Tempest and Slaughter (Numair Chronicles #1)

Tempest and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce is the start to her latest Tortall series – one of the best fantasy worlds ever created in young adult fiction. If you have not read Tamora Pierce, get started today!

In the land across the Inland Sea from Tortall, Arram Draper is in magic school at the Imperial University of Carthak. As a foreigner and younger than his classmates, he does not have many friends. But when his magic gets out of control, showing the masters that his gift is strong, he is moved up to the higher classes. Here he is even younger, but meets Varice and Prince Ozorne, who quickly become his best friends and protectors.

Varice is a strong witch who is interested in practical applications for music. She spends much time in the kitchen learning cooking magic, even though it is thought of as a lower form of magic. Ozorne, seventh in line for the throne of Carthak, is focused on battle magic and types that will help him in the world of politics – even though as the seventh prince there is little chance he will see the throne.

Arram Draper is an especially strong mage whose focus will include water magic, healing arts and an ability to speak to gods – which fans of Tamora Pierce know is not necessarily a good thing!

This new series in the Tortall cannon, is as wonderful as fans would expect. Pierce is a master of story-telling. READ the Tortall books! Buy some today! Do not wait, you are missing out if you have not started yet!

Pierce, Tamora. (2018). Tempests and Slaughter. New York: Random House.

Mastiff (Beka Cooper #3)

Mastiff by Tamora Pierce is the third book in the Beka Cooper trilogy. Pierce has many book in the land of Tortall. This series takes place two hundred years before the original beginning of the Tortall books with Alanna's story.

Beka Cooper is a Provost's Guard, or police, sworn to uphold the law and hunt down the bad guys. She is partnered with a scent hound, Achoo, who is the best there is at tracking a smell.

Beka is awoken in the night by the Lord of the Provost's Guard and told to pack for a Hunt. She is not given any details of what happened. Her human Guard partner, Tunstall, meets her at a fast ship to begin their case.

Beka, Tunstall, and Achoo will be joined by two others in an attempt to stop a plot to overthrow the rulers of Tortall. Lady Sabine, a knight, and Farmer Cape, a mage, will help them to track down the plotters. They will face terrible odds and have to travel across the whole country in order to save it.

Pierce's books are Tortall are fantastic! Whether you start with Beka (chronologically) or start with Alanna, these books will draw readers into a well-developed world that will keep you hooked for as long as she is writing them.

Pierce, Tamora. (2011). Mastiff. New York: Random House.

Bloodhound (Beka Cooper #2)

Bloodhound is the second Beka Cooper book by Tamora Pierce. This series is part of the Tortall collection, which now includes 16 titles.

Beka has completed her police training and is now a full-fledged Dog. She has been having trouble keeping a partner - they are either crooked or lazy.

Corus, the capital or Tortall, seems to have a counterfeiter problem. Someone is passing fake coins in the gambling houses. The hunt will take Beka and her mentor, Goodwin, to the neighboring city of Port Caynn to track down the forger.

Once again, Pierce has created a story that fans will devour. Beka is a strong young woman who readers will follow far into the future (hint, hint - we want more books!)

Pierce, Tamora. (2009). Bloodhound. New York: Random House.

Beka Cooper: Terrier (Beka Cooper #1)

The Beka Cooper books are a change from the rest of Tamora Pierce's books that take place in and around Tortall. She has taken a break from mages and knights to tell the story of a Tortall Legend -

Rebakah Cooper, George Cooper's six-times-great grandmother, is a Provost's Guard, known as a Provost's Dog. She is the first in her family to join the Dogs. In this first book - Terrier - she has just graduated from her training to become a Puppy to to veteran Dogs.

Beka has chosen to work in the Lower City, a place she grew up in until she was eight. A place most would be afraid to work. Luckily for her she is assigned to two the best Dogs in the district - Mattes Tunstall and Clara Goodwin.

Pierce, Tamora. (2006). Terrier. New York: Random House.

YA. Fantasy.