moonrise: part six

The clan cats and the banished tribe cats return with their plan - to lure the Sharptooth into the cave and leave a rabbit stuffed with deathberries for him to eat. Stoneteller is at first hostile to the returning cats, then he decides that maybe their plan is a good one. Cats are frightened at the thought of Sharptooth entering their cave again, but it is argued that this is the only way to control the situation. But, as they are getting ready the Sharptooth suddenly arrives.

In the chaos all the cats scramble to their positions. Stonefur and Feathertail find themselves up on a ledge watching the chaos unfold around them. They watch as the Sharptooth rejects the rabbit and they see Crowpaw down below, unable to hide properly. Stonefur is afraid, their plan is not working and he doesn't know what to do. Suddenly Feathertail says she knows now what the waterfall was saying to her. She leaps at a stalactite, bringing it down upon the Sharptooth killing it. Stormfur rushes to her and she dies. The tribe cats realize for the first time that Feathertail is also the correct color. Though some are sad at Feathertail's death, most of the tribe cats start rejoicing. Crowpaw and Stormfur are devastated over their loss, and Stormfur feels that Silverstream is there to take her kit with her.

Leafpaw awakens from a horrible dream of the clan being destroyed by a Twoleg monster. As she looks around the camp she realizes they are falling apart. Graystripe and Mousefur came running into the camp. Mousefur is hurt - her shoulder is dislocated. They got too close to the Twoleg monsters and a Twoleg tried to grab her. Cinderpelt and Leafpaw help Mousefur set her arm, but Leafpaw resoves that the time for secrets is done. She is determined to find Cloudtail and Brightheart, then report everything - including the prophecy - to Firestar. She asks Soreltail to go with her. The two cats head to where the monsters are. Leafpaw sees a den that smells of Mistyfoot and kittypet food. She enters and Sorreltail screams out a warning but it is too late. The den is a trap and Leafpaw is cannot escape.

Squirrelpaw awakens from a dream that Leafpaw is in danger. The clan cats are coming home after they sat vigil with Feathertail and buried her by the waterfall. Stoneteller assure them that she would always have a place of honor in their tribe. Highstones is up ahead - the cats are almost home.

I was a bit surprised that Feathertail was the cat of the prophecy. I know that I had pointed out that she was the correct color too, but Stormfur felt this sense of belonging with the tribe cats and seemed to be in love with Brook. Now he has to go on and fulfill Feathertail's part of the prophecy. I actually find myself hoping that after all of this is done Stormfur goes back to the tribe.

As for Leafpaw, she is obviously about to solve the mystery of the missing cats first hand.

moonrise: part five

A vigil is kept for Dappletail and cats argue about Cloudtail and Brightheart's absence. Some think they ran away to live with Twolegs. Firestar agrees that it is a possibility but both Cinderpelt and Graystripe disagree, saying Bringhtheart would never allow it and they would never abandon their only kit. Firestar says how it is odd that the scent trail ended at the Twoleg monsters and didn't go beyond them. The clan is in turmoil between everything that is happening. A cat starts crying out in agony. They turn to see who it is when Dustpelt emerges from the nursery. He and Ferncloud have lost a kit. Firestar and Dustpelt, two cats that have never gotten along, comfort each other.

The clan cats speak to the tribe cats, who are led by Talon. They find out that they were sent to defeat the Sharptooth but failed, and since they were ordered not to return until they were successful they feel they have no choice but to remain away. Srormfur finds himself missing Brook and questioning if he might be the cat from their prophecy. He finds himself confiding in Talon both his fears for the tribe and his confusion with the prophecy. He sleeps and dreams of Silverstream, who he at first mistakes for Feathertail. Stormfur asks her what he should do, but she won't answer him. Instead she tells him that the Tribe of Running Water and the Tribe of Endless Hunting are just like them and should also be honored. He wakes up and announces that he is going back to help defeat the Sharptooth. The rest of the cats agree to go with him and Squirrelpaw has an idea to use something else to kill Shatptooth since all the cats have failed.

Sorreltail and Leafpaw are out hunting and gathering herbs when Sorreltail accidentally chases a squirrel into RiverClan territory - and Hawkfrost catches her.

Hawkfrost wants to take Sorreltail to Leopardstar and he does not care that it was an accident. Mothwing tries to talk him out of it, but he won't listen. He hopes that since ThunderClan is currently weak Leopardstar will allow an attack so that RiverClan might steal their land. Mothwing argues back that Leopardstar will never attack Firestar after he helped her get control of her clan back. Hawkfrost responds that it is not about favors, but the warrior code, and he desperately insists that it must mean something. He also points out that with Mistyfoot missing he could be next deputy. Mothwing tells him he is going about this all wrong, that he should let Sorreltail go and let ThunderClan die on their own and then take their land - why fight and risk injury to their own warriors when there is no need. Leafpaw is devastated. Hawkfrost agrees to let Sorreltail go and Leafpaw tells the cats she will tell Firestar everything they just said. Hawkfrost does not care and leaves. Mothwing pleads with Leafpaw to believe her, that she was only saying those things so Hawkfrost would leave. Sorreltail does not believe her. Leafpaw asks if Tigerstar is their father and Mothwing admits yes.

I do not know if Stonefur is the cat of the prophecy - and I was right about Feathertail also being a gray cat - but he does seem to have a paw in both worlds. He is clearly torn between his duty to both RiverClan and StarClan and his feelings for both Brooke and the tribe cats. I find myself hoping that in the end he chooses to go back to them after everything is settled with RiverClan.

As for Hawkfrost, the use of the word "desperate" when he was talking about the warrior code was interesting. It makes me question his coldness and his ambition. If those are just byproducts of a desire to belong and have a place in this world then they can easily be overcome by giving him a purpose - which he seems to be striving for. If, to him, being deputy then clan leader gives him a reason for his life then it makes sense. However, I think he needs another reason to wake up in the morning. Not that there is anything wrong with those ambitions, but he is striving for them for the wrong reason.

I do wonder about Mothwing. Is it just that she is able to read her brother so well? Or is there something more going on there? Yet his blind ambition does seem to disgust her. She seems to be the opposite of her brother - so desperate to fit in like him, but floundering instead of having a clear goal. And that would explain her mood swings as well as her flaunting the warrior code.

I have to say, at first I didn't really care for these two side stories - the tribe cats and Hawkfrost/Mothwing - but they are slowly becoming more interesting to me then the main story.

Lastly, it was nice to see Firestar and Dustpelt comfort each other considering their uneasy past. Actually, I am sad that Longtail isn't in these books at all but Dustpelt seems to have taken his place - as a senior warrior that Firestar does not get along with personally but trusts completely.

moonrise: part four

Feathertail and the others are herded away. They are left to go to sleep and will be sent away in the morning. The cats decide they have to come back and rescue Stormfur. As Feathertail falls asleep she hears the waterfall talking to her about the promised gray warrior. She silently argues with the waterfall, but it does not respond. The next morning the cave guards escort them to the edge of their territory. The clan cats pretend to leave, cover themselves in mud, and go back. As they approach the cave they see Sharptooth enter.

The cats sneak in in the confusion. Sharptooth is attacking the tribe cats who are trying to defend themselves but failing. Sharptooth grabs Star, a cat they had previously met, and leaves. The clan cats find Stormfur and and make a break for it before anyone realizes what has happened.

Back at the camp Cinderpelt reports to Firestar about the rabbits. Sandstorm says maybe their rabbits are safe but Firestar does not want to risk it. Leafpaw starts to drag away a rabbit from the fresh kill pile when Dappletail sees her. They tell Dappletail that the rabbits are no longer safe to eat. She freaks out, accuses WindClan of lying, darts around Leafpaw, and starts to eat the rabbit. Firestar gets her to stop but angrily taunts Firestar, calling him a bad leader, before storming off. Leafpaw and Cinderpelt go out to collect herbs. Spiderpaw finds them and tells Cinderpelt that Dappletail is sick. Cinderpelt leaves Leafpaw to collect herbs and goes back to camp, afraid for Dappletail. Leafpaw hears a cat crying for help. She sees a young cat stuck in the river, about to drown. While she tries to decide what to do, knowing that if she jumps in she will probably drown too, Mothwing sees the cat and saves it. Leafpaw hurries across the rocks to help Mothwing. Mistyfoot and Hawkfrost arrive, and Mothwing offers to go get Mudfur but Hawkfrost points out there is no time. Mothwing freezes and Leafpaw, with the help of Spottedleaf's spirit, saves the young cat. Mistyfoot and Hawkfrost escort Reedpaw back to their camp and Mothwing is upset. Leafpaw tries to comfort her but Mothwing won't hear her. She fears that Hawkfrost will tell the rest of the clan how she froze. Leafpaw can't image her brother doing that to her, but Mothwing insists that Hawkfrost is loyal to the clan and the clan alone. They part ways and Leafpaw heads back to camp, excited how well she did her first time alone, but she is almost knocked over by warriors rushing out. In the camp cats everywhere are crying. Dappletail is dead - and Cloudtail and Brightheart are missing.

The clan cats escape into the night but quickly lose their way. They find a cave to shelter in but it smells of the tribe. Tawnypelt checks it out and lets everyone know it is empty and safe. The cats go in but after they do cats who smell of the tribe but don't arrive.

So I feel bad for both the tribe and Stonefur. If the prophecy is about him then he is failing it - and those cats are desperate. I'm not saying they should have kidnapped him, but they should have asked for help. And I do feel bad for Stormfur. He was obviously starting to grow to care about these cats and then all of this had to happen. He really must be feeling torn right now - especially since he knows how desperate they are.

As for Hawkfrost, I want to be judging him too harshly but I do not feel that I am. But even more now I am convinced that there is something up with these two cats. Mothwing freezing like that, her previous disregard for the warrior code, her coldness when Leafpaw met her. And Hawkfrost with his cold ambition. I feel that there is something wrong here, something more then possibly being related to Tigerstar - which I wonder if Leopardstar knows?

moonrise: part three

Leafpaw watches as Firestar and Tallstar argue. Tallstar admits his clan is slowly starving to death. Firestar feels his pain, but points out his own clan is starving too. Firestar warns Tallstar that if he catches WindClan on his territory again things will not go well. The cats leave and Leafpaw decides to confide in her mentor, but before she has a chance Cinderpelt confides in her that StarClan has been silent. Leafpaw suggests that maybe they have spoken to another cat but Cinderpelt does not think so.

The tribe cats treat the clan cats very well, but Stormfur - and others - have the impression they might be prisoners. The cats decide to spend the night and see how Tawnypelt feels in the morning. Stormfur is approached by a cat named Brook who gives the impression that she does not want Stormfur to leave. She invites Stormfur to go hunting with her tomorrow. The next day the clan cats go hunting with the tribe cats. Stoneteller seemed uneasy letting them go, but he does. A guard follows them but Brook assures them it is because someone needs to keep an eye out for hawks. The clan cats are impressed with the tribes hunting techniques and wish to learn them.

The cats stay for a few days. Stormfur spends time with Brook hunting and starts to develop feelings for her. He also notices that some of the tribe cats speak as if he is going to stay. He hopes that he is misunderstanding them but he is not sure. While out with Brook, Stormfur scents a cat smell that smells wrong. The cave guards quickly hustle the prey hunters into the cave. Stormfur approaches his friends as they talk of leaving the next day, now that Tawnypelt is so much better. Brambleclaw does not voice his fears, but Stormfur knows that he is worried they won't be allowed to leave. Crowpaw accuses Stormfur of wanting to stay and Stormfur is angry, saying that he has done nothing to warrant that accusation and he is loyal to his clan. Crag, a cave guard, overhears them and asks them to stay until winter passes. The cats insist they cannot, that they are on a mission for their clans. Suddenly the cats find themselves prisoners. The cats are moved to The Cave of Pointed Stones, where Stoneteller reads the signs from The Tribe of Endless Hunting. He reveals the prophecy about a gray cat coming to save them from Sharptooth, a lion with no mane. The tribe separates Stonefur from his friends and leave him to ponder his fate.

The medicine cats go to Highstones, desperate for answers to their problems. Littlecloud speaks of Blackstar ordering his clan to eat the diseased rats. Barkface speaks of the rabbits being poisoned by Twolegs, so whoever eats them dies. Mothwing tells Leafpaw that WindClan has been stealing fish, and Hawkfrost has seen them do it many times. At the Moonstone Leafpaw tries to reach out to Squirrelpaw, but she feels her thoughts are being blocked and hears a waterfall. She then sees desperate cats streaked with mud and sharp fangs in the shadows. Then she awakens and sees Spottedleaf. Spottedleaf assured her that her sister is on her way home and tells Leafpaw that wherever she goes, she will follow. She also hints to Leafpaw that there is more warrior ancestors then StarClan.

It would appear that I was slightly wrong about Hawkfrost - WindClan really might be stealing fish. 

The fact that the rabbits are poisoned does not bode well for ThunderClan either, since they too eat rabbits. However, I stand by my previous feelings about Hawkfrost. There is something wrong with that cat.

As for Stormfur, I know he is feeling betrayed right now (rather understandably) but I wonder if in the end he will choose to stay. He has feelings for Brook and, until just now, really liked the tribe. He was not mentioned in the StarClan prophecy, so maybe this is his fate instead? He always feels torn between two worlds since he is only half clan, but here that doesn't seem to matter. Maybe he would finally find peace. I am glad he is no longer in love with Squirrelpaw - even though Brook did betray him. But in her eyes she is desperate to save her clan from what, I assume, is a mountain lion.

moonrise: part two

Stormfur and the other cats work on traversing the mountains. It is hard going and there seems to be only one path - and they are not even sure it is the right one. Stormfur is worried about Tawnypelt, whose shoulder seems to be bothering her. They decide to take a break to hunt and rest. Stormfur tries to talk to Feathertail about Crowpaw but she won't hear anything. She insists that things are going to change, the four clans will become one just like them, and she and Crowpaw will get to be together. Stormfur doesn't think it will be like that at all, but he says nothing. The cats continue their hard journey. They reach a point where they are stuck and cannot go back but there seems to be no way forward. Then they see a stream off to the side and are able to jump to it. They follow the stream but it overflows and sends them over a waterfall.

Leafpaw suddenly bursts through the water in shock. She fell in to the RiverClan river while Mothwing was trying to teach her how to fish. Mothwing catches her a fish to eat and she guiltily gobbles it down. They scent Hawkfrost and Leafpaw hides. Hawkfrost talks to Mothwing about how he believes both WindClan and ThunderClan are stealing from them. Mothwing says it does not matter what goes on in other clans so long as RiverClan is safe. Hawkfrost tells her she is a fool, that if the other clans are in trouble they can easily take over the forest and rule it. Mothwing is disgusted and accuses him of being like Tigerstar. He responds that there are worse cars to imitate. Mothwing points out that Tigerstar failed but Hawkfrost counters that he will learn from Tigerstar's mistakes. Mothwing leads Hawkfrost away and Leafpaw suddenly realizes who Hawkfrost reminds her of in his looks - Brambleclaw. Graystripe and Firestar appear and Leafpaw tries to find out who fathered Hawkfrost and Mothwing but they don't know. Leafpaw suddenly feels Squirrelpaw and is able to assure the two fathers that she believes their kits are fine.

Stormfur awakens and sees his friends around him. He knows they should move to shelter but he feels too beat up. He realizes that there are other cats, streaked with mud, surrounding them. He wakes his group up and the strange cats confront them. They offer to take the clan cats to their tribe so they might rest.

Dustpelt had found proof that WindClan is stealing prey. Firestar takes a party to go and speak with Tallstar, but Tallstar is not happy to see them.

The cats enter a cave and Stormfur feels like everyone is staring at him specifically. They meet Stoneteller, who is both medicine cat and leader for his tribe. As they move among the cats they realize that the tribe is both the same and different from their own clans. They also realize that even though the cats deny it, they are terrified of something.

Okay, I was unsure of this side quest involving a strange tribe of cats, but now I am curious. They seem to have decided that Stormfur is their promised savior, but Feathertail has gray fur too. Actually, I thought Feathertail looked more like Silverstream and Stormfur like Graystripe but maybe I am misremembering this. But it is interesting to see cats that are both exactly the same and yet exactly opposite at the same time.

As for Hawkfrost, I see his ambition is slowly beginning to be revealed - but, to be honest, it is a bit disappointing. If he and his sister are Tigerstar's children, then they have a hard enough time escaping their father's memory without being evil as well. It is almost like Hawkfrost inherited his father's evil instead of being his own person. Still, I do want to see where this story goes. I would like to see one where an heir of Tigerstar realizes the error of his ways instead of blindly following the same path. A redemption arc - that is my kind of story.

moonrise: part one

A cat tribe interprets signs from the Tribe of Endless Hunting. They see that a silver warrior from beyond their clan will come and save them from the Sharptooth.

Stormfur awakens and looks around at his sleeping friends. He feels a stab of jealousy when he sees Brambleclaw and Squirrelpaw sleeping together. He tries to talk to Midnight about her words last night, but Squirrelpaw wakes up and rouses the others. The cats head off, eager to head home and concerned with what they might find. Stormfur watches in alarm and he realizes Feathertail and Crowpaw are becoming attached romantically. Midnight takes them as far as the woods where they run into Purdy. Purdy tries to attack Midnight and save the young cats - much to their amusement. The cats hunt and rest while Stormfur wrestles with his feelings for Squirrelpaw as well as his feelings about Feathertail and Crowpaw falling in love.

Firestar calls a meeting at Highrock, and Leafpaw attends already knowing what he will say. Firestar warns the cats about the Twoleg monsters that his patrol saw tearing up the forest. Cinderpelt admits that StarClan has told her nothing, but she does not believe it is their will that they are destroyed. Firestar asks everyone to keep extra alert while they are outside the camp. The meeting ended, Firestar decides he needs to speak to Blackstar. He gathers up some cats, including Leafpaw and Cinderpelt. They cross easily into ShadowClan territory but when they come across Russetfur with a party of cats she attacks, uncaring why they are there.

Foxes arrive and Purdy offers to fight them off but Midnight, who also speaks fox, convinces them to go away. The foxes warn that this is their territory and they will be back that night, so the cats had better be gone. The cats debate which is the best way to go. Midnight tells them they must cross the mountains but some are unsure. Others think that perhaps they should go back through Twoleg place but some refuse to get lost in those twisting paths again. In the end the cats decide to follow the mountains. Purdy is upset and tries to warn them of something but Midnight cuts him off. He then tries to go with them but Midnight talks him out of it. Stormfur wonders what it is that Purdy is so worried about.

Firestar convinces Russetfur to bring them to Blackstar, but he is not interested in anything Firestar has to say. He points out that ShadowClan can always eat the rats now that Littlecloud knows how to cure the disease the rats carry. Cinderpelt is furious that he silences his medicine cats fears and Firestar is upset he cannot get through to him. Blackstar says they will speak at the next Gathering and the cats leave. Leafpaw decides she needs to sneak into WindClan territory to speak to Tallstar and convinces Sorreltail to go with her. A patrol finds the two cats and attacks them, uninterested in why they are there. The fighting cats accidently enter RiverClan territory. Mothwing sees them and attacks the WindClan cats. She talks with Leafpaw and Sorreltail, admitting that WindClan smells like fear. Leafpaw sadly points out that everything is changing, thanks to the monsters, and Mothwing starts to say something about ambitious cats and then abruptly breaks off. Leafpaw worries that Mothwing might know another cat with the ambition of Tigerstar.

I feel like things are still dragging a bit, but it is the first few chapters. Things at the camp seem to be at a standstill since no one knows what to do.

The POV seems to have switched from Brambleclaw to Stormfur for this novel, which is different. Never before has a non ThunderClan cat been given a POV for a chapter. It is interesting to see his point of view for a change. He seems to be in love with Squirrelpaw, which I feel is rather out of left field. But he also acknowledges that Brambleclaw and Squirrelpaw are probably falling in love themselves. He has a sense of odd man out since Feathertail has suddenly decided she is in love with Crowpaw. I understand that feelings could logically develop between a group of cats travelling together but I feel it is all very rushed. All last book all they did was fight until the last few pages when they suddenly decided they were all BFFs. Now, all the sudden, everywhere I look cats are in love. Brambleclaw and Squirrelpaw makes sense - that was laid out in the very beginning of book one - but none of the others do. There was never a hint that anyone felt anything for someone else - until now. And now suddenly there are two forbidden romances (since you cannot fall in love with someone outside your clan) and one is a love triangle. It seems a bit much to suddenly swallow.

I also feel trepidation about this new clan of cats. Clearly they are one of the other warrior tribes that Midnight spoke of. But I feel like this story is dragging enough already. I really don't know that a side quest with a random cat clan is needed.

midnight: part six

Squirrelpaw wakes with a bad taste in her mouth, but she cannot place it. The cats head off, with Purdy insisting he is leading the cats to an exit but it is another wall. Frustrations are running high, especially with Tawnypaw's wound becoming infected. Crowpaw lashes out at Purdy, calling him a "stupid furball" but Purdy finds a gap in the fence they can escape through. Both Brambleclaw and Crowpaw suspect it was luck on Purdy's part but they accept it - especially when they realize the gap leads to a forest and not more Twolegplace nests.

They find a spot for Tawnypelt to rest and the cats decide to stay for a bit. Crowpaw starts giving out orders and at first Brambleclaw is annoyed then he decides it is nice to not be in charge for a change. Feathertail stays to clean Tawnypelt's wound, and Purdy sleeps. The rest of the cats go off to hunt. Brambleclaw and Squirrelpaw go off together but it is clear Squirrelpaw's mind is elsewhere. Suddenly she spots what she is looking for - a root that will help cure Tawnypelt. She insists that Leafpaw mentioned the root to the two of them when they were leaving but Brambleclaw wonders if there is something else going on. They bring the root back to Tawnypelt who immediately starts to feel better. They rest for a couple of days then head off. Purdy stays behind, but says he will wait a few days for them in case they return. The cats travel but the conditions are not the best. There is no fresh water and Tawnypelt's wound is flaring up again. They start discussing at what point they have to admit defeat and turn back when Squirrelpaw smells salt.

The cats race toward the smell and reach the edge of the cliff. They start looking for a cave with teeth and a way down to it but cannot find it. Stormfur points out that maybe they should rest for the night and look for it in the morning. Brambleclaw slips on the edge and starts to go over. Stormfur tries to grab him but he starts to fall too. Squirrelpaw runs to help but Brambleclaw orders her back then falls. He finds himself in the water, drowning just like in his dream. Squirrelpaw grabs him and he sees Stormfur as well. The waves push the three cats towards the cave mouth and they reach land. Brambleclaw passes out. When he awakens he finds an upset Squirrelpaw afriad that he had died. Stormfur and Tawnypelt both tell her that what she did was foolish - but also brave and saved Brambleclaw's life. Feathertail and Crowpaw are above them, looking down through a hole. The two cats join them, entering through the hole and using natural ledges to get down. The six cats are together again when Brambleclaw realizes there is a badger in the cave.

Brambleclaw realizes that they are all going to die. Even though there is six of them they are too weak and injured to defeat a badger. As they get ready to attack the badger suddenly speaks. She is Midnight and StarClan had told her to come here. Crowpaw does not believe her but Brambleclaw wonders how a badger can speak the cat language. Against Crowpaw's wishes the cats agree to speak with Midnight. She tells them that StarClan said there would only be four cats. Brambleclaw tells her that is so, but now there is six. They follow the badger with Brambleclaw bringing up the rear. He looks back and sees the last rays of the drowning sun. The rays turn into a river of blood and he hears cats screaming. They reach another cave and Midnight asks them to tell her of their journey and their tribes. The cats are confused by the word "tribes" and she corrects herself and uses "clans," speaking of other groups of cats who use the other word. Brambleclaw realizes she means there are other cat warrior groups out there and they are not the only ones. After telling her of their journey they asked why they had to come so far, why StarClan could not give them the message back at their camps. Midnight tells them it is because the four had to become one, because only as one could the clans survive. She tells them that their clan leaders will listen to them and that Twolegs and their monsters are coming to the forest and they will destroy it. Brambleclaw is overcome with a sense of foreboding as he hears her words. She tells them that they must find a new home, and a dying warrior will show them the way.

Back at ThunderClan camp Leafpaw is out on patrol with Firestar, Graystripe, Sandstorm, and Cloudtail. They are near the Thunderpath and Cloudtail remarks on the smell. Firestar says something is wrong, when suddenly monsters bigger then any they have ever seen turn to the forest and start attacking the trees.

While I understand the logic between the four becoming one it did feel very drawn out. And I feel that it is odd that a badger would speak to StarClan.

One of Leafpaw's visions has come true now - the trees are being attacked. And hopefully Brambleclaw's vision is of what will happen if they don't leave and not something unavoidable.

midnight: part five

Cinderpelt sends Leafpaw on an errand, and asks her to take a warrior with her. Sorreltail agrees to go along with her and as the two cats head out they see Firestar returning. He has been on patrol again to find their missing cats. He acknowledges that he cannot do anymore and they are now in the paws of StarClan. Leafpaw and Sorreltail see a confrontation between WindClan and RiverClan over water rights, but keep silent. As the two groups move apart they call out to Mistyfoot. While talking Mistyfoot confesses that Feathertail and Stormfur are missing and ask if they have returned to ThunderClan. Sorreltail tells them no, but they also have two cats missing. The cats speculate if the other clans have missing cats. Leafpaw feels uncomfortable since she knows the truth. She especially feels the burden of knowing two prophecies involving Brambleclaw whereas her clan leaders only knows of one. Back at camp the two cats report to Firestar and Graystripe. Graystripe is in a panic over his missing kits and Firestar decides they need to find out if anyone else is missing at the next Gathering.

Brambleclaw and company run from a loose dog. A voice calls out to them to climb a tree and they do. The Twoleg takes his dog away and the cats meet an elder named Purdy. Purdy takes them to an Twoleg's garden. They have a goldfish pond that can feed them. None of the cats have ever seen gold fish before but Feathertail and Stormfur catch them for the cats and try to teach Crowpaw and Squirrelpawhow to as well. Crowpaw tries to eat one of the fish but it tastes of salt. A Twoleg shows up and chases them off. Crowpaw is angry until Feathertail points out to him that he has received his sign from StarClan. The elder knows nothing of StarClan or the warrior way - and he calls humans Upwalkers instead - but he says he knows of the saltwater and cliff from Brambleclaw's dream and offers to lead them there. The cats are torn and Brambleclaw realizes they are all looking to him for an answer. He agrees, only because they do not know the way out of the Twoleg place they are in.

Purdy leads them around and with all of the cloud cover the cats feel hopelessly lost. When the clouds part they realize that Purdy is leading them the wrong way. Tempers start to run high as everyone wants to get to their destination so they can go home. One night Purdy leads them to a place to sleep but rats attack them and Tawnypelt is hurt. Brambleclaw tells the other cats to get some rest while he watches over them.

Leafpaw awakens and knows that something is wrong - and that it involves a rat bite. She awakens Cinderpelt to make sure they have enough medicine to treat rat bites. After talking to her young apprentice Cinderpelt feels that this might be a sign from StarClan. The Gathering comes and Leafpaw attends. She sits with Mothwing as Leopardstar speaks first and ends the water agreement with Tallstar, who agrees they no longer need it. Hawkfrost asks to speak, and Leopardstar allows it. He accuses WindClan of hunting fish in their river, claiming he has seen it himself. Tallstar is furious and feels he is lying. Hawkfrost admits he was alone when he witnessed it but insists it is true. An argument breaks out. Leafpaw is unsure what to do. She knows WindClan had stolen at least some prey but Dustpelt was not at the Gathering to share his story. She voices her wonder at Hawkfrost starting this fight and Mothwing comes to his defense. The moon starts to cover, showing StarClan is angry.  Firestar calms the cats down, pointing out that they have a truce at Fourtrees and that Leopardstar should not start a battle based on the words of one warrior. Firestar speaks of his missing cats as does Leopardstar. Tallstar admits Crowpaw is missing too and Blackstar grudgingly admits that Tawnypelt is also missing - but he had assumed she had run back to ThunderClan. The Gathering breaks up and the cats head home. Leafpaw tries to get a message to her sister on how to cure rat bites.

I feel like Brambleclaw's story is dragging a bit. They spend most of their time wandering around lost with Purdy.

As for Leafpaw's story, I can't help but feel that something is up with Hawkfrost and Mothwing. One moment I feel that Mothwing is fine, the next I feel she is incredibly hostile and cold. As for Hawkfrost, I do not believe his story. Consistently, throughout the books, no cat outside of RiverClan (other then Graystripe) has known how to hunt fish. And in just the previous chapters it was shown that Crowpaw does not know how to. And if Hawkfrost really saw this, why did he not tell Leopardstar? I feel like bringing it up at the Gathering was a way to stir up trouble. I feel that there is something wrong with this cat, but I do not know what. I could be reading too much into things, but, again, something about him strikes me as wrong.

midnight: part four

The cats start their journey, still arguing - especially Crowpaw and Squirrelpaw as well as Brambleclaw and Squirrelpaw. They cross a Thunderpath, going through some hedges on the other side and are separated. Brambleclaw and Feathertail find themselves together, in danger from Twolegs and dogs. They get to safety, worried where the other cats are. They speak of their fathers - Feathertail speaks of missing her dad, while Brambleclaw admits he cannot even honor the memory of his father. Suddenly they hear the other cats crying for help.

Leafpaw and Cinderpelt head to Highrocks, meeting up with the other cats along the way. Leafpaw is excited to see Mothwing there, but Mothwing is cold to her and Leafpaw worries that since she is already a warrior she might see Leafpaw as just another apprentice. But Leafpaw's fears are unfounded, as Mothwing slowly warms up to her. Mothwing tells her how all of the clan still do not accept her even after the sign of a moth wing outside of their medicine cat's den.

The two cats grow friendly as they travel together. At the Moonstone Mothwing is formally made an apprentice. During the ceremony the light hits her just so and Leafpaw feels that Mothwing looks as if she has already joined StarClan. She fears it might be an omen then tries to dismiss it. The cats dream. Leafpaw sees Fourtrees, and that one of the trees is shaking violently. She sees cats traveling across the snow in single file. Lastly she sees that Squirrelpaw is fine. The cats wake and leave Highstones. Mothwing is excited and starts to speak of a vision she had of her brother but Leafpaw stops her since visions are not to be spoken of until they are understood.

Brambleclaw tries to figure out how to save the other cats, but Squirrelpaw saves them. Brambleclaw is upset with her for taking such a risk but the other cats tell her how brave she was. The reunited cats continue on their journey. Squirrelpaw finds fresh water for them to drink but when Tawnypelt goes to have some it tastes of salt. She is furious with Squirrelpaw for playing a prank on her but when Stormfur goes to drink some he tells Tawnypelt it is fine. The cats realize that she has just received a sign from StarClan that they are on the right path.

The days pass. Squirrelpaw gets stuck under a fence. Crowpaw angrily tells her that she might have to be left behind. An argument breaks out with Stormfur saying if she has to be left behind he will stay with her and Brambleclaw insisting no one is getting left behind. As the three toms argue Tawnypelt and Feathertail recuse her. Feathertail dreams of saltwater and confesses this to Brambleclaw. He considers them hiding this information from Crowpaw for now since he is already upset enough. Feathertail says she thinks this is a bad idea and points out how lonely Crowpaw must be. She herself has Stormfur and Brambleclaw has both Tawnypelt and Squirrelpaw - Crowpaw has no one. And, Crowpaw left right before his naming ceremony. They decide that Feathertail should tell Crowpaw once he is in a better mood.

Not much has happened here beyond the cats recieving signs from StarClan that they are on the correct path.

However, when it comes down to Mothwing and Hawkfrost I am worried. Both cats, while apparently excellent warriors, seem to be very cold and hostile. And I can understand some of that - they are the kits of a loner. But I feel that there is more to it then that. Brambleclaw spoke of Hawkfrost's eyes and how they made him shudder. Mothwing is cold to Leafpaw for no reason. And then Leafpaw has a vision of Mothwing that disturbs her. I feel that there is something wrong with these two cats - but I do not know what. Mothwing seems like she might be okay, but Hawkfrost, for some reason, worries me.

midnight: part three

Brambleclaw dreams of Firestar mad at him. He awakens exhausted, stressed out, and confused. Mousefur takes him hunting with her and Spiderpaw and he questions if Mousefur is doing this to be nice or because Firestar ordered her too. Spiderpaw takes off and Mousefur follows him leaving Brambleclaw alone. He hears a cat in distress and finds Squirrelpaw tangled in some thorns. He helps her out but before they can talk Firestar is there and furious with them. Squirrelpaw tells him he is being unfair but Firestar won't listen to her. Graystripe arrives and realizes what is going on - and Brambleclaw realizes Graystripe knows exactly why Firestar is so angry with him. Firestar angrily stalks away and Graystripe tells the cats not to worry, Firestar's mood will pass.

But after they leave Brambleclaw has decided he is leaving until he can prove to Firestar just how loyal he really is. He confesses to Squirrelpaw his dream and plans to leave. She is upset he did not confide in her, but he points out he never had a chance. He begs her to tell no one he is leaving. She says she won't - but because she is going with him. He is upset with her insistence but realizes if he does not take her Firestar will blame her for his absence.

Brambleclaw and Squirrelpaw spend the night in the forest, under a huge monster they find on the side of the road. When the sun starts to rise they head off to meet up with the other cats but Leafpaw finds them. She has brought herbs to help them on their journey. Brambleclaw is furious that Squirrelpaw confided in her sister but both cats claim that is not the case. Squirrelpaw tells Leafpaw of Brambleclaw's dreams and Leafpaw begs Squirrelpaw to stay behind. But she refuses - between the prospect of an adventure and her anger at Firestar for threatening to never make her a warrior she is committed. Leafpaw leaves them, promising to not betray their trust.

Back at camp Leafpaw watches as Mousefur tries to find Brambleclaw and Dustpelt tries to find Squirrelpaw. No one is panicking yet, and Leafpaw attends to her duties. But as the day goes by panic starts to set in and patrols are sent out to find the cats. Leafpaw overhears Sandstorm tell Firestar that the prophecy said nothing about Tiger and Fire bringing danger to the clan, just that there would be danger. She points out that perhaps Fire and Tiger will save the clan. Firestar feels awful between his harsh words to both cats and their disappearance. He blames himself and feels it is even more important to find the missing cats. Cinderpelt questions Leafpaw to see if she knows where her sister is. Leafpaw says she does not - which is technically true but she does know where Squirrelpaw is going. She tells Cinderpelt nothing but knows that Squirrelpaw is currently safe with lots of cats and she suspects she might be at Ravenpaw's barn.

Brambleclaw and Squirrelpaw finally reach Fourtrees and the other cats. After some arguing over whether or not Squirrelpaw should be allowed to join them the six cats set off. They travel to Ravenpaw's barn and spend the night. The next day Ravenpaw takes them as far as Highstones then leaves them so they can begin their journey.

So, first of all, how can Firestar possibly be shocked that the two cats ran off after the way he has been treating them? I mean, honestly, it was just a matter of time. And I am glad that Sandstorm has had the sense to look at the prophecy as Fire and Tiger working together to save the clan from disaster - but really it was too little too late. But between Sandstorm hinting to Firestar that he was going about things wrong and Graystripe practically rolling his eyes at every overreaction of Firestar's, I am baffled as to how Firestar could not see that this could be the end result.

I am glad that this story line is finally moving along but I feel that it is very slow compared to Firestar's story. Granted, in book one we didn't know that everything was going to come down to a fight between Firestar and Tigerstar, but I feel like we are floundering in the dark here. I am glad things are finally moving forward.

midnight: part two

So, the story continues on and I actually feel like quite a bit has happened.

Brambleclaw confronts Squirrelpaw, who is demanding to know what he is doing. Tawnypelt appears and asks Brambleclaw what is going on and he is forced to admit that Squirrelpaw followed him. While they are deciding what to do with Squirrelpaw, Feathertail and Stormfur arrive and Feathertail immediately starts asking if the other cats have had the dream. Her brother has not, but he is insisting upon accompanying her on her quest. Crowpaw arrives and he and Brambleclaw - along with Squirrelpaw - immediately start arguing. Crowpaw actually attacks Squirrelpaw, causing Brambleclaw to stop him, which leads to both Crowpaw and Squirrelpaw angry at him. Crowpaw angrily leaves with nothing being resolved between the four cats. They recieve no sign from StarClan so they decide to meet up at the next Gathering and decide what to do from there. After the cats leave Squirrelpaw tells Brambleclaw that she will keep his secret, but only if he includes her in his plans. Brambleclaw agrees.

When Leafpaw wakes up she knows her sister sneaked out in the night - she dreamed of it. She looks for her sister but cannot find her anywhere. Ravenpaw arrives to speak with Firestar, and as Leafpaw is about to escort him Squirrelpaw arrives. Ravenpaw tells her it is okay to leave him and goes off to Firestar alone, giving Leafpaw a chance to confront her sister. But Squirrelpaw is evasive in her answers and Leafpaw is upset that she will not confide in her. Without actually accusing her outright of lying she is unsure what to do. They part ways with Leafpaw upset that her sister will no longer confide in her.

Brambleclaw dreams of endless salt water by a cliff with a dark mouth. He is drowning, unable to free himself of the water. He leaves the warrior's den, still able to taste the salt in his mouth and on his fur. He runs into Ravenpaw who asks him what is wrong. He finds himself confessing his dream. Ravenpaw tells him that the place he has dreamt of is real. He also reminds him that Firestar had a prophecy about him, so it is entirely possible that Brambleclaw has one too.

Brambleclaw sneaks out to find Feathertail and Stormfur and tell them of his dream. He deliberately does not tell Squirrelpaw about the second dream because he knows she would want to come and he feels he cannot take her on the journey to the salt water. Feathertail feels that they must go, and they resolve to talk to Crowpaw the next day. They find Crowpaw and he is angry and wary that Brambleclaw has had a second dream but none of the rest. He is unsure about going on the journey but Stormfur talks him into it, pointing out that if all of this is true them Crowpaw will be a hero. Later, Brambleclaw sneaks into ShadowClan territory to find Tawnypaw. She agrees to go with them on the journey.

Leafpaw and Cinderpelt are out gathering herbs when a fire accidentally starts. In the flames Cinderpelt sees a vision of a tiger. The fire goes out and they immediately hurry to Firestar. Cinderpelt believes the dream means Fire and Tiger combined will bring disaster to the clan - and she believes the Fire to be Squirrelpaw and the Tiger to be Brambleclaw. She does not feel that either cat is disloyal, only that they might do something to inadvertently cause disaster. Firestar resolves to keep the two of them apart - and to include Graystripe and Sandstorm in on this plan. Leafpaw is forbidden from saying anything to her sister.

Squirrelpaw hunts down Brambleclaw to find out if he has had anymore dreams, but suddenly Firestar is there to keep them apart. Over the next days the two cannot seem to find any moment to talk to each other - Firestar is determined to keep them busy and apart. Brambleclaw becomes convinced that Squirrelpaw must have said something to Firestar and that is why he is keeping them apart. They finally find a moment to speak and agree to meet behind the nursery once no one is looking. While there Brambleclaw accuses her of speaking to Firestar, but she denies it. Both cats note that Firestar is determined to keep them apart but they cannot understand why. Suddenly Firestar and Graystripe are there and Firestar is angry at them, accusing them of slacking in their duties. The cats protest, saying they have been working nonstop. Graystripe points out that this is true but Firestar will not hear of it. Firestar sends Brambleclaw to look after the elders and Brambleclaw is upset since that is apprentice work. While going away he hears Firestar telling Squirrelapw that she is not to spend so much time with an inexperienced warrior like Brambleclaw. Brambleclaw is upset and wonders what he did to anger Firestar.

So, first of all, I am glad my predictions for the cats chosen were correct. Secondly, of course Squirrelpaw is determined to be in the thick of things. However, the fighting between her and Brambleclaw - while still at a ridiculous amount - is at least toning down now that they have a common goal.

Crowpaw is such an odd addition to their group - he seems incapable of getting along with anyone. While the rest of the cats seem to be willing to go along with everything he is firmly digging in his heels and fighting with everyone.

As for Firestar, let me take a moment to roll my eyes. Did it even occur to him to try and talk to the two cats and see if anything is going on? Apparently not. Now all he is doing is alienating his daughter and someone who was once close to him. And accusing the two of them of being lazy while working them harder then anyone else is completely unfair - and he has to know it. At this point in time one would think he would realize that he is just going to make them more determined to sneak off to see each other.

I also feel that Cinderpelt probably interpreted her vision wrong, that it was probably Fire and Tiger combined that would save the clan from a disaster. It is odd, however, that Cinderpelt would have a vision that includes Squirrelpaw when Brambleclaw's vision was just about himself from ThunderClan. Yet Cinderpelt's vision clearly implies that Squirrelpaw is involved.

midnight: part one

So, here we are with book one of the next series. I have never read these books before so I don't know anything - not that I could remember much in the previous books, but I did remember some.

Many moons have passed and there are a couple of changes. In the cast some cats have died, others retired. New kits have been born and made apprentices and previous apprentices have been made warriors. Cloudtail and Brightheart are officially together and have a kit, Firestar and Sandstorm have had kits as well (including Squirrelpaw and Leafpaw), and so too have Dustpelt and Ferncloud. Longtail has retired early because his eyesight is failing. Instead of retiring, Goldenflower has chosen to live in the nursery and help any mothers with their kits. Cinderpelt has taken on an apprentice. Clan life - as much as it is different - is exactly the same.

So far this book has followed Brambleclaw and Leafpaw, not only taking the POV away from Firestar but giving it to two cats. However, the story does seem to be (so far, at least) more from Brambleclaw's POV. And so far it has stayed firmly in ThunderClan's camp.

The book opens with StarClan. A new, unnamed, danger is coming and the four clans pick four cats who will lead the clans through the upcoming troubled times. Oakheart asks Crookedstar for permission to speak for RiverClan, and Crookedstar consents. Nightstar of ShadowClan picks a cat whose loyalty is questioned and Deadfoot, former deputy of WindClan, picks an apprentice. These two choices cause some stir, and then Bluestar picks her cat.*

Brackenclaw dreams of Bluestar. She warns him of a new danger and says that he must meet with three other cats on the new moon. Graystripe wakes him from his dream, and Cloudtail comments that Brackenclaw is just like Firestar - dreaming so no one can get any sleep. Brackenclaw leaves the warrior's den and meets with Sorrelpaw, whose naming ceremony is that night. Then he goes to meet Dustpelt and Fernpaw's new kits - and Dustpelt asks him to take over the apprenticeship of Squirrelpaw for a few days. Brackenclaw agrees, but he is not happy. He and Squirrelpaw do not get along, both of them feeling the other is an insufferable know-it-all. After leaving Dustpelt and he and Squirrelpaw immediately get into an argument over her training that Sandstorm has to break up. The two cats go their separate ways - Brackenclaw to hunt with Cloudtail and Brightheart while Squirrelpaw goes to hunt with Sandstorm and Sorrelpaw. Before leaving Brackenclaw looks around the camp and assures himself that everything is fine.

After everyone returns Firestar holds Sorrelpaw's naming ceremony and renames her Sorreltail. After the ceremony Firestar and Brackenclaw talk. Brackenclaw considers confiding in Firestar but the moment passes and Firestar walks away. Brackenfur tries to reassure himself that if StarClan wanted to speak to anyone, they would have picked Firestar or Cinderpelt.

A few days later Brackenclaw, Thornclaw, and Ashfur go out on patrol. Brackenclaw catches Squirrelpaw following them and they again get into an argument - Squirrelpaw wants to come along and Brackenclaw feels she should go back to Dustpelt. In the end Squirrelpaw gets her way, but Thornclaw warns her she might get into trouble with Dustpelt. They go to snakerocks, where they find a badger's nest and are almost attacked. Squirrelpaw wants to attack the badger, but the other cats forbid it. They warn her that badgers are dangerous and they must report this to Firestar. Squirrelpaw is unhappy, but she obeys their orders.

Back at camp everyone is in an uproar. Dustpelt is furious with Squirrelpaw for wandering off and Firestar has even led a patrol to find her. Dustpelt orders her to care for the elders for the rest of the day. Feeling bad for her, Brackenclaw offers to help her. When Firestar comes back the cats report about Squirrelpaw's safety and the badger's nest.

Leafpaw is helping Cinderpelt. She is the medicine cat's apprentice now. She also shares a special bond with her sister, Squirrelpaw. She can feel Squirrelpaw's emotions and Squirrelpaw can feel her's. Cinderpelt allows Leafpaw to go to the Gathering. While there, Leafpaw feels overwhelmed. She is unsure where to go or who to speak to. She spots Graystripe talking with Mistyfoot and two other cats and joins them. The two other cats are Graystripe's kits, warriors now. Mistyfoot is uneasy about something, but she tells Graystripe he will know soon enough what when Leopardstar speaks.

The leaders all take turns. Blackstar reports everything fine in ShadowClan territory, as does Firestar for ThunderClan territory. Tallstar speaks next and asks Leopardstar for permission to get water from RiverClan territory since they are in the middle of a drought. A RiverClan warrior named Blackclaw speaks out against the idea, but Mistyfoot overrules him. Leopardstar allows the WindClan cats to drink their water. Then Leopardstar speaks. She speaks of a rogue cat named Sasha who came through their territory with her two kits. Sasha moved on but the kits chose to stay. They became apprentices named Hawkpaw and Mothpaw and eventually warriors named Hawkfrost and Mothwing. There is much discord within Leopardstar's own clan over this, and the other clans object as well. Leopardstar points out that ShadowClan is full of rogues and Firestar himself was once a kittypet. Firestar gives his support to Leopardstar and the cats quiet down. Leopardstar then announces that as Mudfur is getting old, he will be taking on Mothwing as his medicine cat apprentice. This causes a new uproar because of the fear that a rogue might not be able to talk to StarClan. Mudfur silences everyone and says that he is looking for a sign from StarClan on what to do - and no one can object until StarClan tells him no but he moves forward anyway. Leafpaw is hopeful that Mothwing will be chosen so she can have a friend to talk to.

Brackenclaw sees Hawkfrost and is chilled by his cold eyes. He then runs into Tawnypelt and discovers she too had the dream. They both thought that the four cats would be from their own clan, but now realize it must be one cat from each clan. They resolve to meet the night of the new moon at Fourtrees.

Days later Brambleclaw cannot shake the sense of foreboding he has. Firestar calls him over to talk to him about extra patrols by the ShadowClan border. Brambleclaw starts to question Firestar then stops. Firestar prompts him to continue, so he does, saying he is more afraid of WindClan stealing prey since they are probably hungry from the drought. Squirrelpaw calls him a fool, which leads to another verbal argument between them, which this time actually leads to Squirrelpaw taking a swipe at him. The two cats are about to attack each other when Firestar puts a stop to it. Brambleclaw apologizes and Dustpelt forces Squirrelpaw to apologize - but she still insists that Brambleclaw is a fool. Dustpelt speaks up for Brambleclaw, and says he agrees with him. Fireheart sends the three of them off to patrol over by the RiverClan and WindClan border. Squirrelpaw is unhappy to be going on patrol with Brambleclaw but she does as she is told.

While out she catches a vole, which Dustpelt allows her to eat. She offers some to Brambleclaw who was going to offer a retort but then realized she was trying to make peace. He eats some of the vole but suddenly he scents WindClan. The cats hide and watch as Mudfur, Crowpaw, and Onewhisker walk by with prey. Dustpelt challenges them, and they admit they took prey, but from RiverClan land. Brambleclaw points out that they are still stealing and Crowpaw attacks him. Furious, Onewhisker pulls Crowpaw off of Brambleclaw. The cats go their separate ways, with Dustpelt warning the WindClan warriors to stay off of their territory. Squirrelpaw is furious that Brambleclaw was right.

A few days later at new moon Brambleclaw heads to Fourtrees to meet with Tawnypelt and two other cats. He sees a cat approaching from the WindClan/RiverClan side and wonders who it is. Suddenly he can see the cat clearly and it is Squirrelpaw.

So, both a lot has happened and nothing has happened. There is a new threat but we don't know what it is. Four cats have been chosen to face this threat but we don't know who they are (see below for my suspicions - two of which were correct). Squirrelpaw and Leafpaw share a mystical bond, but nothing much has been said about it, other then its existence. And Squirrelpaw seems to piss everyone off - especially Brackenclaw. So far, with the lack of anything really going on, the only prediction that I would feel comfortable making is that I have a feeling Squirrelpaw and Brackenclaw might wind up in love.

*I suspect Oakheart's choice to be Feathertail (Graystripe's daughter), Nightstar's (no mention of Tigerstar - do evil cats join StarClan?) choice to be Tawnypelt, Deadfoot's choice to be Crowpaw, and Bluestar's choice to be Brackenclaw. I will also note that a comment was made while StarClan was picking the cats that perhaps the cats that were needed would have a paw in two worlds. This is true for Tawnypelt and Feathertail - and to a lesser extent Brackenclaw - if they are the ones chosen.

the rise of scourge

I debated over whether or not to include the manga but then decided to go ahead and do it - especially since the only one I have ever read is Ravenpaw's. I will try to cover them more or less in order, however right now I am not covering Tigerstar and Sasha's story for the simple reason of we only own books one and two. After we get book three I will cover them. I also figure each manga book will get it's own standalone post.

In the forward, the authors admit that this book was an afterthought - it was not part of the original plan. But they decided that Scourge's character needed to be explored more. I am glad they did - this story not only fleshes out his character more, it provides a better understanding for his actions and just generally makes him a better villain. The only way this story could have been better is if it was a prequel to "The Darkest Hour" - but then it would have given away the ending to that book.

The story follows Tiny, a young kittypet kit who is unusually small for his age. Hated by Socks and Ruby (his brother and sister, respectively) as well as overlooked by the humans in his life, Tiny longs to belong. The only one who seems to care about him is his mother, but even she is almost dismissive of him and treats him younger then he is because he is so small.

Tiny yearns for the forest. Even though he is warned that it is dangerous to go there - his mother warns him against the forest cats that she calls a scourge to catkind - he likes to walk around in it. One day Socks and Ruby are being adopted and they maliciously tell Tiny that cats who are not adopted are thrown into the river. Fearing that is now his fate, Tiny runs away to the forest. He wanders around and runs into Bluefur, Thistleclaw, and Thistleclaw's young apprentice Tigerpaw. Bluefur objects, but Thistleclaw orders Tigerpaw to attack the small kit. Tiny stands up to him but is easily overpowered. Tigerpaw is about to deliver a killing blow when Bluefur stops him.

The defeated Tiny runs away. Unable to return to home he instead heads into town. There the cats are not very nice and mock him for his kittypet collar. He tries to take it off but cannot. An old dog lying nearby has lost a tooth so Tiny takes and tries to cut the collar off but instead the tooth gets stuck. When the other stray cats notice it they ask him why it is there. He tells them that he fought a dog, killed it, and ripped the tooth from its head. The other strays start treating him with respect.

One day Bone and Brick come to him in the hopes that he can help them with a dog problem. Backed into a corner, Tiny agrees. The dog mistakes Tiny's shadow for a giant cat and becomes terrified. Tiny easily defeats the dog and suddenly all the stray cats adore him. They ask for his name and he gives it - Scourge.

Suddenly he is the leader of the strays. They bring him offerings and come to him for help and advice. Scourge is ruthless in his advice - and also in his law. He has no problem killing cats who cross him and since most underestimate him because of his size he finds it easy. He has a run in with Brokenstar, forcing Brokenstar to return to the forest with his rogue ShadowClan cats. He also has a run in with Socks and Ruby - their owners having abandoned them. He allows them one meal but then bans them from BloodClan territory.

Through all of this he dreams of revenge against Tigerpaw and one day he gets his wish. Boulder brings Tigerstar to see Scourge and strike a deal. Scourge recognizes Tigerstar, but Tigerstar does not recognize him. Scourge agrees to help Tigerstar and in the forest finally has his revenge.

This was an incredibly depressing story. None of this had to happen. If anyone had shown Tiny any amount of kindness his life would have been incredibly different. Instead he was hated, belittled, and attacked constantly. causing him to turn into a ruthless murderer.

I liked the shout out to Brokenstar in the story, as well as the glimpse of Bluefur and Thistleclaw. And Thistleclaw being Tigerstar's mentor really spoke volumes. Oftentimes the apprentice becomes very much like their mentor. Firestar is very much like Bluestar. Dustpelt was very much like Darkstripe. And In Tigerstar we now see just what Thistleclaw was like - and why Bluestar was so desperate to prevent him from becoming deputy.

Suddenly, with this story, Scourge becoming the villain is not so bad. Because while a face off between Firestar and Tigerstar was inevitable, so too was a face off between Scourge and Tigerstar. And really, it makes Tigerstar's story come full circle. The very kit he tried to murder when he was an apprentice grew up to be the very cat who took him down when he was leader. You reap what you sow, and Tigerstar got what he deserved. His death is still horrible, but so too is Tiny's story. And Tigerstar's bloodthirsty ways had a very large influence on the very cat that would take him down one day.

100 books: july 2018

This was a mad dash to reach the goal of 200, and we barely did it. As a matter of fact, we thought we had failed - until I remembered my kid's summer book projects for school. Thankfully those two books brought us right up to 200 and not a single book more! Since we are on such a roll I hope we make it to 300 by the end of the year!!!

July's books:

1. Batman Battles the Penguin - Vampire Kitten
2. Olympians: Hermes Tales of the Trickster - Vampire Kitten
3. Olympians: Athena Grey-Eyed Goddess - Vampire Kitten
4. Olympians: Hades Lord of the Dead - Vampire Kitten
5. Olympians: Ares Bringer of War - Vampire Kitten
6. Olympians: Aphrodite Goddess of Love - Vampire Kitten
7. Olympians: Hermes Tales of the Trickster - Lone Wolf
8. Olympians: Ares Bringer of War - Lone Wolf
9. Olympians: Hades Lord of the Dead - Lone Wolf
10. Olympians: Aphrodite Goddess of Love - Lone Wolf
11. Olympians: Ares Bringer of War - Wandering Falcon
12. Olympians: Hermes Tales of the Trickster - Wandering Falcon
13. Crossroads of Twilight - Wandering Falcon
14. A Hole New World - Vampire Kitten
15. Dragons Beware - Vampire Kitten
16. Newsprints - Vampire Kitten
17. A Hole New World - Lone Wolf
18. Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy - Lone Wolf
19. Knife of Dreams - Wandering Falcon
20. Everyday Witch A to Z - Wandering Falcon
21. Darkness Walks: The Shadow People Among Us - Wandering Falcon
22. Newsprints - Wandering Falcon
23. The A.B.C. Murders - Wandering Falcon
24. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd - Wandering Falcon
25. Appointment with Death - Wandering Falcon
26. Death in the Clouds - Wandering Falcon
27. Warriors: Into the Wild - Wandering Falcon
28. Warriors: Fire and Ice - Wandering Falcon
29. Warriors: Forest of Secrets - Wandering Falcon
30. Warriors: Rising Storm - Wandering Falcon*
31. Supernatural: Rising Son - Lone Wolf
32. The Lost Boys: Reign of Frogs - Lone Wolf
33. Tragic Almanack - Wandering Falcon
34. Remembered Death - Wandering Falcon
35. One, Two Buckle My Shoe - Wandering Falcon
36. Danger on Midnight River - Lone Wolf
37. James and the Giant Peach - Vampire Kitten

The breakdown:

Little Legs: 0

Lone Wolf: 9

Vampire Kitten: 10

Wandering Falcon: 18

Total stats:

Total books read: 200

Little Legs: 7.50

Wandering Falcon: 48.50

Lone Wolf: 61.50

Vampire Kitten: 82.50

* How can this book be up here when according to my blog posts I didn't finish it until August? There is about a week layover between me reading a book and my posts going up. Usually I read on my lunch break at work, on top of the bus ride to work, plus we have family reading time every night. So it is not uncommon for me to read an entire book in a day or two or three, taking breaks here and there to write up a quick post on the chapters I just finished. The first post goes up, then I spend the next couple of days both putting up the next posts and polishing up the future posts. By the time the last post for a book goes up I am already halfway through the next book. 

the darkest hour: part seven

As ready as they will ever be, the cats prepare to head out. Firestar leaves Speckletail in charge of the camp. He tells Brightheart that if they survive the battle she can move back into the warrior's den. He speaks with Whitestorm, who says he cannot imagine a better leader and speaks as if he will die in the fight. 

The four clans, along with Barley and Ravenpaw, meet up and face BloodClan. Firestar refuses Scourge's offer to leave and instead offers him a chance to go. The two clans - BloodClan and LionClan - attack.

During the fight Firestar faces off against Darkstripe who had joined BloodClan. Firestar asks him if he has any honor left and Darkstripe responds that the only thing that matters is Firestar's death. Darkstripe has Firestar pinned but suddenly Graystripe is there saving him and killing Darkstripe. Graystripe sees something across the way and it takes Firestar a moment to realize it is Bone, the BloodClan deputy, killing Whitestorm. They race over and Bramblepaw and Ashpaw attack Bone. Firestar tries to save his deputy but Whitestorm tells him it is time for him to go and hunt with StarClan now and names Graystripe as his successor. Firestar speaks the words to name a new deputy and is surprised when nearby cats hear him and give their support.

Firestar knows the only way to end this fight is to find Scourge. He seeks him out and they fight. Scourge wins, and Firestar loses his first life. Bluestar is there and Firestar begs her to return him to the fight. She tells him he must wait and speaks to him, telling him how the path he chose is what lead him to be a great leader. Firestar returns to his body and seeks out Scourge again. The ruthless leader is shocked to see Firestar alive when he knows he just killed him. Firestar tells Scourge that he has been gifted nine lives from StarClan and suddenly understands what Barley was trying to tell him - that when Scourge dies it will be for good. This time Firestar defeats the small cat and once the BloodClan cats realize what has happened they flee.

After the fight Leopardstar gathers her cats to go home. ShadowClan is not coming with them, TigerClan is no more. She has offered Mistyfoot the position of deputy and she accepted. Next Blackfoot leaves, saying he needs to rebuild his clan. Firestar tells him he saw him murder Stonefur and warns him to learn from the mistakes of the leaders before him. Finally WindClan leaves with the acknowledgment that one clan has turned back into four. All the cats look forward to life returning to normal in the forest.

To me, Darkstripe's ending will always sad. He could have offered so much to his clan and instead he turned his back on everything he believed in. I suppose it is all the sadder because Dustpelt and Longtail made the right choice.

Whitestorm's death was sad, but I have to say that I don't know Graystripe is the right choice. Yes, he is Firestar's best friend and he is loyal to him, but that does not make a good deputy. Putting the clan first does, and that is something that both Firestar and Whitestorm are good at. Of course, from his choices, I don't know who would have been a better pick.

All that I had remembered from these books was that Tigerclaw was evil, Firepaw would eventually become clan leader, and, as time went by, that Whitestorm would both be his deputy and die. I am glad to have reread these books and revisit characters I had long sense forgotten. And I look forward to seeing what their next adventure is now that clan life has returned to normal - though, I imagine, not for long. Otherwise there would not be more stories to tell.

the darkest hour: part six

All of the cats are horrified over what just happened, but Firestar and Tallstar resolve to meet BloodClan in battle. Bramblepaw confesses to Firestar that he never wanted that fate for his father and Firestar agrees. Bramblepaw asks how Tawnypaw could follow him and Firestar has no answers. He begs for his sister to be allowed to come back to the clan, but Firestar cannot promise that and instead promises a fair hearing for her.

Back at the camp everyone reels from the news that the returning warriors bring. Whitestorm asks where ShadowClan and RiverClan stand in the upcoming confrontation with BloodClan and Firestar says he does not know. Firestar tells the cats that they must prepare for the upcoming battle. All cats are to train - even kits and elders.

The next day Ravenpaw and Barley arrive wanting to help after having heard about the upcoming fight with BloodClan. Barley admits he was once part of BloodClan and gives Firestar all the information he can. He tells Firestar that having StarClan is what makes the clan cats different. Firestar feels that Barley has told him something important, but he is not sure what.

Longtail reports to Firestar that BloodClan is living in ShadowClan territory. Firestar watches Brightheart's training and is impressed - so is Dustpelt who she keeps defeating. He takes Cloudtail with him and they warn Princess to stay out of the forest until this new threat is dealt with.

Back at camp Whitestorm talks to Firestar, asking him if they are doing the right thing by staying. Firestar insists they are, that losing the forest cannot be StarClan's will. As they talk, Firestar is struck suddenly by just how old Whitestorm is and how most cats his age would have joined with the elders. Uneasy, Firestar dreams. He is at Fourtrees with StarClan and demands answers from them. Bluestar answers him and tells him that while StarClan cares for all cats, they do not rule their lives - the cats are free to make their own choices.

Firestar awakens and resolves to speak to Leopardstar. Taking a few cats with him he enters RiverClan territory and finds Leopardstar trying to rule both clans at the hill of bones. She acknowledges that they will probably run away - and that some cats will he left behind. Firestar urges her to join forces and then allow the clans to go back to their normal lives after BloodClan is defeated. She agrees to think on his request and, much to his shock, asks him to lead them. Darkstripe overhears and is furious, blaming Firestar for Tigerstar's death. But other cats speak up for Firestar, including Boulder who says he warned Tigerstar against his plan, which was to use BloodClan to force the other clans to join TigerClan and then turn against BloodClan.

Bramblepaw finds Tawnypaw and asks Firestar to speak with her. She tells Firestar that she cannot be in a clan that does not want her. Firestar insists that while he only saw Tigerstar when he looked on them in the past he no longer does. She acknowledges that but says other cats do, and she wants to prove her worth to a clan that does want her. Bramblepaw is upset but accepts her decision - and Firestar's blessing. Leopardstar and Blackfoot agree to fight with Firestar and Darkstripe angrily objects, threatening to leave. Leopardstar tells him to go then since he is worthless anyway. The angry cat stalks off. Leopardstar and her warriors pull down the hill of bones while Blackfoot watches her with unreadable eyes.

So, it is good that the clans will go back to normal life after this. TigerClan is over, Leopardstar even pulled down the hill of bones. I still feel she is a complete fool. And while I understand Tawnypaw wanting to prove her worth, going to a clan that is murdering cats is not it.

I'm not sure what Barley was trying to say to Firestar but I am glad that Bluestar clarified StarClan's position in all of this - mainly that the cats have free will. Everything has always been about the will of StarClan so it is nice to see that change of perspective.

Lastly, as for Whitestorm, I feel his fate is plainly written and sad.

the darkest hour: part five

The cats rush to WindClan but they are too late. They see wounded cats everywhere and Firestar realizes that this was a scare tactic. Gorsepaw, an apprentice, lies dead in the clearing. Onewhisker tells Firestar that Tigerstar pinned the young cat down and murdered him, telling them that all who refused to join would have the same fate. Tallstar pulls Firestar aside and tells him that he has a message from Tigerstar. Tigerstar wants an answer tomorrow at Fourtrees because he is tired of waiting - and if they refuse this is their fate. Firestar says he would rather die then join TigerClan. Tallstar agrees to stand by Firestar and says they will be a lion to Tigerstar's tiger.

Firestar leaves some cats behind with Whitestorm and takes the rest with him. They meet with with Tallstar and Firestar feels hopeful at the force they have gathered up. Tigerstar and his cats arrive and they refuse his offer. Tawnypaw is spotted amongst the TigerClan cats and Tigerstar throws it into their faces that she went to him willingly. He asks Bramblepaw to join him as well but Bramblepaw refuses, saying he would rather die. Angry, Tigerstar informs him that he will die if he does not accept the offer. Bramblepaw retorts that he will die a loyal ThunderClan cat then. The bushes part and row after row after row of cats come out and Firestar realizes just how outnumbered they are.

Tigerstar again makes an offer for the two clans to join him and Firestar again refuses. Tigerstar orders the BloodClan cats to attack but no one moves. Scourge reminds an angry Tigerstar that his cats are loyal to him and will only attack when he orders it. Firestar takes this moment to speak to Scourge and all the clan cats. He speaks of Tigerstar's murder or Redtail, wounding of Cinderpelt, attempted murder of Bluestar, and attempted destruction of ThunderClan. He finishes his speech by saying Tigerstar does not share power. Leopardstar looks horrified but stands by Tigerstar. Scourge admits that he knew of the plan involving the dogs, but did not know it failed. Scourge says he will think on Firestar's words and there will be no battle today. Tigerstar leaps at the small cat and Firestar is afraid Scourge will be destroyed. But Scourge wins because his claws are reinforced with sharpened dog claws, and Firestar watches in horror as Tigerstar dies nine deaths, choking to death on his blood over and over and over again. Scourge announces that he is now taking over the forest - and that the cats have three days to leave or meet him in battle.

I hope that Bramblepaw's loyalty is now laid to rest, just like Dustpelt's was when he publicly refused Tigerclaw. It really did seem almost an echo, with both cats declaring they would never betray their clan and would rather die then follow a murderer.

As for Leopardstar and Tawnypaw, the two of them are idiots. I understand Leopardstar might find it uncomfortable to switch sides in the middle of a fight - especially with the introduction of the BloodClan cats - but really, there is doing what is easy and there is doing what is right. And she is choosing what is easy. I hope with Tigerstar's death some sense has been knocked into her but since she allowed her own deputy to be murdered I doubt it. And for Tawnypaw I don't even have the words to describe how stupid she is acting. But, maybe with Tigerstar's death she can escape his shadow - but she betrayed her clan before that. And I wonder if Bramblepaw's speech about dying before following their father had any effect on her.

I have mixed feelings about Tigerstar's death. It was certainly shocking and upsetting - especially as he went through all nine of his lives one after the other, choking on his own blood. But more then that it was out of nowhere. 

Sometimes, this is well played. A series goes on and a storyline is clearly established. Firestar vs Tigerstar - that is the clearly established story. Firestar has been the hero since the beginning and likewise Tigerstar has been the villain. But now, all the sudden pages from the end Tigerstar is dead and Scourge is the villain.

They did this in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Season 6 The Trio was the villain until all the sudden The Trio was destroyed and Willow was the villain. The first time I watched season 6 I was like "what the hell just happened?" But, as time went by, and I went back, I saw all the signs were there. Willow's struggle with magic was there from day one - always messing with stronger powers then she should have been. And then, suddenly, things escalated out of control and she was the main villain. It was subtle but it was well done.

Here, rogues have been mentioned here and there but they were never seriously mentioned. They were just the stray followers of Brokenstar then Tigerstar. They were, in defense of this massive plot twist, always a means to an end. A stepping stone for revenge and clan power. But they were almost written in as an afterthought. There was never any subtle struggle, any subtle threat. They were the stragglers of once powerful cats and now, suddenly, there is an entire clan of them loyal to the death to Scourge. 

I mean, this is the way the book was written so it is what it is. But it almost feels a bit cheap. An afterthought. A tidy way of ending Tigerstar's story without any real work. And now, suddenly, the fight between Firestar and Tigerstar that has been building up for years will instead be between Firestar and Scourge - who is a nobody to the reader. I feel like there is a word for this plot device - other then sloppy - but it is currently eluding me.

I will say, however, that the writers gave Tigerstar a very interesting death. And I would have approved of it if the rogues had played a bigger part in the series.

the darkest hour: part four

Tigerstar makes a speech, arguing that there is no room for cats with divided loyalities - or cats who are an abomination because they are from mixed clans. Leopardstar does not stop Tigerstar as he orders Stonefur to kill the two apprentices to prove his loyality. Stonefur refuses, saying only Leopardstar can give him orders. Leopardstar backs Tigerstar and Stonefur refuses to kill the kits. Tigerstar orders Darkstripe to kill him and the two cats fight. Stonefur gets the upper hand and Tigerstar orders Blackfoot to finish him off. Firestar and his friends watch as Blackfoot murders Stonefur.

Darkstripe asks for permission to kill the two apprentices but Tigerstar mocks him for being unable to defeat Stonefur. Tigerstar allows the kits to live for now and sends them back to their prison. The gathering breaks up and the cats try to figure out how to save Graystripe's kits. They roll in the crow food so they will smell like TigerClan and follow the path. They find Jaggedtooth guarding the prison and Ravenpaw distracts him by insisting that Tigerstar is asking for him. They find Mistyfoot with the young apprentices and they all start back to ThunderClan territory. They pass back through the clearing with the hill of bones and Mistyfoot says goodbye to her brother. 

Suddenly an alarm is given that the prisoners have escaped and they make for the river. As they are crossing some ShadowClan cats attack but suddenly a ThunderClan patrol is there to help. They get away safely but once back at the camp Firestar finds out that Tawnypaw is missing. They look everywhere for Tawnypaw but are unable to find her. Goldenflower accuses Firestar of never trusting her kits and storms off. Bramblepaw tells him it is not his fault

Not all the cats are happy that three RiverClan cats are in their camp, but Firestar insists it is the right thing to do and Whitestorm stands by him reminding all the cats that they are half ThunderClan. After everyone has calmed down a badly wounded Mudclaw suddenly appears looking for help because his clan is under attack from TigerClan.

As if things couldn't get more disturbing. Leopardstar's refusal to stand up for her deputy speaks volumes - especially when he is murdered right in front of her. And she won't speak up for the apprentices. These cats are in her care and she is silent - harkening back to Firestar warning Mistyfoot that Tigerstar has no equals, only followers.

The sudden attack on WindClan when they were given a month to respond is interesting. It could be retaliation against Firestar for taking the prisoners or it could just be a scare tactic to make WindClan surrender sooner so ThunderClan stands alone.

And the persecution of the half RiverClan half ThunderClan cats seems far more personal. If the four clans are supposed to join as one then it is illogical to execute half breed cats. It is far more likely that the four clans would start building stronger bonds with each other which would naturally move to mixed kits being born. I really cannot see the logic in this and instead just see Tigerstar looking to hurt RiverClan by dividing them against themselves and hurting Firestar by taking kits that belong to cats who are important to him.

Then there is Tawnypaw's disappearance. I am sure she has gone to TigerClan, tired of cats questioning her loyalty. While I can understand this in theory, in reality I cannot. While she does not know of the current crimes her father just committed she does know all about the past ones - including the dog pack that almost destroyed them all. I understand her frustration but joining the side of someone who has no regard for anyone's life but his own is not the answer. I feel especially bad for Bramblepaw because he is on the receiving end of that distrust far more then his sister is.

the darkest hour: part three

Sorrelkit tells Firestar that she saw Darkstripe out alone and knew he shouldn't be, so she followed him. She saw him meeting with Blackfoot from ShadowClan. She tried to sneak back to the camp unseen but Darkstripe found her, told her how clever she was, and gave her the berries as a treat. Firestar takes this news to the clan. Darkstripe insists that Sorrelkit was either lying or misunderstood what he was trying to do. Firestar asks him how he can betray his own clan like this and Darkstripe responds that this isn't his clan and the only cat worth following is Tigerstar. Firestar banishes him, and is uneasy when Tawnypaw asks if Darkstripe will go to Tigerstar, though not because Darkstripe probably will but because of the look on Tawnypaw's face. Firestar gives the apprenticeship of Fernpaw to Longtail - much to the other cat's shock and gratitude - and then goes to tell Cinderpelt about the prophecy Bluestar gave him but she cannot shed any light on it.

Days pass and Firestar is out with Graystripe and Thornclaw when they see Mistyfoot. She tells them how Stonefur confessed their roots to their clan. She says some cats won't speak to them, others are uneasy, and Leopardstar is clearly unhappy but publicly supporting them. She also confesses that Tigerstar is always over with Leopardstar, planning something, and even Stonefur does not know what - and that ShadowClan warriors are always posted in their camp. Firestar is shocked, and warns Mistyfoot that Tigerstar has no equals, only followers. The Gathering approaches and Firestar leaves Whitestorm behind with enough warriors to guard the camp in case Tigerstar attacks - along with Tigerstar's two kits in case he demands them again. Firestar decides to reveal Tigerstar's treachery at this gathering, but Whitestorm is unsure his plans will work.

They arrive at the Gathering but only WindClan is there. Tallstar tells Firestar that he is sorry for Bluestar's death, but that ThunderClan has a worthy successor. Firestar is surprised at the older cat's praise. He decides to confide in him about his fears over Tigerstar but suddenly the ShadowClan and RiverClan cats are there. They arrive together and start the meeting without Tallstar and Firestar. Tigerstar speaks of joining the four clans into one great clan, named TigerClan, and ruling it together. He says Leopardstar had already joined them and asks the other clans for their answer. Tallstar is furious and flatly refuses. Firestar too refuses and tries to warn the other cats about why Tigerstar was kicked out of their clan but suddenly a storm breaks out. Tigerstar declares it a favorable sign from StarClan and leaves, giving the other two clans a month to decide. Firestar also saw Darkstripe with the ShadowClan cats, a look of open admiration on his face as he watched Tigerstar speak. As the cats escape the storm Firestar is reminded of Bluestar's prophesy.

Back at camp Firestar breaks the news of the Gathering to everyone and Tigerstar's claim that he has StarClan's favor. Whitestorm counters that the storm could easily be seen as a sign of StarClan's anger. The next day Firestar takes Bramblepaw training and is upset when Bramblepaw asks why it would be so bad to all be one clan. But then Firestar remembers his own questioning on this same topic when he first joined the clan and tries to answer Bramblepaw fairly. Firestar finds himself worrying once again about his apprentice's loyalty. Cloudtail also has him assess Brightheart's training and Firestar is surprised to see it going well. He goes to get a drink from the stream and sees his reflection as a lion and recalls Bluestar's prophesy once again.

Back at camp Graystripe tries to talk to Firestar but a sudden commotion with Tawnypaw distracts him. Tawnypaw complains that some of the cats treat her unfairly because of her father. Bramblepaw tells her that they must prove themselves and Firestar promises to speak to the cats on her behalf. Tawnypaw soothed Firestar asks Graystripe what is wrong. Graystripe confesses he is afraid for his kits now that Tigerstar is in charge of RiverClan. He wants to go over and bring them back to ThunderClan camp. Firestar tells him no, but seeing how upset his friend is agrees for them to go over and check on the kits. On their way out they see Ravenpaw, who has come to pay his respects to Bluestar, and he goes along with them. They sneak into RiverClan land and find an odd scent and follow it. They see a new camp with a hill of bones with Tigerstar on top. They see Leopardstar looking like she is regretting her choice but now has no way out. They see prey wasted and water polluted. They see Darkstripe, proud to be part of this new clan. And they see prisoners in the form of Stonefur, Featherpaw, and Stormpaw.

Okay, there is quite a bit here. Clearly the tiger and lion are Tigerstar and Firestar, respectively. And the four becoming two means WindClan and ThunderClan will join together against ShadowClan and RiverClan. The blood is clearly tied in with Scourge since he is the leader of BloodClan (though, Firestar does not know this yet).

Also, that entire scene in RiverClan territory disturbs me. The disregard for prey, the prisoners (who are of course half ThunderClan but, more importantly, include the deputy and two young apprentices), and Leopardstar's refusal to do anything. The whole scene is very disturbing. Mostly Leopardstar's inaction.

I am curious where Mistyfoot is. Is she a prisoner too? If so, why was she not there? Was it a control issue with Tigerstar not wanting both cats there to strengthen his own position? After all, if he orders attacks on both Stonefur and Mistyfoot then maybe Leopardstar would waiver. Or, it could be she has escaped. But if so why has she not run to ThunderClan? She has to know that Firestar would take her in. Unless she is already dead? But I imagine Stonefur would be the bigger threat to Tigerstar since he is deputy.

And here we have the loyalities of three cats drawn clearly. Dustpelt and Longtail have both buried the hatchet with Firestar - they might not like him fully but they have completely accepted him. And Longtail knows just how precarious his position was, yet, despite that unfortunate incident in the previous book, Firestar has continuously shown him trust. And Darkstripe cares only for Tigerstar. His ambition is just as bad. He knows that everything Tigerstar is doing goes against everything the clans believe in but he does not care.

As for Tawnypaw and Bramblepaw - I see things not ending well for Tawnypaw.