warriors: dawn of the clans

This was a nice series and it really brought things full circle. Jayfeather had already discovered the ancient cats left the lake and moved to the mountains to become The Tribe of Rushing Water. Now, here, we discover some tribe cats left and joined with some rogues to create something different - the five clans surrounding fourtrees. Ultimately, the clans will leave fourtrees and return to the lake. Of course, SkyClan is still missing, off on their own. But, it is not like the clans returned to the Tribe so I suppose it is what it is.

It was both sad and exciting to see the birth of the clans. I wish there was more on the moonstone and the birth of the medicine cats, but the focus was more on the birth of the clans themselves (including StarClan). I am hopeful that Moth Flight's Vision will solve this problem, but we will have to see. It was nice seeing where the clan names came from.

Like The Power of Three this series also had no villain. It is easy to paint Clear Sky as the villain, but in actuality he was just misguided and afraid. Instead, if we were to point at a villain, the villain was really themselves. Their inability to realize that different things made different cats happy. Some preferred the moor, others the open forest. Some preferred the river, others the dark forest. The inability to accept this, the desperation of holding everyone together when they just wanted to be free, this is what the villain was. In that light one could even argue Gray Wing was just as guilty as Clear Sky. Where Clear Sky was very totalitarian Gray Wing wanted everyone to stay together.

My only complaint with this story is RiverClan was shoved into the background. Clear Sky had his story and Gray Wing had his (with Shadow Star and Thunder). River Ripple was off doing his own thing for most of the series. Eventually Shadow Star and Thunder would leave Gray Wing but River Ripple was separate from the start and we saw very little of him and the birth of his clan.

While this series was definitely more of a prequel to give background to the main story line it was solid enough to stand on its own and was very good.  

Warriors: Dawn of the Clans

1. The Sun Trail
2. Thunder Rising
3. The First Battle
4. The Blazing Star
5. A Forest Divided
6. Path of Stars

200 books: december

Final month! Well, final half month. And, my final post for the year. This year I am ending a little bit early as my boys are going away for Christmas to visit their father. And next year's book goals will be slightly different. I figure to resume blogging around January 5th or 6th, so I will talk about our goals then. Until then, here are the last books for this year!

(Note: there are no chapter books listed for me and Little Legs because we read story books all month)

December books:

1. Dog Man and Cat Kid - Vampire Kitten
2. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball - Vampire Kitten
3. The Adventure Zone: Murder on the Rockport Limited - Vampire Kitten
4. The Nameless City - Vampire Kitten
5. Star Wars: A New Hope Graphic Novel - Vampire Kitten
6. Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back Graphic Novel - Vampire Kitten
7. Star Wars: Return of the Jedi Graphic Novel - Vampire Kitten
8. Estranged: The Changeling King - Lone Wolf
9. The Wormworld Saga: The Journey Begins - Lone Wolf
10. Wings of Fire: The Hidden Kingdom Graphic Novel - Lone Wolf
11. Norse Myths Adventures of Thor - Lone Wolf
12. Estranged: The Changeling King - Wandering Falcon
13. Extraordinary: A Story of an Ordinary Princess - Wandering Falcon
14. Far Out Fairy Tales - Wandering Falcon
15. Magic Tree House: Hurry Up, Houdini! - Family

The Breakdown:

Vampire Kitten: 7
Lone Wolf: 4
Little Legs: 0
Wandering Falcon: 3
Family: 1

Total:

Vampire Kitten: 107/50
Lone Wolf: 50/25
Little Legs: 49/13
Wandering Falcon: 118/100
Family: 16/12

sailor moon: part ten

Kunzite turns a final human into a youma. Sailor Moon comes up with a plan to convince the Dark Kingdom that she is breaking away from the Sailor Scouts so she can join the Dark Kingdom with Endymion. So Kunzite turns a tabloid photographer, Nana Asahina, into a youma to gather information. Their plan backfires in the end and Kunzite gets way. After this, however. the portal to the Dark Kingdom secret hideout is discovered and the Sailor Soldiers go there to bring the fight to Queen Beryl. Kunzite catches them and sends them to the Chaotic World of Multiple Dimensions. While trapped there Usagi finds her mother, Queen Serenity, who tells her the rest of her past and of the war with the Dark Kingdom. The Sailor Soldiers escape and Sailor Moon finally defeats Kunzite.

From here the Sailor Soldiers use the Sailor Teleport to reach the Dark Kingdom base. They go up against the DD Girls, of which there are five. The DD Girls use an illusion of Tuxedo Mask to trick Sailor Moon. When her friends keep preventing her from falling for it they use one of Motoki to trick Sailor Jupiter. Sailor Jupiter attacks and takes out two of the DD Girls, dying in the process. Everyone is stunned by her death but they move forward. Ami takes on the DD Girls next, when they try to use an illusion of Urawa. She destroys their ability to make illusions and dies. Venus then falls when she takes out one DD Girl. Mars is left to fight two of them and dies taking them out. Sailor Moon is devastated by the loss of her friends but their spirits come to her and give her the courage to move forward. She finds Queen Beryl, who reveals a fully brainwashed Mamoru. Usagi and Mamoru fight, but then Usagi shows him the music box. Mamoru comes to his senses and he and Queen Beryl fight, killing each other. Sailor Moon is left all alone. As Queen Beryl dies she calls out to Queen Metalia, asking to be infused with her power so she can destroy Sailor Moon. Queen Metalia complies and transforms Queen Beryl. The new Queen Beryl faces off against Sailor Moon, who transforms into Princess Serenity and, alongside the souls of her friends, unleashes the full power of the Silver Crystal. Princess Serenity defeats Queen Beryl completely and as she dies she makes a wish that she and her friends will wake up tomorrow to a normal day. Usagi's wish is granted. She and her friends return to their normal life with no memories of anything that has transpired. This makes Luna sad, but Artemis points out that all that needs to happen is the Sailor Soldiers need to meet again.

My favorite episode is a tie between "The Sailor Warriors Die! The Tragic Final Battle" and "Usagi's Everlasting Wish! A New Reincarnation". Watching the Sailor Scouts sacrifice themselves for Usagi, Mamoru killing Queen Beryl, Usagi unleashing the Silver Crystal's power, and everyone's reincarnation.

The Episodes:

Is Usagi Going it Alone? The Sailor Warriors get into a Big Fight - Season 1, Episode 43

Synopsis - Usagi comes up with a plan to infiltrate the Dark Kingdom by pretending to break with the Sailor Scouts.

Youma: Oniwa Bandana (bandana)

Usagi's Awakening! A Message from the Distant Past - Season 1, Episode 44

Synopsis - The Sailor Soldiers find the secret hideout. Usagi learns about her past.

The Sailor Warriors Die! The Tragic Final Battle - Season 1, Episode 45

Synopsis - The Sailor Warriors face off against the DD Girls as they try to reach Queen Beryl.

First Time: Sailor Teleport, the DD Girls

Usagi's Everlasting Wish! A New Reincarnation - Season 1, Episode 46

Synopsis - Usagi faces off against Queen Beryl and a completely brainwashed Mamoru.

sailor moon: part nine

Things move along very quickly as we reach the end. The Sailor Soldiers go up against a youma created by Kunzite. He turns figure skaters Janelyn and Misha into monsters in the hopes of finding Sailor Moon, who was a great figure skater in her previous life. However, Usagi is a klutz in this life so this plan doesn't really work out. Kunzite does trap the Sailor Soldiers, but Endymion gets caught in the trap so he helps them escape. Sailor Moon heals the figure skaters and life returns to normal. Usagi and her family go away for a small trip to some hot springs. Endymion is drawn to the lake as there is an ancient monster trapped in it. He releases the monster but is unable to control it. Sailor Moon helps him to heal the monster and send her on to the after life.

Endymion's next plan involves the seven Great Youma. Urawa reaches out to Ami, who stands up to Endymion and is able to release the human hosts that Endymion has already trapped. Sailor Moon is finally able to heal Endymion but Queen Beryl whisks Mamoru away so she can brainwash him again. After this an old friend from Mina's past, Katarina, who knows that Mina is Sailor Venus, shows up. Kunzite has turned her into a youma in the hopes that she can find out the identity of Sailor Moon. Sailor Moon heals Katarina, and Mina finds closure from her past.

Favorite episode? "The Legendary Lake Monster! Usagi's Family Ties". The plot involving the monster is a bit difficult to follow and doesn't make much sense, but the episode does reinforce the point that Mamoru isn't completely corrupted.

The episodes:

Paired with a Monster?! Ice Queen Mako - Season 1, Episode 39

Synopsis - Kunzite's new plan involves figure skaters. Only he traps Endymion, who is forced to help the Sailor Soldiers in order to survive.

Youma: Zoyrin (Janelyn) Geller (Misha) (figure skaters)

The Legendary Lake Monster! Usagi's Family Ties - Season 1, Episode 40

Synopsis - Usagi's family takes a trip to a lake with a legend of a monster. Endymion wakes the monster but when things don't go as planned he has to team up with Sailor Moon to defeat the monster.

I Won't Run From Love Anymore! Ami and Mamoru's Showdown - Season 1, Episode 41

Synopsis - Endymion decides to reawaken the seven Great Youma's and Ami stands up to him.

Sailor Venus' Past, Minako's Tragic Love - Season 1, Episode 42

Synopsis - A woman from Mina's past, Katarina, arrives in the hopes of finding out Sailor Moon's identity so she can tell Kunzite.

sailor moon: part eight

The trilogy I mentioned in the previous Sailor Moon post wraps up. Usagi's memories of the Silver Millennium begin to return. Queen Beryl takes Tuxedo Mask away so she can begin the brainwashing process on him. She also kills Zoisite for directly disobeying her orders and attacking Tuxedo Mask when she explicitly stated she wanted him alive.

Usagi is devastated that Mamoru has been taken away. Mina takes it upon herself to cheer up her new friend. She starts by taking Usagi to get her hair done. Only problem is the hairstylist, Kariko, and her assistants have been turned into a monster by Kunzite. He has given them a sample of Sailor Moon's hair so they can find the sailor soldier in her human identity. Kariko mistakes Mina for Sailor Moon after she accidentally gets some of Usagi's hair on herself. This leads to a fight between Sailor Moon and a transformed Kariko. Usagi is losing the fight when a red rose is thrown. The rose turns to black and Usagi looks up to see Mamoru. However he has no memory of being Mamoru or Tuxedo Mask - he is Endymion of the Dark Kingdom. While he does help Sailor Moon, he makes it very clear they are enemies and his only interest in the getting the silver crystal.

Usagi and her friends have more run-ins with Kunzite and Endymion, who refuse to work together and go out of their way to thwart each other, as Kunzite tries to defeat Sailor Moon and Endymion tries to take the silver crystal. First is a "princess seminar" run by Countess Rose (who has also been turned into a monster by Kunzite) then a Moon Princess skiing contest run by Saeko (again, who has also been turned into a monster by Kunzite). When Usgai goes up against Saeko, Endymion's rose does briefly turn red but it immediately goes back to black again.

Favorite episode is, of course, "Memories Return! Usagi and Mamoru's Past" but if we ignore that little trilogy of episodes I would pick "Usagi is Confused! Is Tuxedo Mask Evil?" because it shows Usagi's heartbreak, Mina's attempts at being friends with her fellow sailor scouts and assimilating into their group, and an evil Tuxedo Mask.

The episodes:

Memories Return! Usagi and Mamoru's Past - Season 1, Episode 35

Synopsis - Usagi's memories begin to come back and Queen Beryl takes control of Mamoru.

Usagi is Confused! Is Tuxedo Mask Evil? - Season 1, Episode 36

Synopsis - Usagi mourns the loss of Tuxedo Mask just for him to return as Endymion of the Dark Kingdom.

Youma: Mitsaumi (hair styling tools)

Mina's Transformation Introduced: Venus Power Makeup

Aim to be a Princess? Usagi's Weird Training - Season 1, Episode 37

Synopsis - Usagi learns of a princess seminar and seeks to join, only for it to be a Dark Kingdom plot.

Youma: Shakoukai (wax & seashells)

The Snow! The Mountains! Our Friendship! And of Course, a Monster, Too - Season 1,Episode 38

Synopsis - The girls learn of a skiing competition, that also turns out to be a Dark Kingdom plot.

Youma: Blizzar (blizzard)

sailor moon: part seven

Okay, big reveals here.

Zoisite continues his hunt for the final rainbow crystal. A young girl is his target and the Sailor Scouts work to stop him - only for all of them to realize that the girl's cat, Rhett Butler, is the carrier of the rainbow crystal. Meanwhile Rhett Butler is in love with Luna and off having an adventure with her. After this adventure is over with Zoisite changes the black crystal so it will turn any human into a monster. He resolves to use it on Naru. Meanwhile Usagi is trying to convince Naru to date Umino, who is imitating Tuxedo Mask (as Tuxedo Umino Mask) in an attempt to be cool. Usagi makes Naru take Umino to a Red Man show. While there Zoisite tries to use the crystal on Naru but instead uses its powers on Red Man, transforming him into a monster. Zoisite tells Sailor Moon in exchange for the yellow crystal he will cease his attack. Tuxedo Mask shows up and in the confusion that follows Zoisite takes the crystal and escapes while Sailor Moon heals Red Man.

After this a plot is hatched by Zoisite and Kunzite to get the remaining crystals. They have Zoisite dress up as Sailor Moon in an attempt to lure out Tuxedo Mask and Sailor Moon. It works and the four Sailor Scouts become trapped by Kunzite while Tuxedo Mask faces off against Zoisite. When Tuxedo Mask's mask gets knocked off in the fight Queen Beryl recognizes him. Sailor Venus shows up to save Tuxedo Mask and the Sailor Soldiers. Queen Beryl calls a retreat. The next day, Queen Beryl decrees that Tuxedo Mask must be taken alive. Zoisite contacts Tuxedo Mask and asks him to meet him at the Starlight Tower. Usagi runs into Mamoru and follows him. Because of this both of them fall into Zoisite's trap, ending up in the elevator at Starlight Tower with a massive fireball coming at them right after Kunzite steals all seven rainbow crystals. Meanwhile the other Sailor Soldiers meet Minako for the first time as everyone tries to figure out where Usagi is. They all head for the Starlight Tower. Back to Usagi and Mamoru, Usagi transforms into Sailor Moon, saving them. Zoisite is displeased and Mamoru transforms into Tuxedo Mask. When Zoisite tries to kill Sailor Moon, Tuxedo Mask sacrifices himself for her. The other Sailor Soldiers arrive too late. Sailor Moon starts to cry and the rainbow crystals disappear in front of Kunzite and reappear with Sailor Moon, turning into the Silver Crystal as she turns into the Moon Princess.

It is hard to pick a favorite episode. For the record, "Loved and Chased! Luna's Worst Day Ever" is absolutely hilarious. However, I'm going to have to go with the appearance of Sailor Venus in "The Last Sailor Warrior, Sailor Venus Appears" and the major plot reveals in "The Sparkling Silver Crystal? The Moon Princess Appears". I know that this is actually two episodes, but they, along with the next episode ("Memories Return! Usagi and Mamoru's Past") really kind of form a trilogy that is hard to beat. But if it wasn't for these three episodes it would have definitely been Luna's episode. There is nothing more hilarious than Zoisite and the rats. Well, there is Rei asking Mamoru on a date... and An getting peed on... and Usagi's dining room fight scene...

The episodes:

Loved and Chased! Luna's Worst Day Ever - Season 1, Episode 31

Synopsis - Rhett Butler, carrier of the final rainbow crystal, falls in love with Luna.

The Great Youma: Bakene (monster cat)

Rainbow Crystal: Purple (Tuxedo Mask's possession)

Umino's Resolve! I'll Protect Naru - Season 1, Episode 32

Synopsis - Usagi convinces Naru to give Umino a chance. They head to a Red Man show for their first date only for Zoisite to show up, wishing to turn Naru into a monster while Unimo is imitating Tuxedo Mask.

Youma: Akan (Super Red Man)

Rainbow Crystal: Yellow (now in Zoisite's possession)

The Last Sailor Warrior, Sailor Venus Appears - Season 1, Episode 33

Synopsis - Kunsite and Zoisite concoct a plan to steal ththe remaining rainbow crystals by pretending to be Sailor Moon. Sailor V/Venus appears.

Sailor Soldier Introduced: Sailor V/Venus/Minako Aino (though her name isn't revealed until the next episode), Artemis

Mina's Attack Introduced: Crescent Beam

The Sparkling Silver Crystal? The Moon Princess Appears - Season 1, Episode 34

Synopsis - Zoisite asks Mamoru to meet. Usagi follows and after Zoisite tries to kill them she transforms into Sailor Moon and Mamoru transforms into Tuxedo Mask.

First Time: The Silver Crystal

sailor moon: part six

The sailor soldiers try to come to terms with Nephrite's death, Usagi tries to comfort Naru (and she enlists Umino to help her) even though she knows there is nothing she can do, and Zoisite continues his search for the rainbow crystals.

First Zoisite goes after a priest while Usagi and Umino are trying to distract Naru. As Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask fight the monster they grow closer. Then Zoisite goes after Urawa, a boy who can see the future and who is also in love with Ami. After that he targets Yumeni, an artist who wishes to paint Mamoru and Usagi as lovers. This draws Mamoru and Usagi closer, despite Mamoru's relationship with Rei. Umino also starts to discover feelings for Naru, which confuses him since he thought he was in love with Usagi. Then Zoisite targets Reika, who is Motoki's girlfriend. Reika is considering going to Africa to study but she worries about Motoki. This causes a bit of a love triangle - or, more aptly, square - as Usagi and Makoto both have feelings for Motoki and feel conflicted about his potential heartbreak. Then Yuichiro arrives right as Zoisite targets (Rei's) Grandpa.

My favorite episode is "Grandpa Goes Crazy, Rei's in Jeopardy". Grandpa always cracks me up and Yuichiro is probably my most favorite supporting character. I enjoy watching his relationship with Rei unfold - and I love Grandpa's horror at being unable to stop it! Plus Usagi makes a fool of herself trying to get Rei to hook up with Yuichiro, which is also hilarious.

The episodes:

Bring a Smile to Naru's Face! Usagi's Friendship - Season 1, Episode 26

Synopsis - Usagi enlists Umino's help and they try to help Naru recover from her heartbreak. Meanwhile Zoisitem, in search of the next rainbow crystal, attacks a priest.

The Great Youma: Boxy (winged boxer)

Rainbow Crystal: Orange (Tuxedo Mask's possession) 

Love for Ami?! A Boy Who Can Predict the Future - Season 1, Episode 27

Synopsis - Urawa is a boy who can predict the future - and he is in love with Ami. Zoisite realizes he carries a rainbow crystal.

The Great Youma: Bunbo (Swiss army knife)

Rainbow Crystal: Yellow (Ami's possession)

Illustrations of Love, are Usagi and Mamoru Getting Closer? - Season 1, Episode 28

The Great Youma: Vena (winged artist)

Rainbow Crystal: Green (Zoisite's possession)

Total Chaos! The Messy Square Relationship - Season 1, Episode 29

The Great Youma: Rikokayder (scientist)

Rainbow Crystal: Blue/Green (Zoisite's possession)

Grandpa Goes Crazy, Rei's in Jeopardy - Season 1, Episode 30

The Great Youma: Jijii (demon)

Rainbow Crystal: Blue (Zoisite's possession)

Supporting Cast Introduced: Yuichiro

a closer character look: adam

Adam is a human-demon-robot hybrid that professor Walsh secretly creates in a secret room in the Initiative. Walsh collects demons both to study them and to use them to create the perfect super soldier. Adam is the accumulation of her research, only he turns on her and kills her. He takes over Walsh's secret operation and expands it beyond her vision. He unites the demons of Sunnydale and convinces them to join him in his attack against the Initiative - he even convinces them to get themselves captured so they can take over the Initiative from the inside. Adam kills anyone who gets in his way. Some - like professor Walsh - he turns into mindless zombies to serve him. Others - like Forrest - he turns into obedient cyborgs to help him achieve his aims.

In the end Adam is taken down rather unconventionally by Buffy. As he is an assembly of multiple different creatures Buffy herself becomes an assembly to stop him. Willow, Xander, and Giles work a spell to give Buffy their powers so she can overcome and defeat Adam. Adam unleashes his demon army upon the Initiative. He knows it will be a blood bath on both sides, but he is okay with this as it will give him all the body parts he needs to begin the creation of his new army. Buffy and her friends infiltrate the Initiative and stop him with their combined powers, along with the soldiers fighting to help.

Adam carries heavy themes of Doctor Frankenstein and his monster. The parallels between Walsh and Frankenstein as well as Adam and the monster are clear to see. But there are also glaring differences. Adam carries sentimentality for Walsh - his "mother" - and Riley - his "brother" - but those feelings do not stop him from killing Walsh and polluting her vision or trying to turn Riley against his wishes. Adam does not need Walsh. He forges ahead into the future he wishes to create. Sure, he saves Walsh, but only as a mindless zombie. Walsh at least loves her creation, unlike Frankenstein.

There are also, of course, parallels to the Garden of Eden and the creation of the first man. This brings us to playing god and Doctor Malcolm's quote - your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could they didn't stop to think if they should. Adam embodies this perfectly. Just because you can create a demon/human/robot hybrid doesn't mean you should. Walsh had an obsession with control. She wished to control Buffy, but couldn't, so she decided to eliminate her so she didn't lose control of Riley (which she was). But this action only caused her to lose control over both. Walsh saw Adam as being the first superior being and an incredible scientific triumph - which, of course, she would control. Only she did not and in the end Adam controlled her.

As far as villains in the adulthood arc go, Adam is my least favorite. His whole story line is a bit sloppy and unbelievable (I mean, no one has ever noticed these soldiers wandering around town?!? No one wonders where Walsh disappears off to after Adam kills her?!? No one questions why there are demon body parts lying around waiting to be assembled into something new?!?) but that doesn't mean it isn't a solid season when you focus on the actual story line - which is Buffy and her friends growing up, growing apart, discovering just what adulthood on their own is, and then realizing they don't want to grow apart, that they do want to remain a family. This is really driven home in the next two seasons as they are forced to face just what adulthood means and the sacrifices it entails - and just how difficult it is at times to be an adult or pick up the pieces when things go horribly wrong. Don't get me wrong, seasons 1-3 are good (well - 1 and 2 are), but, in my opinion, 4-6 are where the story is really at.

a character exits: professor walsh

I debated combining Professor Walsh's post with Adam's post. It made sense to me since Walsh was the big bad up until Adam killed her and turned her into a zombie. And, when it came down to Angel's big bad post I did combine him with Darla, Drusilla, and Spike. However, like I said, Adam did kill her and turn her into a zombie so...

Professor Maggie Walsh is a psychology professor at UC Sunnydale. She is also a scientist for the Initiative. She leads Riley and his friends (including Forrest and Graham) and works on the secret project of 314, which is an attempt at making a human/demon/cyborg super solider. Walsh is closest with Riley and clearly views him as a surrogate son. Riley, initially, returns these feelings.

Buffy is a student of hers and initially Walsh is fine with Buffy being in Riley's life. But the revelation of Buffy being the slayer, Buffy's chosen one mentality, Buffy's determination to discover what is really going on at the Initiative, and Buffy's sway over Riley quickly sours Walsh's relationship with her. Ultimately Walsh tries to have her killed. Her plan backfires, but she loses Riley because of it. She escapes to her secret project, only for Adam to kill her. Adam, who does view Walsh as his mother, revives her - but only as a zombie. The professor Walsh that can think and scheme for herself is dead.

Professor Walsh is a bit of a counterpoint to Giles. Giles is Buffy's father figure and represents Buffy's past, her ties to high school/teenagehood, and her ties to the council and the belief that she only has the future of a slayer before her. She goes off to college and all of that gets thrown out. Where Giles is an old, stuffy librarian with no direction in his life, professor Walsh is a modern, feminist scientist with a very clear goal. She comes to surpass Giles and represent a different sort of parental figure to Buffy along with representing Buffy's future, her ties to college/adulthood, and her ties to a real life outside of being the chosen one. However instead of embracing this and guiding Buffy, Walsh lets her jealousies consume her. Her single-mindedness loses her Riley and gets her killed by her own creation. In the end she is left as a mindless zombie. Adam won't kill her, as he does view her as his mother, and he appreciates her goals and vision for him. But he won't make her into something more like he does with Forrest. He leaves her an empty shell of the brilliant scientist that she once was.

buffy the vampire slayer: part eighteen

Here we are. The end of season 4! (I'm excited. Season 5 is my favorite.)

First, we get some Oz closure. He returns to Sunnydale, able to control the wolf inside of him, and looking to return to Willow. Only problem is Willow has begun to move on with Tara and the Initiative captures him when he discovers this and turns into a wolf. Actually, that is two problems. This also leads to some Riley growth as he turns his back on the Initiative for good as with Oz's capture. Riley begins to realize that some demons and monsters are actually human. Oz realizes he has to leave Willow, which upsets the two of them, but Willow is able to return to Tara free from Oz.

Spike has some serious screen time working for Adam. He is able to play upon all the fears that everyone has been subtly expressing, and turn everyone against each other. He plays upon Giles's fears of Buffy no loner needing him, Xander's fears of being left behind, and Willow and Buffy's fears of their best friend choosing their significant other over each other.

However despite the basic story plot there is a lot of symbolism going on and a lot of wrapping up of those aforementioned subtle plots. After Adam is defeated the main group shares a dream where the spirit of the first slayer tries to kill them. This dream emphasizes the very fears everyone has been focusing on all season. Willow struggles with people not accepting the changes in her life. Everyone refers to her as being "in costume" and when that costume is finally ripped off she is no longer the confidant witch and woman she is growing into but a scared little high schooler who can't speak up for herself - with her two love interests (Oz and Tara) flirting with each other. Xander's dream focuses on everyone moving ahead with their lives and leaving him behind. It also shows him accepting that Buffy only loves him as a brother. While everyone else flirts with him Buffy does not and he is okay with that. Giles's dream shows him torn between Buffy and Olivia. Torn between being a Watcher and having his own life. He ultimately chooses Buffy, walking away from (and ignoring) a sobbing Olivia. Buffy's dream focuses on being alone, as slayers are supposed to be, and the fear of her future with Riley as he plots world domination after rejoining the army with a human Adam. This is a bit of foreshadowing as Riley will ultimately leave Buffy and return to fighting demons with the military. There is also a bit of foreshadowing of Dawn's coming and of Tara's supposed demonic heritage. However, there is also some Spike foreshadowing and explaining. Giles refers to Spike being like a son to him. There will be an episode where everyone loses their memories and Giles and Spike believe they are father and son. Spike also admits to being the way he is for the drama. His character will go through a lot of changes over the next few seasons as he will start to make the shift towards being a good guy in season 5, but even despite this shift Spike does enjoy creating drama and watching it unfold - like he willingly did for Adam.

My favorite episode probably is "Restless." I never really liked it much before but now, years later, I can appreciate just how deep - and different - this episode is.

The episodes:

New Moon Rising - Season 4, Episode 19

Synopsis - Oz returns to Sunnydale and Willow, only to discover that she has moved on.

The Yoko Factor - Season 4, Episode 20

Synopsis - Spike tears the group apart by playing on their fears.

Primeval - Season 4, Episode 21

Synopsis - The core group take on Adam with a spell that combines all their best attributes in Buffy. 

Restless - Season 4, Episode 22

Synopsis - The first slayer returns to kill Buffy and her friends out of anger for how they defeated Adam.

path of stars: part five

Thunder and his cats head to Fourtrees to meet with everyone else. They are going ro do a special ceremony for the rogues officially making them members of their groups. The cats are allowed to take on new names if they wish, as well. Everything goes fine but Ember becomes hostile. Slash arrives, mocking the cats, calling them his weakest cats, and Ember asks to join him. Slash allows him and Thunder worries that other cats might switch their loyalties too - but the rest of the rogues choose to stay with their new homes. Thunder tells Slash that they didn't take his weakest cats, but his strongest. Slash makes a comment about how they pay for defying him.

Gray Wing immediately thinks of Star Flower and her kits. He looks to Clear Sky and realizes he is thinking the same thing. But Slash tells them it isn't Clear Sky he wants revenge against, but Gray Wing. Wind Runner realizes this means Gray Wing's kits. Everyone races to their own territory to make sure everything is okay, but Thunder, Owl Eyes, Pebble Heart, and Sparrow Fur join the moor cats. At the moor camp they find Spotted Fur and Slate badly wounded. Two of the kits are safe but Black Ear is missing. Gray Wing's breathing problems start up again and he is forced to stay behind as everyone races to find the kit. 

Thunder, Owl Eyes, and Sparrow Fur race off while Pebble Heart stays behind with Gray Wing. They follow a trail to a den where Bee must have stayed with the kit during the meeting. A fox is there now and they have to fight it. Clear Sky arrives and helps them. After checking on Star Flower he came to help. They follow the path and reach the Thunderpath where they see the rogues with Black Ear. Swallow is carrying the kit, and as the rogues race across the Thunderpath she drops him.

The rogues race away leaving the kit in danger. Clear Sky runs across, grabbing the kit and bringing him to safety, wounding his tail in the process. It is decided they should all head to Tall Shadow's camp so the kit can be warmed up and Clear Sky's tail can be looked at. Sparrow Fur leaves to fetch Gray Wing while everyone else heads to the pines. Clear Sky sleeps and wakes to find everyone has gone home but Thunder, who is watching over him. The two cats talk and make peace finally. A frantic Slate arrives looking for Black Ear. She insists she has to take him home to say goodbye to Gray Wing. 

Though he can barely breathe Gray Wing waits outside for Slate to return with Black Ear. She arrives with Black Ear and Gray Wing gets to be reunited with his kits. He returns to his den with them, then Thunder arrives with Clear Sky, Jagged Peak, and Pebble Heart. Though his kits don't understand what is going on he gets to say goodbye to his family. He names the groups clans and when his kits ask him what their clan is named he says WindClan. He and his kits give all of the clans their names. Bright Stream, her kits with Clear Sky, and Turtle Tail arrive to take him away. He says goodbye and finds he no longer has any problems breathing. 

I am glad their family could heal in the end. Everyone made peace with each other and Gray Wing got to leave knowing that everything was okay and everyone would be just fine.

path of stars: part four

Clear Sky and his cats head to a meeting at Fourtrees. Clear Sky assumes the meeting is about the rogues that everyone took in. Clear Sky did not take in any if the rogues but he did take in a stray, Red, who had been chased by dogs. At the meeting some cats complain about the rogues struggle or refusal to adapt to group life. Others comment that some of the rogues are doing a great job adapting. Despite some tensions it is decided that they have to continue to trust the rogues and welcome them in the hopes that they will eventually fit in. When everyone finds out that Clear Sky took in a stray named Red, Thunder tells him who exactly Red is and how he led the dogs into Slash's camp. Clear Sky feels uneasy as he had previously trusted Red completely. He takes this moment to apologize to Thunder for not being a better father. At first it seems Thunder might open up to him but he changes his mind. Clear Sky is sad but respects that Thunder needs time.

Gray Wing dreams of racing off through the dark, chasing after his dead friends. He wakes up to Slate going into labor. Reed and Wind Runner kick him out of his den so they can help her. Fern is thrilled his kits are coming and keeps Gray Wing company. She does ask him if she has done anything wrong since she sees the way Wind Runner watches her. Gray Wing assures his friend that their leader just needs time. When Slate is done they have three kits and Gray Wingis both shocked and pleased to realize that while he loves them as deeply as he can imagine, he doesn't love them any more then the kits he has already raised. Gray Wing is resting with Slate and their kits when Jagged Peak and Tall Shadow visit him to see the kits. He and Jagged Peak talk about how Gray Wing already raised so many hits and about leaving the mountains. Jagged Peak admits to always feeling guilty that Gray Wing had to leave the mountains to follow him. Gray Wing assures him that while he didn't want to leave he couldn't imagine his life any other way. As they talk he suddenly struggles to breathe, which catches him off guard since he wasn't exerting himself. He assures Jagged Peak he is fine but his brother looks worried. Another camp mate arrives with news that Fern has been badly wounded. 

Everyone races to Fern, who tells them that another one of the rogues who joined them, Bee, attacked her. Everyone is upset and Wind Runner becomes even more convinced that she cannot trust any of the rogues. Moth Flight helps care for the injured Fern. Later on Wind Runner posts guards to watch the camp. Gray Wing is upset that she wouldn't let him guard and used his new kits as an excuse. As he lies next to Slate he struggles to breathe and fears what this could mean.

Clear Sky is watching his kits and his camp when Gorse Fur arrives with the news of Bee's betrayal. This causes Clear Sky to worry about Red and he hatches a plan to find out if Red is loyal or not. He has Nettle and Red hunt for the group, giving Nettle instructions to goad Red into behaving disloyal. However, no matter what Nettle says or does Red will not betray Clear Sky. When Red starts to attack Nettle for his behavior Clear Sky steps in and explains everything. Red accepts that Clear Sky needed to know the truth and Clear Sky accepts Red's loyalty. 

In Thunder's camp Violet is fitting in but Ember isn't. Thunder decides to check on things with River Ripple. Violet comes with him and they confess their feelings to each other. Thunder also tells Violet that if anything were to happen to him, Lightning Tail would be the next leader. River Ripple says his rogues are doing fine and suggests that maybe Ember should leave the group, an idea that Thunder has considered. Violet, however, is opposed and feels that Ember just needs more time. 

I am glad Gray Wing doesn't love his own kits more. I think that would have taken away from him and from his relationships with those he has raised. As much as Gray Wing focuses on raising Turtle Tail's kits and Thunder he never comments on raising Jagged Peak - but he kind of did. Jagged Peak was still a young kit when he left the mountains - not a baby anymore but certainly not grown. Probably the equivalent of an apprentice. He raised him and cared for him before Jagged Peak left ro live with Clear Sky, and when a lame Jagged Peak returned. All his life Gray Wing has raised other cats kits. It seems wrong that he won't get to live to raise his own... Because I am betting he dies before the book is done...

On another (less sad) note, I wonder if Thunder will formally name Lightning Tail as his deputy? At least he and Clear Sky starting to heal their rift. And it looks like Moth Flight is a future medicine cat. Things are wrapping up in the next couple of chapters so I guess we aren't seeing the Moonstone this series, despite Pebble Heart's dreams of it. 

The Lost Rainforest: Mez's Magic

Hi I'm a guest blogger. Its bean about a month so sorry if details are incorrect.

It all starts when Mez talks about how she on the wrong side of the veil, the thing that keeps Daywalkers and Nightwalkers apart. When shes awake she sees a boa constrictor  and follows it. After she catches up to it and it talks, witch freaks out, she runs away and sees an eagle with her sister but the constrictor killed it.

The constrictor, Auriel, told Mez shes a Shadowwalker and that she should come with him to stop The Ant Queen and save Caldera. They go to meet Lima a tiny bat, also a Shadowwalker, who was at first worried they would eat her. One they reassure her they won't eat her they go to meet Rumi. 

Once they get there they see Rumi is getting chased by another frog, named Rumi. Once they get Big Rumi to leave they finally headed off on their journey. After that theirs a lot stuff I can't remember, sorry.

They got attacked by a lot of things like monkeys and owls who call them unnatural.

When they make it the bridge that leads to the this mole says she can help them across, so they start to cross the bridge they get attacked by hornets which sting Mez so much she passes out. After she wakes up this monkey who can shoot fire, Gomi, explains that after she passed out Lima liked her wounds to heal them.

A couple days later Rumi asked Mez to study some signals with him. Once they can't find the right signal they start, looking under ground with Lima and Gomi. They get separated Mez found the right signal. They all got to each other and saw the Ant queen.

After they escaped that night Auriel wanted to talk to Mez, he said that there was a traitor in the group.

200 books: november 2019

This month is pretty light. As the year winds down there is so much going on. Back to school, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years. It is a busy time. So while our numbers are low I'm not upset about it - especially since we have surpassed our total so much! Also of note is Vampire Kitten doubling his goal!

November books:

1. Amulet: The Stonekeeper - Vampire Kitten
2. Dog Man Unleashed - Vampire Kitten
3. Dog Man a Tale of Two Kitties - Vampire Kitten
4. Amulet: The Stonekeeper - Lone Wolf
5. Estranged - Lone Wolf
6. Ghosts - Little Legs
7. Guts - Little Legs
8. Legends of the Rhine - Wandering Falcon
9. Warriors Dawn of the Clans: A Forest Divided - Wandering Falcon
10. Warriors Dawn of the Clans: Path of Stars - Wandering Falcon
11. Halloween - Wandering Falcon
12. Magic Tree House: Stallion by Starlight - Family

The breakdown:

Vampire Kitten: 3

Lone Wolf: 2

Little Legs: 2

Wandering Falcon: 4

Family: 1

Total:

Vampire Kitten: 100/50

Lone Wolf: 46/25

Little Legs: 49/13

Wandering Falcon: 115/100

Family: 15/12

path of stars: part three

Clear Sky has called another meeting so Thunder brings his cats. Everyone talks about how the rogues keep stealing their prey. They share their battle moves with each other so they can become better fighters. Star Flower even shows some of the rogues moves and how to counteract them. Everyone leave the meeting and heads home but Thunder wants to see the rogue camp for himself. He takes Lightning Tail and they hunt, so if they are caught they can claim they are bringing prey. But they get to the camp undetected and are able to spy undetected as well. They see Slash treat his cats horribly, making them starve while he and his friends gorge themselves and fresh prey rots. They see that most of his followers hate him. Thunder also watches as he picks on a cat named Violet, trying to force her to be his mate. Eventually the rogues fall asleep allowing Thunder and Lightning Tail to slip away, but before they do so they hear that Slash intends to attack Wind Runner's camp. They take their prey and leave.

Gray Wing is out hunting with his friends. The past three days he has spent in his nest, struggling to breathe. He feels better now but everyone goes out of their way to make sure he doesn't over exert himself. Everyone is extra vigilant now that they have been warned by Thunder that the rogues intend to attack. As they hunt the rogues do attack. They are badly outnumbered and Gray Wing begins to struggle to breathe. But Reed arrives with the rest of their camp mates and helps drive the rogues off. As Gray Wing tries to get his breath back Slate tells him she is pregnant. 

Thunder wants to go spy on the rogues again, but Lightning Tail sees through him and knows it is because of Violet. However he agrees and they leave. When they reach the rogue's camp they see Violet leading away a hunting patrol. Inside the camp they see Slash training his cats to fight, only he is letting his friends seriously beat them up. As they watch one of the cats who went with Violet, Red, races through the camp with dogs on his trail. Red escapes in the chaos and Lighting Tail plunges in to save the kits who live there. Thunder joins in the fight and they start to beat back the dogs. But when Thunder goes to help a cat cornered by the dogs Slash stops him, saying that the cat needs to prove she is not a burden. Thunder watches as the cat is killed. In the end there are two dead cats and one seriously wounded. Slash demands to know what Thunder and Lightning Tail are doing there and one of his cats accuses them of being spies.

Thunder and Slash get into an argument with Slash mocking his cats and Thunder defending them. In the end his cats turn against him, saying they don't need them and would be better off with the group cats. This shocks Thunder, who never intended to take any cats in. Slash leaves with his followers. Lighting Tail fetches Pebble Heart, Violet and her group return, and Thunder is left trying to figure out what to do with all of these cats.

Lighting Tail fetches Gray Wing and tells him everything that has happened. Gray Wing doubts this will be the end of Slash. He follows Lighting Tail to the rogues camp and helps Thunder figure out what to do with everyone. In the end it is decided that they should spend the night at Wind Runner's camp. They bury their dead and take a badly wounded Frog with them. But Frog dies on the journey and Wind Runner is upset with Gray Wing's decision. In the end she respects it, telling them they can bury Frog then go to her camp for the night.

I feel like this is it. The clans are growing, all the rogues have been absorbed, borders are being established. I'm impatiently waiting for the Moonstone but I'm beginning to doubt it is going to happen. And I'm sure this isn't the last of Slash. When will they become clans? When will they take their names?