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lydv33's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
just_justine's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
3.5
thebigq's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I find this one hard to re-read, mostly because of all the traitor stuff in second half. It's one of Pierce's darker books for sure. But the ending is bright and the ties to Alanna series clever, especially the role of a certain magical black cat.
chaoswithdirection's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
sarahlreadseverything's review against another edition
5.0
I'm just going to sit here and sob for a while now. Why does Tamora Pierce keep doing this to me? (I'm hoping she continues to forever).
foraging_pages's review against another edition
4.0
Just under two years since the events of Bloodhound, Mastiff begins with a funeral. Beka has gained and lost a fiancé the readers are unfamiliar with. That very same night she is swept away on a ship for a new investigation.
That beginning was a lot. I was like who? where? how many years?
Luckily the story began right off and any confusion disappeared (although the author kept saying it’s been three years since events that occurred in the last book but that was in 247 and it is now 249 - that’s only two years and if you go by month also it only adds up to one and a half years so I don’t know what that was about…)
I loved the cross-country Hunt aspect. It was a classic on-the-road, meeting-new-people, seeing-new-places quest. I enjoyed the slow burn between Farmer and Beka that this journey allowed. From the initial meeting to endearment to love - it was just well done and realistic because it was unassuming and came at the worst/least expected time.
Tunstall’s betrayal didn’t feel organic. I’m sure he and Sabine would have been happy to live as they were. He didn’t need to try to rise in station to meet hers. Neither of them needed to be married to prove their love. The reasoning is off. And him dying before he could face a trial and justice was too convenient. Strange plot twist by Pierce.
I teared up at the end when everyone was being rewarded by the king. Happy ending. ☺️
That beginning was a lot. I was like who? where? how many years?
Luckily the story began right off and any confusion disappeared (although the author kept saying it’s been three years since events that occurred in the last book but that was in 247 and it is now 249 - that’s only two years and if you go by month also it only adds up to one and a half years so I don’t know what that was about…)
I loved the cross-country Hunt aspect. It was a classic on-the-road, meeting-new-people, seeing-new-places quest. I enjoyed the slow burn between Farmer and Beka that this journey allowed. From the initial meeting to endearment to love - it was just well done and realistic because it was unassuming and came at the worst/least expected time.
Tunstall’s betrayal didn’t feel organic. I’m sure he and Sabine would have been happy to live as they were. He didn’t need to try to rise in station to meet hers. Neither of them needed to be married to prove their love. The reasoning is off. And him dying before he could face a trial and justice was too convenient. Strange plot twist by Pierce.
I teared up at the end when everyone was being rewarded by the king. Happy ending. ☺️
jettreads's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
inkfire's review against another edition
5.0
I didn't expect the twist at the end. Very well handled, and definitely believable. A very enjoyable read.
There were some very minor inconsistencies in high-tension scenes, but nothing plot-breaking.
UPDATE:
Trans character from the previous book is still referred to with the incorrect pronouns. This continues to bother me.
There were some very minor inconsistencies in high-tension scenes, but nothing plot-breaking.
UPDATE:
Trans character from the previous book is still referred to with the incorrect pronouns. This continues to bother me.
emeraldletter's review against another edition
4.0
I have really enjoyed this series, I love the strong female lead, the interesting plot, the diverse characters and settings. I still enjoyed Mastiff, but I have to say at the outset, it did have slightly more significant problems with it than the last two books. I would still recommend it to a lot of people though, so don't be put off by that.
First of all, I adored the girl power! A lot of books with strong female leads make them strong- but they're strong because they break the rules. That is so NOT true in real life! Girls can obey the law, respect authority and still be strong women. I love that about Beka in this book. She has the Lord Geshom, and other men in positions of authority giving her orders, but it doesn't make her weak to obey rules. In fact, she shines even more. Such a brilliant example of the truth displayed in teen fiction made me want to jump up and down with pride for authors who write about true strong women.
In the romance department, I was a bit disappointed, not because the guy Pierce had picked for Beka was bad, but because it felt like she had inserted the perfect guy into the story for Beka so she could have a man. I don't normally have a problem with that except the romance moved too fast (not in the terms of physicality, but mentality). Like a lot of characters, they didn't really realise they had fallen in love 'til they reflected on their actions, but the time progression between 'I realised I was in love', and 'be my girlfriend', was way too short. I understand Pierce needed Beka with a guy as the Cooper family tree continues to George Cooper, but she could've done that in several good ways other than the way she chose. (e.g. Beka stays single at the end and it's just assumed she found someone, OR she got with a guy, but it didn't move as fast and it's assumed that they got married eventually after the book). I think it's a bit sad that this part of the story wasn't developed fully as it could've been an awesome way to end the Trilogy.
Anyway, I am still happy to say that most of the things that I most enjoyed about the first and second book were still present in the third. The plot was excellent (apart from aforementioned problem), the characters and settings were new, diverse and brilliant, and the character development from the last book. I'm not sure I can say anything else about those four positive things without reiterating stuff I've said in previous reviews on the series. Needless to say, they were awesome.
It's a minor problem, but if you are to properly appreciate the epilogue, you may have to read the Lioness Quartet. In all probability, the Beka Cooper series is used to educate Tortallan readers about the history of Tortall, the history of the Coopers, and create a more indepth world. It's true that reading the Lioness Quartet beforehand enriches the reading experience of this series, but I'm sure you can still read the series as a stand alone. You'll just have to put up with a confusing epilogue from Mastiff, and a puzzling prologue from Terrier. Personally, I would just read the Quartet, but you don't have to.
Ok, I'll be honest, this problem is hard to voice without spoiling, but I'll do my best. I'm not sure if this is just a personal bias, but some of the decisions one old character made seem a bit out of character. Right. I give up. Skip the italics to the next paragraph if you don't want this spoiled (I'd recommend it as this is the big spoil).
I was so disappointed in what Pierce did with Tunstall! It seemed slightly out of character, but at the same time, his motives were true...so...I guess my problem is either I was so wrapped up in the story that I still can't believe he would betray them, or that Pierce made him do something slightly out of character. Please comment and tell me what you think, 'cause I'm still not sure what to think...
There was no sex, and not much mention of it, like I said in the last book, I say this for anyone who has wished that some books would come with a warning you could read before you read it. Fortunately, this book is not one of those ones and all those under who worry have nothing to worry about.
Well, all in all, I reckon I'll rate it four and a half stars. It was good, but there was a fairly big problem in the timing of the romance department. I still LOVE the girl power and the overall plot, characters and world, which were excellent.The message I think Pierce wanted to send was that the slaves should be freed (as seen in the dedication) and I agree wholeheartedly. I think it's good that an author uses her readers to advocate for important issues. I recommend it to anyone 14+.
BTW, I have noticed that when I review, I review the features of the book and usually don't talk too much about actual characters and plot twists. If you agree, or disagree, please comment and tell me so I know what you'd like me to focus on when I write!
StoryGirl
First of all, I adored the girl power! A lot of books with strong female leads make them strong- but they're strong because they break the rules. That is so NOT true in real life! Girls can obey the law, respect authority and still be strong women. I love that about Beka in this book. She has the Lord Geshom, and other men in positions of authority giving her orders, but it doesn't make her weak to obey rules. In fact, she shines even more. Such a brilliant example of the truth displayed in teen fiction made me want to jump up and down with pride for authors who write about true strong women.
In the romance department, I was a bit disappointed, not because the guy Pierce had picked for Beka was bad, but because it felt like she had inserted the perfect guy into the story for Beka so she could have a man. I don't normally have a problem with that except the romance moved too fast (not in the terms of physicality, but mentality). Like a lot of characters, they didn't really realise they had fallen in love 'til they reflected on their actions, but the time progression between 'I realised I was in love', and 'be my girlfriend', was way too short. I understand Pierce needed Beka with a guy as the Cooper family tree continues to George Cooper, but she could've done that in several good ways other than the way she chose. (e.g. Beka stays single at the end and it's just assumed she found someone, OR she got with a guy, but it didn't move as fast and it's assumed that they got married eventually after the book). I think it's a bit sad that this part of the story wasn't developed fully as it could've been an awesome way to end the Trilogy.
Anyway, I am still happy to say that most of the things that I most enjoyed about the first and second book were still present in the third. The plot was excellent (apart from aforementioned problem), the characters and settings were new, diverse and brilliant, and the character development from the last book. I'm not sure I can say anything else about those four positive things without reiterating stuff I've said in previous reviews on the series. Needless to say, they were awesome.
It's a minor problem, but if you are to properly appreciate the epilogue, you may have to read the Lioness Quartet. In all probability, the Beka Cooper series is used to educate Tortallan readers about the history of Tortall, the history of the Coopers, and create a more indepth world. It's true that reading the Lioness Quartet beforehand enriches the reading experience of this series, but I'm sure you can still read the series as a stand alone. You'll just have to put up with a confusing epilogue from Mastiff, and a puzzling prologue from Terrier. Personally, I would just read the Quartet, but you don't have to.
Ok, I'll be honest, this problem is hard to voice without spoiling, but I'll do my best. I'm not sure if this is just a personal bias, but some of the decisions one old character made seem a bit out of character. Right. I give up. Skip the italics to the next paragraph if you don't want this spoiled (I'd recommend it as this is the big spoil).
I was so disappointed in what Pierce did with Tunstall! It seemed slightly out of character, but at the same time, his motives were true...so...I guess my problem is either I was so wrapped up in the story that I still can't believe he would betray them, or that Pierce made him do something slightly out of character. Please comment and tell me what you think, 'cause I'm still not sure what to think...
There was no sex, and not much mention of it, like I said in the last book, I say this for anyone who has wished that some books would come with a warning you could read before you read it. Fortunately, this book is not one of those ones and all those under who worry have nothing to worry about.
Well, all in all, I reckon I'll rate it four and a half stars. It was good, but there was a fairly big problem in the timing of the romance department. I still LOVE the girl power and the overall plot, characters and world, which were excellent.The message I think Pierce wanted to send was that the slaves should be freed (as seen in the dedication) and I agree wholeheartedly. I think it's good that an author uses her readers to advocate for important issues. I recommend it to anyone 14+.
BTW, I have noticed that when I review, I review the features of the book and usually don't talk too much about actual characters and plot twists. If you agree, or disagree, please comment and tell me so I know what you'd like me to focus on when I write!
StoryGirl
ptothelo's review against another edition
5.0
couldn't put it down. I started it last night. Fell asleep reading it. Put off work this morning to finish it. That's what happens when you're on a Hunt...you can't stop