Mastiff

Although Kel is my favorite of Tamora Pierce's heroines, Beka Cooper is fast in second place. I love the author's strong,female heroine and the strong, supportive men that surround them as they fight injustice. The Provost Hound series is much more mystery-like than many of Pierce's previous books which really focus on building the legends of the world. I'd give it to any of the self-rescuing princesses in my life.