crystaldragonst's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
zusy's review
4.0
"You're both so adorable I feel a hair ball coming up." parting words from Pounce
I stayed up far too late to finish this book.
I stayed up far too late to finish this book.
samantha365's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
3.0
linaria's review
4.0
Beka, now a Dog, is putting her skills to work on the streets to deal with the counterfeiting problem. She's joined by a menagerie of animals - pigeons, dogs and her faithful cat, Pounce. Honestly, I was surprised that I enjoyed a book about counterfeiting so much, but Pierce really worked the destabilization of the economy into the plot. It was also great to spend more time with Goodwin in this book, and to see Beka's friends again.
I was super excited that we got out of Tortall in this book. I also REALLY enjoyed all the time we spent with Goodwin, and the ending, was pretty perfect. I do think that there were some issues with pacing, since some of the events are kind of hard to track chronologically, I think that I perhaps don't really like the epistolary format of the book.
Honestly, the book starts a bit slow, but it does pick up. There are also a few things I wasn't really expecting in this book. Tamora included LGBTQ+ rep, which was a pleasant surprise and very well done. There were also a few things that bugged me in this novel, but the most important thing to note is that Achoo was the real MVP.
I was super excited that we got out of Tortall in this book. I also REALLY enjoyed all the time we spent with Goodwin, and the ending, was pretty perfect. I do think that there were some issues with pacing, since some of the events are kind of hard to track chronologically, I think that I perhaps don't really like the epistolary format of the book.
Honestly, the book starts a bit slow, but it does pick up. There are also a few things I wasn't really expecting in this book. Tamora included LGBTQ+ rep, which was a pleasant surprise and very well done. There were also a few things that bugged me in this novel, but the most important thing to note is that Achoo was the real MVP.
marimoose's review
3.0
It was more difficult getting into Beka's skin this time around when I was more paranoid than she relative to the people she'd met. Once again, though, it was an extremely good read, and some chapters had me blushing down to my socks. Others made me wince and denounce choice expletives into the air (though I usually do that when I get too into the story).
My only caveat was that it almost felt too much like an actual investigation story. Without the magic and the titles (and the flurry of archaic slang and vocabulary--created or reused), it would have been too real. On the other hand, the realism does add to the appeal of the book. I just missed the pigeons and the dust spinners a lot. Not too much in this book.
And I have to say, the love interest is probably what bugged me the most. Hah, but I can't help being a fan of the Corus Rogue, even if nothing does happen (I hope something does, but I'm not counting my feathers before they molt).
My only caveat was that it almost felt too much like an actual investigation story. Without the magic and the titles (and the flurry of archaic slang and vocabulary--created or reused), it would have been too real. On the other hand, the realism does add to the appeal of the book. I just missed the pigeons and the dust spinners a lot. Not too much in this book.
And I have to say, the love interest is probably what bugged me the most. Hah, but I can't help being a fan of the Corus Rogue, even if nothing does happen (I hope something does, but I'm not counting my feathers before they molt).
smolhousewitch's review
adventurous
funny
medium-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
katleap's review
4.0
4 stars
I liked it but it is my least favorite of the Beka books.
Beka travels to Port Caynn, where the majority of the book takes place. I like the first half which is in her home city of Corus. Love that Beka can't keep a partner. However I hated Pearl, who was a stupid villain. (Good villains are fun to hate and are smart, mostly).
Dale drove me nuts. I liked Nestor and wish he had been a more prominent character. Achoo saved the day. That dog was awesome!!!! I also liked Goodwin, who is all types of awesomeness. I kinda missed Tunstall in all this too. Although I like that he is her partner at the end.
So good but not my favorite.
I liked it but it is my least favorite of the Beka books.
Beka travels to Port Caynn, where the majority of the book takes place. I like the first half which is in her home city of Corus. Love that Beka can't keep a partner. However I hated Pearl, who was a stupid villain. (Good villains are fun to hate and are smart, mostly).
Dale drove me nuts. I liked Nestor and wish he had been a more prominent character. Achoo saved the day. That dog was awesome!!!! I also liked Goodwin, who is all types of awesomeness. I kinda missed Tunstall in all this too. Although I like that he is her partner at the end.
So good but not my favorite.
scribesprite's review
4.0
I was really flip floppy on what to give Bloodhound. I still like Beka but felt she wasn't as "Go get 'em" as in the first book Terrier. I felt the hunt was interesting and its done it true Pierce style. It didn't have so many twists as the first. The first part of the book is all that I had expected from Pierce. Beka is in her element (the lower city) and she is still a Terrier. Then a sent comes of where the fake silver might be coming from and so Beka has to go hunt it out in another city. She is taken out of comfort of her city and is given new challenges to face. And of course she handles them with great instincts and knowhow.
Beka still tried to be true to herself and for the most part she was, but at times a thought that she kind of acted out of character. It was mostly when she had the romance going on. Beka has sex in the book, she doesn't go into detail but you know she does it. I kind of suspected as much -it being a Pierce book. That is why I suggest the book for mature young adults. Beka is still smart and all that but she’s not as kick-butt when she's around her guy. For the most part I thought the romance kind of took away from the books progression.
The hunt is interesting but not as elaborate as I had hoped. In the first book Terrier you get all these twists and tell yourself, "What!?" or "Really!?" I didn't get that so much with Bloodhound. The criminals are kind of stupid and you can predict more easily who they are and what they’ll do. And their motives are...typical.
It’s still a great book and the ending makes a perfect setting for the next book. The ending isn't a cliff hanger and I like that about Pierce's books. Each book can stand on its own. Yes, there are a few a few uncertainties but nothing you can't live without knowing; there is a defined beginning, middle, and end. That does not necessarily mean that I'm any less anxious to read the next in the series. It just more like "I can't wait to see what she does next!", rather than "I have to knew what happens!". I think the ending makes up for a lot of the things I was disappointed in during the book. Beka hops right back into her get-the-rats self. I kind of wonder if Pierce already knew exactly what she had in mind for Beka and her friends even before she started the series because it’s all falling perfectly into place.
Beka still tried to be true to herself and for the most part she was, but at times a thought that she kind of acted out of character. It was mostly when she had the romance going on. Beka has sex in the book, she doesn't go into detail but you know she does it. I kind of suspected as much -it being a Pierce book. That is why I suggest the book for mature young adults. Beka is still smart and all that but she’s not as kick-butt when she's around her guy. For the most part I thought the romance kind of took away from the books progression.
The hunt is interesting but not as elaborate as I had hoped. In the first book Terrier you get all these twists and tell yourself, "What!?" or "Really!?" I didn't get that so much with Bloodhound. The criminals are kind of stupid and you can predict more easily who they are and what they’ll do. And their motives are...typical.
It’s still a great book and the ending makes a perfect setting for the next book. The ending isn't a cliff hanger and I like that about Pierce's books. Each book can stand on its own. Yes, there are a few a few uncertainties but nothing you can't live without knowing; there is a defined beginning, middle, and end. That does not necessarily mean that I'm any less anxious to read the next in the series. It just more like "I can't wait to see what she does next!", rather than "I have to knew what happens!". I think the ending makes up for a lot of the things I was disappointed in during the book. Beka hops right back into her get-the-rats self. I kind of wonder if Pierce already knew exactly what she had in mind for Beka and her friends even before she started the series because it’s all falling perfectly into place.