Classic Tamora Pierce. A girl is engaged in a fierce struggle to discover her rightful place in the world and to introduce justice into it.

Years ago, I was initially deterred by the epistolary format employed in this work. It happens to be one of my least favored formats for books. However, due to my admiration for Tamora Pierce, I decided to give it another try. And to my pleasant surprise, I truly enjoyed it.

If you have a penchant for characters like Kel, then you are bound to like Beka as well. Her story is filled with adventure, determination, and the pursuit of what is right. It takes the reader on a captivating journey through a world where justice is often elusive but never out of reach.

Tamora Pierce has once again proven her prowess as a storyteller, creating a character that is both relatable and inspiring. Beka's struggles and triumphs will resonate with readers of all ages, making this a must-read for fans of the genre.

This was only my second ever Tamora Pierce book, but I liked it even better than The Song of the Lioness.

The prequel world she has created here feels extremely lived-in. There are so many fun details that neatly tie into TSotL and presumably the rest of the Tortall series. However, at the same time, it manages to establish Beka Cooper's period as something distinct.

The running metaphor of city guards as dogs / puppies / terriers is not only cute but also quite poignant. It adds a unique flavor to the story and helps this book stand out from Terry Pratchett's Discworld City Watch novels, which it otherwise might have resembled a great deal.

While Alanna didn't manage to fully hook me on Tortall, Beka Cooper just might have achieved that feat. Her story is engaging, and the world she inhabits is rich and full of life, making me eager to explore more of it.

I'm looking forward to seeing where Pierce takes Beka's adventures in the future and how her character develops within this fascinating world.

Worried that her son George is hanging out with criminals, Mistress Cooper shares with him the journals of their long-gone ancestor, Beka Cooper.

Centuries before George became King of the Rogues, Beka was one of the Provost's Dogs, the city's watch, charged with keeping the peace. Just like her descendant, Beka is tough, possessing a prodigious memory and a fierce sense of loyalty.

After years of serving the Dogs as a runner, she is finally permitted to tag behind two well-respected veterans, Tunstall and Goodwin. She idolizes them, but it is difficult for her to learn that not even they can solve even half of the crimes they encounter, let alone all of them.

The story is told in a 1st person diary style, which is a little cumbersome, but it serves its purpose. The action scenes retain their immediacy, and Beka's personality shines through brightly.

review tbc

I have a deep affection for re-reading this series.

Each time I pick up these books, it's like embarking on a familiar yet always exciting journey. The characters feel like old friends, and I find new details and nuances in the story that I might have missed before.

The world-building is so rich and immersive that it draws me in completely. I get lost in the pages, forgetting about the outside world.

Re-reading this series also gives me a sense of comfort and nostalgia. It reminds me of the first time I discovered it and the emotions it evoked.

I can't wait to pick up these books again and again, and continue to explore the wonderful world that the author has created.

I really enjoyed the trilogy overall.

Maybe it's more of a 4.5 out of 5 book, especially if you only look at the surface of it, that is, the immediate pleasure of reading.

I firmly believe that these books are the perfect reading material for children, especially teenage girls. They are engaging enough and unobtrusively impart a great deal of modern social knowledge.

At first glance, it may seem like just a nice story about a girl growing up and having adventures with a touch of mystery added. However, these books actually analyze a plethora of current ethical issues such as gender equality and transsexuality, mostly by presenting them as the norm.

I think this is a far more effective way to approach such issues rather than explaining at length why we should embrace them.

The antipregnancy charms were a nice detail as well. Once again, they unobtrusively teach the reader that such things are the norm and should never be forgotten.

This trilogy not only provides entertainment but also serves as a valuable educational tool, making it a worthy read for young minds.

I initially thought that this book began at a rather slow pace.

However, as I delved deeper into it, it gradually became more and more interesting.

But around the middle, it seemed to me that the author lost the plot to some extent and had to introduce two random deaths.

I'm not entirely certain if these deaths truly contributed to anything other than intensifying Beka's anger.

Another issue I had was having to read so many new names. I really wished there were fewer of them.

All things considered, I firmly believe that Pierce did an outstanding job in writing this book.

And I am most definitely hooked and eager to continue with the rest of the series.

I can't wait to see what other surprises and adventures await in the upcoming installments.

It's safe to say that this book has left a lasting impression on me and has piqued my curiosity for more.

I highly recommend it to all fans of the genre.

Beka is a "puppy" who serves as a trainee police officer in the captivating land Pierce has crafted. This is the inaugural installment of a new series, and it is truly fabulous.

The mystery at its core is utterly compelling. Who could be so heartless as to kill babies and children for mere valuables? Beka and her "dogs" or trainers must solve this enigma with the aid of Beka's remarkable ability to communicate with animals.

There are numerous reasons why I have a deep fondness for this book. As previously mentioned, the mystery is outstanding. However, beyond that, the characters are masterfully developed. Allison's excellent narration further enhances the characterization, bringing the characters to life in a vivid and engaging manner.

Just like in many fantasy books, there are some fabricated words. Nevertheless, with the glossary provided at the beginning of the book and Allison's narration, they are effortlessly understandable. The journal format of the book adds an extra layer of interest.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book. Even if you're not already a Tamora Pierce enthusiast but have considered exploring her works, this would be an excellent choice to begin your journey.

It has the potential to draw you into a world of mystery, adventure, and unforgettable characters.

3.5 Stars

Tamora Pierce is truly one of my favorite authors. Her heroines are always such honest and well-rounded individuals who not only inspire but also subtly encourage young women. When I was just 10 years old, I discovered Daine and Alanna, and they opened up a whole new world for me. The characters looked like me and did things that perhaps I could do. They had their flaws, but not ones that were fatal, and they grew up right along with me.

Beka Cooper is yet another such young heroine. She grew up in poverty, no stranger to the ravages of fate. She has a small magic and an enormous determination to help those who grew up in the same circumstances as she did. I adored her friends and mentors, and even the few hints at old friends, although this book takes place about 200 years before those friends make their appearance. I liked the jargon that was introduced and the vivid world color.

However, the book makes a rather bold choice in using narration through journals, and to be honest, I don't think it really helped the story. There was a lot of build-up, and then a lot of "you couldn't have known this, but it solved the mystery!" type explanations after the fact. I suppose it makes sense in a journal, but it wasn't very enjoyable to read with very little foreshadowing. We knew who the culprit was less than halfway through, we just didn't know how to catch them in the act until, like magic, it was time! This wasn't my favorite, and I know Tamora is capable of writing better mysteries.

Also, the tone was rather strange. She's young, and the premise is that the police are officially called Dogs and the trainees are called Puppies. This isn't just slang among those in the profession; it's actually the name of their institution. When they're all on the same case, they participate in a Growl, and they all growl, and this is supposed to be a big community thing. So it should be a kid's book, right? But that's not the case. There are hints at adult content such as drug use, domestic violence, and rape threats, as well as institutional graft and police taking bribes (through the use of the Happy Bag!). So, as it is, it was a little unbelievable and had an uncomfortable mindset somewhere between a juvenile and a hard-bitten police procedural.

The writing was good, and the characters were lovely, but the story, tone, themes, and method of storytelling really got in the way of my enjoyment.

Tamora Pierce's books were truly like a ray of sunshine for me when I first discovered the enchanting Tortall universe. It wasn't just their uplifting nature that appealed to me. What really stood out was the fact that her protagonists were strong-willed, and sometimes even stubborn, female characters, a rarity in a genre where most fantasy novels centered around male leads. She fearlessly delved into the lives of teenagers, exploring themes such as sex, life-altering decisions, and the search for one's place in the world. As a teenager myself, I found this refreshing and incredibly honest.

Of course, like any work, there were some flaws. For instance, there was the glorification of colonialism and a tendency to focus solely on the elite class when telling stories. While the former was never fully addressed, she did attempt to mollify readers with this particular book. It is told from the perspective of a teenager who was born and raised in the slums of the city.

I really liked how we got to witness the lives of the poor in the universe that Ms. Pierce had created so long ago. This aspect truly elevated the book for me. Beka Cooper, the protagonist, cares deeply about the people she has grown up with and refuses to give up on the case of the disappearing children, even when others turn a blind eye.

Another thing that appealed to me was the gradual pace of the story. Most of her earlier books were relatively short, usually not exceeding 200-300 pages, and were filled with action, which made them enjoyable reads. However, this mystery took its time to unfold, and along the way, Beka gathered friends and unlikely allies who supported her. As an adult, I found this more believable and engaging.

That being said, there were a few things that annoyed me while reading this book. One was the use of vernacular. I understand that she was trying to depict the way someone from the slums would speak, but at times, the message was lost because I had to read a line twice to understand what was being said.

But what really irritated me was that I managed to figure out the identity of the child-killer quite early on! Oh well, I guess that couldn't be helped. Overall, despite its flaws, this book was still a captivating read that offered a unique perspective on the Tortall universe.

I truly, truly thought this would be a 2-star review. Honestly, it's probably more of a 2.5, but I found that I liked the story and the characters well enough to round up. In spite of that semi-positive assessment, I'm pretty sure I'm done with the series. There were a handful of things about it that bothered me, and they were small, but they stood out.

First of all, Beka unironically refers to her breasts as her peaches. She is a grown woman training to become a cop. This book is not a children's novel. It's written by a woman. Why, why, why would Beka use the term peaches? Repeatedly? That's something that your conservative grandma might say. I think it happens for the first time on the first page of her journal, and I was ready to shut the book then. I ended up just messaging my friend to make fun of it.

Secondly, at one point, Beka comforts her friend by calling him "Good Dog". It's cringe. It's very cringe. I understand that Dog is the term for their employment. But the "Good Dog" thing still doesn't work. Put "Good" in front of any other job title and imagine comforting someone by saying it. It's condescending and weird. I hate it.

Finally, the diary entries are so freaking long. There is no world in which I believe this girl is going to sit down and write 40+ pages a day in her journal. At one point, she mentions that she is going to condense things because she's tired or something. But I believe that entry was well over 40 pages. Do not make a book of diary entries and then make them 40+ pages. It just doesn't make sense.

Spoilers for all Tortall books follow:

I have a complex relationship with Tamora Pierce's Tortall books. The Alanna quartet, I found, was not as well-written as I had hoped. However, The Immortals were enjoyable, and Protector of the Small was an absolute delight. In fact, Kel has become one of my all-time favorite fictional characters. The Trickster's duo had its charms, but it also had some significant problems. And then there's Terrier, which, unfortunately, is my least favorite Pierce book so far. Pierce deviated from her usual style and used first-person narration. While this could have been interesting, the heroine, Beka Cooper, lacks humor, sass, and sarcasm. Her narration is dry and unappealing. What's more, making the first-person narrative into a literal diary was a big mistake. It leads to many clumsy and tedious sections where Beka is either explaining how she finds the time to write in her journal or describing her own appearance. The latter is especially absurd - who writes their hair color, eye color, and breast size in their diary?

The "mystery" in the book was also rather平淡. There were no surprise moments or twists that made me gasp. Even the big "twist" at the end was obvious from a mile away.
Finally, by the fifth series in the Tortall universe, it seems that Pierce was having trouble keeping things fresh. The previous four series all had young heroines who fought for justice and had sassy animal sidekicks, but each series had something new to offer. In Terrier, however, everything feels like a rehash of what came before. Beka's personality is similar to Kel's, but with less humor and more shyness. Her animal sidekick is the same as Alanna's. It feels like Pierce's formula has become outdated in this book. I think I'll stick to rereading Protector of the Small and skip the rest of the Provost's Dog trilogy.

Beka Cooper has a unique ability. She can hear the dead through birds.

This book chronicles her initial few weeks after joining the dogs, which is the police force. From the birds, Beka discovers that for several years, someone has been stealing children from the impoverished area of town. Now, adults who take up a job of digging are also being killed. Beka must strive to uncover who is accountable for these heinous crimes.

However, this book was truly long and dull. It seemed as if the story was making no headway. I'm astonished that I managed to finish it. There was a twist at the conclusion, but it wasn't overly difficult to figure out. Nothing particularly bad or outstanding happened to the main characters, aside from the happy ending. As a result, there was no cause to have any feelings for them. This implies that I wasn't emotionally engaged in the story. The only redeeming feature of the book was Pounce, Beka's cat. He was rather amusing. Honestly, I don't have much more to say about this book other than the fact that I didn't enjoy it. I can't even think of anyone to whom I would recommend it.