Bloodhound by Tamora Pierce
Originally published at biblio + chic {infatuated with books}. Please leave any comments there.
Let me start today’s blog post with this: Tamora Pierce is one of my favorite authors of all time. I’ve read all of her books, ALL, and I especially enjoy her series of books that take place in the fantasy realm of Tortall. Her latest novel, Bloodhound, is the second of a trilogy surrounding Beka Cooper. Beka is a Dog for the city of Corus, the capital of Tortall. Bloodhound follows the story of her second year in the service of the crown (a Dog is like a modern day policeman/detective), and her first adventure as a full-blown member of the patrol.
This time around, Beka travels to Port Caynn with her partner, Clary Goodwin, to investigate possible counterfeiting (or colemongering, as the locals would say). Accompanied by a scent-tracking hound, Achoo, she finds herself almost immediately in the midst of everything, surrounded by new friends and new enemies, including the fearsome Rogue of Port Caynn, Pearl Skinner, and the charming gambler, Dale Rowan.
As I began Bloodhound, I thought to myself that I certainly didn’t love Beka Cooper as much as Pierce’s other heroines. How could anyone top Alanna the Lioness, or Daine the Wild Mage? But after finishing, I’ve realized that Beka’s voice has found her own way into a little corner of my heart. Terrier, the first book in the series, and Bloodhound, are unique from Pierce’s other novels in that it is written in diary format. However, after a few pages, you don’t even realize that-this book is so action-packed, so funny, and so full of well thought out, descriptive characters, that you’d never think twice about the format.
I imagine that once this trilogy of books is complete, Beka Cooper will have her place amongst the heroines of Tortall (or so perhaps she has found that place already!), and I hope that readers will also find a place for her on their shelves. Any fan of fantasy with a strong, stubborn heroine that is far from perfect, but ever lovable, will enjoy Bloodhound.
Other Recommended Reads: Check out Tamora Pierce’s other novels of Tortall, including the Lioness quartet, which feature Alanna, the lady knight, and also Beka Cooper’s ancestor, George Cooper, King of the Rogues.
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