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Beka Cooper #3
Mastiff
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction (2011)The Hunt is on!
Three years have passed since Beka Cooper almost died in the sewers of Port Caynn, and she is now a respected member of the Provost's Guard. But her life takes an unexpected turn when her fiancé is killed on a slave raid. Beka is faced with a mixture of emotions as, unbeknownst to many, she was about to call the engagement off.
It is as Beka is facing these feelings that Lord Gershom appears at her door. Within hours, Beka; her partner, Tunstall; her scent hound, Achoo; and an unusual but powerful mage are working on an extremely secretive case that threatens the future of the Tortallan royal family, and therefore the entire Tortallan government. As Beka delves deeper into the motivations of the criminals she now Hunts, she learns of deep-seated political dissatisfaction, betrayal, and corruption. These are people with power, money, and influence. They are able to hire the most skilled of mages, well versed in the darkest forms of magic. And they are nearly impossible to identify.
This case - a Hunt that will take her to places she's never been - will challenge Beka's tracking skills beyond the city walls, as well as her ability to judge exactly whom she can trust with her life and country's future.
Three years have passed since Beka Cooper almost died in the sewers of Port Caynn, and she is now a respected member of the Provost's Guard. But her life takes an unexpected turn when her fiancé is killed on a slave raid. Beka is faced with a mixture of emotions as, unbeknownst to many, she was about to call the engagement off.
It is as Beka is facing these feelings that Lord Gershom appears at her door. Within hours, Beka; her partner, Tunstall; her scent hound, Achoo; and an unusual but powerful mage are working on an extremely secretive case that threatens the future of the Tortallan royal family, and therefore the entire Tortallan government. As Beka delves deeper into the motivations of the criminals she now Hunts, she learns of deep-seated political dissatisfaction, betrayal, and corruption. These are people with power, money, and influence. They are able to hire the most skilled of mages, well versed in the darkest forms of magic. And they are nearly impossible to identify.
This case - a Hunt that will take her to places she's never been - will challenge Beka's tracking skills beyond the city walls, as well as her ability to judge exactly whom she can trust with her life and country's future.
596 pages, Hardcover
First published October 25, 2011
About the author
Tamora Pierce
129 books84.4k followersHey, folks! I just discovered that apparently I have given some very popular books single-star ratings--except I haven't. How do I know I haven't? Because I haven't read those books at all. So before you go getting all hacked off at me for trashing your favorites, know that I've written GoodReads to find out what's going on.
I return to my regularly scheduled profile:
Though I would love to join groups, I'm going to turn them all down. I just don't have the time to take part, so please don't be offended if I don't join your group or accept an invitation. I'm not snooty--I'm just up to my eyeballs in work and appearances!
Also, don't be alarmed by the number of books I've read. When I get bored, I go through the different lists and rediscover books I've read in the past. It's a very evil way to use up time when I should be doing other things. Obviously, I've read a lot of books in 54 years!
I was born in South Connellsville, PA. My mother wanted to name me "Tamara" but the nurse who filled out my birth certificate misspelled it as "Tamora". When I was 8 my family moved to California, where we lived for 6 years on both sides of the San Francisco peninsula.
I started writing stories in 6th grade. My interest in fantasy and science fiction began when I was introduced to ‘The Lord of the Rings’ by J. R. R. Tolkien and so I started to write the kind of books that I was reading. After my parents divorced, my mother took my sisters and me back to Pennsylvania in 1969. There I went to Albert Gallatin Senior High for 2 years and Uniontown Area Senior High School for my senior year.
After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, I wrote the book that became The Song of the Lioness fantasy quartet. I sold some articles and 2 short stories and wrote reviews for a martial arts movie magazine. At last the first book of the quartet, Alanna: The First Adventure was published by Atheneum Books in 1983.
Tim Liebe, who became my Spouse-Creature, and I lived in New York City with assorted cats and two parakeets from 1982 - 2006. In 2006 we moved to Syracuse, New York, where we live now with assorted cats, a number of squirrels, birds, raccoons, skunks, opossums, and woodchucks visiting our very small yard. As of 2011, I have 27 novels in print, one short story collection, one comic book arc ("White Tiger: A Hero's Compulsion") co-written with Tim, and a short story anthology co-editing credit. There's more to come, including a companion book to the Tortall `verse. So stay tuned!
I return to my regularly scheduled profile:
Though I would love to join groups, I'm going to turn them all down. I just don't have the time to take part, so please don't be offended if I don't join your group or accept an invitation. I'm not snooty--I'm just up to my eyeballs in work and appearances!
Also, don't be alarmed by the number of books I've read. When I get bored, I go through the different lists and rediscover books I've read in the past. It's a very evil way to use up time when I should be doing other things. Obviously, I've read a lot of books in 54 years!
I was born in South Connellsville, PA. My mother wanted to name me "Tamara" but the nurse who filled out my birth certificate misspelled it as "Tamora". When I was 8 my family moved to California, where we lived for 6 years on both sides of the San Francisco peninsula.
I started writing stories in 6th grade. My interest in fantasy and science fiction began when I was introduced to ‘The Lord of the Rings’ by J. R. R. Tolkien and so I started to write the kind of books that I was reading. After my parents divorced, my mother took my sisters and me back to Pennsylvania in 1969. There I went to Albert Gallatin Senior High for 2 years and Uniontown Area Senior High School for my senior year.
After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, I wrote the book that became The Song of the Lioness fantasy quartet. I sold some articles and 2 short stories and wrote reviews for a martial arts movie magazine. At last the first book of the quartet, Alanna: The First Adventure was published by Atheneum Books in 1983.
Tim Liebe, who became my Spouse-Creature, and I lived in New York City with assorted cats and two parakeets from 1982 - 2006. In 2006 we moved to Syracuse, New York, where we live now with assorted cats, a number of squirrels, birds, raccoons, skunks, opossums, and woodchucks visiting our very small yard. As of 2011, I have 27 novels in print, one short story collection, one comic book arc ("White Tiger: A Hero's Compulsion") co-written with Tim, and a short story anthology co-editing credit. There's more to come, including a companion book to the Tortall `verse. So stay tuned!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,757 reviews
April 30, 2015
You know, I finished this a couple days ago, and I'm *still* upset about the 'twist' that both completely blindsided me and threw me out of the story altogether. The only reason I can really give this book as many stars as I did is Farmer, sad to say (I have finally found a character to rival George Cooper in my affections). The cheap shock value of the twist is going to color my subsequent re-reads of the series. I just...I think Ms. Pierce did the character in question a huge disservice, and I was left feeling rather hollow and disbelieving.
Not to mention I would've liked the final novel of Beka's series to include more of the cast we've come to love (I expected Rosto at least to play a bigger role than he did). And I don't feel this novel was quite as character-driven as it could have been. Plus...the fact that Beka had a fiance, and a fiance who was verbally abusive to boot (why on Earth would she put up with that????), still doesn't quite jive with me, perhaps due to the way the relationship was presented to us.
...I know I'm making it sound like I didn't enjoy the book. I did! Very much, in fact. But the problems are hard to ignore, unfortunately.
Not to mention I would've liked the final novel of Beka's series to include more of the cast we've come to love (I expected Rosto at least to play a bigger role than he did). And I don't feel this novel was quite as character-driven as it could have been. Plus...the fact that Beka had a fiance, and a fiance who was verbally abusive to boot (why on Earth would she put up with that????), still doesn't quite jive with me, perhaps due to the way the relationship was presented to us.
...I know I'm making it sound like I didn't enjoy the book. I did! Very much, in fact. But the problems are hard to ignore, unfortunately.
December 17, 2020
2020 reread:
I reread it again and it’s SUCH a good ending! It answers a question I never thought to ask: why is Tortall so progressive when it’s surrounded by so many countries with slavery?
Also, George Cooper’s POV opening and closing of the series is *chefs kiss*! I would love to read all of HIS diaries!
I want to say something about Rosto. Yes, I would’ve loved it if they got together but the fact that they didn’t is a very big part of how Beka’s character was set up.
There is also a very common trope(? Cliche?) of women falling for the first flashy character they encounter in a story/movie/ show. Tamora Pierce has shown in this and other series that she won’t always go that route. It’s actually refreshing to me.
So, Beka didn’t end up with the first nor the second nor the longtime (rogue) friend who had a thing for her. You see now why she couldn’t end up with him? That would’ve in a way been a rewrite of Alana’s and George Cooper’s story.
I’m glad to see a happily ever after where the girl doesn’t end up with “the one” on the first try.
————————
Is it just me or is there something wrong with Beka's head?
Right there! On the cover.
It looks like something you'd see in a horror flick...
I reread it again and it’s SUCH a good ending! It answers a question I never thought to ask: why is Tortall so progressive when it’s surrounded by so many countries with slavery?
Also, George Cooper’s POV opening and closing of the series is *chefs kiss*! I would love to read all of HIS diaries!
I want to say something about Rosto. Yes, I would’ve loved it if they got together but the fact that they didn’t is a very big part of how Beka’s character was set up.
There is also a very common trope(? Cliche?) of women falling for the first flashy character they encounter in a story/movie/ show. Tamora Pierce has shown in this and other series that she won’t always go that route. It’s actually refreshing to me.
So, Beka didn’t end up with the first nor the second nor the longtime (rogue) friend who had a thing for her. You see now why she couldn’t end up with him? That would’ve in a way been a rewrite of Alana’s and George Cooper’s story.
I’m glad to see a happily ever after where the girl doesn’t end up with “the one” on the first try.
————————
Is it just me or is there something wrong with Beka's head?
Right there! On the cover.
It looks like something you'd see in a horror flick...
March 10, 2016
The final Beka book is probably my favorite. Oddly it begins with Beka mourning the loss of her Dog lover. And goes on to become a true classic quest. There is Beka (shall we call her the ranger?), a mage, a paladin, and a rogue. I didn't realize this until this most recent reread. Pierce has fun with the tropes and delves once more into the horrors of the common folk in medieval times (basically). It's nice to see a fantasy that doesn't glorify nobility to the expense of all reality. For those of you who, like me, yearn for a happy ever after, don't you worry. Beka gets that too. But then if you've read the Alanna books you already know that, for we have all met her marvelous long after progeny.
(And yes, before you ask, George Cooper is my ideal man. So there.)
(And yes, before you ask, George Cooper is my ideal man. So there.)
December 23, 2011
You know, the more I think about this book, the less I like it. I was bored for the first 400 pages, then it got good for about 100, then it got horrifically bad, then it ended, then there was a stupid epilogue.
I don't usually post negative reviews, especially of authors who had a major role in shaping me as a reader and writer. Tamora Pierce's Tortall books--the first two quartets, at least--singlehandedly turned me into a lifelong reader. Maybe that's why I was so disappointed in MASTIFF.
My biggest complaint, obviously, was the Tunstall betrayal. I didn't buy it. I still don't. The character at the end of this book is not the same character we've loved for 1200 pages. You can't just take a shining upstanding character and turn him into a traitor. You have to lay groundwork. You have to explain the betrayal before the reader realizes it's happening, otherwise it's just going to come off as a cheap, desperate plot device.
Secondly, this ENTIRE SERIES, including the beginning of MASTIFF, has been leading up to some sort of resolution between Rosto and Beka. We're cheated out of it. Rosto appears on maybe three pages, and instead we're given a relationship that is satisfying but WAY too fast and, again, not really authentic.
I could go on--about the mediocre pacing, the occasional anachronistic language, and the general lack of energy--but honestly, I think my time is better spent finding something better to read.
I don't usually post negative reviews, especially of authors who had a major role in shaping me as a reader and writer. Tamora Pierce's Tortall books--the first two quartets, at least--singlehandedly turned me into a lifelong reader. Maybe that's why I was so disappointed in MASTIFF.
My biggest complaint, obviously, was the Tunstall betrayal. I didn't buy it. I still don't. The character at the end of this book is not the same character we've loved for 1200 pages. You can't just take a shining upstanding character and turn him into a traitor. You have to lay groundwork. You have to explain the betrayal before the reader realizes it's happening, otherwise it's just going to come off as a cheap, desperate plot device.
Secondly, this ENTIRE SERIES, including the beginning of MASTIFF, has been leading up to some sort of resolution between Rosto and Beka. We're cheated out of it. Rosto appears on maybe three pages, and instead we're given a relationship that is satisfying but WAY too fast and, again, not really authentic.
I could go on--about the mediocre pacing, the occasional anachronistic language, and the general lack of energy--but honestly, I think my time is better spent finding something better to read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2016
I. LOVE. THIS. TRILOGY.
In the first book, we see Beka learning the ropes alongside Goodwin and Tunstall. In book two, she goes on a Hunt with Goodwin, and by this book, she's partnered with Tunstall since Goodwin . So it's familiar territory. And where, with Bloodhound, I'd wrangled a hunch early on, this kept me guessing up until the reveal (literally the last fifty pages, they were insane), aside from a few sneaking suspicions about a few secondary characters. But the Cat (Pounce Master Saucebox is his forever name) really steals the show in this book, especially in the end. Gods I can't wait to get him immortalized in my next tattoo, ugh <3
And for any of you keeping track, there was one instance where I ought to have bawled my eyes out, and another where this poor paperback would otherwise have been thrown across the room. Just so y'all are forewarned ;) BUT IT'S FANTASTIC AND IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THIS TRILOGY YOU'RE SO MISSING OUT. Beka might be my new favorite Tortallan heroine. idk I have to reread the Aly duology here pretty soon, I haven't read her books in years.
I will also say that it took a good while for me to warm up to Farmer. He crept up on me like... I dunno. Like the relationship I'm in (and have been in for the past 4+ years), I suppose. His presence was always very calming and steady, a good guy to have around. I didn't feel like he and Beka had real chemistry, but I think that's because the romance was never really thrown in your face-- that is, Beka was never nervous around him or visibly crushing on him or anything like that. So that was really refreshing, I think. They make a good pair, and I LOVE that
Happy sighs. Now I want to reread this trilogy all over again <3
In the first book, we see Beka learning the ropes alongside Goodwin and Tunstall. In book two, she goes on a Hunt with Goodwin, and by this book, she's partnered with Tunstall since Goodwin . So it's familiar territory. And where, with Bloodhound, I'd wrangled a hunch early on, this kept me guessing up until the reveal (literally the last fifty pages, they were insane), aside from a few sneaking suspicions about a few secondary characters. But the Cat (
And for any of you keeping track, there was one instance where I ought to have bawled my eyes out, and another where this poor paperback would otherwise have been thrown across the room. Just so y'all are forewarned ;) BUT IT'S FANTASTIC AND IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THIS TRILOGY YOU'RE SO MISSING OUT. Beka might be my new favorite Tortallan heroine. idk I have to reread the Aly duology here pretty soon, I haven't read her books in years.
I will also say that it took a good while for me to warm up to Farmer. He crept up on me like... I dunno. Like the relationship I'm in (and have been in for the past 4+ years), I suppose. His presence was always very calming and steady, a good guy to have around. I didn't feel like he and Beka had real chemistry, but I think that's because the romance was never really thrown in your face-- that is, Beka was never nervous around him or visibly crushing on him or anything like that. So that was really refreshing, I think. They make a good pair, and I LOVE that
Happy sighs. Now I want to reread this trilogy all over again <3
March 2, 2019
LOVED this trilogy. The Beka Cooper books have a strong finish. Mastiff is particularly well crafted, with an exciting plot, excellent character growth, and some truly heartbreaking developments. I'm sad to see the trilogy come to an end -- I want more time with these characters!
(My wrap-up of the full trilogy is posted at Bookshelf Fantasies.
(My wrap-up of the full trilogy is posted at Bookshelf Fantasies.
November 26, 2011
UPDATE 2/16/11:
HALLELUJAH a release date has been set! OCTOBER 25 2011, I await you eagerly!
UPDATE 1/1/11: But wait- what's this? According to Tamora Pierce's website MASTIFF will be published in 2011 after all! November...hopefully! :D
UPDATE 10/19/10: OH NO just read an Oct 2010 interview with Tamora Pierce and she says the release date has been pushed back to Spring 2012! Why oh why? If 2012, then when's the book after MASTIFF (different series, but still!) going to be released? Oh, the anticipation, it just kills me, it does. BUT. Work hard and stay healthy above all, Ms. Pierce!
OHHHHHHHHHH MAN I want to read this book with a vengeance! Why so far away, release date? Why so unspecific, release date? Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.
HALLELUJAH a release date has been set! OCTOBER 25 2011, I await you eagerly!
UPDATE 1/1/11: But wait- what's this? According to Tamora Pierce's website MASTIFF will be published in 2011 after all! November...hopefully! :D
UPDATE 10/19/10: OH NO just read an Oct 2010 interview with Tamora Pierce and she says the release date has been pushed back to Spring 2012! Why oh why? If 2012, then when's the book after MASTIFF (different series, but still!) going to be released? Oh, the anticipation, it just kills me, it does. BUT. Work hard and stay healthy above all, Ms. Pierce!
OHHHHHHHHHH MAN I want to read this book with a vengeance! Why so far away, release date? Why so unspecific, release date? Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.
December 14, 2016
I did enjoy this book, though it was somewhat disappointing. Beka makes a good protagonist, though not quite as good as Kel, but my favorite character in this series is still Pounce. The almost total absence of characters like Erskan, Goodwin, and Beka's rogue friends lessens the books ability to provide a satisfying conclusion to the series.
Tunstall's betrayal caught me off guard, but not in the pleasant, "Oh-ho! Now I see what you were doing, you clever author!" kind of way. More like the, "Hey! This isn't consistent with my understanding of the story!" kind of way. I felt like there wasn't enough of a lead-up to it, and it (at least partially) undermined the attachment to the character Pierce builds for us in the earlier books. He deserved better than to be killed off as a clumsily tragic/climactic plot device.
Also, I was irritated by Master Farmer. Not that the mage's character was unpleasant or poorly developed; I've just been a firm supporter of Team Rosto from book one. Having a new wonder man pop out of nowhere just when we'd gotten Dale safely bundled off felt a great deal like cheating. Pierce's mages are generally also overpowered, since they can heal AND evoke AND still wear armor. As a DM who works hard in keeping his games balanced, I do not approve. I also think that the flashy magic distracted from the grittier and more interesting aspects of Dog work and Beka's own powers.
That said, Pierce always spins a good yarn. Like Achoo, one wants to follow the trail to its finish. The cameo appearances by the Black God and George Cooper were also appreciated.
Tunstall's betrayal caught me off guard, but not in the pleasant, "Oh-ho! Now I see what you were doing, you clever author!" kind of way. More like the, "Hey! This isn't consistent with my understanding of the story!" kind of way. I felt like there wasn't enough of a lead-up to it, and it (at least partially) undermined the attachment to the character Pierce builds for us in the earlier books. He deserved better than to be killed off as a clumsily tragic/climactic plot device.
Also, I was irritated by Master Farmer. Not that the mage's character was unpleasant or poorly developed; I've just been a firm supporter of Team Rosto from book one. Having a new wonder man pop out of nowhere just when we'd gotten Dale safely bundled off felt a great deal like cheating. Pierce's mages are generally also overpowered, since they can heal AND evoke AND still wear armor. As a DM who works hard in keeping his games balanced, I do not approve. I also think that the flashy magic distracted from the grittier and more interesting aspects of Dog work and Beka's own powers.
That said, Pierce always spins a good yarn. Like Achoo, one wants to follow the trail to its finish. The cameo appearances by the Black God and George Cooper were also appreciated.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2012
The king's only son is kidnapped, and Beka Cooper and her partner Tunstall are charged with finding him. From the first, it's clear that this was an inside job, and as the case continues, more and more obstacles are thrown in the Dogs' way. They must battle through swamps, ambushes, and controlling nobles. But at least they've got help: Tunstall's lover, the lady knight Sabine, Cooper's scent-hound Achoo, her powerful friend Pounce, and a mage named Farmer.
This was my least favorite of the Cooper/Dog series, for two reasons. One, the characterization felt unnatural. I liked Farmer, but I would have liked him a lot more if it Pierce hadn't made him so perfect in so many ways. Plus, I missed all of Beka's friends: Goodwin, Rosto, Tansy, Anika, Kora, Ersken, etc.
And two, the ending was a anti-climax mixed with unbelievable plot twists, which is a terrible combination. If I don't get climactic show downs, I want it to be because the author has decided to be realistic and gritty--not because the author wants to tie up all the loose ends as quickly as possible, with little imput from the main character. Instead, we got And then the crowd starts chanting "mastiff" at Beka, which comes out of *nowhere*. No where has anyone called her mastiff before, and she's nothing like a mastiff in personality or performance. Apparently the crowd just randomly assigns dog nicknames to people, in unison.
This was my least favorite of the Cooper/Dog series, for two reasons. One, the characterization felt unnatural. I liked Farmer, but I would have liked him a lot more if it Pierce hadn't made him so perfect in so many ways. Plus, I missed all of Beka's friends: Goodwin, Rosto, Tansy, Anika, Kora, Ersken, etc.
And two, the ending was a anti-climax mixed with unbelievable plot twists, which is a terrible combination. If I don't get climactic show downs, I want it to be because the author has decided to be realistic and gritty--not because the author wants to tie up all the loose ends as quickly as possible, with little imput from the main character. Instead, we got And then the crowd starts chanting "mastiff" at Beka, which comes out of *nowhere*. No where has anyone called her mastiff before, and she's nothing like a mastiff in personality or performance. Apparently the crowd just randomly assigns dog nicknames to people, in unison.
November 11, 2011
"Mastiff is a somewhat disappointing conclusion to Tamora Pierce's Beka Cooper series. I liked this entry better than the previous book in the trilogy, but neither approached the quality of the first book. There are many interesting and entertaining elements here—I enjoyed seeing how magic can be used for detective work and forensic investigation and was charmed by the new member of Beka's hunt team, but the book feels somewhat slap-dash despite its length and it has a number of odd inconsistencies that the editor should have flagged. More time for the author to revise and a stronger editor would have made for a stronger narrative. The controversial subplot that is receiving extensive criticism in other reviews felt unnecessary and contrived.
Beka is strong, kind, intelligent and has incorruptible integrity. It is a pleasure to spend more time with her, but she shines best in the lower city, which does not enter into this story at all. I realize that the writer had a serious message about the degradation and dehumanization caused by slavery, but the level of violence used to convey that message makes this excursion to Tortall rather off-putting. This book, even more than the other two in the trilogy, is more suitable for adults and older teenagers than for younger readers.
Beka is strong, kind, intelligent and has incorruptible integrity. It is a pleasure to spend more time with her, but she shines best in the lower city, which does not enter into this story at all. I realize that the writer had a serious message about the degradation and dehumanization caused by slavery, but the level of violence used to convey that message makes this excursion to Tortall rather off-putting. This book, even more than the other two in the trilogy, is more suitable for adults and older teenagers than for younger readers.
August 4, 2017
OH SHIT!! This was far and away the best Beka Cooper book, probably because there is no continuity of character, tone, or content between the last book and this one. This almost reads like an entirely different series, one more grounded in Tortall with fewer extraneous characters and a defined quest narrative that I could get behind. Even the journal device has improved: this reads like a first-person novel, rather than a "journal." If you liked the first two Beka Cooper books (I mostly didn't) then you may have the opposite reaction to this last installment.
I've been pondering why this series is so uneven. Is it because it's a trilogy, rather than Pierce's usual quartet? Is it because she no longer gets edited as heavily? I also did not care for the too-long two-part Trickster's Choice series, so it's possible that the explosion in YA fantasy (and the removal of length restrictions) has not particularly played to Pierce's strengths. I like the more compact quartets, and I don't know if I've really enjoyed any of Pierce's longer books.
Anyway! I have so many thoughts on this. I loved the plot of this book, which takes Beka and her partner Tunstall on a search for the kidnapped prince of the realm. This narrowed down the cast of characters, gave Pierce another chance to show various parts of Tortall, and provided a truly exciting quest that had me virtually glued to the book. I thought the resolution was a really interesting and neat twist to show how history led to the more familiar Tortall of the Alanna era. I still had a hard time with Beka's character - she's sort of the cardboard cutout of a Pierce heroine - but the rest of it was so fun I didn't really care.
And here are the real spoilers:
I've been pondering why this series is so uneven. Is it because it's a trilogy, rather than Pierce's usual quartet? Is it because she no longer gets edited as heavily? I also did not care for the too-long two-part Trickster's Choice series, so it's possible that the explosion in YA fantasy (and the removal of length restrictions) has not particularly played to Pierce's strengths. I like the more compact quartets, and I don't know if I've really enjoyed any of Pierce's longer books.
Anyway! I have so many thoughts on this. I loved the plot of this book, which takes Beka and her partner Tunstall on a search for the kidnapped prince of the realm. This narrowed down the cast of characters, gave Pierce another chance to show various parts of Tortall, and provided a truly exciting quest that had me virtually glued to the book. I thought the resolution was a really interesting and neat twist to show how history led to the more familiar Tortall of the Alanna era. I still had a hard time with Beka's character - she's sort of the cardboard cutout of a Pierce heroine - but the rest of it was so fun I didn't really care.
And here are the real spoilers:
December 2, 2011
Good! I did miss the wider ensemble featured in the first books but Beka's likeable enough that I'm willing to follow her adventures even when they take her away from my favoured setting. And Beka/Farmer was cute if a bit too obviously pushed for. Some critical notes:
+ I am ignoring the book and pretending Gareth is 7 or 8 because hahahahaha he is not a 4 year old. Even with the excuse of being sold to the slave trade making him grow up fast he does not convincingly read as one.
+ Annoyed that Beka/Holburn happened entirely off screen when it made such an impact on her throughout this book. How am I supposed to be impressed by her favourably comparing Farmer to him when I'm still waiting to be filled in on how they were as a relationship. :l Definite part of why it took me over half the book to warm up to Beka/Farmer.
+ Someone needs to instate a ban on YA series epilogues for the next few years until the authors get it out of their systems. The one here wasn't terrible but it did feel out of place. For one thing I know these books are theoretically supposed to be Beka's journals but they've never convincingly read as so to me. They're far too detailed: I've never met anyone with the patience or ability to write out conversations and situations the way Beka supposedly does. It's a journal, you don't write it to an audience. I pretty much just read the book as a plain first person POV so the jump back to George at the end was weird and jarring. Unnecessary too, I don't need an explanation for why George didn't work out Faithful was Pounce; I didn't even remember that he's in the Alanna books.
+ Did not buy the twist with Tunstall AT ALL. I'm sorry, no, I've known this character for three books and Pierce would've had to put alot more work into his character arc for me to buy he'd turn traitor in such a stupid way. Frankly if she really wanted to do a traitor plot she would've done better to go with Farmer, the way Beka trusted him over Sabine and Tunstall who she's known for years did not make sense to me. It's part of her characterization that it takes her awhile to trust someone and that she's extremely loyal once she manages it. It would've been easy to use her uncharacteristic behavior as foreshadowing, Pierce could've dropped the reveal that he was magically influencing her. I'd've been surprised AND I would've bought it.
+ I know I said it earlier but I really missed Beka's inner city friends. The character focus here was so limited and the characters we did get weren't more developed to make up for it. I don't feel like I know Sabine any better than I did in the last two books and as I said, the stuff with Tunstall did not work. And tbh the only reason I'm refraining from raising my eyebrows at Farmer's sudden appearance as the perfect!dude!for!Beka! is because I suspect I am harboring some resentment for the fact that Beka/Rosto didn't go anywhere. BIASED.
+ I really think this book could've lost about a hundred pages and been better paced for it.
Wow, okay, I think I talked myself down to a lower rating. I was going to give this 4 stars but let's say 3 instead.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2011
With this final installment of Beka Cooper's story, I can confidently say that this series of Tortall books is equal to the Protector of the Small books, which had been my runaway favorite series of Tamora Pierce's (and given how much I enjoy all of her books, this is high praise indeed). The protagonist, Beka Cooper, is the medieval version of an inner city cop. We follow her from her probationary days in the slums of Corus in "Terrier" to foiling a counterfeiting ring in "Bloodhound," to preventing a coup in "Mastiff," with the help of her excellent partners, a scent hound named Achoo, a sarcastic magical cat, and her own method of communicating with departed souls that ride on the backs of pigeons. This book is as emotionally gripping as it is thrilling to read, and the pacing never flags as Beka and her allies pursue their quarry despite numerous roadblocks, some extremely nasty enemies, and betrayals. I confess to crying twice while reading this book, and the tears were hard-earned. There are many familiar themes here as the Tortall of Beka's time begins to show signs of evolving into the Tortall we know from previous books. The ending is a triumph, eliciting a rather mammoth lump in my throat. Read with a sense of adventure and heart, and you will be well-rewarded. Recommended for all fans of YA fantasy and people who love stories about strong, capable women.
January 18, 2012
Oh my goodness. Oh my goodness. Oh my goodness oh my goodness. Oh. My. Goodness. Gracious. If I could give this more stars, I certainly would. It was just such a great end to the trilogy, and perhaps the best I've read from the fabulous Tamora Pierce herself (and this is saying a lot, because I will never ever ever think something could surpass my absolute love for the Song of the Lioness Quartet). But yes, she has definitely outdone herself this time.
Don't get me wrong, I think Alanna's story will always be my favorite, hands down, and this was why I loved Mastiff in the first place. It was the past that would lead to Alanna's future. That said, the book was about Beka and her Hunt. And it was the most splendid Hunt imaginable. I was laughing and breathless and flailing throughout the story. I widened my eyes with disbelief from the plot turns and twists, giggled at the romantic interludes, blanched at the detailed descriptions of the murders and the bodies, cheered on at the battles. I have to admit, I kind of teared a few times, too (mostly at the end, but I was expecting the big unravel).
The epilogue was probably what set me over the edge, really. It's probably the only Epilogue I actually liked when it comes to stories. But I won't say more in the matter.
The characters were all lovely. No, really. Pierce has always had a way of creating such fantastic roles, and Farmer was just a bundle of fierce awesomeness. Sabine and Tunstall I loved, Achoo was a dear, Pounce was his usual self, and Beka Cooper minced no words. I loved her cursing, I really did. The Hunt could have been great with just ordinary characters, but Tamora Pierce gave us extraordinary ones.
And most importantly: I loved that she'd brought the magic back. I've already raved about Farmer so much that I almost think I'm cheating on Numair for it. But I absolutely loved, loved, loved that she featured mages prominently in this story. I knew it was lacking a bit in the first two novels, but Mastiff more than made up for it in the end.
Oh my goodness. That is what I call storytelling.
Okay, I need to actually stop now so I can breathe in a paper bag and stop flailing.
Don't get me wrong, I think Alanna's story will always be my favorite, hands down, and this was why I loved Mastiff in the first place. It was the past that would lead to Alanna's future. That said, the book was about Beka and her Hunt. And it was the most splendid Hunt imaginable. I was laughing and breathless and flailing throughout the story. I widened my eyes with disbelief from the plot turns and twists, giggled at the romantic interludes, blanched at the detailed descriptions of the murders and the bodies, cheered on at the battles. I have to admit, I kind of teared a few times, too (mostly at the end, but I was expecting the big unravel).
The epilogue was probably what set me over the edge, really. It's probably the only Epilogue I actually liked when it comes to stories. But I won't say more in the matter.
The characters were all lovely. No, really. Pierce has always had a way of creating such fantastic roles, and Farmer was just a bundle of fierce awesomeness. Sabine and Tunstall I loved, Achoo was a dear, Pounce was his usual self, and Beka Cooper minced no words. I loved her cursing, I really did. The Hunt could have been great with just ordinary characters, but Tamora Pierce gave us extraordinary ones.
And most importantly: I loved that she'd brought the magic back. I've already raved about Farmer so much that I almost think I'm cheating on Numair for it. But I absolutely loved, loved, loved that she featured mages prominently in this story. I knew it was lacking a bit in the first two novels, but Mastiff more than made up for it in the end.
Oh my goodness. That is what I call storytelling.
Okay, I need to actually stop now so I can breathe in a paper bag and stop flailing.
November 12, 2019
4.5 stars. A terrific end to a terrific series. Beka Cooper, Tunstall, and a mage, Farmer, are tasked with finding the kidnapped son of their king. They encounter problem after problem, and are repeatedly attacked by a terrible foe, who thinks nothing of killing innocents. It's a hard case to solve, and is basec in mage and noble opposition to the King's taxes, but solve it she does, with much help from great scent hound Achoo, Farmer and Lady Sabine, who joins the group.
Beka both loses and gains a lot by the end of this story, which was well worth reading. She's a wonderful protagonist, and I love her strength, steadfastness, doggedness, and kindness as she's worked her way up from Terrier to Mastiff.
I had been leery of reading this series for so long, assuming that it would be more boring swords and sorcery-based fantasy. I am so glad I was wrong. I really, really liked this series and want to read more stories in the Tortall universe.
Beka both loses and gains a lot by the end of this story, which was well worth reading. She's a wonderful protagonist, and I love her strength, steadfastness, doggedness, and kindness as she's worked her way up from Terrier to Mastiff.
I had been leery of reading this series for so long, assuming that it would be more boring swords and sorcery-based fantasy. I am so glad I was wrong. I really, really liked this series and want to read more stories in the Tortall universe.
![Profile Image for laurel [the suspected bibliophile].](https://cdn.statically.io/img/i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1645808644i/7494844._UX200_CR0,6,200,200_.jpg)
February 28, 2023
Okay, bumping this up to four stars because on the re-read I didn't hate it as much as I did the first time around.
Was the betrayal abrupt? Yes. Was it handled well? No. Was it out of character? Ehhhh...you know, that's debatable. Did the whole nickname thing come out of the blue and make very little sense, just like the previous two books? Yes. Was it an absolute tone change from Pierce's previous books, both in the trilogy and also the series as a whole? YES.
Also, that relationship ending literally came out of right field. I was like, okay, so we went from a little chemistry to declarations of marriage with literally no steps in between. kay kay kay kay kay cool cool cool cool cool.
Full 5,000 word review (YES, I KNOW) is on my blog: http://thesuspectedbibliophile.home.b...
Was the betrayal abrupt? Yes. Was it handled well? No. Was it out of character? Ehhhh...you know, that's debatable. Did the whole nickname thing come out of the blue and make very little sense, just like the previous two books? Yes. Was it an absolute tone change from Pierce's previous books, both in the trilogy and also the series as a whole? YES.
Also, that relationship ending literally came out of right field. I was like, okay, so we went from a little chemistry to declarations of marriage with literally no steps in between. kay kay kay kay kay cool cool cool cool cool.
Full 5,000 word review (YES, I KNOW) is on my blog: http://thesuspectedbibliophile.home.b...
April 30, 2012
I felt really disappointed by this conclusion to the Beka Cooper series. To be frank, I think it's the worst book I've read by Tamora Pierce, and really not up to her usual standards. The ending felt really rushed, the book as a whole was kinda choppy.
I also felt betrayed by Ms Pierce's portrayal of her characters. I love how well she makes her characters, how believable and strong they are, but that just wasn't in this book. Beka starts the book coming out of a abusive relationship that lasted some months. Given her personality and history, and the care of her friends, it just doesn't seem believable. Neither does her relationship with Farmer, the new character in the book. Her attachment to him comes on fast and there isn't as much development with their relationship as what I've come to expect, and love, from Ms. Pierce's books.
Added to that is the fact that the crew and characters from the first two books didn't make much of an appearance and that Tunstall's final actions weren't believable. I usually love an unexpected twist, but usually the author sets the circumstances so that, when revealed, the surprise can be accepted. Save the last few pages, Tunstall didn't give any indication, in this book or the others, of even being capable of the level of betrayal that he performed, and the reason given didn't make that much sense. Tunstall never mentioned wanting to marry at all, or that he was dissatisfied that much with the nature of his relationship with Sabine.
I haven't given up on Ms. Pierce's writing, but this particular trilogy went from one of my favorites of hers, to one I wouldn't recommend to anyone.
I also felt betrayed by Ms Pierce's portrayal of her characters. I love how well she makes her characters, how believable and strong they are, but that just wasn't in this book. Beka starts the book coming out of a abusive relationship that lasted some months. Given her personality and history, and the care of her friends, it just doesn't seem believable. Neither does her relationship with Farmer, the new character in the book. Her attachment to him comes on fast and there isn't as much development with their relationship as what I've come to expect, and love, from Ms. Pierce's books.
Added to that is the fact that the crew and characters from the first two books didn't make much of an appearance and that Tunstall's final actions weren't believable. I usually love an unexpected twist, but usually the author sets the circumstances so that, when revealed, the surprise can be accepted. Save the last few pages, Tunstall didn't give any indication, in this book or the others, of even being capable of the level of betrayal that he performed, and the reason given didn't make that much sense. Tunstall never mentioned wanting to marry at all, or that he was dissatisfied that much with the nature of his relationship with Sabine.
I haven't given up on Ms. Pierce's writing, but this particular trilogy went from one of my favorites of hers, to one I wouldn't recommend to anyone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2012
I've loved Tamora Pierce since middle school. I've had issues with her writing every now and then (trials and hazards of out-growing the age group a favorite author writes for), but by and large I know I'm in for a good read every time I pick up her books. Which is why I was so surprised to read the last book in Beka Cooper's series. For starters, part of the reason Pierce's books are so great is because of their strong supporting characters. Mastiff kept very few of the characters we've come to know and love in the first two books, and replaced them with a character I found utterly boring. Beka's books were great because Pierce showed us this rich lower city life we had yet to fully explore in her world. In Mastiff, this was taken over by a fairly typical quest that we've seen before in both Alanna and Kel's series. I don't know if Pierce was going for a more realistic or gritty read, but I think her choices, particularly regarding I enjoyed the other books in the series and own them, but as far as I'm concerned, the series ended after book 2.
May 23, 2018
4.5/5: 5 stars: A
Despite being a teensy bit too long, I loved this story. Beka and Achoo are such a great team and with the addition of Pounce, Farmer, Tunstall and Sabine this was an interesting quest from start to finish.
There were a few sad aspects to the story but you have to expect that when dealing with treachery, slavery, and power hungry bad guys.
I really enjoyed the role of the women in this one and, having read Alanna: The First Adventure years ago, it was great to read the story of one of the famous ancestors in that book.
Despite being a teensy bit too long, I loved this story. Beka and Achoo are such a great team and with the addition of Pounce, Farmer, Tunstall and Sabine this was an interesting quest from start to finish.
There were a few sad aspects to the story but you have to expect that when dealing with treachery, slavery, and power hungry bad guys.
I really enjoyed the role of the women in this one and, having read Alanna: The First Adventure years ago, it was great to read the story of one of the famous ancestors in that book.
October 21, 2012
I rated it a one star because of the way the traitor part was written. It made it unbelievable, and I got detached from the story because of that. The motives were poorly put together seeing as the character had been told time and again that he had already gained the love of the one he sought. If I would have written the book, I would have made it so that he was doing it out of anger from a betrayal, not for the love of someone he already had. It was so pointless. Also, anyone else notice that her head and arm look way off on the cover?
March 14, 2021
Overall Rating : B
"To me, that noble honor is a wonderful thing. I see folk put it on and take it off all the time, and no one ever notices how wrinkled it gets."
Okay, I admit, this made me tear up a bit, and gasp, and laugh out loud. And the ending tied up perfectly with her other books, making me a happy camper.
I will say this. That plot twist? Should not have happened. Not in a million years. So I'm going to ignore it and strike it from my memory. It just wasn't something that I would have believed, especially leading from the other two books.
I'm glad I was able to finish the series. I was afraid I wouldn't since it was taking me so long to finish, but thank goodness that was just a reading slump. It shows that old books CAN be great books. So give them some love.
"To me, that noble honor is a wonderful thing. I see folk put it on and take it off all the time, and no one ever notices how wrinkled it gets."
Okay, I admit, this made me tear up a bit, and gasp, and laugh out loud. And the ending tied up perfectly with her other books, making me a happy camper.
I will say this. That plot twist? Should not have happened. Not in a million years. So I'm going to ignore it and strike it from my memory. It just wasn't something that I would have believed, especially leading from the other two books.
I'm glad I was able to finish the series. I was afraid I wouldn't since it was taking me so long to finish, but thank goodness that was just a reading slump. It shows that old books CAN be great books. So give them some love.
December 4, 2011
I'm rating a 3, but it's more a 3.8
This is the first Pierce book I've read that I've been a bit disappointed in. Like other reviewers, I expected more closure and more involvement from great characters like Rosto. It's the first of her books I'm not sure if I will want to re-read, although I'm sure I will, largely just to see Beka's happy ending :)
The flow, and plot of this book was notably not up to Pierce's normal high standard. It hit heavy really quickly, and just seemed to get stuck on 'the chase' without mini-events to break it up (Protector of the Small is a good example of how Pierce does it well. Possibly her best books, dare I say). The final twist was both unexpected and in my opinion, out of character for both the character and the writer. I know she was undergoing a lot of surgery whilst writing - maybe this was rushed? Or maybe just not written under her usual circumstances, perspective-wise. That's probably the best way to describe this book, actually - out of character for the writer. Not entirely so, but still noticably so.
My main gripe is the twist at the end, which is not very believable for the YA crowd. Yes people change, but not magically in the space of a few weeks/months. Tunstall has been painted as such a solid good guy for two novels running now, so it doesn't make sense for him to turn around unless the author has written themselves into a bind and needs to default to the "internal traitor" technique. Part of the issue is probably because Beka has been running around to new locations each book (something I'm on the fence about, as great setups like in Book 1 aren't able to be re-explored and further developed), which means Pierce needs to come up with new baddies each time. I would have liked to see her "seed" a baddie in Book 2, or have introduced a believable character in a Book 2.5 (wonder how differently things would have panned out if this was a quartet?), or written an entirely different Book 2 which allowed more time spent inside Tunstall's head. Which still comes back to the "But Tunstall's a good guy, and Pierce's good guys are ALWAYS good guys..." argument. Hmm. Maybe the bigger issue is that the books are a little disjointed without a significant understory to link the three. Slavery is a good one, but I don't think it was even touched on in Book 2.
Still a lot of her trademark (and beloved) elements like kick-butt heroine, but not up to usual standard and just not as 'great' as her books normally are. I really missed the great setup from Book 1 of the trilogy and though we stepped aside for Book 2, I always thought she'd go back... but she didn't :( I wanted to see more of Goodwin too.
Love Farmer, though :) Wish the series was longer or something just so we could spend more time with him. His flippant humor was the best. Other things I liked - did note the "plot seeding" for other books in her series, liked the time-jumps between novels so we get a bit more 'range' in Beka's activities, liked a return to George Cooper at the end (mirroring the start of Terrier), like Beka, period (a heroine who thinks!). It's so easy to dream of being a noble but Pierce has made it very easy to understand why Beka hates the nobility, and when you've written 4+ series based on characters from/around the nobility, that's a mean feat! The consistent and believable lingo used throughout this series was also appreciated. Oh, and I should mention I love Pounce too. LOVE! Another top-notch character.
So, lots of things to love, several key things to be disappointed in because they weren't used to their full advantage. Still a better-written book by far than a lot of what's out there *cough*Twilight*cough* though.
This is the first Pierce book I've read that I've been a bit disappointed in. Like other reviewers, I expected more closure and more involvement from great characters like Rosto. It's the first of her books I'm not sure if I will want to re-read, although I'm sure I will, largely just to see Beka's happy ending :)
The flow, and plot of this book was notably not up to Pierce's normal high standard. It hit heavy really quickly, and just seemed to get stuck on 'the chase' without mini-events to break it up (Protector of the Small is a good example of how Pierce does it well. Possibly her best books, dare I say). The final twist was both unexpected and in my opinion, out of character for both the character and the writer. I know she was undergoing a lot of surgery whilst writing - maybe this was rushed? Or maybe just not written under her usual circumstances, perspective-wise. That's probably the best way to describe this book, actually - out of character for the writer. Not entirely so, but still noticably so.
My main gripe is the twist at the end, which is not very believable for the YA crowd. Yes people change, but not magically in the space of a few weeks/months. Tunstall has been painted as such a solid good guy for two novels running now, so it doesn't make sense for him to turn around unless the author has written themselves into a bind and needs to default to the "internal traitor" technique. Part of the issue is probably because Beka has been running around to new locations each book (something I'm on the fence about, as great setups like in Book 1 aren't able to be re-explored and further developed), which means Pierce needs to come up with new baddies each time. I would have liked to see her "seed" a baddie in Book 2, or have introduced a believable character in a Book 2.5 (wonder how differently things would have panned out if this was a quartet?), or written an entirely different Book 2 which allowed more time spent inside Tunstall's head. Which still comes back to the "But Tunstall's a good guy, and Pierce's good guys are ALWAYS good guys..." argument. Hmm. Maybe the bigger issue is that the books are a little disjointed without a significant understory to link the three. Slavery is a good one, but I don't think it was even touched on in Book 2.
Still a lot of her trademark (and beloved) elements like kick-butt heroine, but not up to usual standard and just not as 'great' as her books normally are. I really missed the great setup from Book 1 of the trilogy and though we stepped aside for Book 2, I always thought she'd go back... but she didn't :( I wanted to see more of Goodwin too.
Love Farmer, though :) Wish the series was longer or something just so we could spend more time with him. His flippant humor was the best. Other things I liked - did note the "plot seeding" for other books in her series, liked the time-jumps between novels so we get a bit more 'range' in Beka's activities, liked a return to George Cooper at the end (mirroring the start of Terrier), like Beka, period (a heroine who thinks!). It's so easy to dream of being a noble but Pierce has made it very easy to understand why Beka hates the nobility, and when you've written 4+ series based on characters from/around the nobility, that's a mean feat! The consistent and believable lingo used throughout this series was also appreciated. Oh, and I should mention I love Pounce too. LOVE! Another top-notch character.
So, lots of things to love, several key things to be disappointed in because they weren't used to their full advantage. Still a better-written book by far than a lot of what's out there *cough*Twilight*cough* though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 19, 2011
What a great ending to a delightful series.
First of all, I just have to say this: the cover is AWFUL. What the hell is that picture of Beka with her neck twisted all the way around? I get that it's supposed to be showing her "ghost eyes" or whatever, but it's really badly done. (Also, Achoo is a light-colored dog!) I loved the full-photo cover of Terrier, but the other two books have had really unfortunate graphic design.
Here's a confession: The Beka Cooper books are the only Tamora Pierce I've read. I haven't even read the Alanna books. So I have no idea what the two series have in common, besides the cat and people named Cooper. But is it just me, or is Pierce running out of names for things and starting to name them all after her favorite authors? There's a town called Prachet in this book, and a Halseander River, and I have my suspicions about the Dream King Gainel as well. Not that I'm complaining--it's a delight to pick up on those little references.
This book is a bit slow to start, but once the story gets going, the tension builds and builds until the shocker of an ending. YMMV as to whether the ending is believable or not--I wasn't bothered by it, but I can see how some would be. I'm eager to go back and re-read the whole trilogy with the ending in mind, and see if it holds up.
I was a Beka/Rosto shipper before this book, but I absolutely adored the character of Farmer. The fact that he used embroidery and household magic to do completely badass things was delightful, and the symbolism wasn't lost on me. I love Pierce's feminist themes, and this book had them in droves. (Did anyone else want to smack the Gentle Mother followers?) I also have a soft spot for characters who play dumb and hide their true nature in order to deliver a bigger smackdown later. (I'm looking at you, Megan Whalen Turner's Eugenides.) I also liked the details about Beka's relationship with her late fiancee. I've been in relationships like that before, where the other person makes you doubt yourself, and I thought Pierce got it exactly right in her description.
I'm going to miss Beka Cooper and I'm kind of sad her story is ending, but I thought this was a fitting conclusion. Plus, now I have the entire rest of Pierce's catalog to read!
First of all, I just have to say this: the cover is AWFUL. What the hell is that picture of Beka with her neck twisted all the way around? I get that it's supposed to be showing her "ghost eyes" or whatever, but it's really badly done. (Also, Achoo is a light-colored dog!) I loved the full-photo cover of Terrier, but the other two books have had really unfortunate graphic design.
Here's a confession: The Beka Cooper books are the only Tamora Pierce I've read. I haven't even read the Alanna books. So I have no idea what the two series have in common, besides the cat and people named Cooper. But is it just me, or is Pierce running out of names for things and starting to name them all after her favorite authors? There's a town called Prachet in this book, and a Halseander River, and I have my suspicions about the Dream King Gainel as well. Not that I'm complaining--it's a delight to pick up on those little references.
This book is a bit slow to start, but once the story gets going, the tension builds and builds until the shocker of an ending. YMMV as to whether the ending is believable or not--I wasn't bothered by it, but I can see how some would be. I'm eager to go back and re-read the whole trilogy with the ending in mind, and see if it holds up.
I was a Beka/Rosto shipper before this book, but I absolutely adored the character of Farmer. The fact that he used embroidery and household magic to do completely badass things was delightful, and the symbolism wasn't lost on me. I love Pierce's feminist themes, and this book had them in droves. (Did anyone else want to smack the Gentle Mother followers?) I also have a soft spot for characters who play dumb and hide their true nature in order to deliver a bigger smackdown later. (I'm looking at you, Megan Whalen Turner's Eugenides.) I also liked the details about Beka's relationship with her late fiancee. I've been in relationships like that before, where the other person makes you doubt yourself, and I thought Pierce got it exactly right in her description.
I'm going to miss Beka Cooper and I'm kind of sad her story is ending, but I thought this was a fitting conclusion. Plus, now I have the entire rest of Pierce's catalog to read!
November 6, 2011
The Beka Cooper series has proven to be my favorite of all the writings of Tamora Pierce. Except. This last volume of the series. It's hard to say this about a volume of this size, but it felt as if the writing was rushed. Publishers, give your writers a break. Pushing deadlines doesn't help either of you, and can blow up in your face like this one. Not up to her usual standards. I agree with other reviewers that the characterizations and use of characters, usually one of Pierce's strengths, goes haywire in this volume. The plot is excellent, the story timeline and development are good. I enjoyed the story, but was thoroughly disappointed by the endings. I feel the book was unfinished and should not have been published in its current form. I would like to see it rewritten, republished, in a more well written and well developed form. As it stands, it is not quite satisfying. That said, I'll probably end up rereading it just because I love the first two volumes so much and will read the complete series straight through.
November 21, 2014
CANNOT WAIT FOR THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Want to read
December 9, 2011Ergh. I sucked down all of Tamora Pierce's many books too quickly and I've been left with none to read for a while. I'm depending on you MASTIFF!
November 11, 2011
So, I suppose it’s time I get around to this, I’ve been done with this book for weeks, but I haven’t been able to bring myself to write this review. I guess I finally ought to, just to get this out there and off my chest.
I should begin by saying that Tamora Pierce is not just my favorite author. She is my idol, and the only person whose books have never gone out of style with me. Other authors are interchangeable to me. Pierce is a rock. I also got the chance to meet her and spend 3 days with her last August, and immensely enjoyed her as a person as well. I don’t just “judge a book by its cover” with her, you can say.
That’s why Mastiff was such a painful read. Out of all the works I’ve read, the Tortall universe is my favorite. I want to drop myself right in there beside all her main characters. When Pierce returned to Tortall for Terrier, I was blazingly excited and the book did not disappoint. Bloodhound, the second book, was certainly a change of pace, but a good one for the most part. Mastiff should have been a glowing finale but to me it’s…not.
To be fair, there is technically nothing wrong with Mastiff. It’s written in the typical, amazing Tamora Pierce style. It’s funny. It’s exciting. It’s impossible to put down. If we were judging this book on technicality alone, it’s an immediate 5 stars. It’s the reason I couldn’t give it any less than three.
The problem is that it’s a third book. It's the FINAL book. The problem is that we have been set up for two large books and gotten to know the characters. The problem is that, by now, I am so invested in the characters that I wanted something grand and blinding for the finale. Maybe the fault lies entirely with my opinion, but I just don’t feel like I got it.
~MILD SPOILERS AHEAD~
The book got off to a very bad start for me. Its 3 years after Bloodhound, and Beka is burying her fiancé, who was mentally and physically abusive towards her. Maybe I’m wrong, but it seems vaguely out of character that Beka would allow that to go on. Especially when she says that the only reason she even vaguely loved this guy is because of the great sex. I just couldn’t wrap my head around this for Beka. Things just go downhill from there, as the entire Corus gang minus Tunstall, Pounce, Achoo and Sabine are absent from this book except for a little bit at the beginning. I did like Farmer as a character after the fact, but when he was introduced I was just in the disposition of not liking him. Plus, I really loved Rosto, even though I knew nothing between him and Beka would never happen. I just thought SOMETHING would happen between them.
Still, up until the end of the book, I was tolerating things. I tolerated Beka’s new, bordering-on-obsession with sex. I tolerated the lack of the Corus crew and the injection of new characters I got less than a whole book to love, who played major roles when I thought they’d be taken up by characters I knew well and loved well. If the end of this book hadn’t happened, it would have managed a 4 to 4 ½ star rating, perhaps. I’ll never
know.
I’m going to try to do this without spoilers here, but…argh. Beka’s jumps out of character were bad enough, but I can’t forgive something this bad. I can’t say much, but there is a traitor at the end of the book and … it’s bad. It’s unforgivably bad. I never would have expected it, true, but not in a good way. Never before have I had such a huge desire for the book to end with “And Beka woke up to find that it was all a dream.”
I’ll repeat again that, technically, there is nothing wrong with this book. To another person, there might not be anything wrong with this book. Personally, I just wanted so much…more, for Beka. I wanted so much more for all the characters, really. I guess the ends of series can never be everything you want them to be, but Mastiff disappointed me more than most.
I should begin by saying that Tamora Pierce is not just my favorite author. She is my idol, and the only person whose books have never gone out of style with me. Other authors are interchangeable to me. Pierce is a rock. I also got the chance to meet her and spend 3 days with her last August, and immensely enjoyed her as a person as well. I don’t just “judge a book by its cover” with her, you can say.
That’s why Mastiff was such a painful read. Out of all the works I’ve read, the Tortall universe is my favorite. I want to drop myself right in there beside all her main characters. When Pierce returned to Tortall for Terrier, I was blazingly excited and the book did not disappoint. Bloodhound, the second book, was certainly a change of pace, but a good one for the most part. Mastiff should have been a glowing finale but to me it’s…not.
To be fair, there is technically nothing wrong with Mastiff. It’s written in the typical, amazing Tamora Pierce style. It’s funny. It’s exciting. It’s impossible to put down. If we were judging this book on technicality alone, it’s an immediate 5 stars. It’s the reason I couldn’t give it any less than three.
The problem is that it’s a third book. It's the FINAL book. The problem is that we have been set up for two large books and gotten to know the characters. The problem is that, by now, I am so invested in the characters that I wanted something grand and blinding for the finale. Maybe the fault lies entirely with my opinion, but I just don’t feel like I got it.
~MILD SPOILERS AHEAD~
The book got off to a very bad start for me. Its 3 years after Bloodhound, and Beka is burying her fiancé, who was mentally and physically abusive towards her. Maybe I’m wrong, but it seems vaguely out of character that Beka would allow that to go on. Especially when she says that the only reason she even vaguely loved this guy is because of the great sex. I just couldn’t wrap my head around this for Beka. Things just go downhill from there, as the entire Corus gang minus Tunstall, Pounce, Achoo and Sabine are absent from this book except for a little bit at the beginning. I did like Farmer as a character after the fact, but when he was introduced I was just in the disposition of not liking him. Plus, I really loved Rosto, even though I knew nothing between him and Beka would never happen. I just thought SOMETHING would happen between them.
Still, up until the end of the book, I was tolerating things. I tolerated Beka’s new, bordering-on-obsession with sex. I tolerated the lack of the Corus crew and the injection of new characters I got less than a whole book to love, who played major roles when I thought they’d be taken up by characters I knew well and loved well. If the end of this book hadn’t happened, it would have managed a 4 to 4 ½ star rating, perhaps. I’ll never
know.
I’m going to try to do this without spoilers here, but…argh. Beka’s jumps out of character were bad enough, but I can’t forgive something this bad. I can’t say much, but there is a traitor at the end of the book and … it’s bad. It’s unforgivably bad. I never would have expected it, true, but not in a good way. Never before have I had such a huge desire for the book to end with “And Beka woke up to find that it was all a dream.”
I’ll repeat again that, technically, there is nothing wrong with this book. To another person, there might not be anything wrong with this book. Personally, I just wanted so much…more, for Beka. I wanted so much more for all the characters, really. I guess the ends of series can never be everything you want them to be, but Mastiff disappointed me more than most.
August 20, 2012
I'm a drama queen; kill me. But I got this book in December, and even from the first entry I was skeptical. The first warning sign was Beka describing her sister 'Dorine'. Um, who? Diona and Lorine happen to be different people. I doubt that Pierce would forget that, let alone Beka.
So that ticked me off, but I pressed forward, positive it would get better.
I was wrong.
The whole book was a snooze. Something was off, totally different. BAD different. I already put up with the absence of Ersken, Kora, Aniki, and Rosto for one whole book. I get that each book should be unique, but... dang.
A big part of my dislike of the story came with the fact that it didn't feel real. It wasn't described in the Beka Cooper way I know and love. It was like she was telling someone else the story and they were writing it down for her, adding in their own little tidbits as they went.
Another point is the... betrayal. Tunstall... he's not crazy that way. Even now I can scarcely believe it. Anyone betting this is all a dream? I really wish it was- I'd get over the lameness and feel relieved that all of those scenes were just a figment of Beka's imagination. And the Farmer issue... It probably doesn't help that I'm a hardcore Rosto/Beka. But I don't like some golden boy showing up. Grrrrr.
I can only come up with one solution for this mess: a ghost writer. My grandmother told me Pierce was still writing books when she was a young librarian. So I guess she needed help maybe? That is the only way I would ever excuse "Mastiff."
So, overall, it sucked. Although I suppose a big thing here is that the first two were so amazing that I was anticipating this one like mad, and paid the price.
So that ticked me off, but I pressed forward, positive it would get better.
I was wrong.
The whole book was a snooze. Something was off, totally different. BAD different. I already put up with the absence of Ersken, Kora, Aniki, and Rosto for one whole book. I get that each book should be unique, but... dang.
A big part of my dislike of the story came with the fact that it didn't feel real. It wasn't described in the Beka Cooper way I know and love. It was like she was telling someone else the story and they were writing it down for her, adding in their own little tidbits as they went.
Another point is the... betrayal. Tunstall... he's not crazy that way. Even now I can scarcely believe it. Anyone betting this is all a dream? I really wish it was- I'd get over the lameness and feel relieved that all of those scenes were just a figment of Beka's imagination. And the Farmer issue... It probably doesn't help that I'm a hardcore Rosto/Beka. But I don't like some golden boy showing up. Grrrrr.
I can only come up with one solution for this mess: a ghost writer. My grandmother told me Pierce was still writing books when she was a young librarian. So I guess she needed help maybe? That is the only way I would ever excuse "Mastiff."
So, overall, it sucked. Although I suppose a big thing here is that the first two were so amazing that I was anticipating this one like mad, and paid the price.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2011
You guys, I could cry. I cannot believe I waited two and a half years for this. At least now I'm just sad and disappointed. Last night when I finished I was practically foaming at the mouth.
500 pages of awesome and 100 pages of crap. Tunstall, really?? Tunstall a traitor? A stupid traitor, at that, as if those people would ever let him live for longer than it would take to stick a knife in his back. A stupid traitor would would let one lousy night in the household of a cruel noble who buys all this Gentle Mother garbage overwhelm everything he knows and loves about his Lady, who adores him just as he is? That he would steal her agency and beggar his own sense of honor, for a pipe dream? Bullshit.
If Pierce wanted Tunstall as a traitor so bad, she could have at least bothered to make it realistic. An accident, or an unnoticed spell, maybe. Through the whole climactic fight, I thought he was an illusion of Tunstall sent to trick her by one of the mages. Even a genuine act of betrayal on the road, admitted and atoned for. But that was utter nonsense, not that Beka noticed or cared all that much, wrapped up as she was in "her man." Who I liked as a character and can't even enjoy now, given the way this ended.
Bah. What a waste of a series, after all the interesting plots that came before.
500 pages of awesome and 100 pages of crap. Tunstall, really?? Tunstall a traitor? A stupid traitor, at that, as if those people would ever let him live for longer than it would take to stick a knife in his back. A stupid traitor would would let one lousy night in the household of a cruel noble who buys all this Gentle Mother garbage overwhelm everything he knows and loves about his Lady, who adores him just as he is? That he would steal her agency and beggar his own sense of honor, for a pipe dream? Bullshit.
If Pierce wanted Tunstall as a traitor so bad, she could have at least bothered to make it realistic. An accident, or an unnoticed spell, maybe. Through the whole climactic fight, I thought he was an illusion of Tunstall sent to trick her by one of the mages. Even a genuine act of betrayal on the road, admitted and atoned for. But that was utter nonsense, not that Beka noticed or cared all that much, wrapped up as she was in "her man." Who I liked as a character and can't even enjoy now, given the way this ended.
Bah. What a waste of a series, after all the interesting plots that came before.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2011
Beka wants nothing more than to leave the city. And the fresh grave of her former fiancé.
When she is called on a covert mission, she is grateful.
But then she learns the truth about her mission. That the summer palace has been burned to the ground. The seeming perpetrators drowned and imprisoned via magic on their own ships. And that the crown prince has been kidnapped.
By slave traders.
If she fails, the entire kingdom will suffer. And if she succeeds, neither the kingdom—nor Beka—will ever be the same.
Mastiff is a worthy conclusion to Tamora Pierce’s Beka Cooper trilogy. The central dilemma—not only the kidnapping of the crown prince, but the monstrosity of the slave trade—is a worthy foe. And Beka’s battle against it validates the author’s right to describe Beka as a legend.
When she is called on a covert mission, she is grateful.
But then she learns the truth about her mission. That the summer palace has been burned to the ground. The seeming perpetrators drowned and imprisoned via magic on their own ships. And that the crown prince has been kidnapped.
By slave traders.
If she fails, the entire kingdom will suffer. And if she succeeds, neither the kingdom—nor Beka—will ever be the same.
Mastiff is a worthy conclusion to Tamora Pierce’s Beka Cooper trilogy. The central dilemma—not only the kidnapping of the crown prince, but the monstrosity of the slave trade—is a worthy foe. And Beka’s battle against it validates the author’s right to describe Beka as a legend.
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