A Couple more books

Terrier and Bloodhound - Tamora Pierce

Pierce is one of my favorite fantasy authors. I've read through her other Tortall based series (Protector of the Small, Song of the Lioness, The Immortals) and her Circle of Magic sets. I enjoy Pierce's writing as a combination of almost "period" fiction - readers are transported so thoroughly into the world of the novel, it feels as though you have slipped into an ancient pre-Crusades Holy Roman Empire. Of course, this is an H.R.E. where the knights are accompanied by a pantheon of gods who walk the earth disguised as talking creatures, wandering crones, and magic wielding humans. Terrier and its sequel, Bloodhound, pick up in the ancient history of her previous Tortall series.

These stories are written as the journals of Beka Cooper (ancestress of George Cooper from the previous Tortall universe). Beka is a fiesty and lively female character (in the tradition of most of the lead characters in Pierce's novels). Reading her journal, you are immersed in the language and culture of the landscape as she experiences it.

In Terrier, Beka has entered service in the "police force" of the Lower City. Considered "puppies," she and her friends learn to adjust to the normal bribe taking/fee collection, dealing with the criminal element and solving the disappearances among the children of the realm. Beka, with the help of a mysterious cat and her own special abilities, makes a splash in her first year of service.

In Bloodhound, Beka is into her first year as a full-fledged "Dog." She gets called on for some special work along with her partner, Goodwin, to flush out counterfeiters threatening to undermine the strength of the kingdom. Of course, we follow the clues as we read Beka's journal and go with her through the investigation and experience of a whirlwind romance as well.

I look forward to the third and final book in the series next year!