Tortall: A Spy's Guide – Tamora Pierce (Tamora Pirece, Julie Holderman, Timothy Liebe, Megan Messinger)

I’ve read all of Tamora Pierce’s books as they came out. (Yes, this includes reading “Alanna: The First Adventure” shortly after it came out.) So I was regretful when her books stopped appearing, and when the dates on her planned books kept being pushed out. This compilation of her background notes has the feel of a postscript to her writing career. (I know she has another novel scheduled. I hope for the best.)

The author has taken her background notes (e.g., every character has a description, including a list of favorite expressions and possibly a very-short bio) and put them between hard (or virtual) covers. Some of the notes appear to reflect research she has conducted over the years - e.g., a chapter describing some medieval dishes.

If you’re a Pierce fan and completist, this compilation may be a last chance to dip into a favorite milieu. If you’re not, there is nothing here that will stand on its own.