Discover Mundane Magic in Terrier: Tamora Pierce’s Fantasy Gem | Review & Parent Guide

The Book Burnout Bummer

You know that all too familiar feeling of wanting to read but not knowing where to start, or suddenly running out of reading material? Oh, it’s the worst, right? Whenever I hit that spot, I’ve got this little secret weapon: I “cleanse my palate” by diving back into my all-time favorite, Terrier by Tamora Pierce. I kid you not, I’ve reread this gem once a year for the last ten years, and it’s still as spellbinding as ever!

A Nostalgic Stroll Through My Library Days

Take a walk down memory lane with me. Picture 12-year-old me, sneaking moments in the school library amidst the chaos of school life. That library was my sanctuary. Honestly, I was kind of a bookfiend back then. There were times I’d borrow a book in the morning and, believe it or not, return it by the day’s end. Sometimes, I’d even sneak in during lunch breaks to grab a new one or explore the shelves!

It was during one of these quick library trips that my librarian, who quickly became a close friend, introduced me to the world of Tamora Pierce. Tamora Pierce was visiting a nearby library, and my librarian thought I’d enjoy meeting her. I grabbed one of her shorter books (not Terrier, though!) to get a taste of her style. The experience? Life-changing. It was the first time I really enjoyed fantasy outside of Harry Potter.

My Tamora Pierce Revelation

One cold November evening, my dad drove me to a neighboring town to meet this author. Tamora was everything and more. She spoke with such passion about her craft, particularly her new book Terrier. The catch? It was debuting as an audiobook first. That chat lit a fire in me, and I’ve since devoured every book she’s ever written. I even have a Tamora Pierce month in my calendar. Yes, October’s reserved for binge-reading her universe. 

Inside Terrier: Meet Becca Cooper

Alright, so here’s the scoop on Terrier: Picture this – Becca Cooper, 17, trainee guardswoman. Her mission? Sorting out the chaos in the slums of Corus. Within her first couple of days on the job, she is hot on the trail of two elusive serial killers. Add to the mix a purple-eyed chatty cat, magic that lets her talk to restless spirits (on pigeons, no less!), and some seriously shady friends. Sometimes the most dangerous enemies are the ones hiding in plain sight. 

Terrier: Where Crime and Fantasy Unite

If you’re like me and have a soft spot for crime procedurals but also crave that fantasy touch, “Terrier” is your jam. The balance? Perfection. It’s got medieval vibes with knights and mages but focuses on the day-to-day of the common folks. Regular people are pretty amazing too!

Unconventional Magic and Gossiping Pigeons

Becca’s not your regular mage. Her magic is, let’s say, a bit more pigeon-focused. She has this unique connection with spirits that ride pigeons and she talks to these enigmatic dust spinners. This unusual magic makes her the go-to for all the city’s juiciest gossip, fresh from the newly departed. Which, let’s face it, is gold for a budding guardswoman navigating the slums of Corus. With each page, you’re alongside her, navigating the challenges, and meeting a few quirky characters along the way.

Storytelling Through Journals

Now, onto what really sets Terrier apart. It’s told through a captivating series of journal entries, a fresh departure from Tamora’s other books. These aren’t just entries, though. They’re Becca’s heart and soul poured onto paper. It’s not every day you get to see a character break the fourth wall in a diary format and make it feel so… right. Sometimes, it’s so immersive, that I forget I’m reading a diary! There are days when Becca’s just scribbled the date and moved on, and you’re left wondering, “What went down?”

A Different Mystery

Now, if crime scenes get a bit too real for you, fear not. Terrier keeps it toned down, giving you just enough detail via Becca’s pigeon pals. The intrigue isn’t in the gore; it’s in the unraveling mysteries, the chases, and the near-misses. Finding the bad guys is different when you get your information straight from the dead.

Beyond the Tale: Issues that Resonate

Intricately woven into Becca’s adventures are some powerful themes. Becca breaks stereotypes by being a female guardswoman when her sisters aspire to be ladies in waiting. Gender norms are challenged by sensitive yet strong men (big shoutout to her rose-loving trainer, Tunstall). And tons of commentary about societal problems between classes.

Feast for a Bookworm

Given my love for extensive reads and series, Terrier ticks all the right boxes. Clocking in at a hearty 600 pages and kicking off a trilogy, it’s a feast! Plus, the audiobook? Pure gold. That’s how I first fell for it, and it still holds a special place in my heart. If you haven’t tried Audible yet, you can get the audiobook of Terrier for free!

For the Parents:

Violence: There’s a bit of action, a few street fights and bar brawls, but it’s not too graphic. Think PG-13.

Language: They’ve got their own Tortallan jargon and phrases to cover all the bases. A quirky PG for sure.

Adult Content: A hint of flirting, some adult humor, and a bit about Becca’s past. But it’s all kept PG-13. Nothing steamy here!

Hot Topics: Heads up, it dives into some serious stuff – child murders, kidnapping, gender roles, and societal norms. Everything is handled gracefully, but these topics might not be the best for younger readers.

Wrapping Up with a Recommendation

Before we wrap up, if any of this has piqued your curiosity even the slightest bit, trust me and dive into Terrier. Ready to embark on a magical journey? Grab your copy of Terrier from Amazon now! Trust me, you won’t regret it.

If you are a fan of Stalking Jack the Ripper, NCIS, or Sherlock Holmes you will love Terrier. This book is for middle school readers and up. This is one book you won’t want to pass up. Don’t forget to get books two and three for more of Becca’s adventures. Another place to find more amazing Fantasy novels is 50 Best Fantasy Books for Teens and Adults: A Comprehensive Guide to the Different Fantasy Subgenres (Part 1). 

Happy Reading!