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Before I start, a bit of a disclaimer. Tamora Pierce, especially the world of Tortall, is one of my favourites. In fact, I’d even go as far as saying it is my favourite fantasy world. I think, the thing with the Tortall novels, is that there’s some unspoken understanding that no matter what, the women are not to be ridiculed. It may take them some time to work their way into the respects of those in their world, but they’re unapologetically strong, which is something I have always connected with. It’s a pattern of sorts, with Tamora’s heroines. Each character has a flaw – usually somewhat relatable at that – and at some stage through their epic feats, they’re forced to face this flaw. Something, that isn’t all that different from real life. However, the same thing goes for their good traits. Each of the heroines has one which makes their entire identity. In the case of this Trilogy and Beka Copper, it is her determination.
In this particular series, we find Tamora mixes the world of police procedure (with gritty crime and punishment) in a fantasy setting, without trivialising the events by making it fantastical.
Book One: Terrier
“The Lower City is mine, its people are mine–its children are mine. If I find them that’s doing all this kidnapping and murdering, they’d best pray for mercy. Because once I get my teeth in ’em, I will never let them go.”
Beka Cooper, introduced with that dogged determination that becomes the key to her entire identity. Of course, there is more to her than simply that. However, what spawns from this determination is a dual-mystery that leaves you wanting more. Tamora, as always, introduced a flurry of characters that you begin to love, and hate, accordingly. Our main 3 (aside from Beka, that is), Tunstall, Goodwin and Pounce. Pounce, if reading the series in a non-chronological order, is someone you’ll have come to be familiar with, and its a great nod at the weaving of the world created with this series.
So often novels (especially those in a fantasy perspective) are about nobles and quests, and how quickly the male hero saves the day. It was intriguing (to say the least) to see what those who were less than, thought of the nobles. The use of slang creates a scene that you can relate with, yet manages to not make you uncomfortable or need to adapt to the entirely different language. Like the fact she often has a plethora of characters in her novels, she does it so lightly with emphasis just where it’s needed.
I will always suggest this particular series, to anyone. Regardless of age, it is a wonderful series, and it touches on all the different aspects a fantasy novel needs to be both impactful, and leave a lasting impression.
Book Two: Bloodhound
And, we return. Beka Cooper is back, as a Dog this time. However, she’s having a bit of a time finding a partner (I mean come on, no one would really satisfy after you’ve had Goodwin and Tunstall, would they?). I wouldn’t be surprised if – in real life – it had of been an elaborate plan to get them back as partners, but this is a novel and what the novel says, goes. So of course, it was not on purpose (nod-nod, wink-wink).
When she loses her latest partner, she winds up back in the very capable hands of Tunstall and Goodwin. (Yay)
[Insert criminal plot here], and we are away with the latest instalment of the Provost’s Dog’s Trilogy. There has been a release of coles (counterfeit currency) being released into the economy. (Which as we know, will spike the prices of everything, in time for winter, and due to a bad harvest that is especially bad). All signs point to the Port, and Beka and Goodwin ship off to a new District to find the source of the coles. (Woohoo for bada*s female duo’s!)
Tamora provides another, fast-paced, thrilling novel. Moving through the story-line, we find a cast of new characters (from Port Caynn, obviously), who offer different things to the overall story, and different things to Beka – and her inherent character development.
One thing that I was initially unsure about, was the love interest. After Beka being standoffish towards Rosto, to suddenly allow this person into her life, seemed a little weak, but overall, it did play out for the storyline (I suppose).
Other than that, the entire book was full of fantasy and wonder, world-building and character building and was another strong instalment into this trilogy, and the entire world of Tortall. Again, I would not hesitate to recommend this instalment to anyone.
Book Three: Mastiff
Ok, first of all. I hated the end. Alright, I loved the ending, but I hated the ending. I am entirely conflicted, and genuinely still think about it from time to time.
In the wake of a personal tragedy, Beka is called to a Hunt unlike any she’s known before, where not just a few lives but the well-being of the entire Realm depends upon her ability to find a lost child. Across miles and weeks, she’ll have to face slavers, raiders, nobles, mages, and fellow Dogs, memories and betrayal, hopelessness and injury, all with the same fierce dedication and loyalty that has named her in the past. Only this time? It may not be enough.
This book starts out us out with the funeral of Beka’s fellow Dog and fiance, Holborn. Three years have gone by since the end of the last instalment, and Beka and Achoo, have been making names for themselves as Dogs. Beka doesn’t have time to grieve after the funeral; she’s woken in the middle of the night and called to a Hunt where secrecy is of the utmost importance.
The Summer Palace has been attacked, and four-year-old Prince Gareth has been taken.
As with everything else in the world of Tortall, there aren’t really any easy statements. Despite Beka being adverse to it politics runs through every single move in this game. Inspired by his wife, the King has actually started ruling – and not just ruling, but ruling with a mind towards his common people. Of course, in a world rife with Noblemen and Women, this has won him enemies everywhere.
Even worse? They’re clever. No lower-class criminals this time. This time, they're prepared, and they have the means to fight back. Lives mean nothing to this enemy, and the body count starts around large and grows from there. Lucky for Beka, she isn’t alone (of course). She has Achoo, and Pounce, as well as Tunstalll, and a mage picked to join the party (One who play’s himself off as silly, but perhaps, this is but a common deception tactic). The last member of the party is Lady Knight Sabine (Tunstalls lover, and of course, a fighter of her own accord). Being Beka, she also has other companions: her dust spinners and ghosts who ride pigeons.
As found in both instalments before this, Tamora’s world is rife with detail and colourl Nothing is spared and everything is given its chance to be something of note in this series. One thing that I found intriguing was that when Beka’s tired, her writing falters. It was a way that the journal-ling became personalised, as someone who experiences the same time, I found it relate-able. Beka is a complex character, and with each passing page her identity does nothing but grow.
More so, she’s at a place where she truly has to question who she is and what she wants- and that’s because of Holborn (remember, the Fiance Dog, who’s funeral began this book). She tries her best to grieve (because, of course she knows she should), even though she’s actually a little relieved. Because if he’s dead, she doesn’t have to call of the engagement and face all those questions (you know, the ones you’d be facing IRL as well, yeah, those ones). Holborn, who she loved for a while, but didn’t like (it’s what my mother always says to me – as a joke of course! Whoops), and with whom she fought frequently, Holborn who felt threatened by her skills as a and died for trying to outdo her in turn. Which hey, you’d blame yourself a little for that wouldn’t you? Whether you should be blaming yourself or not.
I’m actually glad that this depth was added for Beka. She”s been moved into a place where she can grow. The growth, will take her anywhere she chooses to go, but that choice is entirely hers. She’s seen the worst of people, but she also knows sometimes, you just need hope. This very aspect shows how alive, and contradicting all the characters are.
Especially this instalment, we see something of the characters that we havent quite seen before. The mage brought in by Gershom, is both silly and smart, powerful but with the appearance and apparent attitude of a yokel (again, something that is definitely purposeful in the grand scheme of things). Tunstall is a seasoned Dog, pragmatic and cynical, with superstitions about all things (and his character is arguably the one that changes the most, and in the most unsuspecting way). Sabine is a noble and lady knight which of course, in this time (in Tortall) is one of the biggest contradictions there is. What’s I admire though, is Tamora’s ability to make us feel for these characters, to care what happens.
BUT, then the ending happens and I wont disclose that, in case some of you have yet to read this instalment, but I just, well I have no words. Page 490, brace yourself. It was cleverly done, with the hints being placed for a while. We cant be sure, but we want to be sure. We know, but we don't want to be right. I’d still suggest this book, just maybe... don’t get attached to anyone.