• Mastiff

  • The Legend of Beka Cooper, Book 3
  • By: Tamora Pierce
  • Narrated by: Susan Denaker
  • Length: 20 hrs and 26 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (1,443 ratings)

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Mastiff  By  cover art

Mastiff

By: Tamora Pierce
Narrated by: Susan Denaker
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Publisher's summary

The Legend of Beka Cooper gives Tamora Pierce's fans exactly what they want - a smart and savvy heroine making a name for herself on the mean streets of Tortall's Lower City - while offering plenty of appeal for new readers as well.

©2011 Tamora Pierce (P)2011 Random House Audio

What listeners say about Mastiff

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

One of the best Tamora Pierce series yet!

This is the concluding book of the Beka Cooper series, and given that the first two books (Terrier and Bloodhound) were among my favorite audiobooks ever I was pleased to find that this book lived up to the same standards. If I had to fault the book in one ay, it would be that the lower-city folk we loved from the first two books do not feature prominently in this conclusion. I was also a bit leery that Beka might not end up with MY first pick, but in the end I was convinced (and fell in love with) the more natural choice.

Beka is older here, and it shows in her voice and manner. This book also has a dark side like the first two books -- something I loved. Very few authors can write realistically about poverty, slavery, city life, and the complex dynamic relationships between people (of different classes and otherwise) -- but Pierce is a master at all of these things.

Also, don't be turned away by the YA label. This book (and most of Pierce's work) is very enjoyable for adults too. Just be sure to start with the first book in this lovely series! The voice actor is also top-notch.

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16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Best Series to reread

My husband and I just finished listening to the whole series of audio books for the 25th time.

They are just as enthralling and moving during this listen as they have been for all the others.

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Pierce's best book yet!!

Would you consider the audio edition of Mastiff to be better than the print version?

I love reading a book very much, so this question is tricky. The audio book allows me to work while I listen, and Susan Denaker brings a bit of life that I don't get from just reading, but I like to imagine the book in my head too. I can't not chose which is better.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I love Beka Cooper most, but other than her I really enjoy reading about Farmer. I can't go into detail without giving some stuff away. You'll just have to read it.

What does Susan Denaker bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

When I listen to her narration I some times feel like Beka is standing next to me, telling me her story.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Definitely. Mrs. Pierce's books tend to make me react though the Beka Cooper books have done so more than any others. I won't give anything away but I cried like a baby because of this book.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Awesome!!!!

Awesome!! I love Beka! She is an amazing heroine. I am sad to see her story come to an end. Hopefully Tamora Pierce will write about her children like she did with Alanna or something so we can see more of her future. Susan Denaker is a great narrator.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellant series

Where does Mastiff rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Mastiff is one of the top books I re-listen to out of them all.

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this entire series. I do have to say though, by far, my favorite is the first. The narrater was exellant and I have since looked for books she has narrated simply because I enjoyed this series so much in audio format.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Not up to Tamora Pierce's standard

Would you try another book from Tamora Pierce and/or Susan Denaker?

Yes, most of the stuff she writes is great

What do you think your next listen will be?

Wild Magic

Which character – as performed by Susan Denaker – was your favorite?

Beka

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

I am a huge Tamara Pierce fan and have read all of her books, however this was one of my least favorite so far. I felt like I was reading an action mystery novel that uses suspense to keep the reader engaged vs. one of Tamara pierces beautifully crafted character driven novels that you read because you love the journey with these characters. I also think for a YA book it was fairly graphic definitely for kids 14+.

MILD SPOILERS AHEAD
Detail is one element that makes Tamara Pierce’s novels so special she takes note of everything from meals, elimination, etc. However this book just went over the top I feel like in every single scene and character needed to explain at length what they were eating and drinking EXACTLY and where/how the used the bathroom. It became distracting and just felt like filler. Also this book became rather grotesque with all the dead bodies, the white wax ball stuffed up Farmers butt and the torturing, it just seemed very odd and forced for shock value.

MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD
Although the little things about this book made me cringe the actual plot is what really killed it. Tamara Pierce seemed to invent more and more fantastical contraptions, spells and curiosities vs. focusing on the characters and their relationships with one-another. The Holborn Fiancé thing was unnecessary and did nothing for the story, I honestly went back and kept thinking did I miss a part of bloodhound who is this person and why do we keep talking about him?
The betrayal at the end was unrealistic in my opinion and seemed random, when Tamara pierce has had other good/bad villains such as Ben L. in Cold Fire he is developed in layers we see how something that was his passion slowly degrades into crime with intense family influences. But in this case there is no setup not creeping chauvinism, insecurity, or corruption that would lead plausibility to this betrayal in character.
I liked the romance with Farmer however the way it was all wrapped us was just so ridiculous, okay great statement on women empowerment man taking his wife’s last name but a more fitting romantic ending would have been her bedding with Rosco and then realizing it could never work but finding she was pregnant with his child. Maybe Farmer was too obsessed with traveling the world to want to settle down… Also I find it implausible that this family is well recognized by the crown has noble relations a strong network, money etc and yet in a few generations falls into extreme poverty again? It’s like the major betrayal shock was countered by ting up Beka’s life in a neat bow that just wasn’t believable.
I did like the end of slavery angle and how all these events set greater things in action. HOWEVER I feel like that lost me at the end with the statue and the gleaming purple eyes. I would have loved to see something like Liam’s letter to Alana in “Lioness Rampant” something insightful that George learns about right and wrong not being bound by class or law but rather the way you treat fellow creatures and humans.
I won’t say I didn’t enjoy elements of this book which is why I am giving it 2 stars but I hope to see better from Tamara Pierce in the future.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent all around

Well written and beautifully and movingly performed! The sound quality is excellent as well. It was all I hops for.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Mastiff

Where does Mastiff rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top ten, great conclusion of a series.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The lead character is very complex and compelling, a great heroine that you feel is very real.

What about Susan Denaker’s performance did you like?

She reads well, but at times gets very hard to hear as she goes into a whisper mode, and with the British accent I was unable to hear what she said, even when I reverse and listen again.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Castles, magic, medieval times, royalty, intrigue and treachery all in one.

Any additional comments?

I am disappointed that this is the end of a series, but see there is an off shoot in the works. I don't often re listen to a book, but I will enjoy this trilogy over and over again.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Best of the three!

Where does Mastiff rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It is at the top of it;s class

What other book might you compare Mastiff to and why?

It has the same warm feeling and draws you in ever bit as much as an Eddings book.

Have you listened to any of Susan Denaker’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have the other two she read of Tamora Pierce. She was spot on with her characters.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Mastiff

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I hope she writes another one soon.

What made the experience of listening to Mastiff the most enjoyable?

I could hear it because the narrator was good.And I enjoy the author.

What other book might you compare Mastiff to and why?

Her previous Bekka Cooper books.

Have you listened to any of Susan Denaker’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes. She is great.n

Any additional comments?

I would consider a book read by this narrator.

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