Feb 21 2007
Terrier, (Beka Cooper, book one. A Tortall Legend) by Tamora Pierce
Born into the Lower City, Beka's mother is a friend of some with
influence and money and when she dies, Beka and her siblings are taken
into the lord's household, where Beka decides she will train to be a
Guard. Teamed with two Dogs, Goodwin and Turnstall, they are put on the
night shift in the Lower City, a den of thieves, pickpockets and rats,
and one of their first assignments is to discover why Crookshank's
grandson has been killed.
The Shadow Snake, a story told to quieten children, has come to life
and is stealing young ones from the streets, blackmailing their parents
into their safe return. Some, like Crookshank, do not believe in
the Shadow Snake and refuse to pay, never seeing their children again.
Shy Beka, a Puppy, a trainee, has to follow her Dog's orders, but with
her special powers she is able to pass on information. The city's
pigeons speak to her, passing on the cries of the newly dead, wanting
release, and she hears the cries of those children killed by the Snake.
But some of the pigeons' cries are definitely not children, so the Dogs
begin to investigate adult murders as well. The two investigations run
parallel to the other until they become intricately involved, Beka
finding that memories from her past help solve the kidnappings and
murders.
The scope of Tamora Pierce's new novel is breathtaking. She tells a
powerful story of a young woman coming of age, finding her place in the
world. Enmeshed with magic, trials and mysteries, Beka Cooper will
enthrall all of Pierce's fans and more. Pierce's mesmerizing world is
endless as she peoples it with a huge cast of characters, all with a
part to play within the magnificent medieval setting. A glossary at the
end will help with the new words, and the list of characters with their
parts is helpful for those gasping at the sheer size of the story. I
loved it and was thrilled to find that this book is simply Book One.
Fran Knight
© Pledger
Consulting, 2007