Bloodhound: The Legend of Beka Cooper #2

Rebekah "Beka" Cooper is now a Dog, a fully qualified member of Provost's Guard, which is basically the police force in Corus, the capital of Tortall. Beka is a natural at Dog work, she's observant and persistent, but her magical traits set her apart from the rest, she has the ability to gain information from the spirits that attach themselves to pigeons and the dust and dirt that swirl on the ground called dust spinners. These skills along with the help from the company she keeps make Beka a skilled Dog.

Beka has been a Dog for five months at this point, and her fourth partner has just decided to leave her, which sends her back to her (amusing) training Dogs, Tunstall and Goodwin. One her first day back with Tunstall and Goodwin, they learn of counterfeit silver coins being used throughout Corus, which begins their investigation on the subject. On the second day, the merchants raise their prices in order to cover their losses, which cause a riot in the Lower City. During the riot, Tunstall is injured and in trying to get him to safety, they meet a group of men from a security caravan, who turn out to be quite useful to them.

After the riots, it's found that the counterfeit coins are being brought in by gamblers from Port Caynn and the Port Caynn Dogs don't seem to be doing anything about it. With Tunstall on bed rest, Cooper and Goodwin are sent undercover to Port Caynn to try and locate where these fake coins are coming from and who is sending them out into the mainstream. Beka and Goodwin must explore the deep world of gambling and find the root of the problem, in a strange city.

Along the way, Beka sees Dale Rowan, a bank courier that sometimes works on the caravan, whim she met in the riot. Dale becomes more than just someone to help the women learn about the gambling places, and the eating houses that could help aid them, he becomes someone Beka really begins to like. He is handsome, buys her fine gifts, and becomes a bedmate for her, all in a matter of days. There is just enough romance that you almost want to root for him, but personally I am still rooting for her and Rosto, the Rogue of Corus.

With the help of the adorable Achoo, Beka's new scent hound, Slapper, a hilarious pigeon that carries the voices of the dead, and their new friends from the riots, they have just the in they need to get their investigation started. Things finally start falling into place when Goodwin goes to Corus to report what they have so far. Once Goodwin is gone, things come together rather quickly for young Beka, and it is up to her alone, to keep it all from blowing up before help arrives. And it is up to Achoo to teach Beka that there is more to finding a criminal than the chase, and sometimes you have to sniff them out of their hiding place.

I love this story! It's told very well, everything you read is written through Beka's journal and despite the length of the book, the entire story covers just under three weeks. I didn't read Terrier, the first book in the trilogy, but Bloodhound seems to stand on its own, with only a slight temporary confusion. Some of the terminology is quite different, but there is a dictionary in the back, along with a few other things that are quite helpful when it comes to keeping things straight. The cast of characters are quite colorful, and very interesting, particularly when Dogs, mages, thieves, and the Rogue not only live in the same lodgings, but also dine frequently together and intertwine themselves in each others lives as they do. It's easy to see that despite what they all do for a living, they all care and respect each other as friends.

There are some aspects of the story that could become a little much for younger readers and I think I should state that Beka may only be 16 or 17, but in her time, that is classified as an adult. She deals in adult situations, there is crime, gambling, adult relationships, and violence, but nothing is told in explicit detail or anything like that. This is a story that I could totally recommend for almost anyone, male or female, teenager or adult. Either way, it is a good story and I for one, am waiting for the next book, Mastiff.

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I love, love Tamora Pierce's books, her first book Alanna, is what first got me addicted to reading, well that and my Dad who is also an avid reader. Needless to say I was beyond excited that another book set in her Tortall universe was coming out! My favorite thing about the the Beka Cooper series is the slang that the common city and street folk use in this book, occasionally I would have to look up what a word meant but there is at trusty glossary at the back of the book that came in handy so I didn't have any troubles. I also sometimes found myself talking like Beka after reading because their language stuck in my head after putting it down. Also this book is written in a journal like format from Beka's point of view which is a refreshing take on books written from first person. Tamora Pierce is well know for her strong female characters and Bloodhound shows that again and again with Beka and her partner Goodwin. They are strong, they can take care of themselves and they know how to have a good time. Beka's unusual 'magic' gifts are different and I was glad to revisit them again. The story kept me interested and turning pages for more. I had taken this book on my family's annual camp out and I didn't hear the end of it, everyone was quite annoyed that I couldn't put it down! I cannot wait to read more about Beka Cooper & company and I hope that the next book does take too long to come out

Since Tamora Pierce writes for young adults, it's unreasonable to expect much ground-breaking in book two of the Beka Cooper series - but why should Pierce, my favorite youth fantasy writer, change the formula that works so well for her? "Bloodhound" (Random House, $18.99, 551 pages) continues the adventures of Beka Cooper, a young policewoman (called a "Dog") in the country of Tortall, which is the location of two other four-book Pierce series. This one, and "Terrier," which preceded it, are set about 200 years prior, and are in the pre-industrial, some-magic mode that fantasy seems to work best in.

And "Bloodhound" works quite well. The plot sort of fizzles at the end, but Beka Cooper is an attractive protagonist, and Pierce does a good job developing all the main characters, and keeping the pages turning. Like "The Sam Gunn Ominbus," "Bloodhound" isn't going to change the shape of fantasy, but it's a good read, even for adults.

Bloodhound is book two of the Legend of Beka Cooper series by Tamora Pierce.

There's counterfeit silver pieces in the money stream and newly made Dog Beka Cooper is at the heart of it. After a cruel bonk on the head that nearly killed her, Beka and her partner, Clary Goodwin, take a trip to Port Caynn to get away from the nasty Rats and to hunt for the source of the counterfeit monies.

After making a name for herself in Corus, our Terrier has graduated to Bloodhound for the work she does in dogging the source of the counterfeit coins. Of course, it's not that easy, especially when she find out how much the local Dogs have been bought to keep them quiet. But Beka never gives up, that's why she's the Bloodhound.

When I first began this series, I was afraid I would not enjoy going back into Tortall's history, without any of the characters that have been the anchor of the Tortall series. It didn't help that the format was in first person, diary form. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself enjoying the books, and the story that revolves around Beka Cooper, George Cooper's ancestor, and guardswoman for the Provost's Guards. It gives a clear picture of the difficulties of the lives of people with no advantages and very little opportunity.

In Bloodhound, Beka is in Port Caynn, searching for the origin of the counterfeited coins that have been popping up in Corus. While the story is enjoyable, the length is not. By page 400, I was wishing that I was at the last page. The end seems to drag on without any resolution. It doesn't help that 'Beka' keeps writing in her diary that she is tired and must stop writing. I would think at her age and maturity, she wouldn't feel the need to write in her diary as if she were talking to it.
The final aspect that was irritating was the very casual, nonchalant way Pounce was disposed of from the list of characters. It was very poorly done, and he was inserted back into the story just as poorly.

As a final thought, would Beka laugh at the irony of knowing that her descendants would have the blood of Trebond as well?

I truly give this a 3.5 out of 5 stars. I was looking forward to more adventure, and I got it, but some of the characters I liked weren't in the book much. Some of their plot threads basically got dropped in this book, and I'm confused as to why. There was some inconsistent characterization. At the end, the book was a little cut off, back in Corus. I expected to see some dialogue/accounts of reunions etc., perhaps a little conflict, considering Rosto's feelings for Beka, and her actions in Port Caynn. Also, the end of the colemongering/capture of the colemongers does not end the problem. That's just the source of the problem. It's like a bad cut with an infection: healing the cut doesn't mean the damage is undone. The infection has to be dealt with too, just as the coles and the damage they have done to the economy must be dealt with. What about the bad crop? How was that dealt with? It just wasn't there. It was a very unsatisfying ending for me.

I did not like one of the new characters introduced in this book as much as he was liked by the people in the book, mainly Beka. His two friends were somewhat inconsistently characterized... early on they seemed like good men and then later they were not, especially one who seemed to have no conscience/seemed unable to care for other people.

Beka's characterization in this book wasn't quite the same as it was in the other book, but I'll assume that's due to the length of time between the books/time spent writing this book. She assumed a new identity too easily, considering her fear of speaking in front of strangers.

Some of the plot threads in the book (even the ones in Port Caynn) weren't picked up later. I figure this is due to some sloppy or last minute editing, where things were taken out, or changed, and the preceding parts were left intact. There were other instances of writing like this, where someone would be there, and the next paragraph the person would be somewhere else... or it would be the same day, two or three days in a row in Beka's journal, even though the writing the first day would be finished for all that happened (so incorrect dating/saying one entry is the account of the wrong day).

The title of Bloodhound is slightly misleading: the only real dog highlighted in this book is not a bloodhound. That's the "new" nickname for Beka. Even in the first book, using Terrior to refer to Beka felt somewhat forced. I feel like when these terms are used to refer to her, it's like they're supposed to be "admiring" but it just seems awkward.

As for the good: I'm glad to see the fate of Achoo Curlypaws. I love her name, I love her character. I'm also interested in the way the scent hound training was undertaken, as well as the view into another Rogue's court, and the widespread corruption in the Provost's guard in Port Caynn. I did enjoy many of the new characters, and the new sides of the old ones I saw (for the most part). There were some very interesting plot developments, but like I said, many were not finished.

Overall, a book I don't regret buying and reading, but it really didn't live up to my expectations. I'll still buy all my Tamora Pierce books in hardback (although I waited a long time for Melting Stones, I didn't quite make it to the paperback release date). Her books are always an enjoyable read.

Well, since it's unlikely you'd be reading this book without having read the first, I won't waste time describing what the plot's about in either general or specific terms. Let's just say that it's more of the same: a gritty police story with elements of fantasy thrown in.

In this volume though, Pierce takes the story to a higher level. It's more YA and less MG (middle-grade) than the first book. There are also more adult concerns and more adult-moments, and more violence and mayhem --though I didn't find it graphic in any sense (darn).

In general, I'd say "Bloodhound" is longer and more complicated and Pierce spends more time world-building and as a consequence I liked this story quite a bit. I liked the action. I like the love interests. And I liked that I was never sure who was going to turn up on the wrong side of the law.

Pam T~
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I would like to start off by saying that I enjoyed this book immensely; the language, plot line, and characters all came to together to form one amazing volume. As always, Pierce spins an exciting tale filled with the culture and vivacity of the people and animals of Tortall. After her many books about the nobles, I have enjoyed about the less well off people of this land. Bloodhound gives a new perspective on this and helps add dimensions to this world so that I was yet again left feeling that this world really did exist .

Though Bloodhound takes the reader away from Corus where the first book was set, I did not find this too upsetting. Though I missed some f the old characters there were always new ones that were fun to read about to help fill their places ( not that any of the old characters could be replaced). There were still plenty of humorous people and the I found the addition of Achoo the scent hound to be delightful.

In Bloodhound, Pierce does an amazing job making counterfeiting a captivating problem. I have not spent much time contemplating the dangers of counterfeiting, but this book makes those dangers apparent. She gives the reader both the political problems and those that the common people face on the streets because of the fake coins or "coles" as she calls them.

As in Terrier, the first book in the trilogy, I thought that the journal style did not entirely work for this book. I thought that it was a wonderful first person novel, but the journal aspect seemed a bit strained. Sure she says that she has a good memory, but she just remembers so much word for word that it did not feel exactly like a journal at times. However, this was just a minor annoyance for me and did not take much away from it.

Just like most of Pierce's books, the young adult label is very true for Bloodhound. Terrier did not have much romance, but as Beka meets new people in new places, this book becomes more adult with its romance. The main story would be great for a slightly younger adventure seeking audience, but the romance makes it so that this book is only suitable for those in the young adult age group and above.

I found Bloodhound to be a refreshing read full of grimy Dog (aka police) work and a fast paced plot. Though the beginning was a bit slow, once it picked up I found that I could not put it down. I stayed up late to finish it even when I knew I had to get up early the next morning; I could not sleep without knowing what was going to happen to Beka and the other characters next. I am always a fan of a medieval theme or something similar and Pierce, as usual, hit the mark. A must read for fans of Pierce and for anyone else who wants to read an amazing fantasy book. This is a book that I will be thinking about for some time to come.

Beka Cooper is now a Dog and is as determined to be the best that she can be. Because of this she has lost several no good Dog partners. When there are riots in Corus because of bread shortages one of her former trainers has both of his legs broken and she is assigned to work with Clara Goodwin while Matthias Tunstall recovers from two broken legs.
They discover a plot to flood the market with cole or false money. Along the way Beka has picked up a new side kick, a real dog that is a scent hound named Achoo. All together they travel to Port Caynn to find out who and why someone is trying to break the economy.
Bloodhound is another winner for Tamora Pierce. She really makes the pages fly (in a non magical way) and this world is so real you might want to be able to visit it yourself.I loved the book.

I have enjoyed Tamora Pierce's books for some time, and the Bekka Cooper series is her best since her Wild Mage series. It is well written with a plausible history of early Tortall, interesting characters and a pretty decent mystery in the middle of it.

Bekka is a strong female lead who has to overcome personal insecurities and the prejudices of others to acheive her dream to be a "dog", or policewoman, in an early Tortall. She uses her magic and her brains, but mostly she uses sheer determination to win the day. You can't help but like Bekka, even when she is going through the worst of her adolescent growing pains.

Having said that, few of Ms. Pierce's series are appropriate for younger readers, and the Bekka Cooper series is not among those that are. The police in Bekka's town, including Bekka, take bribes from both criminals and those wishing their protection; Bekka engages in sex with a man she barely knows; and there is a certain amount of emphasis on sexuality in general, including discussions of prostitution. My 15 year old son loves this series, but we do discuss the various moral and sexual issues raised in the books, and I wouldn't recommend the series for those under 14.

Tamora Pierce is one of the few authors whose books I buy sight unseen in hardback. Her books almost always fall into the category I call a "good read". But while I loved "Terrier" I"m afraid "Bloodhound" disappointed for several reasons.
1. The continued use of a "journal" format is irritating. First person has the advantage of being immediate, intense and personal but severely limits the POV. Third person gives more flexibility to the POV but you lose something of the intensity of first person. The Beka Cooper novels are using the worst of both worlds, First Person Ancillary, used by Doyle(Sherlock Holmes), Stoker (Dracula) etc. You have the limited POV of first person but eliminate any dramatic tension. The "Journal" format was irritating but bearable in "Terrier". However "Bloodhound" has additional difficulties which the 'Journal' format simply exacerbated.
2. A minor point, there are no bloodhounds in "Bloodhound". Bloodhound refers to a very specific breed of dog with strictly defined characteristics. Ah-chu might be a scent hound, but she"s not a bloodhound. If you"re going to write dog themed books you need to pay particular attention to the details. A larger fault was that Ah-chu played only a minor role. There was one very good scene with the search for a lost child. Then, very little until the final chase, which I found only mildly interesting. Certainly, IMO, it was not up to the chase in "Terrier" which gave Beka her name.
3. The counterfeiting, which was the heart of the book, fell sadly flat. Unfortunately this was not entire unexpected as Ms. Pierce herself said in "Words of Tamora Pierce, Bloodhound Progress Report #2" ". . . counterfeiting just doesn"t appeal to me as much as murder, epidemic disease, war, forest fires, and earthquakes do as plots." Supposedly there is a danger of riot, famine and disaster as the currency is debased by a flood of counterfeit silver coins. However the counterfeit coins are easily detected by simply scratching the surface to show the brass beneath a thin coating of silver. (It"s never revealed how this is done. Electroplating seems the only choice, yet the only technology mentioned are forges. NOT suitable for this kind of coinage.) The plot immediately falls apart, unless the reader assumes that Tortallians are universally too stupid to simply check suspect coins. And the news of such obvious fakes would spread quickly as is evident reading any historical account from almost any time or place. Further, a silver clad brass coin would not sound or feel like silver, even in the event no one ever did the simple scratch test. Real silver coinage has a distinctive "ring" to it if you hit one coin against another. (ancient coins may not as the metal crystallized with age). Real silver coins are also cooler to the touch, since silver is a better conductor of heat. And, finally, as Archimedes demonstrated in his bath, legitimate coins of a certain purity have an easily measured displacement. This last is important since successful counterfeiting of coins depends not on shoddy "plating" but rather on "shaving" of the coins (often by the issuing government- which is why some coins are minted with ridges around the rim, to show that the coins haven"t been shaved) resulting in a thinner coin or by debasing the alloy- adding a higher percentage of base metal to the silver. This is a much harder type of counterfeit to detect and would have made the entire plot believable.
4. Beka"s love life. The little side trips concerning Beka"s surging hormones seemed forced rather than evolving from or adding to the plot. Rather as if Ms. Pierce had some sort of contractual obligation to add a certain number of words per chapter dealing with lover and angst.
A good book, but not a great book. I love the characters and the characterizations and look forward to book three and hopefully many beyond. Sadly the plot for "Bloodhound" simply doesn"t live up to Ms. Pierces best and doesn"t do justice to the character of Beka.

I'm afraid my reviews of Tamora Pierce's work might not be reliable, as I love them all too much to set aside bias.
That being said, Bloodhound delivered on the promise Terrier made. The strong, flowing first person narrative grabs you again and before you know it, Beka's life has again turned a corner onto curious alleys. Pierce stamps out a story built around Beka's practical nature, but doesn't forget that she's also young and sometimes foolish. We have a new city and an almost-all new cast to get acquainted with, and a serious mystery that kept me guessing.
Always magic, never contrived. I was introduced to Pierce's writing as a teenager, and I doubt I'll get tired of them before I die.

While not quite as good as its predecessor Terrier (The Legend of Beka Cooper, Book 1), Bloodhound is still a fun book following one Pierce's best heroines through her tribulations and victories as a Provost's Guard. The writing is fantastic even if the pace was slower this time around. New and returning characters keep things interesting, but the action takes a while to get going. I will definitely be reading the third and final book and look forward to joining Beka on one last adventure.

*8.5/10*

Beka may be my favourite heroine out of all the heroines in Tamora Pierce's repertoire (and that's really saying something because I love them all). I love the focus on counterfeit crime - clearly well researched, and one I have never seen in a fantasy novel before!

Bloodhound continues the saga of Beka Cooper, set in the realm of Tortall 200 years before the other adventures (Lioness, Immortals, Protector of the Small, etc.) that have made Tamora Pierce one of the most beloved authors of fantasy for young adults. Cooper, now past her "puppy" year of training as one of the Provost's Guard, continues her work as a Guardswoman, pursuing the trail of a counterfeiting ring across the realm.

In her acknowledgements for Bloodhound, Pierce mentions her "fear that counterfeiting just wasn't that exciting" as one of her great difficulties in finishing this book. But while this novel's adventures are not as dazzlingly dramatic as some of Pierce's others, they fit well with the character for whom they are written, a commoner who has worked hard to keep herself and her family out of poverty. Cooper's triumphs are not rooted in spectacular feats of magic or good fortune (though those, too, play into the story), but in her own hard work and dogged determination. This novel is a solid addition to Pierce's tales of Tortall, and a must-read for any who love that realm. I look forward to reading the conclusion to Beka's saga!

I have been a fan of Tamora Pierce's Tortall books for over 15 years now. I started with the Song of the Lioness Quartet and was delighted with the Wild Magic series. The Lady Knight series and Trickster Duology was somewhat of a disappointment because I felt like the writing was geared towards more juvenile tastes, but I think that Pierce has gotten her stride back with the character of Beka. This second installment took me a few nights of 30 pages here, 30 pages there to really get into. However, once the plot starts thickening, I found it difficult to put down (though, at over 500 pages, it's pretty hard to lift up constantly!). I highly recommend this series to anyone who is a fan of the world of Tortall, and I appreciate that Pierce is giving us new glimpses into the world she created so long ago.

Wow! Once again Tammy has done an incredible job of bringing us back into Beka's life and enfolding us in the sights, smells and ambiance of Corus and Port Caynn. There are many fascinating new characters and the fun of seeing what has happened in the lives of old friends. Above all, there is the hunt for a menace that could ultimately destroy the entire economic structure of the kingdom. As always, you're left waiting anxiously for the next book... Hmmm, maybe I'll have a Kindle 2 by then. :D

I've been waiting for this book for three years. I loved Terrier (The Legend of Beka Cooper, Book 1)--the first book in Tamora Pierce's Beka Cooper trilogy and I looked forward to spending more time in her company. I've been a Pierce fan for a long time now and with this series it was literally like coming home being back in Corus, the capital of Tortall. It was also a nice change of pace to have the story set a few hundred years before Alanna's time, and revolve firmly around the lower classes. Unlike Alanna's day, Beka's Tortall is a place where lady knights roam the countryside freely and girls can grow up to be part of the city guard if they want. That is exactly what Beka's alwasy wanted and, thanks to the Lord Provost's benevolence, she's able to escape the city slums and help support her mother and siblings on a Dog's salary.

In BLOODHOUND Beka finds herself typically partnerless. When one of the senior Dogs is laid up after a riot, Beka is temporarily partnered with her idol Goodwin and the two of them are sent to Port Caynn to run down the source behind a forgery ring that's been pouring silver plated copper "coles" into circulation throughout the realm. Transplanted out of her natural habitat, Beka is literally forced to step far, far outside her comfort zone in order to pass herself off as a flighty Dog who slides by on others' coattails and uses her womanly wiles to take credit for others' successes. Pretty much the polar opposite of her reserved, forthright, and honor-bound self. Going about her task with her standard single-mindedness, she doesn't expect to meet a young gambler who takes a romantic interest in her. She doesn't expect a mad Rogue who lets her people suffer and spends their takings. And she doesn't expect to be left alone.

BLOODHOUND weighs in at over 550 pages and the entire story is told through Beka's painstaking journal entries. This is a very interesting installment and not at all what I was expecting. The majority of the story simply follows Beka's daily movements as she prowls through Port Caynn, inserts herself into the underworld, and struggles with her growing isolation and strong need for companionship despite her at times overwhelming natural reticence. I missed Beka's circle of friends at home in Corus as they were absent the majority of the time. I missed Rosto and his prickly friendship with Beka, the way they stretch and counter each other. I found myself painfully uneasy as I watched Beka grow closer to the gambler/bank messenger Dale Rowan. In fact, I longed to step in and help Beka throughout this book. She is an amazingly strong character and I love her. I just wish she didn't have to stumble and fall sometimes. And I wish she didn't have to experience some of the pain she did. She deserves better and she can't seem to see a few very important things. At the same time I can be grown up about these things (honest I can) and recognize they were necessary and be okay with that. I am so very excited to read the third and final book in the trilogy--MASTIFF--due out sometime next year. Knock on wood.

The first book, Terrier, is one of my favorite books ever: plenty of action, fun, not a lot of romance. Bloodhound is good as well but...too much romance and not enough action! Achoo played a much bigger part in this book so that was fun.
I guess you probably think I should have given this book a two-star rating! Actually, it's a pretty good story if you don't judge it by Terrier (oops, that's how I judged it!)

Beka has been a dog for a year and has learned a lot. However, there's unrest spreading through the City as counterfeit coins are circulating, causing riots. Beka and her partner head to Port Caynn as they follow the trail to find the counterfeiters. Along the way Beka finds a new companion by the name of Achoo and she becomes a hound handler.

This new trail will push her to new limits, to step out of her comfort zone and take risks. She meets new friends and digs deep to find out what she needs to know.

Bloodhound is one of Tamora Pierce’s Tortall books: the sequel to Terrier, and the second book in the Beka Cooper Trilogy. The series is set primarily in Corus (the capital of Pierce’s fantasy nation, Tortall) although much of this installment’s plot occurs in Port Caynn, another large Tortallan city. Rebekah Cooper is Provost’s Guard, or ‘Dog’, the Tortallan equivalent to the policeman. In this book, she has graduated from her training as a ‘Puppy’ and is now a full-fledged dog, working in one of the poorest districts in Corus, the Lower City, which is also where she grew up. What she does not expect, though, is to be sent on a secret hunt in Port Caynn to hunt down a group of colemongers (money forgers) with her partner Goodwin and newly-acquired scent-hound Achoo. It is time for Beka to rise to the challenge of a new city and a group of Rats willing to send all of Tortall into economic crisis and civil war.
Pierce’s world is rich and many-layered, from the dynamic of the cities to the multitude of characters to the archaic vocab she uses. Her characters feel very true to the medieval-esque setting she uses, but are, simultaneously, completely unique and lovable. The dogs are tough and disillusioned, but have an easy, natural feel as they joke and are clearly dedicated to their work. The poor residents of the Lower City are appropriately desperate, rioting when the price of bread goes up and struggling to survive as the economy stumbles. We see rats that range from unbelievably sadistic and cruel, to young children trying to scrape a life under the protection of the Court of the Rogue (the underground kingdom of criminals). Beyond these staples, this story is littered with unique characters (such as a man who dresses as a woman to sing in eating houses) that seem unexpected but fall naturally into the setting without feeling over or underused. Pierce fleshes out her cast by adding another level of realism: corrupt dogs and rulers also play a part in the plot’s execution while keeping her story true to human nature and the present day world. Additionally, the vocabulary they use strengthens this world: Pierce draws terms and slang from old English and medieval times. For instance, a ‘silver kiss’ is a bribe, a ‘mumper’ is a beggar, and a ‘cove’ is a man.
The character’s interactions and vocabulary only serve to enrich the setting, which feels real, and very dark and grimy at times. Characters may have multiple loyalties, and much of the police work treads a fine line between criminal and not, as bribes and other corrupt actions are common. The characters help this setting by bringing it to life and feeling utterly at home in Corus and Port Caynn.
Unfortunately, the book has its weak points as well. The plot is extremely slow to start, and while the beginning pages do set up a great deal for the story as it continues, we do not get to the true meat of the novel until more than 100 pages in (the book itself is over 500) and even then it feels somewhat slow through the middle as Beka and Goodwin painstakingly try to booth unravel the plot and keep up their cover. While the character moments help make the beginning enjoyable and the world-building and set-up is mostly worth it in the end, it is easy to become bored with this pace. The story is also somewhat complicated and may take some basic understanding of the effect bad money can have on the economy and a nation’s wellbeing. Finally, the vocabulary (mentioned above) may be confusing, but Pierce supplies a glossary to the words that proves quite useful.
Themes in this story center around human responsibility, but in multiple senses. Beka herself teaches a great lesson of the responsibility of the strong to aid the weak, as she tries to help the poor residents of the Lower City and of Port Caynn. This protection often comes in the form of fighting, often with risk to her own life, to arrest rats that threaten the general safety. In these endeavors, we also see Beka’s resolve and determination despite her own doubts about her abilities actions, as well as her strong moral compass. Finally, this book teaches a lesson of the power of one human to set off a string of events to destroy the lives of thousands, and that we have a responsibility to keep our own greed in check and consider the lives of others around us.
All in all, this novel is a dense, long read that takes some dedication form the reader’s part. Pierce sugarcoats little and some scenes may be too morbid for those who are squeamish and the corrupted state of the government in some parts of the novel is slightly disturbing. However, once you enter her rich world you may not want to come back.

Very well written and enjoyable. It took awhile to get used to the writing style for this book, but once I did, it was very good. I think it's the kind of book that just gets better when you read it again.

Once again This author has thrust me in world of triumph, heartbreak, and police work of Beka Cooper. I have read almost all of her series and this one is by far one of my favorite. I love how Beka Cooper is a hard working Dog who gets by on her own strength and cunning rather than relaying on advanced Mage skills or even nobility. Beka Cooper is by far one of the most relatable characters that Tamora Pierce has created and I look forward to the next installment of this series.

While this was a decent enough book, it should not even be compared to TERRIER as far as I am concerned. The journal format was used to good effect in TERRIER, with funny little snippets giving us a more in depth view of Beka and Tortall. In BLOODHOUND it seemed to be there simply for form's sake. Everything was done in a linear fashion, except for at the very end and it appears out of place and awkward (you're writing, not speaking... stop telling us you have to stop).

The romance also seemed out of place and awkward. It seemed more like filler, than actual character or plot development. The romance made Beka appear less mature, as opposed to more mature (it has been proved beyond doubt that, these days, romance is no proof of maturity).

The plot is neither convoluted nor unpredictable, and the only thing that keeps you guessing is whether or not certain people (cough) are involved. Beka's magic, which was used so fascinatingly and usefully in TERRIER, is nearly absent (which makes sense, since there is no murder), but I missed it all the same. The answer seems plain to me from about a third of the way into the book, and the perpetrator of the crime is in no way a worthy adversary for the character portrayed in TERRIER. Too much of the book is spent trying to figure out WHY the bad guy would do that, as opposed to going with the evidence in front of them, and in the end the answer is nothing special (I won't say it, but I bet you can guess...)

The character development is intriguing, to say the least. Tamora Pierce explores new aspects of her characters, but the exploration takes you in a completely different direction from what one might have expected, given her characterization in TERRIER. I find most of these new directions disappointing, though, since they seem to take the character backwards instead of forwards. While Beka was wonderfully human in TERRIER, and easy to relate to, I feel that she has become "too human" in some sense. She makes far too many mistakes, and seems far too shallow in many ways (what was up with that sewer concern anyways?). Since I am the same age as she is portrayed I find these things somewhat unforgivable; she appears less strong-minded than before and slightly stupid, in fact, a lot of the time she sounds like the "loose Dog" she pretends to be.

There are some loose ends that seem incomplete, and the ending left me with the vague feeling that something was missing. Quite a few questions go unanswered, and characters appear and disappear throughout the book for no apparent reason.

A decent read, but not on the same level as most of Tamora Pierce's books, (but that still makes it better than many books) and it would probably be best if they are not read consecutively (give it a little time between the first to forget some of the details of the character). I in no way condemn either the book or Ms. Pierce, due to the fact that she was under considerable strain during the time she was writing this, so I look forward to MASTIFF, and hope that Tamora Pierce will return to her usual excellence.

I love Tamora Pierce, but this isn't my favorite book that she has written. The plot is a little slow in the middle, when Beka travels from one city to the next, but overall it is still a good read. The characters are fun and the action is exciting. A must read for fans of Pierce and the Tortall world; however, if you haven't read any of her books, I recommend Alanna: The First Adventure (Song of the Lioness, Book 1).

A great story about a girl in a fantasy medieval type land full of practical magic and a society in which women are treated equal, yet slaves abound. If you are a fan on well rounded fantasy worlds you will not be disapointed.
In Bloodhound, Rebeka Cooper is the equivalent of a junior cop, having to work with her senior "dogs" on murders and fighting hoodlums in the streets of her beloved city.

I loved this book series, it has been my fav of Pierce's since the Lioness Quartet! When you type in Becka Cooper in the the store searchbox a Beka Cooper 3 and a Beka Cooper Mastiff come up but when i search either nothing comes up :-( Are there more?? if so when?? if not, why not?? there is soo much more Pierce could do the the character!! ill keep my fingers crossed keep checking for news, if anyone hears anything pleeeeeeeeeeeeease reply to this ASAP!!!!!!!!

Yeah, Tamora is a great writer, but unless she wants to give her characters a little more ethics and backbone, I'm done reading her stuff. I like seeing girls overcome adversity, not succumb to it. I thought Tamora liked the same, but I am heartbroken now to see that is not the case.

I have been reading Tamora Pierce's work since I was about thirteen. As a girl, a medieval enthusiast, and a budding writer, I fell in love with her work. I used to look up to her.

However, there is this little thing called responsibility. Artists, writer's included, have to keep their audience in mind. Tamora's readers are teenage girls. She writes about strong, capable, independent girl characters--all attributes of good role models. Not the preachy sort. I'm talking about heroines that girls will admire and look up to.

But you DON'T have such a character meet some guy who may or may not need arrested, and FOUR DAYS LATER have casual sex with him. First of all, Beka is supposed to be smart. She a cop. This type of behavior is unprofessional to say the least. Second, it is irresponsible. Yeah, she went and got a pregnancy charm. Guess what? The girls reading this book live in a world where contraceptives fail, diseases are common, and boys are rarely the shining example of responsibility themselves. Would you start school, meet a new guy and sleep with him four days later? Would you want your daughter/sister/friend doing that? Would you trust a cop if they slept with suspects of a crime in your neighborhood?

There are consequences to such behavior, and young girls need to be aware of these. How much better of a character would Beka have been if she had mere come close to caving, but then come to her senses and turned the guy down?

You have to be careful with that kind of influence when your work is popular. People these days are irresponsible enough. You don't have to undermine the smart, responsible girls who actually stand up for themselves and do the right thing. Let's support THOSE girls. They are the real heroines-in-the-making of this world.

I liked Beka before Tamora made her look like a fool.

I have been waiting (sometimes patiently) for this book for a year and a half. I am happy to report that my excitement for book 2 was well deserved. I have thoroughly enjoyed the character development, both the new characters and the familiar ones. Bravo, Ms. Pierce.

Well Bloodhound is kind of draggy in the middle and i didn't like it that Beka choose someone like dale over Rosto but... and when the action started to pick up towards the end I couldn't put the book down so to say over all it is pretty good but is second to the first book in the serries terrier.

This is a great second book in The Legend of Beka Cooper, a must read for all teen girls. Beka travels to help sniff out a Rat, and encounters problems on the way. Bloodhound builds up perfectly for the third book, making all fans wriggle in their seats for the next book. I say, go Beka!

I love Tamera Pierce's books and Bloodhound is Great! I recommend this for both male and female teens and adult readers. All her books are wonderful adventures with a little bit of magic thrown in. Good Values. The slang and Dialect she uses in the story are great fun and very creative.

Great book. Love the whole thing. Never a slow moment. Perfect sequel to the last book. I can't wait until the next one. Not predictable really. Left me guessing until the near end. I most definitely recommend that you purchase this.

Bloodhound was great. I love the Becca character and hope to see more along this series.
I still think she's going to end up with the Rouge King (Rosto). After all didn't her ancestor George end up the King and marry Alanna.

I really enjoyed this book! I liked it better than the first one, it had more romance and adventure. Sure, there was no 18-person slaughter, but it was still amazing.
This series just keeps getting better and better.

This book was great. One of the best works of Tamora Pierce!! The story started slow but sped up a quarter of the way through. All in all it was worth buying it and I will definitely read this book again and again. :)

Bloodhound is great, a must read for the whole family.
Tamora Pierce has done a work of art at putting the time lines without conflicts with the other Tortall books.
Looking forward to the next book.

You all know I love Tamora Pierce. I esp. love her strong, smart Beka Cooper character--a girl smart enough not to casually jump into bed with sweet Rogue King Rosto (who we all love from book 1, Terrier). This is another great story, but nothing I can say about this book will matter as much as: THIS BOOK IS TOTALLY INAPPROPRIATE FOR TEENS! (Sorry for screaming.)

Pierce writes a thrilling story, and you love Beka, but when she goes off to Port Caynn to investigate a counterfeiting ring, she falls into a VERY CASUAL, sexual relationship with a gambler/courier (B minus guy that I would warn any room mate against). Of course, she only has sex after she's gone to a mage to get a charm that prevents pregnancy. Nevermind sweet Rosto at home who actually cares about her. It's hugely frustrating and completely disgusting.

THIS BOOK IS TOTALLY INAPPROPRIATE FOR TEENS!

At the end, when she's hoping she might see her lover again (no need to remember his name, since the relationship is completely meaningless). He says, "We've had fun. Let's not ruin it." And they both head off in their separate ways, no harm done. Oh, puh-leeze! What a lie! She doesn't mention the STDs Beka must have contracted from this philanderer or the increase in depression and anxiety found in young women who engage in casual sex.

THIS BOOK IS TOTALLY INAPPROPRIATE FOR TEENS!

But, it gets worse.

You also get to know more about Beka's first crush along with her disappointment at finding out he's gay (no kidding). She visits him in Port Caynn and meets his gay lover Okah who, as it turns out, is a fabulous transvestite, transforming himself into the embodiment of perfection in woman. Okha explains that the Trickster God (this place has a complex mythology), played the worse trick of all on him when he was yet in the womb--turning him into a man, though in his soul, he is a woman.

Nice. That's what I want my teens ruminating over.

You really admire these noble lovers who are doing their best despite the cruelty of the gods.

Have I mentioned, THIS BOOK IS TOTALLY INAPPROPRIATE FOR TEENS! I can't think of a book I want my teens to read LESS than this one. I'm hoping for a smarter Beka in the final book.

Still 2 stars for good storytelling and characterization. Make of that what you will.

I LOVED the first book in this series, but the second is horrible! Doesn't even seem like the same character... Not sure what happened, but what a disappointment. OK, I've only read 50 pages, but can't force myself to read any more...