Shaykitteh's World of Books

Terrier is the first book in Tamora Pierce's "Beka Cooper" trilogy. Telling the story of George Cooper's illustrious ancestor, Terrior is equal parts mystery and pure fun. Pierce has a talent of writing likeable characters that you can related to, no matter your age, and Beka Cooper is no exception to that. As the tale starts, we learn Beka's backstory through the eyes of her mother and two members of the Provost's Guard and the Lord Provost himself. Beka is not only a stubborn an intelligent girl, but she also has the magic of her father's blood, which allows her to speak with the dead. She is a strong female, as are many of Pierce's characters, but she is capable without losing herself and her sense of adventure.

The bulk of Terrier takes place over just a few months, with Beka now a trainee Guardswoman (a Puppy in the Provost's Guard) who is assigned to work in the Cesspool, one of the worst and poorest areas in the city. Beka soon finds out that while growing up in the Cesspool gives her the advantage of knowing how that part of the city works, there is more hidden in the darkness than she would have ever expected. With bribery, murder, and kidnapping lurking for the unwary, there are also unlikely friendships to be made. Beka must learn everything that she can about being a Dog, and quickly... Before the Shadow Snake comes for her.