Path of Beasts

The Keepers Trilogy #3

by Lian Tanner

A shiver of loathing ran through Goldie. It was more than six months since the Blessed Guardians had been banished from the city. But now here they were, back again!

The city of The city of Jewel is in peril once again, as it is held captive by the frightful Fugleman, his band of Blessed Guardians, and an army of merciless mercenaries. Goldie and Toadspit are determined to free their city, but how can they fight such overwhelming forces? Their unlikely allies include a dozen white mice, the bloodthirsty spirit of a warrior princess, and a cat and a brizzlehound who are mortal enemies.
The ensuing war will set thieves against soldiers and trickery against Frow Carrion, a monstrous cannon with a mind of its own. The Fugleman will stop at nothing to defeat Goldie and her friends. And as Jewel and its people are dragged to the brink of destruction, Goldie will face her most difficult task yet: while Toadspit fights a duel to the death, she must walk the mysterious Beast Road, a secret path so perilous that no one has ever returned from it.
Will Toadspit survive the duel? Will Goldie survive the Beast Road? Readers who relished Museum of Thieves and City of Lies will devour Path of Beasts, the final book in the Keepers Trilogy.

Genres: Fantasy, Adventure, Middle Grade, Fiction, Young Adult, Audiobook, Action

337 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Lian Tanner has been dynamited while scuba diving and arrested while busking. She once spent a week in the jungles of Papua New Guinea, hunting for a Japanese soldier left over from the Second World War. She likes secrets, old bones, and animals that are not what they seem. Nowadays she lives by the beach in southern Tasmania.

Lian's bestselling fantasy series The Keepers won two Aurealis Awards for Best Australian Children's Fantasy and has been translated into eleven languages. Her second series, The Hidden, has been published in Australia/New Zealand and North America. Lian's third series, The Rogues, is set in the same world as The Keepers, and has been translated into Spanish.

Lian's first picture book 'Ella and the Ocean' (illustrated by Jonathan Bentley) won the 2020 NSW Premier's Award for Children's Literature and the 2022 Tasmanian Literary Award for Children's Books. A Clue for Clara won the 2021 Sisters in Crime Davitt Award for Best Children's Crime Novel, and its sequel, Rita's Revenge, was shortlisted for the 2022 NSW Premier's Award for Children's Literature.

Reviews

[Zahra Dashti · Rating 3 out of 5]

خوب بود خوب بود ، فانتزی با موضوع و داستان جدید. کشش خوبی داشت و از نظر رنج سنی هم داستان متناسب با مخاطب بود با وجود این خواننده های بزرگسال رو هم خسته نمی کرد.
راضی بودم

[One Pushy Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

An AMAZING end to a spectacular series!!! I absolutely adored this!!!!

Let the SQUEE-fest begin...

A few weeks ago, I got some VERY, VERY GOOD NEWS.....I had won an ARC of Lian Tanner's Path of Beasts.

OH.

MY.

GOODNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I literally squealed when I read the email from her. Seriously, I scared the bejebus out of my kids!! And so when it showed up, I couldn't wait to crack it open and devour it. And devour it I did.

Path of Beasts picks up immediately where City of Lies ends: Goldie, Toadspit and Bonnie are on their way back from Spoke, the Big Lie that saved them still lingers on in Goldie and the Fugleman has taken over Jewel. The adults, who so crave safety, have embraced the Fugleman's reign, believing him when he tells them that the mercenaries he has imported into the city are there to protect them. But then Goldie, Toadspit and Bonnie see the mercenaries try to do something truly dreadful and they know the Fugleman is far more dangerous than even they had thought.

Once again, this trio must walk into peril to save those they love. But this time Goldie is not only fighting for her loved ones, she fighting for her very sanity. With Princess Fresia and the wolfsark (a sort of danger induced blood lust) lurking dangerously close to the surface of her consciousness, Goldie fears she might be loosing her mind, just as she desperately needs to save Jewel and the Museum of Dunt.

Every single page of this book was a delight. Lian Tanner's prose is visual and visceral and utterly engrossing. This series is the sort of story that makes kids of every age dream of the hero that lurks inside of them. My only regret is seeing this series come to an end! But...oh...what an amazing way to end it! I won't spoil it, I'll only say, just deserts are had ALL around, and yeah, I'm looking at you Fugleman!

Bottom Line
Lian Tanner's phenominal series comes to an amazing end! Pick it up today and with any luck we might get to see it on the big screen some day soon. What? I can dream!

Review originally posted at Bewitched Bookworms

[Lectora anónima · Rating 2 out of 5]

No me gustó para nada, hasta me da pereza hacer reseña (no le pongo una estrella solo porque yo pongo una estrella a libros que dan malos mensajes o siguen estereotipos dañinos y cosas así como after por ejemplo).

[Katy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun upper elementary series

[Mogsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. We return to the adventures of Goldie and Toadspit in this final installment of the series, which picks up right where we left them in City of Lies. The children return to Jewel after their harrowing escape from the kidnappers in Spoke to find that their enemy the Fugleman has taken over the city with his Blessed Guardians and an army of mercenaries.

It's showdown time now, and the Keepers will have to devise a plan to protect the Museum of Dunt and the people of Jewel. The Fugleman, however, has brought in a giant cannon, and is bent on taking over the city and destroying everything Goldie holds dear. To make things worse, Goldie had not escaped from Spoke entirely unscathed; after the effects of "The Big Lie", she holds in her head the personality and thoughts of a long-dead warrior princess. Day by day, Princess Frisia's presence grows stronger, threatening to take over Goldie's life.

And so, my journey with the Keepers Trilogy draws to a close, and with it, probably my last opportunity to enjoy Claudia Black's wonderful narrating work for a while. Looks like she's got a handful of other audiobooks under her belt, but I also hope she'll do more in the future; with her voice and talent, I think she would be perfect for urban fantasy.

As for the book itself, it hurts me a little to say this, but I wasn't as happy with it as I'd expected. It wasn't that the story was bad or that it didn't provide us with a satisfying ending to the trilogy. I just find myself viewing this book with an almost frustrating ambivalence, because I even now I'm trying to think of something--anything, good or bad, it doesn't matter--to say about this book and I'm struggling.

It almost makes no sense for me to feel this way; after all, the story was great -- the heroes overcome their trials and tribulations, honor prevails, everyone comes together in the end to save the city, and the bad guy is defeated while the good triumph, all that good stuff. It's a children's series after all, you know you'll get a happy ending and nothing's gonna come out of left field at you.

And maybe that's what it is. Not that I have an issue with books for youngsters having happy endings, but the fact I pretty much knew everything was going to work out in the end. Which is perfectly fine; like I said, it's how things should be, but I personally prefer more a little more uncertainty in my plot lines which is likely the main reason why I don't usually pick up books targeted for middle-grade.

But on the whole, these have been really great books. I probably enjoyed them even more because I listened to them all on audio, but I certainly don't regret my time with this trilogy one bit.

More reviews at The BiblioSanctum

[Hollowspine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook version in two days. It was so good that I sat in the driveway, then decided that I just had to bring it in and listen to the rest of it. Lian Tanner has created, in these three books, a world and a story that are, together, completely engrossing.

I can't believe that I have already reached the end of my journey with Goldie, Toadspit and Bonnie. I wish I could hear an account of every day of their lives, because I'm sure each day would bring new mysteries and adventures and I'm sure every secret of the Museum of Dunt could not be exposed even in several lifetimes.

Although the story comes to a satisfying conclusion, I still wonder what could be next for the City of Jewel. Will Praise help defeat her former ship-mates? Will Mouse and Pounce become keepers, can Pounce ever truly be trusted?

The world is easy to love, and easy to fall into, the big lies of Spoke, the pirates, the mercenaries and the magic, there seem to be endless sources of wonder. I just wish I had another pass to enter it's boundaries.

[Miffy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goldie and Toadspit are at it again - right in the thick of the intrigue and politics of the town of Jewel. After their trials in the City of Lies, Goldie and Toadspit return to Jewel to find that it, and the Museum of Dunt are, once again, under attack. The Museum is most upset, and it is taking all of Sinew, Olga Ciavolga and Herro Dan's skill to keep the contents of the museum from running amok in the streets of Jewel. Can the children devise a plan to save Jewel? And can they do it on their own? Or do they have allies that they don't yet know about?
This is the last book in what has been an extremely strong trilogy. Each part stands complete and on it's own, and also works as a complete story. Lain Tanner has deservedly won the Aurealis Award for Younger Readers for each of the first two parts of the trilogy - and this instalment must also be in the running. Quality writing.

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! I liked the part where Toadspit and the fugleman had a duel. the ending was also a surprise ending. I can't believe what happened to the fugleman!

[Aimee Leonhard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very exciting conclusion but I was left wishing for more about the museum and the other keepers.

[Pat Raab · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engrossing tale of courage, determination and true honour.

[Mark Buxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

My name is Goldie, and we must stop the Fugleman and his terrifying control of Jewel. Toadspit and I were able to create problems between the Fugleman's Guardians and his mercenaries by stealing the mercenaries' payments, but the Fugleman has imprisoned more children in retaliation. We created the Hidden Rock to start a rebellion, and some parents are finally willing to do something more than cry and moan about their lost children. However, the spirit of an ancient warrior princess buried within me is trying to take control of my thoughts. She gives me useful ideas to fight the Fugleman, but she wants to erupt into a fury of rage and killing. I was barely able to stop myself from slaying my best friend. All of this turmoil is causing the pressure in the museum to reach a boiling point. If we can't stop the Fugleman, the museum will release the vicious armies and plagued rats hidden within its walls, and they will kill everyone in Jewel before they are done.

This book is the conclusion of a trilogy, and you need to read the other two books first. The ongoing conflict is the Fugleman's drive for power and his use of children as pawns. The trilogy began with all children being chained to their parents until the Separation, but they're now being sold to slavers. While Goldie leads the rebellion, she is keeping her internal battle with the spirit of the warrior princess a secret. She's afraid her friends will think she's lost control even though she is very close to that point. The plot contains plenty of action and suspense, as Goldie and Toadspit face the Fugleman, mercenaries, and slavers. Their plan to cause a rift between the Fugleman and his mercenaries is ongoing and successful, and I enjoyed their trickery. However, the Fugleman becomes more ruthless in response, and the head mercenary accuses him of having no honor. While the trilogy may not be for everyone, I found it very entertaining.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book continues directly from the end of the second book with the fight with the Fugleman. Nothing much happened in the first half of the book so if you don't like slow starts you probably won't like this.
I did enjoy the way things ended as it was wrapped up in a neat bow. However, I do think the author could've explored the museum more as it is very mysterious still but that doesn't happen.
I didn't like how the main villain remains the same from book one. They don't get much development. There's only the good guys and the bad. But I can understand and forgive it since this is a middle grade book.
But I did enjoy Goldie's and Toadspit's relationship as it became a great friendship.Bonnie was a bit annoying to me to be honest. She felt like that sibling who tries to be cool in front of her older sisters friends.
But overall It was pretty enjoyable ☺️ and I liked it and hence I gave it 3.5 stars. Although I will say I wouldn't reread it

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some good points with exciting writing, but there are also some flaws that drag things down. The climax and the denouement were both very weak, in different ways.

The surprising relative was no surprise to me - very predictable. The whole Princess Frisia thing was kind of dumb (and the withholding of the truth from Goldie's friends was especially problematic - I hate when this cliche is used, and it wasn't even necessary here). Is there only one person actually killed in this very violent series? The "thought to be dead" thing is way overdone (this is used for at least three major characters). I also strongly disagreed with the lesson taught when Goldie is merciful instead of taking revenge.

Also, one does not "build to a crescendo" - the crescendo is the building.

[Twyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite part was when Goldie was able to survive the Beast Road, stop the Fugleman, and get rid of the warrior princess voice in her mind and the wolf-sark. My least favourite part was when the only way to stop the Fugleman was to kill him. I was very surprised when Double turned out to be Goldie's aunt, because I thought that she wouldn't be any more than just mentioned in the books. I am glad that Mouse and Pounce decided to stay in jewel rather than leave on their ship. I hope that Broo and the cat start to get along as well. I wish that there were more books, aboout what happened after the Fugleman was gone for good.

[Joc · Rating 2 out of 5]

At first I gave 3 stars, but I decided that the book has too distasteful messages. Firstly, it portrays as reasonable, even heroic, to challenge the enemy to a duel to the death. Secondly, the author tries to make the reader sympathize with one of the supposed protagonists who repeatedly betrays his friends, even the very one that he is portrayed to cherish over everyone else, and even after making, in his own words, "a sacred vow" to that friend not to betray him!! Thirdly, the path of beasts is no better than bringing out a bigger weapon, and is actually worse because the one who brought them out cannot control them!!!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the characters and how emotions are portrayed. The story is colorful, imaginative, and original (I wish my museum rearranged itself like the Museum of Dunt!) The villains are...okay. Not as 3D as I like, but the Fugleman does suit the story and serve his purpose.

My only real complaint is how helpless the parents/adults are through the whole trilogy. Tanner made an attempt at rectifying that in this book, but still...I was disappointed. Don't let that stop you from reading, though. After all, they're hardly in it.

[Jinky · Rating 5 out of 5]

a not sooo expected welcoming return of goldie roth and the two other children after they were captivated in the city of lies.

This last part, never failed to blow-up unexpected twist ( which makes ut more interesting ) as i turn into pages. I like the part when Doublee came up in to the story and receals who sge really was.

I reccommend you to read the Museum of Thives and the City of Lies before this one so you better understans the flow of the story.

[H.tea · Rating 5 out of 5]

پنج ستاره‌ بابت احساسی که هربار با خوندنش بهم دست می‌ده. پنج ستاره‌ی کامل، زنده و سرشار از زندگی؛ چون این کتاب همیشه سینه‌م رو می‌شکافه و کلماتش رو از خودِ بچگیم می‌دزده. هیچ‌وقت قرار نیست یادم بره اولین بار وقتی خوندمش چه حسی داشتم. هیچ‌وقت قرار نیست تلاش کنم جورِ دیگه‌ای ببینمش. چون این کتاب یادگاریه.. یادگاری از زمانی که زخمی روی تنم نداشتم، و حالا هیچ‌جوره نمی‌تونم به‌عقب برگردم.

[Beka · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good, though slightly harder to get through, end to this imaginative series. I think what made it hard for me at the beginning is that I lose patience when characters complicate their lives needlessly with secrets. Still, I liked the way the characters resolved.

[Gwyn VDB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ek! SO good! Finished so spectacularly! Left me wishing for more, well also nodding my head and thinking, "Yes, this is good. Now Goldie, Toadspit, Bonnie, Mouse and Pounce can go on and be kids. Without, you know, me reading their every move."

[zo! · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Actual rating: 3.5)

I know I am not the target audience, because this book was aimed for younger teens. I read this series because I was amazed by the first book, which I read when I was 10-12 years old. I think the first book still holds up, with or without the trilogy sequels.

[Jenny Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed that Beast Road was just a rehash of what happened in books 1 and 2 but otherwise this was fun.

Check out my YouTube channel for bookish videos and monthly wrap ups!

[Joanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This trilogy was so much fun!

[Mandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good adventure for all

I am 40and loved this trilogy. A fun quick read, very similar to when Harry Potter came out. A great read for a young reader who is mature in nature.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for a kids

[Sasush · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic trilogy! Absolutely loved the story and the audio production was the best I have heard!

[Irune · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genial final de trilogía. 👌👌

[Greta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good ending, though I was disappointed how some of the relationships turned out.

[Emilynne Widick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A satisfying conclusion to one of my favorite children's trilogies

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great finish to a fun series!