Review: Beka Cooper: Terrier (A Tortall Legend) by Tamora Pierce

Title: Beka Cooper: Terrier (A Tortall Legend)
Author: Tamora Pierce
Publisher: Random House
Date Published: 2006
Type of book: Fiction with some supernatural/magic
Main themes: law enforcement (Dogs), murder, magic, friendship, some romance
Pages: 581

Plot: from Amazon.com: "Orphaned Beka Cooper, 16, is a trainee-a "Puppy"-in the Provost's Guard. Having spent the first half of her life in Tortall's slums, she is driven by the need to do what is right and see justice done. Paired with two of the best Guards, or "Dogs," in the organization and aided by her own gifts of magic, Beka learns her job, makes friends with two mages and a thief, and uncovers two serial killers who prey on the poor and unnoticed. With Terrier, Pierce tries out a new style of storytelling and succeeds admirably. Beka, the ancestor of George Cooper from the "Song of the Lioness" series (S & S), tells her story through journal entries, making for a thoroughly engaging read."

I'd been meaning to read this book (or any of Pierce's books) for a really long time, but always seem to have something else at the top of my to read list. This time, I moved Beka Cooper: Terrier to the top of the list because I've heard so many good things about Bloodhound, the sequel to Terrier.

At first, I really wasn't that impressed. I was a bit bored, honestly. But then it started to get interesting. I NEEDED to know who was murdering the children - and when I first put all the clues together I was surprised - which is definitely a good thing because otherwise I would have stayed bored.

I'm also very intruiged by the character Rosto - who flirts endlessly with Beka, but she doesn't trust. I really want to believe that he isn't all the things she thinks he is - maybe I'm just a sucker for bad boys.

I also like how the story is told in the format of a journal - it lets the reader feel much closer to the story.

I have Bloodhound at home right now and can't wait to read it. By the end of Terrier, Beka was a new favorite heroine!

Ratings (out of 10):
Plot: 10
Characters: 10
Writing Style: 10
Romance: 10 (the romance present was good)
Memorable: 10
Total: 50/50 (A)