Bloodhound by Tamora Pierce

Title: Blood Hound

Author: Tamora Pierce 

Series: Tortall Lengend / Provest's Dog

Summary: Our terrier Beka Cooper takes on a new role. This time as a Bloodhound on a hunt. She follows the scent of colemonging  (counterfeiting) to a new city (Port Caynn), with a new partner, new allies and new friends. She also has a new Rogue to contend with, one who is a lot less hospitable than her own. 

Thoughts: The diary style in this is fabulous, there are even paw prints (from Pounce) to make it look more realistic (although I don't like the cross-outs then spell-rights). Bloodhound is also excellent for details. Slang, political structure, and all other logistics are planned and detailed (with a super-handy reference guide in the back). Pierce has created an entire world, and throwing the reader into it, explains it beautifully. We can know Tortall as well as our own country.  Beka is also the idea protagonist; smart, strong, shy. Taken away from the usual cast of characters for most of the book, the new characters take an interesting turn. Beka keeps her stern-but-kind mentor however nearly everyone else mainly featured is new (even a new pet!). A charming new "friend" and a new cast of rogue drag Beka away from her usual routine as facets of her we hadn't seen before come out. However for devoted fans the usual whip back in for a very satisfying ending. 

Cover: I really like the illustration but they've stuck the blue bands across the top and bottom (under the lettering), I would have preferred it treated like the first 0ne (they cut out the pigeons). Nice colour though, and Beka lacks the demon eyes this time. I also really like the metallic sheen to the covers.

Rating: 5 stars

PS: Stop by randombuzzers.com to see Tammy answer fan questions!

Challenge:  7/26 Pierce books read

Terrior by Tamora Pierce

Title: Terrior

Author: Tamora Pierce

Series: The Legend of Beka Cooper / Provest's Dog

Summary: Going back 200 years before the Song of the Lioness series, we visit George Cooper's ancesstress, 16 year old Beka Cooper is a puppy (rookie) for the Provest's gaurd (sorta like a medieval cop). She manages to get into the slums of Tortall, where she grew up. Paired with two of the best Dogs and a group of rogue friends she sets out to uncover the two biggest serial killers preying on the people of the slums. Once she has a case in her teeth, she won't let it go, becoming the terrior among puppies.

Thoughts: The story was lovely. Set back in the realm of Tortall (we see some things that will be familiar to readers of the Lioness quartet). We get a look outside of the Knights, and nobility into the life of the commoners. This book also had really great dog or slum slang Incorporated into it. I really liked the characters; we get all the Pierce usuals, a tough but fair mentor, a rougish friend/love interest, and our brave heroine. All have their own unique traits especially Beka who takes a step away from the usual bluntness by being painfully shy. I actually really hate diary format, but it was handled really well, without getting in the way of telling the story at all. There are a few excerpts from others diaries at the beginning, which were fine except one which had spelling errors that were supposed to be in keeping with the characters education. 

Cover: I really like the cover. Its lovely, and has a great coppery tone to it. Beka also looks really strong.

Rating: 4.5 stars

PS: First of my Tamora Pierce challenge. I've finished five by now. The new book in the trilogy Bloodhound is coming out and Pierce will answer reader questions here so ask away. ^_^

Challenge : I am an insane Tamora Pierce fan

I'm almost done my 50 book challenge so,

The Rules

1. I will read every published Tamora Pierce book (starting April 11)

2. I will reveiw each mini-series (exept Provest Gaurd, where each book will be done individually.

If anyone would like to try you can do all from both realms or a mini-challenge of either Tortall or Emelan (some people don't like both sets.

THE TORTALL UNIVERSE

Provest’s Dogs
1. Terrior
2. Bloodhound (not yet released)
3. Mastiff (not yet released)

Song of The Lioness
1. The First Adventure
2. In the Hand of the Goddess
3. The Women who Rides Like a Man
4. Lioness Rampant

The Immortals 
1. Wild Magic
2. Wolf-Speaker
3. Emperor Mage
4. In the Realm of the Gods

Protector of The Small 
1. First Test
2. Page
3. Squire
4. Lady Knight

Daughter of the Lioness / Trickster 
1. Trickster’s Choice
2. Trickster’s Queen

THE EMELAN UNIVERSE

The Magic Circle 
1. Sandry’s Book
2. Tris’s Book
3. Daja’s Book
4. Briar’s Book

The Circle Opens 
1. Magic Steps
2. Street Magic
3. Coldfire
4. Shatterglass

The Circle Reforged 
1. The Will of The Empress
2. Melting Stones

Ones in italics = complete

BTW new review coming up, sorry ^_^