Time climbing Mt. TBR: 6 years, 9 months.

3.5 stars rounded up.

So, this book and its immediate sequel have been sitting on my To Be Read (Mt. TBR) pile for quite some time. When I started reading this one, it took me a while to truly engage with the characters. The constant use of the "dog" and "puppy" comments became a bit tiresome and annoying. However, as I persisted, I gradually found myself getting more involved in the story. By the end, I was truly eager to know what was going to happen next.

It was rather strange to read about George's great grandma being a cop, especially considering that he later becomes the ultimate robber. But then again, I can potentially envision some of the Rogue characteristics making their way into the Cooper bloodline. It adds an interesting layer of complexity to the story.

Overall, despite the initial hurdles with the characters, I ended up enjoying this book and looking forward to reading the sequel to see how the story continues to unfold.

I think this is the 3rd time (24gh Aug 2022) that I've reread this book. As always, Tamora Pierce doesn't disappoint. This series is one of my favourites, but I always say that of Tamora Pierce's work.

Just when I thought there wasn't much more to be done in Tortall, I heard about this book's release. (Prequels ftw!) I was hoping Beka would be a closer relative of George, maybe his grandmother or great-grandmother or something rather than what she is (6x great I think?). But it doesn't really matter over the course of the story itself.

After one installment, Beka is well on her way to being one of my favorites of Tammy's characters. (Although I highly doubt I could pick a favorite of her leading ladies, they all kick ass so hard and it's fantastic.) I LOVE her relationship with Pounce, and Tunstall and Goodwin are brilliant. Aniki sounds like an awesome friend to have, although I'm still not 100% sure about Rosto. I suspect that much will change in the coming books.

I think part of the appeal of this book was knowing that it was another Tortall adventure. I sincerely believe I will never get tired of this world. I wasn't sure what to expect when it came to the main character being a rookie cop, but the whole story was so well-written and I loved every bit of it.

One note: this was the first Tortall book to make me cry. That burial scene was a beautiful kick in the gut. All of the applause, Tammy! Thankfully I already own the next 2 books so there's no reason not to dive straight into them. I'm excited to see where Beka's journey takes her and what new adventures await in the wonderful world of Tortall.

This story is like a diary, meticulously detailing the very first cases that "Puppy" Beka Cooper encounters as a trainee on her path to becoming a "Dog" (which is equivalent to the police force in this society).

It all begins when her mentors embark on the investigation of the murder of the young great-grandson of the local crime boss. Beka has a connection to the toddler's mother, who gives her a peculiar stone during her visit. The boy's murder has the potential to ignite a turf war, presenting several possible suspects, and it seems to be intertwined with the strange stone.

Beka discovers through her ghost informants that someone is killing people after they unearth the valuable stones. She also becomes aware of other children going missing in this part of town, abducted by the "Shadow Snake". The diary chronicles how Beka and her fellow Dogs solve these two cases.

It took me some time to get engaged with this one, but I do have a penchant for a detective story that incorporates a supernatural element. Beka is a fascinating character. She can hear the whispers of ghosts being transported around town by pigeons, and she can pick up snippets of thoughts when she stands in the dusty whirlwinds in the town. Moreover, she has a cat that might just be a god. All these aspects assist her in her police work, but she is also extremely intelligent. I really like her. I might just add this series to the several others that I aim to complete over time.

2011: I have an intense love for Beka Cooper!

And I'm truly in awe of how Tamora Pierce consistently crafts such robust and independent female protagonists.

Beka has cherished the dream of becoming a Dog (a policewoman) for the better part of her life.

Now that she's a Puppy, being assigned her first watch with two experienced Dogs, she's overjoyed.

She's fortunate enough to get Tunstall and Goodwin, the best on Night Watch, and is extremely eager to soak up more knowledge about upholding the law.

Beka is also unique; she can hear ghosts on pigeons and communicate with dust spinners.

When trouble begins to simmer, Beka seems to be right in the middle of it.

Alongside her new friends Rosto, Aniki, and Kora, who happen to be on the wrong side of the law, Beka embarks on a hunt that she'll never forget.

After all, like a terrier, she refuses to release her prey.

This is an outstanding book, and I have the urge to reread it as the 3rd one is即将面世.

I simply adore Tamora Pierce and her books.

Beka is a strong, intelligent, and reliable character, yet still has a heart like everyone else.

Readers will admire her strength and then empathize with her feelings because Pierce makes her seem so real.

I love characters who manage to find a place in your heart because they feel like your friend.

My sister literally shoved this book into my hands and forced me to read it. At first, I was quite reluctant, but now I’m truly glad she did.

Tamora Pierce is a well-known and respected figure in the world of fantasy. The Beka trilogy is not her first exploration of the Tortall universe, but it is the first in chronological order.

Terrier is an extremely unique fantasy novel. It follows Beka, a guard in training, or a “Puppy” as she patrols the Lower City in search of criminals, or “Rats,” along with her trainers and the experienced “Dogs” Goodwin and Tunstall. Pierce uses a lot of slang in the book, which gives the world a distinct feel. Although the language took some time to get used to, it ultimately made the book very memorable.

The story provides a fascinating look at what goes on in a fantastical city while the hero is off on a grand quest to save the world. We get to see the city from the perspective of the guards, who are often overlooked and taken for granted.

The magic in the book hasn’t been fully explained yet, but for Beka, it is centered around human/animal connections. She has a group of animal companions and informants, including a magical purple-eyed cat and a flock of pigeons. Beka can understand her cat Pounce and the pigeons that carry the souls of the deceased. This ability comes in very handy as she protects the city.

The city itself is a complex and morally gray place. It has a designated poor neighborhood and a legal slavery scheme. The guards also take bribes and sometimes make friends with the very criminals they are supposed to arrest.

This is not the typical kind of fantasy book that I usually pick up. However, I found myself constantly drawn back to it, eager to solve the mysteries of the slave trade, the missing children, and the fire opal gems. Overall, I think Pierce’s writing style is very unique, and it has made me eager to explore more of the world of Tortall.

If you enjoy medieval-inspired fantasy, animals, the found family trope, and a relatable shy/anxious heroine, then I highly recommend that you check out Tamora Pierce’s books!

I truly relish this author's writing style.

It is both engaging and captivating, drawing the reader in from the very first sentence.

The way she portrays women and young people is particularly empowering.

She presents them as strong, capable individuals with their own voices and agency.

Her characters are not simply passive bystanders in the story, but rather active participants who are shaping their own destinies.

This is a refreshing and important perspective, especially in a world where women and young people are often marginalized or silenced.

Through her writing, this author is giving a platform to these voices and showing that they have something valuable to contribute.

I look forward to reading more of her work and seeing how she continues to explore these themes.

I've read this book an innumerable number of times.

Every single time, it has the power to draw me in completely and hold my attention captive.

Beka was like a guiding light when I was in the greatest need of someone.

This book, without a doubt, has shown itself to be truly wonderful to me time and time again.

I am constantly on the lookout for new and exciting details within its pages.

And now, the exciting news is that I get to reread the second one!

Yay!! I can't wait to embark on this new reading journey and discover even more amazing things that this series has to offer.

I'm sure it will be just as captivating and enjoyable as the first book.

I'm filled with anticipation and excitement as I pick up the second book and prepare to lose myself in its story once again.

What is one word I can use to sum up the book? Hmm... probably AWESOME! Seriously, there aren't a lot of books that can do that (at least for me). Beka Cooper is the most kick-butt, cool heroine I've encountered in all my reading days.

The book was just as good the second time around. At first, I was wary of reading it again, thinking it might not be as enjoyable this time. Obviously, I was wrong. I even caught myself looking ahead to see what happened, and then I would remind myself that I already knew what happened.

Pierce does an excellent job of letting you in on who the villains are a little bit at a time. The worlds she creates are so intricate that you start thinking this could be an actual place. I'm glad she did this series in first person, even though it is unbelievable that someone would go through all that trouble and be so detailed as Beka is in her journal.

The whole concept of Dogs and police work was really interesting and made this book even more original.

I'm simply itching to get my hands on the second book Bloodhound. Again, highly recommended!

Note to self: This needs a better review.

This was the last "for fun" book I got to read before I started teaching last winter. Ever since I arbitrarily grabbed the first of Tamora Pierce's "Circle of Magic" books off the library shelf two years ago, I've been completely hooked on the ways Pierce plays around with definitions of magic, power, heroes, and humanism.

All of this takes place within a medieval-ish context. It's not great literature in the traditional sense, but it is an incredibly imaginative world that kept me thoroughly entertained for several months. Tamora Pierce has a penchant for writing books in couplets or quartets. This allows readers to explore her magical worlds through different narrators and across time.

"Terrier" is her latest addition to a long line of books about the Tortall kingdom, although it is the first chronologically. It details the life of a common girl who has a burning desire to protect the slums where she grew up from exploitation and evil-doing.

The book offers a brutally frank look at the complexity of urban law enforcement. It makes you question who the real good guys and bad guys are. When is physical force truly required? Is the line between legal and illegal the same as the line between moral and immoral? And, in my opinion, the most interesting question of all: who *really* governs a city? Is it the guy in the castle, or the lord of the thieves? Which one does a better job of governing?

It's also a good old-fashioned detective story, perfect for those of you who are interested in that genre. A spirited and responsible young girl takes on the nastiest and most vicious criminal of her lifetime. Her only allies are a half-dozen criminals, some random wind gusts, and her trusty cat.

Beka Cooper, the "Terrier," shows great promise. She reminds me of Aly, the heroine of the Trickster couplet. I'm really looking forward to seeing more good stuff about Beka in the future.

**"Terrier" by Tamora Pierce: A Captivating Tale of Beka Cooper**

On September 30, 2014, I purchased "Terrier" as Pierce's stories had truly captivated my mind. This book is the first in the Beka Cooper fantasy series and centers around an ancestress of George Cooper from the "Song of the Lioness" series within the overall Tortall series. The story follows Beka Cooper, who has dreamed of being a Dog since she was eight years old. Set in Corus, the capital city of Tortall, it offers a unique look into the world of law enforcement.

The book is presented as a series of journal-like entries. It begins with entries from George Cooper's mother in 406 H.E., setting the stage for Beka's story. As Beka's own journal entries commence, we are drawn into her world. The Dogs have an interesting culture. They accept bribes, collect what's known as the "Widows and Orphans Fund," and don't focus on small-time criminals. While they can take a bribe and ignore it, it's better to follow through.

Beka will learn many valuable lessons. She'll discover the importance of friendship, especially when family turns away. She'll also experience an attraction to the forbidden in the form of Rosto. Despite her previous experiences with how men treat women, being around Rosto makes her feel things. The story is filled with engaging characters like Beka herself, the magical cat Pounce, and her group of Birdies. The various Dogs, Puppies, and other characters add depth and complexity to the narrative.

The cover of the book is visually striking. It features a metallic gold and copper design with pigeons flocking around a spare Beka. She stands on cobblestoned streets, wearing her tunic, trews, and boots, with her baton clasped across her hips and her hair braided. Dust spinners swirl about her, adding an element of mystery. The title, "Terrier," perfectly describes Beka's tenacious nature in pursuing suspects. Overall, "Terrier" is a fun and engaging story that will keep readers entertained from beginning to end.

This was my very first Tamora Pierce novel, and I have to say that I truly found it to be an enjoyable read.

It is the initial volume of a captivating coming of age trilogy, yet it stands out from the typical coming of age novels.

There are no lurking enemies within the same peer group, no petty jealousies to cloud the story. Instead, Beka Cooper has a wonderful mentor, two excellent tutors, and a whole host of friends from both sides of the law.

She is not confined to a school environment. In fact, she is being thrust into the deep end of the real world.

Moreover, she does not belong to the upper classes, nor does she have any aspirations of reaching that social stratum.

Beka is a trainee dog (police) in a medieval kingdom. She is spirited and tenacious, which is why she is called Terrier.

She also has an affinity with the spirits of those who have been wrongfully killed.

The driving force behind the story is Beka's intense need for justice and her determination to prevent more deaths.

At least in this novel, larger issues regarding the City, the nation, or the universe are not part of the equation. It is a police procedural set in a fantasy world.

This is not a dark book, despite the fact that poverty and violence have surrounded Beka since her birth.

In fact, the joys of friendship and companionship among the poor are beautifully brought to the fore.

The most fascinating aspect of the book is the relationship between the police and the underworld, which is one of co-existence within very specific bounds.

“Folk don’ trust a Dog what don’ get bought, Godwin told me. “You’re too good t’ be bought, they say thinkin’ maybe you got some other angle.”

“Or some other master. Then it gets bloody.”

For those from lands where such relationships perhaps belong to a distant past, let me share an anecdote.

Many years ago, a neighbourhood where a college Professor I knew lived was being plagued by regular thefts.

Tired of this situation, he, as always, looked around to see if any of his former students were in a position of authority.

To his delight, he discovered that the head of the local police station was one such person.

The Professor approached him and requested extra patrols.

The police officer asked whether he wanted extra patrols or an end to the thefts.

Quite puzzled, the Professor naturally chose the ‘no theft’ option.

Sure enough, during the tenure of that officer, there were no more thefts in that neighbourhood.

Of course, once he was transferred, the thefts resumed.