Reviews

On re-reading this I can't get it out of my head that the fiance doesn't matter to the plot at all. I really would love love love a novella detailing their relationship more, experiencing what Beka went through to really get into her headspace for the start of this book as it is a pretty jarring jump from one book to the other.

Of course I still loved it, the tense drama, the pacing, the animals, the plot, Beka herself and Farmer even though it felt a little rushed - most of the other series, the characters fall in love slowly and this was a speeding train in comparison.

I would recommend them to others, although I do think they're higher-level YA due to subject matter and in some ways even due to language, despite the fact that she doesn't use actual swearing (she makes up a whole new set for the world she's created). There's sex, there's fighting, there's death, and it's not pretty. But Beka has very strong moral fiber and it's a strong tale.

kat_sanford's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional 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

4.0

allthatjas's review against another edition

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3.0

I don’t care how late to the party I am on this book but my god the twist at the end has left me SO MAD! There is no way Tunstall would behave that way, we’ve had 2 2 and 1/2 books of him being this wonderful ethical man. You cannot tell me he would truly believe that he’s doing the right thing just so he would “be worthy of Sabine” there’s no way he would believe that she would even WANT him after the betrayal. I just.. I’m so mad

onetrooluff's review against another edition

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4.0

Well.

I'd not heard many good things about this book, but a lot of times I find that I like books others don't (and vice versa) so I was paying very little attention to that.

I really liked it, and I think it's a solid end to the trilogy. Every time I pick up a Tamora Pierce book, it's like visiting old friends. My favorites are the Alanna books, but I've also enjoyed the Immortals series, the first Trickster book and the first couple of Circle of Magic books.

This one was lonnnnnnnggggggg, but it didn't really feel that way. That said, the tension was so bad in this one that I broke one of my own rules and actually had to SKIM AHEAD TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS, just so I could stop being so worried about everyone/everything. Part of that related to Beka having the same last name as her 200-year-later descendant, George. Part of it is because I'm a mother now, and anything involving peril to small children just about does me in. Ironically, the biggest twist in the story somehow got missed when I was skimming, so I still had that waiting for me.

Speaking of the big twist (I'll remain spoiler-free).... I have to say I feel like certain parties did things that were awfully out of character. I wouldn't have believed it if I wasn't "there." I mean, crap happens, and real life isn't all tied up in pretty bows. I LIKE that Tamora Pierce understands this. There were a LOT of pretty bows at the end and I guess this plot point saved it from being so entirely perfect that it felt contrived. So. Sucky, but I can work with it.

Also, there was one scene that had me absolutely squirming and just totally not wanting to even think about it. EWWWWWWW. Also probably realistic, but... I so didn't need to read about that. *shudder*

Overall, it's a solid 4 stars. I liked the series, liked the characters, and I think the plots were well-thought out. I love the interplay between all of her series (like Pounce/Faithful and the fact that we see that Roger and Gareth are both family names that come up later). I would recommend them to others, although I do think they're higher-level YA due to subject matter and in some ways even due to language, despite the fact that she doesn't use actual swearing (she makes up a whole new set for the world she's created). There's sex, there's fighting, there's death, and it's not pretty. But Beka has very strong moral fiber and it's a strong tale.

mjk1221's review against another edition

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5.0

Another great Tamora Pierce book. It was a satisfactory ending to the series too.

This book worried me as I started reading it wondering how it was going to keep me interested in all those pages (longest Pierce book). I should never have doubted Pierce. There is nothing in it that makes me feel like it shouldn't have been there. There were tense moments, funny moments, etc. The whole thing was well done and kept you interested and engaged. I particularly liked the epilogue, which was fun for those fans of Song of the Lioness. The book does take a while to get back into because it's been so long since I read the last one, but you soon get into a rhythm and everything comes back to you. My only complaint was the weird beginning. I'm not sure why it was necessary. There could be a possibility for the later romance, but I don't know. I don't think it was really necessary and kind of leaves you a little confused. Other than that, though, the book was almost perfect.

Another great Tamora Pierce book and look forward to more from her.

bookbuyer's review against another edition

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5.0

Tunstall, no you bastard!!! Gah!

So I enjoyed the last book of the Beka Cooper series. I'm glad Beka got to meet someone new who made her laugh instead of her previous fiance. I think her and Farmer will do well together. I also enjoyed the little peaks into the Alanna series with George.

The little prince was so cute and brave! He will be an awesome king someday. I hope that slave abolishment goes through. ^-^

Updated:

Things that made me happy in this book:

1. Achoo lived and she'll get to have puppies!!! Thank you Pounce for disobeying the rules and saving her! Achoo you need to learn you are not a guard dog and that despite your love for Beka she would be extremely sad if you died trying to save her like you almost did!!! D:

2. That Beka found someone to love and be with for the rest of her life. And that he is funny and charming. I think that is where George gets his sense of humor from! :)

3. That Beka saved the prince and signed the rule thing that will abolish slavery! Woohoo!

4. That the King and Queen are just as much in love and are just as good as people as Jonathan and Thayet! Tortall has had great luck with royalty.

5. That Beka got to go back to Port Cayon(SP?) and to see Nestor and Okha. Love those two!

6. That I got to see more of Tortall. It got a bit boring as I went on since it's a VERY long book (600 pages) and I don't like scenery that much. But it was still nice to 'see' parts of Tortall I hadn't before.

7. To see some of the noble 'Houses' mentioned from the 'Alanna' series and the 'Protector of the Small' series mentioned in the book.

8. To see that Beka hasn't changed much since the first book. (In a good way.)

9. That Pounce gets to go to Beka's and Farmer's wedding!!! (Shame on you Gods that you grounded Pounce for saving Achoo! I understand the reason for it but I'm still mad. -.-)

10. That the King trusts Gershom so much that he basically put him in charge of the whole hunt for the prince.

11. That Beka's sisters's are closer to her now. I can thank Holborn for that at least! :/

12. That you can clearly see the love between Lady Sabine and Tunstall.

13. That other types of magic are introduced in the book. Beka's bird and dustspinner magic. Lady Sabine's horse magic, and Famer's various unusual magics.

14. That we got to see Sir Tullus again! He is a funny man even if he is a bit stiff. :P

15. That Lady Nomalla changed sides at the last minute and helped Beka's group save the prince.

16. That Beka got to see the Black God and that she is more accepting of her role as his priestess.

17. I liked the Butterfly puppies! :D

Things I'm SAD/MAD about.

1. Tunstall!!!! How DARE you turn on Beka!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I believe love can overcome a lot of things but not murder!!!!!!!!!!! I am so mad at you because I really liked you as a character. Even when re-read this book and knowing your were going to be a traitor I still liked you! And then for you to die!!!!! You stupid, stupid man. You made a lot of people angry/sad. D: -.-

2. The traitors (beside Tunstall).

- Lady Orielle who is supposed to protect the Queen. (I still don't understand how she was able to break her vow. I guess because she didn't do anything to directly harm the Queen?)

- Aeldra, a horrible woman. I don't like how she is promoting the Gentle Mother crap! I wish that it had never taken over the country. Although if it hadn't Alanna wouldn't have been such a big deal. :/

- Ironwood and all the other mages as well! I can't believe that they can be so selfish and pompous. I am so glad that most of the mages in the present day Tortall as a lot nicer and less pompous!!!!

- I was mad to see some Houses that I recognized turn out to be traitors. (At least I think. The names are very similar at least. Maybe they changed them slightly because of the black mark left by the traitors?) :(

Random things that got me thinking:

- I wonder why they had the mages vow to protect the royalty and why they stopped it. I have a good idea of both but it still left me with some question. :/

- Fess was also something that got me thinking.

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