Mastiff

November 17, 2011 Heidi Uncategorized 0

Mastiff

Author: Tamora Pierce
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: Oct. 25, 2011
Pages: 560
Series: Beka Cooper, book three
Source: Purchased hardcover and audiobook

About the Book: The Legend of Beka Cooper gives Tamora Pierce’s fans exactly what they want—a smart and savvy heroine making a name for herself on the mean streets of Tortall’s Lower City—while offering plenty of appeal for new readers as well.

Beka and her friends will face their greatest and most important challenge ever when the young heir to the kingdom vanishes. They will be sent out of Corus on a trail that appears and disappears, following a twisting road throughout Tortall. It will be her greatest Hunt—if she can survive the very powerful people who do not want her to succeed in her goal.

My Thoughts: I am a total Tamora Pierce fangirl. I didn’t “discover” her books until about four years ago when I got my job as a middle school librarian. I was browsing through the shelves of my new library and came across a very old edition of Alanna: The First Adventure. The cover grabbed me because it was so worn and dated. I decided to read it to see if I should order a newer copy or just withdraw the book. Over the next month I flew through all of Pierce’s books. I was addicted! I ordered new copies of all of them for our LMC as well as purchasing copies for myself. I adore all of her books but the Beka Cooper series has a special place in my heart since they were being released as I was reading them. Mastiff has been one of the book I have been most anxiously awaiting. It seemed to take FOREVER to come out and I was so not patient. Now, having finished the series, I have to say… it was worth it.

I listened to the audiobook of this title (Produced by Listening Library. Listen to an excerpt here.) I was a bit off audiobooks since the one I was listening to wasn’t very good. Mastiff was a completely different experience! The narrator was perfect for the series. I loved the voices that she did for the different characters. There are many different people speaking throughout but she kept them separate and unique. It was interesting to hear the differences between the nobles and the common folk. It really added to the experience.

Okay, on to the actual story! I loved everything about it. The characters, the storyline, the twists… I was hooked. I just wanted to sit in my car all day and listen. If I had my copy of the actual book at my house nothing would have gotten done until the book was finished. I love Beka as a character. She is so true to herself and has such a sense of integrity. I also loved reading about the hunt and all the ways that she, Tunstall, Lady Sabine, the mage Farmer, Pounce, and of course Achoo track their quarry.

I adored everything about the book but one event just hurt my heart. Without giving anything away I just have to say that as a reader I don’t know that I’ve ever felt so betrayed! I understand it and it fits but I was so…. ugh! That’s all I can say about that!

I was able to attend Tamora’s signing at Anderson’s Bookshop recently. Let’s be honest… wild horses couldn’t have kept me away! She was delightful… funny, insightful, authentic… everything I hoped she’d be! I really loved meeting her. It was great to see a room full of dedicated fans as well! The only signings I’ve been to that have come close in attendance were multiple author events, Suzanne Collins, and Sarah Dessen. The audience was such a varied group! Fans of all ages were there. Everyone was talking about what her books meant to them and how much they enjoy them as adults as much as the first time they read them. It just goes to show how incredible her books are and what a great person she is. Seriously. If you’ve never read anything by here I highly recommend picking up Alanna: The First Adventure. Don’t be fooled by the cover 😉