Tamora Pierce's loveable character Beka Cooper is an adventurous young girl who has wished all her life to become a dog. Now, she is chosen to train under the watch under two Senior Dogs, Goodwin and Tunstall, to become a worthy Dog and to bring peace to the Lower City and to keep it free from Rats, Rouges, drunkards, madges, murderers and trouble-making mots.
On page 118, Beka uses her training skills and sharp mind to capture a rat after stiking Goodwin with a knife. "Kneel. I arrest you in the name of the king. And if you don't remember, you struck a Dog, Orva. Now kneel, or shall I dump you on your front?" This particular passage shows that beka has a certain temperment when she acts in dangerous and tough situations. She is always fair and serious.
On page 123, Beka is paid some kindness by Goodwin, when she normally snaps at her. "May we feed our Puppy now, healer? She d'serves a treat." In return, Beka is really shocked. This shows that Beka isn't really used to Goodwin showing kindness. She likes to be out of the way.
On page 167, Crookshank, a treacherous rat, comes into the court yelling and cursing about how the Shadow Snake killed his grandson Roland. "I payed for protection! I payed more into that cursed Happy Bag than anyone on this street. For that I expect protection!" This shows that Crookshank has a temper, is not on of the good guys, is a really important character in the novel, and that he deeply cares about little Rolands death.
I really like Tamora Pierce and the way she brings characters alive. I am really eager to read this book and would really like to meet her one day. And, well, I might. You just never know.
2 comments:
I never read it but it sounds good. I'll look for it in the libary.
Maya, you did a fine job on this post. You really have picked some places where the characters come alive in maybe not so positive ways.
This is very serious material for someone who is known as Happy Bunny! :-)
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