So for the first time in a while, I have read for fun. Ok, so there was Time Paradox over Spring Break, but for once I was reading something other than my cultural anthro textbook...
Bloodhound by Tamora Pierce just came out. And it was wonderful. And I am so glad that my life has started getting a little less hectic, because that meant I had chances to read it. And I am extremely grateful for that. It felt so good to close the book with that refreshed feeling you get when a really great book is finished.
I am grateful for Bloodhound for several reasons. One, I am a HUGE fan of Tammy's works. Her books have been inspiring me to be the best and strongest person I can possibly be since I was in about sixth grade and first picked up Alanna the First Adventure. Protector of the Small has reminded me to fight for my beliefs and to stand up for others, the Trickster books gave me an outlet and and escape during one of the worst times in my life while my friend was suicidal, the Circle books have cheered me up and saved me from boredom, and all of the strong characters she has created have all become role models to me. They all have given me someone to relate to, and for that, I cannot thank her enough.
Two, she has a transgender character in this one. I won't give out details, but for those of you who read this (if any) and are familiar with her works, you might know that in her Circle books there ARE gay characters. I always loved that she showed support for the LGBT community, and in this book, her support shows in Tortall as well. One time, she said that Tortall has a "don't ask don't tell" sort of policy about sexual orientation that makes it very hard to be gay in Tortall, whereas the Yamani Isles were a bit more open. Some men like men. Some women like women. No biggie. Here in Bloodhound, you see the issue of transgender individuals come up a little bit, in a beatifully handled passage that I applaud and love very much. As a bisexual myself and someone with some friends who identify as transgender, gay, bi or lesbian, I thank her for showing so much support!
Three, the Beka Cooper books are two hundred years before Alanna, and give us an incredible look at Tortallan history and things that were shaping Tortall into the world it is for Alanna, Daine, Kel, Aly and others in her earlier series. You discover things ranging from what Corus was like when there were more lady knights, the origins of the Dancing Dove, to the forming of a cult that expected women to be more docile (a possible reason that by Alanna's time, women weren't allowed to fight?). These books are about George's six times great grandmother, Beka Cooper, a common girl who grew up on the streets and becomes a Dog (Provost's Guard). It's incredible, how the setting is both similar and fascinatingly different from the Tortall we've known up until now!
Four, Beka is just kick ass awesome. Need we say more?
Thank you, Tammy! Bloodhound was wonderful!
(By the way, I promise, this blog isn't going to be soley rantings about Tammy's books, I'm just excited about Bloodhound. I've been waiting for it for two and a half years)
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