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Mastiff: The Legend of Beka Cooper #3 Hardcover – October 25, 2011
Purchase options and add-ons
- Reading age12 - 15 years
- Print length608 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Grade level7 - 9
- Lexile measure790L
- Dimensions6.13 x 1.9 x 8.51 inches
- PublisherRandom House Books for Young Readers
- Publication dateOctober 25, 2011
- ISBN-100375814701
- ISBN-13978-0375814709
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Editorial Reviews
Review
Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews, October 1, 2011:
"Pierce has long been lauded for her kickass heroines, and in Beka she has created her most compelling, complicated character...[T]his novel provides both crackerjack storytelling and an endearingly complex protagonist."
Booklist, December 1, 2011:
"This concluding title in the Beka Cooper series is the best yet, a tasty blend of detective work, romance, magic, and treachery."
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Random House Books for Young Readers; Third Printing edition (October 25, 2011)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 608 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0375814701
- ISBN-13 : 978-0375814709
- Reading age : 12 - 15 years
- Lexile measure : 790L
- Grade level : 7 - 9
- Item Weight : 1.59 pounds
- Dimensions : 6.13 x 1.9 x 8.51 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,178,099 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Tamora Pierce is a bestselling author of young adult fantasy books that break past the traditions of the fantasy genre to feature teenage girls as knights, wizards, and above all: heroes. A #1 New York Times bestseller and the recipient of the 2013 Margaret A. Edwards award, Tamora has written over 30 books, including the newly-released TEMPESTS AND SLAUGHTER.
Tamora was drawn to books from a young age. Raised in rural Pennsylvania, the child of a "long, proud line of hillbillies," her family never had much. "We were poor, but I didn't know it then. We had a garden where my folks grew fruit and vegetables and our water came from a well," she explains. But one thing they did have was plenty of books. So Tamora read.
A self-proclaimed "geek," she devoured fantasy and science fiction novels, and by the age of 12 was mimicking her literary idols and writing her own action-packed stories. It was thanks to her father that Tamora began writing. "He heard me telling myself stories as I did dishes, and he suggested that I try to write some of them down," Pierce says.
But Tamora's novels had one major difference: unlike the books she was reading, her stories featured teenaged girl warriors. "I couldn't understand this lapse of attention on the part of the writers I loved, so until I could talk them into correcting this small problem, I wrote about those girls, the fearless, bold, athletic creatures that I was not, but wanted so badly to be."
Seventeen years later, after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, a brief career in teen social work and some time spent writing for radio, Tamora Pierce held true to her childhood crusade, and published ALANNA: THE FIRST ADVENTURE, the first in a quartet about a valiant, young, female warrior. Pierce's heroine struck a chord with readers across the country and quickly earned her a loyal following.
Now, with over 30 critically-acclaimed books to her name, Pierce lives in upstate New York with her husband Tim and their menagerie of nine cats, two birds, a flock of pigeons, various raccoons and squirrels, and one opossum. "It's a pretty good life, if I do say so myself. Struggling along as a kid and even through my twenties, it's the kind of life I dreamed of but never believed I would get. Yet here I am, after a lot of work, a lot of worry, a lot of care for details, and a massive chunk of luck, the kind that brought me such strong friends and readers. Pretty good for a hillbilly, yes? And I never take it for granted."
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Beka Cooper is back for a final hurrah and the hunt of a lifetime. At a crucial time in her life, she is recruited for another high profile case—the biggest of the series. Three years have passed since the Port Cayann incident. Beka has become a dog with a big reputation. Beka needs this hunt to escape, to get her mind off what happened to her fiancé, who died in a slave rade. She’s buried under guilty feelings because she was about to break off the engagement before he died. Lord Gershom comes to Beka late in the night, right after the funeral, whisking her away from the capital. Beka, her partner Tunstall, Achoo the scent hound, and a provost mage named Farmer, head to the Summer Palace where they discover that the young prince has been kidnapped by a slave train. Half the palace has been butchered. Tracking the prince takes Beka’s team deep into the wilderness where they discover a treasonous plot to bring down the kingdom and put a new ruler on the throne. Betrayal is lurking behind every corner, even within Beka’s team. Beka doesn’t know who to trust, even as love begins to blossom between her and Farmer. When it becomes clear that she can only trust herself, she must make a heartbreaking decision or risk failing the kingdom entirely.
What an incredible finale to the final installment of the Beka Cooper series! I still can’t stop thinking about the story. Knowing it was the last, I intended to read this book slowly, to savor it. Instead, I attacked it with a hunger that devoured. I made it a point to go to be early each night to have more time to read, and stayed up far too late to finish it. Mastiff is one of those books you can’t stop thinking about while you’re away from it, and can’t put down once you pick it up.
Spoilers ahead.
This was more heavily a plot driven story, with a plot that kept me guessing, driving me through the book. There were enough twists and turns to shock me, to keep me guessing. However, there was one character’s decisions that helped drive the plot forward. Tunstall made a number of decisions unknown to me, that really set things in motion. Tunstall is the first character I’ve read with a negative character arc. A negative arc! Wow. I didn’t see that coming.
Pierce graces us with a some wonderfully constructed personalities. Trained by the best, Beka’s character is strong and confidence inspiring. She’s someone I can rely on, with a solid moral compass, and an unyielding will to fight. I love everything about her and her sharp mind. It was easy to see why Farmer was so taken with her. Farmer’s character was freaking awesome! We’re made to think he’s some cracknob in the beginning. But he’s incredibly intelligent, and a great match for Beka. The two of them together and their developing romance was really sweet. I was rooting for them by the end. I loved their happily ever after. However, I wish I could have seen more of them together. The romantic side of me is STILL pining after them, wishing there was another book with them. I want to read about their future together. Instead, I’ll just have to imagine the rest of their lives.
“He liked me to help him when he did things. He explained what I didn't know, warned me when to stand aside, never told me to get out of his way because he could do it faster, and thanked me for helping. There were moments when he needed me to rescue him, and he never blamed me for it, or got angry about it.”
The ending of this book was shocking and heartbreaking. I was pretty emotionally devastated by what happened. It didn’t help that I finished it after midnight and couldn’t sleep afterward because if. While there was plenty of foreshadowing, and I had a feeling of what would happen, I hoped I would be wrong. When I closed the book, I was angry with Tamora Pierce. I‘m still mad at her. I understand why she did what she did, and I understand why this particular character did what he did, but it still felt a little out of character for him. Especially after developing a strong relationship with him the past two books. When it happened, I just didn’t want to believe it. I kept waiting for the “just kidding” moment as I read in disbelief. WHYYYYYY. This is me crying. However, if it hadn’t happened, I don’t think the story would have been as shocking. It wouldn’t have been as emotional. It was necessary for the plot, but that doesn’t mean I must like it!
There was some good in the ending. Beka and Farmer, for one. But also, the end to the slave trade in the kingdom. That felt like a huge WIN. I loved that Beka, a single small person in a big world, was able to do something that made such a HUGE difference. Yes, there will be implications, and we must imagine what those will be since there are no more books. However, SHE DID IT!
And finally, I must mention the animals.
“A cat understands how to be pleasant in the morning. He doesn't talk.”
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Pounce, the constellation cat. Pounce has been a favorite of mine throughout the series. In this book, Pounce played a much bigger role. He even interfered in Beka’s affairs when he probably shouldn’t have. As a result, he must pay the price, but not until the book’s end. Pounce always has the best things to say.
Gods! What an incredible trilogy. This series is one I plan to re-read when I get a chance. I want to immerse myself in Beka’s world. I enjoy spending time there. As to Tamora Pierce’s other books, yes, I’ll be giving those a read too. I hope I enjoy them as much as I did Beka Cooper.
I highly recommend this crime solvers fantasy series. HIGHLY.
Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2020
Beka Cooper is back for a final hurrah and the hunt of a lifetime. At a crucial time in her life, she is recruited for another high profile case—the biggest of the series. Three years have passed since the Port Cayann incident. Beka has become a dog with a big reputation. Beka needs this hunt to escape, to get her mind off what happened to her fiancé, who died in a slave rade. She’s buried under guilty feelings because she was about to break off the engagement before he died. Lord Gershom comes to Beka late in the night, right after the funeral, whisking her away from the capital. Beka, her partner Tunstall, Achoo the scent hound, and a provost mage named Farmer, head to the Summer Palace where they discover that the young prince has been kidnapped by a slave train. Half the palace has been butchered. Tracking the prince takes Beka’s team deep into the wilderness where they discover a treasonous plot to bring down the kingdom and put a new ruler on the throne. Betrayal is lurking behind every corner, even within Beka’s team. Beka doesn’t know who to trust, even as love begins to blossom between her and Farmer. When it becomes clear that she can only trust herself, she must make a heartbreaking decision or risk failing the kingdom entirely.
What an incredible finale to the final installment of the Beka Cooper series! I still can’t stop thinking about the story. Knowing it was the last, I intended to read this book slowly, to savor it. Instead, I attacked it with a hunger that devoured. I made it a point to go to be early each night to have more time to read, and stayed up far too late to finish it. Mastiff is one of those books you can’t stop thinking about while you’re away from it, and can’t put down once you pick it up.
Spoilers ahead.
This was more heavily a plot driven story, with a plot that kept me guessing, driving me through the book. There were enough twists and turns to shock me, to keep me guessing. However, there was one character’s decisions that helped drive the plot forward. Tunstall made a number of decisions unknown to me, that really set things in motion. Tunstall is the first character I’ve read with a negative character arc. A negative arc! Wow. I didn’t see that coming.
Pierce graces us with a some wonderfully constructed personalities. Trained by the best, Beka’s character is strong and confidence inspiring. She’s someone I can rely on, with a solid moral compass, and an unyielding will to fight. I love everything about her and her sharp mind. It was easy to see why Farmer was so taken with her. Farmer’s character was freaking awesome! We’re made to think he’s some cracknob in the beginning. But he’s incredibly intelligent, and a great match for Beka. The two of them together and their developing romance was really sweet. I was rooting for them by the end. I loved their happily ever after. However, I wish I could have seen more of them together. The romantic side of me is STILL pining after them, wishing there was another book with them. I want to read about their future together. Instead, I’ll just have to imagine the rest of their lives.
“He liked me to help him when he did things. He explained what I didn't know, warned me when to stand aside, never told me to get out of his way because he could do it faster, and thanked me for helping. There were moments when he needed me to rescue him, and he never blamed me for it, or got angry about it.”
The ending of this book was shocking and heartbreaking. I was pretty emotionally devastated by what happened. It didn’t help that I finished it after midnight and couldn’t sleep afterward because if. While there was plenty of foreshadowing, and I had a feeling of what would happen, I hoped I would be wrong. When I closed the book, I was angry with Tamora Pierce. I‘m still mad at her. I understand why she did what she did, and I understand why this particular character did what he did, but it still felt a little out of character for him. Especially after developing a strong relationship with him the past two books. When it happened, I just didn’t want to believe it. I kept waiting for the “just kidding” moment as I read in disbelief. WHYYYYYY. This is me crying. However, if it hadn’t happened, I don’t think the story would have been as shocking. It wouldn’t have been as emotional. It was necessary for the plot, but that doesn’t mean I must like it!
There was some good in the ending. Beka and Farmer, for one. But also, the end to the slave trade in the kingdom. That felt like a huge WIN. I loved that Beka, a single small person in a big world, was able to do something that made such a HUGE difference. Yes, there will be implications, and we must imagine what those will be since there are no more books. However, SHE DID IT!
And finally, I must mention the animals.
“A cat understands how to be pleasant in the morning. He doesn't talk.”
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Pounce, the constellation cat. Pounce has been a favorite of mine throughout the series. In this book, Pounce played a much bigger role. He even interfered in Beka’s affairs when he probably shouldn’t have. As a result, he must pay the price, but not until the book’s end. Pounce always has the best things to say.
Gods! What an incredible trilogy. This series is one I plan to re-read when I get a chance. I want to immerse myself in Beka’s world. I enjoy spending time there. As to Tamora Pierce’s other books, yes, I’ll be giving those a read too. I hope I enjoy them as much as I did Beka Cooper.
I highly recommend this crime solvers fantasy series. HIGHLY.
Mastiff is the third and final book in the Beka Cooper series, which details the progress of Beka Cooper as she gains position in Tortall's police force. Unlike Tamora Pierce's other books, the Cooper stories are written journal style in first person. Since Beka Cooper is one of Tamora Pierce's few shyer, quieter characters, this is an excellent way to understand and connect with the character, although she may not speak as much as many of the other characters in the story. The Beka Cooper stories date back the furthest in the Tortall collections thus far; so it is interesting to see how things have changed between her time on Tortall's police force and later in the timeline when Alanna must struggle to gain acceptance as a lady knight.
Beka's earlier stories detail her learning and growing into her position as a law keeper of the realm, but Mastiff highlights how skilled and mature she has become. This is without a doubt the most exciting of the three novels, as the stakes have never been higher and it pushes Beka and all of her companions to the limit. I won't deny that there may have been more than once during the reading of this book that caused me to get a little teary-eyed, a few moments that had me bouncing in glee, and more than a few moments that left me screaming at the book and wanting to throw it against the wall. And, despite seeing a few things coming a mile off, that still didn't affect my reaction once they actually turned up in the plot. Which speaks volumes about how easy it is to get wrapped up in the story and empathize with Pierce's characters. I suppose it isn't a surprise then, that this books kept me up well past bed-time three nights running. And I have to say - totally worth it.
While Beka Cooper isn't my favorite of the Tortallian legends (my favorite stories are in The Immortals Quartet), I still thoroughly enjoyed reading her story and watching her journey. I love how her tale, despite being a century removed from most of the other events in the Tortallian legends, is still connected and important to those future events. As always, I greatly enjoyed the cast of characters, the exciting events, and the constant snark that is so prevalent in Tamora Pierce's work. All in all this book was quite satisfying, and I found it thoroughly enjoyable.
Top reviews from other countries
Like the pervious two books in the trilogy, Mastiff is narrated by Beka Cooper through her diary. To be honest, this is generally not a format I like - I struggled with it in Terrier - but as the Beka Cooper trilogy progressed I've found myself quite enjoying it. I like the fact that a glossary is provided at the end of the book, so that if you're not sure of a word's meaning it's easy to find out, and the narrative isn't littered with a lot of explanation for words.
I liked the plot of this, and the twist at the end of Beka's story. I was pleased that by the start of the book Beka has become established in her role as a Provost's Guard - she's no longer a puppy, or freshly trained. The time gap was a brilliant device, as a lot can happen in three years that may explain future events. The only thing I wasn't totally sure about was the relationship between her and her fiancé who is killed. Yet, I think there is possible scope for it from previous characterization. I liked the fact that in this book we finally receive the explanation as to why there stopped being female knights so that when Alanna's story (The Song of the Lioness Quartet) came along they were just legends.
Mastiff was the perfect ending to the Beka Cooper Trilogy, as it tied the ends up nicely. I found the main plot engaging, and the subplots believable. I think Pierce was very fair to her characters, because she made them human - she allowed them to make mistakes.
If you haven't guessed, I'm a huge Pierce fan; I really enjoyed this, and would recommended the series (because it really should be read in order) to anyone who likes fantasy and wants to read about female heroes (sheroes).
Originally written for TheFlutterbyRoom.com