of similarities, it adheres to the formula of featuring a strong young female protagonist, with magic playing an important, yet not central, role in the world and the plot. Beka is more of a rough-and-tumble character compared to other main characters, owing to her lower-class background, although she has managed to ascend the social ladder to some extent.

There is an indication that the conflict between her desires and those of her immediate family could receive more attention in a subsequent book; this theme is touched upon in a couple of scenes here, but is otherwise neglected. Pierce is not my favorite author by any means, but she is always more than competent enough to warrant a return visit, and I am eager to get my hands on the next two books in the series.

How have I never read Tamora Pierce?

Terrier features Beka Cooper, a streetwise young woman who is training to become a Provost's Dog. These are policemen with the investigatory skills of Sherlock Holmes and the fighting prowess of Batman.

Although her Training Dogs are reluctant at first, Beka soon shows that she is a capable champion of the law in the dangerous Lower City streets. But Beka has more than just quick hands and a quicker mind. She has a special gift - she can catch whispers of deception and murder that no one else hears. Since birth, the souls of the dead cry to her from pigeon back and the streets themselves release the melody of human voices.

Beka must use these gifts and rely on her friends to stop a new evil that is stalking the Lower City.

Terrier is the sort of book that I would have adored as a young teenager. It has a smart, strong heroine, an interesting world, lots of action, magic, and even a talking cat. What's not to love?

"It's not given to us to choose where we must walk, milady."

June 2017 - This is my third or fourth reread of this book, and I find that I love it even more than before. I never thought that was possible.

It is one of my all-time favorite novels, and perhaps my favorite series by Tamora. This really says a lot.

I am completely enamored with the world she has created, the unique language, and the slang used in the book. Everything about it is just perfect. Beka, the heroine, is definitely one of my favorites of all time.

I highly recommend this book to everyone, not just those who are fans of fantasy. My friends, get your hands on this amazing read. You won't be disappointed.

Trust me, once you start reading, you'll be hooked and won't be able to put it down. It's that good.

So, don't hesitate any longer. Grab a copy and immerse yourself in the wonderful world of this book.

I truly wish that this work had been crafted as a third-person novel rather than presented in the form of a journal. There are numerous logistical and stylistic concerns I have with journals as a medium. I can perhaps勉强 accept that Beka returns after a night of arduous exercise and then spends time writing thousands of words about her day. However, I am far less inclined to tolerate the grating writing style. Beka's "voice" comes across as stilted and overly matter-of-fact, making it seem like a low-quality YA fantasy penned by a debut author rather than a novel from an accomplished and fascinating writer whom I otherwise greatly enjoy.

Moreover, it contains an excessive amount of made-up cant. Everyone is referred to as a "mot" or a "cove," and they might have "peaches" (ugh). The running metaphors related to the Dogs, especially the growl, verge on being overdone. Additionally, it's challenging to gain a clear sense of Beka when she writes about herself. Her main character trait is shyness, and she has a tendency to underestimate herself. As a reader, it becomes less evident why people like Aniki, Kora, and especially Rosto take a liking to her so quickly when Beka is constantly downplaying her own attractions.

All in all, this would have been so much better if it were a novel. Aspiring writers, please ditch the journal as a device!

I did find several aspects of the book enjoyable. The plot was acceptable (if you've ever read an Agatha Christie novel, you can easily guess the murderer). The characters were decent (I liked the inclusion of a lady knight), and the relationships, such as they were, were okay (though never very deep). Overall, it's a less than thrilling Tortall book, which is a sentence I never thought I'd write.

I like Beka well enough, but the story simply isn't captivating my interest. Every time they mention Crookshank, my mind immediately drifts to Hermoine's cat. Beka not only has a magical god cat like Alanna, but she can also communicate with animals, including birds that house the spirits of the recently departed. I'm quite certain that at some point, she'll acquire a magical sword or bow, perhaps even a sword that transforms into a bow. And that whole puppy/dog thing is still far too strange for my liking.

As a result, I'm done with this particular series, and perhaps even this entire universe if the next Numair book never sees the light of day.

DNF @?

Here's my update from 12%:

1) This isn't George's mom but his many times removed great-grandma. Well, okay then.

2) The way they refer to themselves as puppies and dogs is really giving me the creeps.

3) Beka has a cat whose meows sound like human words, enabling it to talk, but only to those it desires to understand. Because, of course, she does. *sigh*

4) Crookshank. You know exactly who I'm thinking of. LOL

So, I'm having difficulty concentrating on this, and I'm not sure if it's because it wasn't who I expected it to be about, general apathy, series fatigue, or a combination of all of the above. I'm going to put Tortall on the back burner for the remainder of the year and give it another go next year. :)

I'm approximately a quarter of the way through this particular work, and I must confess that I'm not deriving as much enjoyment from it as I have from the remainder of Pierce's bibliography. I don't have any distinct grievances, aside from the unrelenting emphasis on the Dog/Puppy aspect, which strikes me as slightly peculiar.

7/29 - I'm still persevering through it. The story itself is decent, yet there's something about the narration that's impeding my progress. Perhaps it's due to its being in the form of a diary, which comes across as rather cumbersome. Not only that, but here are the epistolary layers:

Prologue:
- From the Journal of Eleni Cooper [a descendant of the protagonist]
- From the Journal of Mistress Ilony Cooper [the protagonist's mother]
- From the Journal of Matthias Tunstall [a main character, but years before the story is set]
- and then! Finally! The journal of the protagonist.

I had no inkling who these individuals were until I just retraced my steps to rummage through it, and it simply made the commencement of the novel seem disjointed, as if I was adrift even before I began. Segmenting the narration by day, sometimes multiple times within a single day, also gives the impression of disjointedness.

This is one of those books that Goodreads' algorithm recommended for me.

I threw it in my TBR when I still gave their recommendations the benefit of the doubt.

As is often the case with GR recommends, I'm not the right audience for this book.

This is some sort of boring middle-grade book about a rookie cop named Beka Cooper. However, in her world, cops are called dogs and rookies are called puppies. It just sounds dumb to me.

I decided to DNF (Did Not Finish) it at 14%.

I think the concept might have been interesting for a younger audience, but for me, it just didn't hold my attention.

The writing style seemed a bit simplistic and the story wasn't engaging enough to keep me going.

Maybe if I were a child or a big fan of middle-grade fiction, I might have had a different opinion.

But as it stands, this book just wasn't for me.

I'm glad I gave it a try, but now I'll move on to something more suited to my tastes.

It's like a police procedural, only with a unique twist. Instead of the typical crime-solving methods, this story involves the use of magic.

There are also pigeons, which play an unexpected role in the narrative. These pigeons seem to have a connection to the magical elements at play.

And then there's the sixteen-year-old rookie cop. Despite being so young, he has a natural inclination for solving cases. He is eager to prove himself and make a name for himself in the police force.

Together, these elements combine to create a thrilling and engaging story. The reader is drawn into a world where magic and crime collide, and the actions of the rookie cop will determine the outcome.

As the story unfolds, we see the rookie cop face numerous challenges and obstacles. But with his determination and the help of his magical abilities and the pigeons, he slowly begins to piece together the mystery.

In the end, we are left on the edge of our seats, wondering what will happen next and whether the rookie cop will be able to solve the case and save the day.

4.5

The Lower City is mine, and its people are mine - its children are mine. If I discover those who are responsible for all this kidnapping and murdering, they had better pray for mercy. Because once I sink my teeth into them, I will never let them go.

I adored this opening of yet another Tamora Pierce series! The journal and first-person format were truly captivating, as was the portrayal of Beka as an ancestor of George from Alanna's era. Let's find out how Tortall fared in the past...

First and foremost, Goodwin is MY HERO (just as she is for Beka), and I can't wait to read more about her. I relished watching Beka make and maintain a diverse range of really interesting friends (my favorites being Aniki, Ersken, and Kora), although I'm still a bit dubious about Rosto. Also, of course, Pounce is an excellent animal sidekick. I've noticed that Tamora Pierce has a rather alarming tendency to kill off her feline characters, so I was overjoyed that Pounce escaped a dreadful fate!

One of the coolest aspects of this book was the dual mystery (it's great that this is a book about law enforcement, so the whodunit plot and the pursuit of criminals seem very natural): Crookshank's fire opals and missing workers, and the hunt for the Shadow Snake. I was never completely convinced that Yates was the Snake, but I only figured out it was his mother a couple of pages before Beka! Beka's \\"fatal flaw\\" as a Dog, her crippling shyness and fear of public speaking, was a unique challenge to read about, as it's not something I've seen in many other heroines. I can't wait to witness how Beka develops and what awaits her in her next adventure!

This was such a nostalgia read for me.

It truly brought back a flood of memories as I delved into its pages.

It took me quite a bit to get through it, even though I do tend to like books that take their time to unfold like this one.

The slow pace allowed for a more immersive experience, and I found myself getting lost in the story.

It's still definitely meant for children, with its simple language and engaging plot.

However, I am glad to see that this was still an enjoyable read for me.

And, truth be told, I have a thing for the King of the Thieves, no matter the series.

His character always manages to capture my attention and add an extra layer of excitement to the story.

Overall, this was a charming and nostalgic read that I would recommend to both children and adults alike.

I love Tortall with an intensity that words can hardly describe.

I will never grow weary of this enchanting world or the rich tapestry of characters that inhabit it. It is truly a place that holds a special place in my heart.

Beka was one-of-a-kind due to her shyness, which was a refreshing departure from the norm. Usually, Pierce's heroines are the bold and assertive type, but Beka, while still badass in her own right, had a reluctance to interact with authority figures. However, this was compensated by her amazing group of friends, who were simply perfect.

Besides Beka, the real star of this book was undoubtedly Pounce. I have an absolute adoration for this cat! He was sassy and adorable, a combination that was simply irresistible. Pounce was not only helpful but also had a knack for making me laugh. He was truly a wonderful cat.

I also loved the mystery element of this story and learning about the law enforcement system of the Dogs. I firmly believe that Beka is going to bring about significant positive changes to the Dogs, and I am eagerly anticipating what the future holds for her and this captivating world.