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grumpusgoblin 's review for:
Bloodhound
by Tamora Pierce
Folks, I had a blast with this one. I mean, I had a blast with Terrier too. The Beka Cooper trilogy is exceeding all hopes and expectations. My younger self didn't know what she was thinking when she read maybe one page and put the remainder of the Tortall universe on the dusty shelf for years. Taking Beka out of Corus, focusing the story on economics/counterfeit currency, taking away Pounce and all of the regulars barring Goodwin, all dicey moves from one Tammy Pierce! But I admire her for it because she's not got bogged down in her tired tropes and rhythms that were glaring in the Tricksters duology (I'm sorry, Aly just was too perfect).
I thought it was interesting that she tackled a trans character in this. Okha/Amber was an unexpected surprise, but I'm glad to see this feminist author wanted to include character like them. I thought the villain was a little too easily revealed but hey, greedy idiots gain power in this day and age all the time, so I won't critique Pearl as much as I thought I would.
Achoo is perfect, no alterations. Love a happy, beggy, brilliant dog that's also so capable.
I see people have a lot of the critiques on the Dale Rowan romantic subplot. It's tricky. I did find myself more compelled to whip through those pages, eager to know how Beka would deal with the flirtatious advances of a charismatic gambler. Some said it was unrealistic for her to lose her guard and become vulnerable with him. But you know, her character is innately shy when she's out of her protective Dog garb/persona. I absolutely believe that she caught feelings. And of course he shrugged off their romance at the end like men of his ilk do and "wanted to be just friends". It read in a realistic way to me. My one complaint was that she was hooking up with him while hiding out at the Court of the Rogues that one day and that didn't seem like she would've been fooling around while hiding from Lionel's corrupt Dogs. That's all I have to say. Can't wait to see how Pierce completes it all!
I thought it was interesting that she tackled a trans character in this. Okha/Amber was an unexpected surprise, but I'm glad to see this feminist author wanted to include character like them. I thought the villain was a little too easily revealed but hey, greedy idiots gain power in this day and age all the time, so I won't critique Pearl as much as I thought I would.
Achoo is perfect, no alterations. Love a happy, beggy, brilliant dog that's also so capable.
I see people have a lot of the critiques on the Dale Rowan romantic subplot. It's tricky. I did find myself more compelled to whip through those pages, eager to know how Beka would deal with the flirtatious advances of a charismatic gambler. Some said it was unrealistic for her to lose her guard and become vulnerable with him. But you know, her character is innately shy when she's out of her protective Dog garb/persona. I absolutely believe that she caught feelings. And of course he shrugged off their romance at the end like men of his ilk do and "wanted to be just friends". It read in a realistic way to me. My one complaint was that she was hooking up with him while hiding out at the Court of the Rogues that one day and that didn't seem like she would've been fooling around while hiding from Lionel's corrupt Dogs. That's all I have to say. Can't wait to see how Pierce completes it all!