There are certain tropes I hate. At some point in a fantasy novel, the wounded hero inevitably ends up struggling through a forest/desert/dungeon. All hope is lost. Except, obviously, it’s not. I’ve had enough of this. Unfortunately, this book has it too. But what Dogged also has is an incredibly fresh story and a wonderfully dry sense of humour. This is some of the best writing I’ve read in fantasy. I love intimate stories that turn out to have much bigger repercussions, and this is exactly that. When the wardog Dogged Determination loses her mate, she sets out to discover who was responsible and why. What she finds gives her an entirely new perspective—and a new purpose in life. I loved this book. I’ve been eyeing @FletcherMR's books for a while, but held back because I don’t enjoy grimdark misery. When he described this one as lighter fare, and the fantastic @JoeBerne1 recommended it, I finally committed. Best decision. Highly recommended for anyone who loves great characters and sharp, modern prose.