starlight: part one

Okay, this one is going to be a bit long since it covers the first 103 pages.

StarClan reaches the new land. Bluestar, Spottedleaf, and others discuss how the clans must find the new way of speaking to them - and how they must learn to live as four clans again. StarClan is also wary of a cat who seeks power, and this angers Crookedstar. Yellowfang sees a vision, and the water runs red with blood. She warns the cats that before there is peace in the new land, blood will spill blood.

After reaching the new land the clans send two cats - Mistyfoot and Russetfur - to scout out the area. The cats head towards the lake and Brambleclaw wishes to approach with his friends, knowing that this is the end of their journey and they must soon part ways. The four remaining cats move off together knowing that soon things will change. The next morning Tallstar is not doing well, causing his deputy, Mudclaw, to make some waves as he starts to take over. Firestar makes Squirrelpaw a warrior, giving her the name Squirrelflight, and the four cats - along with Mistyfoot for RiverClan - are sent to explore the surrounding area, finding good land for the clans. When the cats start to head out Brambleclaw starts issuing orders, then realizes that it is Mistyfoot's place to do so. The cats leave and Leafpaw chases after them to say goodbye.

Leafpaw watches them leave and feels envious of the closeness between them. She finds herself watching Crowfeather, feeling that he has an important path laid before him by StarClan. Cinderpelt interrupts her thoughts by asking if she wishes she could go with them. Instead of answering, Leafpaw sees an image of herself chasing after the group to walk side by side with Crowfeather. The idea shocks her, especially as she feels as if she can feel his fur touching her. She finally answers Cinderpelt by responding she has work here. The medicine cats all meet to discuss what to do. They speak of collecting herbs but talk quickly turns to what to do with no Moonstone. Mothwing blunders when she says it doesn't really matters and goes back to speaking of herbs. Leafpaw covers for her by pointing out they cannot worry about things they do not control, so they should work on what they can. Leafpaw and Mothwing are sent off to collect supplies. Mothwing sees an island that she is convinced will be perfect for Gatherings. Mothwing swims over and explores it and comes back to report it is perfect, but Cinderpelt and Littlecloud disagree, pointing out that not everyone can swim and the elders would never make it.

As Brambleclaw and the others explore the area the cats keep asking him for advice and orders instead of Mistyfoot. Mistyfoot tells Brambleclaw that the cats are obviously used to listening to him so he should continue leading them. They find territory for RiverClan, along with an area that is perfect for their camp. They come across a Thunderpath and some of the cats, including Brambleclaw, freeze - their minds filled with the images of monsters tearing up the forest. They continue exploring and find territory that would be good for ShadowClan, but they cannot find a camp. They catch the scent of other cats and Brambleclaw insists they check it out, leading to a fight with some very tough kittypets. Mistyfoot becomes angry at Brambleclaw for putting them in unnecessary danger and for everyone getting lost as they run away. Brambleclaw is embarrassed and upset with himself. They find a spot to sleep for the night and decide it might make a good camp for ShadowClan. Squirrelpaw points out that they never would have found it if it wasn't for Brambleclaw going after the kittypets, much to Mistyfoot's amusement.

The next day they head back to the lake and then move on. The weather is poor and they decide to rest someplace dry to get out of the rain. The cats find shelter and rest. After the rain passes they go back to exploring the area. Squirrelpaw accidentally falls off a cliff as she hunts a vole. She lands in an abandoned quarry and calls Brambleclaw down. She excitedly shows him the area and declares it a good camp for their clan. Brambleclaw is uncertain but he finally confesses to Squirrelpaw that he wants a camp just like their old one. The other cats join them and they move on. They hurry to get back to the main camp as they cut through the last territory. They decide it is good for WindClan but they don't have time to explore it. They see an area that looks good for the camp and Crowfeather goes off to check it on his own. He meets back up with the other cats, happy to have found a place, and they all return to their leaders. Back at the camp Firestar asks Mistyfoot for a report, but she tells him Brambleclaw should give it instead. Brambleclaw feels nervous as he jumps up to a stump to speak to everyone. He gives a brief description of what they had seen. He finishes by saying that the individual cats from the clan can give a more thorough report to their leaders. He jumps down and Hawkfrost comes over to speak with him. Brambleclaw expects hostility and is shocked to instead be thanked by Hawkfrost for finding a place for his clan. Hawkfrost also expresses sorrow that they must part before really getting to know each other. Brambleclaw finds himself thinking if he and Hawkfrost had grown up in the same clan they might have been best friends, like Firestar and Graystripe. Squirrelflight interrupts them, telling Brambleclaw that Firestar is waiting for him. After Hawkfrost leaves Squirrelflight asks him what he was doing talking to Hawkfrost when he can't be trusted. Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight get into a fight over Hawkfrost, Squirrelflight insisting he is not a good cat even though she can offer no proof. Brambleclaw accuses her of disliking and distrusting Hawkfrost because his father is Tigerstar. Squirrelflight angrily stalks away and Brambleclaw is left wondering if Squirrelflight even trusts himself.

So part of me feels like this story is moving very rapidly - but another part of me feels like that is just an illusion since the first third of the book takes place in the first four chapters and prologue!

But, a couple of things. I was surprised by this potential Leafpaw/Crowfeather development. Medicine cats cannot fall in love and have kits. And I don't think Leafpaw is in love with a cat she has barely even met, but I do believe she had almost a vision of her and him together - and I do wonder if that was just longing on her part or something from StarClan.

I am also surprised by Squirrelflight's reaction to Brambleclaw talking to Hawkfrost. Don't get me wrong, I think the cat is a problem, but so far his only crimes are acting like a jerk and being Tigerstar's son. Neither of those really add any weight to insisting Brambleclaw shouldn't talk to him. And, it is completely understandable that Brambleclaw wants to get to know his half brother. I feel that Squirrelflight is right and I'm not accusing her of overreacting, but rather of acting poorly. Also, why on earth would cold, arrogant Hawkfrost want to be friends with Brambleclaw suddenly? This seems very suspicious to me and I can't help but wonder if there is more to this then meets the eye.

Lastly, Mothwing's blunder was interesting. She basically came right out and said that talking to StarClan isn't important. This is very different from her first night at the Moonstone where she was so excited when she woke up. I wonder if this is because she was not fully trained, she has no warrior ancestors (since in the manga Tigerstar said he was not with StarClan), or something else. I hope this gets explained more fully as the book goes on. In the end I can't help but remember Leafpaw's vision of Mothwing at the Moonstone...