warriors: power of three

I enjoyed this book series but it felt a bit like it was lacking direction. However, this is because it was setting up the next series, which is a bit odd but it worked out good. I don't mean to say that this book series was bad, it certainly wasn't. Rather, we sit around for six books waiting for Jawfeather, Lionblaze, and Hollyleaf to come into their powers and fulfill their prophecy only to find out that Hollyleaf isn't a part of the prophecy and her brothers have no clue who is. While this was the main story line, it really served to set the next series up where they seek out the third cat and fulfill the prophecy. In the end this series focused on the second story line, which was the mystery of these three cats birth, the betrayal and secrets surrounding it, and, ultimately, Ashfur's insanity and murder. This was a good series. Not quite as solid as "The Prophecies Begin" but certainly far more solid then "The New Prophecy" (though, if we look at "The New Prophecy" as a part one and part two deal, I would have to place part two above this series). Usually, if a book or (movie) can't stand on its own and only serves to set up the next one it is a bit of a failure, but they did manage to avoid that problem by tying up Ashfur's story arc.

On a side note, this series was also a bit different in that it had no real villain. The first series focused on Tigerstar with the minor villains of Brokenstar, Darkstripe, and Scourge. The second series had Hawkfrost as the villain with a return of Tigerstar's spirit. This series had Sol, who was clearly a villain, but who never actually did anything beyond minor manipulation that kept backfiring. It also had Ashfur and Hollyleaf but neither were a true villain. Ashfur was consumed by his grief and went insane. Hollyleaf's entire world crumbled around her and she retaliated against the cat who tried to murder her and threatened to expose her secrets - secrets that to most cats would have been upsetting but not world ending. But to Hollyleaf they were. Neither cat was actually a villain, just two good people who made the worst possible choices, leaving death and destruction in their wake. This is not to say that Hollyleaf murdering Ashfur was okay - it certainly was not - or that Ashfur trying to murder Hollyleaf and her brothers was okay - again, certainly not. But both of these cats had their hopes, their dreams, their worlds destroyed and let their grief consume them to the point that murder was the only acceptable option. In both of these cases it was the fall of a hero - but the fall didn't lead to the birth of a villain, rather to the birth of a broken, desperate cat.

Warriors: Power of Three

1. The Sight
2. Dark River
3. Outcast
4. Eclipse
5. Long Shadows
6. Sunrise

long shadows: part six

Lionblaze told Jayfeather that his talk didn't work so Jayfeather decides to enter Ashfur's dreams. It doesn't work, though, and Ashfur tells Jayfeather that he is going through with his plan. When Jayfeather wakes up the next day he is happy to see Ashfur is spooked around him but he us not sure it is enough to keep Ashfur quiet.

Hollyleaf is in the woods with her thoughts. She is upset that Ashfur had destroyed the warrior code for her and she is also upset to no longer be one of the three. Ashfur approaches her, assuming she wants to talk him out of his course of action but she tells him she does not. She accuses him of betraying the clan and says she has nothing to say to him. Later Hollyleaf waits with the cats who are heading to the Gathering. Firestar cannot find Ashfur or Squirrelflight anywhere. Squirrelflight arrives covered in mud having slipped in some by the ShadowClan border. Graystripe suggests that maybe Ashfur went on ahead. They leave without him but as they travel through WindClan territory they find Ashfur in the water dead.

Lionblaze is relieved to find Ashfur dead. Looking at Hollyleaf he knows she feels the same and wonders if Squirrelflight does as well. Firestar sends Dustpelt and Graystripe back to camp with the body and Lionblaze offers to go along as well. After the Gathering Hollyleaf tells Lionblaze that Firestar said nothing about Ashfur. She says that Squirrelflight is not the only good liar in the clan. Lionblaze doesn't understand why she is so upset. He asks her to sit vigil with Ashfur but she refuses to.

Leafpool tends to Ashfur's body while Jayfeather dozes nearby. She shows him the gash in Ashfur's throat that means he was murdered and didn't drown. She goes to tell Firestar and Jayfeather goes with her. They discuss the possibility that WindClan murdered him but can find no reason. Jayfeather listens as Firestar says if it wasn't WindClan then it must be someone from ThunderClan. Firestar decides he must call a clan meeting. Lionblaze asks Jayfeather what is going on but he finds he cannot find the words. Hollyleaf approaches and says she fears something bad is about to happen. Firestar tells the assembled cats that Ashfur was murdered. Everyone is quick to blame WindClan but Firestar points out that there is no proof. He asks if anyone knows of a reason why someone would want to murder Ashfur. Jayfeather, Lionblaze, Hollyleaf, and Squirrelflight reiman silent.

I knew something bad was going to happen but I never dreamed in a million years that it would be this! This is so awful. I hope it wasn't Squirrelflight. I just know it can't be Jayfeather, Lionblaze, or Hollyleaf since they are the heroes of this story. But, I cannot imagine who it could be. Those four are the only ones with something to lose, unless Leafpool has been informed. But she would never murder someone no matter what. She would rather the secret come out and accept the consequences. And yet I can't imagine that Ashfur pissed someone else off so massively. Hopefully another motive shows up soon or I am going to be convinced it is Squirrelflight.

As for Ashfur I just feel so awful. He isn't evil, just sick in his mind. I hope he gets to hunt with StarClan. He is no Darkstripe knowing right from wrong but not caring because he wants greatness. He is just a cat who fell in love and had his heart broken. He should have been honest and moved forward instead of letting his pain poison himself. Though, he was completely in the wrong to try and murder Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight's kits, but I will chalk that up to insanity. I hope he finds peace with StarClan.

long shadows: part five

Lionblaze sneaks into the tunnels, trying not to think of all the fun he used to have with Heatherpaw. He quickly steals the catmint and turns to leave but Heatherpaw is in the tunnels blocking his way. Feeling nothing but hatred for him she calls him a thief and tells him her name is Heathertail now. Lionblaze sees a vision of himself murdering Heathertail. Even though it didn't happen it felt real. She lets him leave with the catmint but she tells him he better be careful not to turn into Tigerstar. As he leaves he feels the line between himself and his ancestor blurring.

Lionblaze brings the catmint to Jaypaw. Jaypaw is worried what to say to Leafpool about finding the catmint but she is so happy she doesn't press him for details, assuming that StarClan showed him where to look. Since that isn't a lie Jaypaw doesn't worry about it. Leafpool declares it more then enough to cure the clan. That night when they travel to the Moonpool, Leafpool announces it is time to make Jaypaw a full medicine cat. He is shocked and feels slightly guilty since they stole the catmint but convinces himself it is okay since they saved their clan. He worries that Leafpool will name him Jaywing and doesn't wish it. He feels that even though he was Jay's Wing in a previous lifetime he wants to be his own cat in this lifetime. Leafpool names him Jayfeather, much to his relief, and they settle down to dream. He hopes to get a good dream and dreams of Brightspirit. He thanks her for her help and she says she once thought to be a medicine cat but StarClan had a different plan for her so now she seeks to help cats of any clan or tribe. Jayfeather asks if he will ever see her again but she tells him that is not for her to know. He wakes with the other cats and he and Leafpool head back to camp. Brambleclaw is there and is very stressed out with how much work there is to do and how little help there is. Jayfeather tries to tell the cats that his name has changed but no one cares. Brambleclaw assigns duties to everyone and accidently gives Ashfur to different tasks to lead. Berrynose interrupts, all annoyed, to tell Brambleclaw so. Brambleclaw tries to apologize but Squirrelflight interrupts, angry at Ashfur for not speaking up. Jayfeather is shocked at the fury spilling from her. Brambleclaw tries to smooth things over but Squirrelflight lashes out at everyone for not being more of a help to Brambleclaw. Brambleclaw finally gets Squirrelflight to quiet down and apologizes to Ashfur, which Ashfur coldly accepts. Jayfeather feels pride for his mother and father and feels Ashfur is overreacting but as everyone goes about their assigned duties he wonders if he is missing something between Squirrelflight's anger, Brambleclaw's desire to quickly make amends, and Ashfur's coldness.

While out on a hunting patrol with Ashfur, Hollyleaf thinks of the Gathering that just happened. Blackstar said nothing about Sol and Brambleclaw only said that Firestar was sorry he couldn't make it. She wonders just how much everyone hides from each other. As Hollyleaf passes the twoleg nest Lionblaze comes out with some cats who are ready to go home. It is just Millie and Briarkit who are left - and Firestar who refuses to leave them. Hollyleaf knows that Lionblaze and Jayfeather are lying to her about the catmint and she is upset because they aren't supposed to keep secrets from each other. Back at camp a huge storm breaks out. Thornclaw yells that the forest is on fire. Firestar evacuates the camp and Hollyleaf looks for Squirrelflight so she can help her injured mother out of the camp. She doesn't find Squirrelflight but she does find Jayfeather and Leafpool. She tells Leafpool she will take Jayfeather, much to Jayfeather's annoyance because he feels he can go in his own. Lionblaze finds them and the three go to leave but the tunnel into the camp suddenly catches fire trapping them. Suddenly Squirrelflight is there and helps them climb a cliff wall out of the camp. When they reach the top fire separates them from Squirrelflight, trapping them on the edge of the cliff. Squirrelflight tries to bring a branch over for them to climb across but she is winded from her injury. Ashfur appears and helps Squirrelflight move the branch, but Hollyleaf doesn't feel relieved. There is a look in Ashfur's eyes that she does not like and she is proved right when Ashfur refuses to let the cats cross. He tells Squirrelflight that she hurt him when she left him for Brambleclaw and now he wants to hurt her in return. He admits to helping Hawkfrost try to kill Firestar but since that did not work he will now kill Squirrelflight's kits. Realizing she can't fight the warrior in her state Squirrelflight confesses that they are not her kits.

Squirrelflight convinces Ashfur that she is telling the truth and he leaves, telling her that her secret is not safe with him. Jayfeather and his siblings cross the branch and demand the truth from Squirrelflight. She admits to them that she did not birth them and that Brambleclaw does not know. She also will not tell them who their parents are. Jayfeather can sense anger and disbelief from his siblings but he feels calm. Hollyleaf and Lionblaze send Squirrelflight away. The three discuss what to do since it is only a matter of time before Ashfur tells their secret. For now they decide to return to camp, help to rebuild, and keep quiet.

Lionblaze tells his siblings they need to talk. Hollyleaf is determined to find out who their parents are but Lionblaze is more worried about Ashfur talking. Lionblaze feels this news will destroy Squirrelflight and even though she lied to them she did raise them and love them. Hollyleaf doesn't care about Squirrelflight. She is more worried about what will happen if their parents turn out to be rogues or kittypets. She is terrified that they might not be clan cats after all. Jaypaw points out that if Squirrelflight is not their mother then maybe the prophecy isn't about them after all. Hollyleaf freaks out and Lionblaze questions how that can be true - and what Tigerstar will do when he finds out they are not kin. The time for the next Gathering approaches and Lionblaze overhears Ashfur ask Firestar if he can go to the next Gathering. Realizing what he intends, Lionblaze talks to his siblings. They decide they must speak to Squirrelflight. At first when she sees them approaching she is hopeful that they have forgiven her but she quickly realizes that is not the case. They tell her what Ashfur intends and she promises to speak to him. When Hollyleaf speaks of her fear that they will be driven from the clan Squirrelflight tries to assure her that Firestar would never do that but Hollyleaf does not believe her. Jaypaw is unconvinced that Squirrelflight will be able to reason with Ashfur so Lionblaze speaks to him as well. But Jaypaw was right. Neither Squirrelflight's or Lionblaze's words have any effect on Ashfur and Lionblaze wonder what to do next.

Okay, holy cow, so much stuff makes sense now. So two things bugged me. One, was Leafpool naming Jaypaw. I really thought she was going to name him Jaywing up until she said Jayfeather. I was shocked and thought to myself that she really needed to let Crowfeather go and should not give Jaypaw that name. The other was what I assumed was poor writing involving the birth of Squirrelflight's kits. Squirrelflight's milk didn't come in but she gave birth outside the clan and didn't come back for days? In a snow storm? The kits should have died. I assumed that was poor writing but now I realize that is not the case.

Leafpool and Crowfeather are so obviously the parents. Leafpool, forbidden to have kits, would of course turn to her sister for help. And of course Squirrelflight would lie for her since they are best friends. This also explains how deeply Leafpool loves Jayfeather. I'm not saying you can't love your sister's (or brother's) children just as deeply as your own, but Jayfeather constantly remarks on how strong - and suffocating - Leafpool's feelings for him are. Jayfeather is her one kit that she gets to keep, in a way. And since Jayfeather is the one kit she gets to name she names him for Crowfeather. And of course Squirrelflight's milk never came in because she was never pregnant. Leafpool must have been with her so the kits could eat. And there is no way Leafpool could have had kits in secret in the camp so she and Squirrelflight had to go away for a few days. All of this makes so much sense right now.

Right now my mind is blown by this plot twist that I never saw coming so I need to process this. But I do want to say that Hollyleaf's obsession with the warrior code is bad, just like I said. It is now broken for her since she doesn't even know if she is clan born or not. And of course Firestar is not going to kick her out! Daisy and her kits were adopted into the clan. Leaving aside the Leafpool part, Firestar would never kick out three cats who were raised believing themselves to be full blooded ThunderClan cats. He would never kick out any cat period (except for Darkstripe) but he certainly would not kick out loyal cats no matter who their parents are. And lastly, I am pretty sad about this Ashfur development. All along I was envisioning another Darkstripe. Instead he was a Longtail, only Ashfur was driven insane by grief. I do not see this ending well.

long shadows: part four

Jaypaw emerges from the tunnel and is greeted as Jay's Wing, a new sharpclaw. He is confused since these cats are not clan cats. He tries to ask them where ThunderClan is but they don't know what he is talking about. All his interactions with these cats are confusing and he slowly starts to realize he is in the past when his clanmates show him twoleg monsters in the distance. He realizes they are there to build the horse place between WindClan and RiverClan. Jaypaw is led to his nest and sleeps.

Jaypaw tries to hunt and live with the cats but he keeps making mistakes. A she cat named Half Moon is friendly towards him and helps him out. As he interacts with her and the other cats he realizes that as much as they are like the clan cats they are also very different. They don't have a warrior code that tells them to care for their sick cats or elders. Half Moon speaks of how Stone Song talks of how they should leave - and she tells Jaypaw that he feels the same. He wonders where these cats will go to since it is now his cats who live there.

Half Moon shows him the mountains in the distance and tells him Stone Song thinks they should move there. Jaypaw tells Half Moon about the mountains and Stone Song overhears and asks Jaypaw how he knows. Jaypaw tells Stone Song that he dreamt of it. Half Moon asks Jaypaw if he would find a new home for them and as they talk he realizes Half Moon is in love with him. Stone Song tells others about Jaypaw's dreams and Stone Song asks Jaypaw to guide them to their new home. Jaypaw is shocked at how quickly everything is happening. Furled Bracken, their leader of sorts, calls a meeting and everyone votes on whether to stay or go. The vote is tied and it is Jaypaw's turn. He votes to leave so these cats can go to the mountains and become the Tribe of Rushing Water.

With the vote cast Stone Song becomes their new leader. As the cats get ready to leave Stone Song pulls Jaypaw aside to speak to him. He asks about Jaypaw's dreams and as they talk Jaypaw realizes the tribe doesn't just need a new home, they need a medicine cat too. He tells Stone Song about how their ancestors watch over them and how they wish to guide the cats that are still alive. He tells Stone Song that he must be willing to listen in order to hear them. The cats eat and then head out. Rock calls Jaypaw over to him. Jaypaw feels sad to leave Half Moon but he follows Rock home. Rock tells him that Jay's Wing never made it to the new home, that he disappeared at the start if their journey. Jaypaw emerges from the tunnels, blind again, wondering if Lionblaze and Hollyleaf lived in the past as well. He knows that he is Jay's Wing and he has come home.

In the warrior's den Lionblaze listens to Spiderleg cough. Brambleclaw makes him go see Leafpool and has Lionblaze escort him. Daisy is upset to find out that Spiderleg is sick. She tries to bring him food but he is rude to her. She tells him he should pay more attention to his kits but he won't listen. Daisy leaves upset. Lionblaze is embarrassed to have just witnessed that and goes to leave but Leafpool blocks the entrance. She tells Spiderleg that kits are a gift and he should know his children. He tells Leafpool that things did not work out between him and Daisy. She says that is fine, but the kits should not have to suffer for it. Lionblaze thinks that if Spiderleg is not careful he and his kits will end up like Crowfeather and Breezepaw. It has been a couple of days since Spiderleg became sick and Lionblaze is out hunting for the sick cats. When he drops off fresh kill he realizes they have not been eating. Worried he goes to the nest where Brightheart tells him that Firestar is losing a life. Upset, Lionblaze rushes in and watches Firestar die then come back. The cats want Firestar to return to camp now so Leafpool can take care of him but he refuses to leave them, looking to Millie and saying that some cats need more help then him. Lionblaze looks to Millie. She is almost dead and Briarkit is crying because she wants her mother. Upset Lionblaze leaves. Back at camp he reports Firestar's death to Brambleclaw then goes to Jaypaw to tell him he will go get the catmint.

It was nice to see the origin of the Tribe of Rushing Water, but it was a bit randomly thrown in. I know these cats can reincarnate and that somehow they are all tied together, but it was a shock to find out that Jaypaw once lived as a tribe cat! But I also wonder how long ago this was since the humans were using machines. I always assumed the tribe left hundreds of years ago but now I see it cannot be more then 100.

I feel bad for Daisy. She left her mate for her kits and she has no real place in the clan. When she had new kits by Spiderleg I was excited but now that has fallen apart. She seems to just be there, not contributing. And what's worse is she knows this and feels this. She does help the queens but I wish she had an actual place in the clan.

Lastly, I am nervous about Lionblaze going to get the catmint! He has had the nightmare about Heatherpaw so many times I am worried what might happen!

long shadows: part three

Hollyleaf and Lionblaze hunt while Jaypaw collects herbs. They head back to camp and Lionblaze wants to talk to Tawnypelt but Hollyleaf points out they don't know what to say yet and Jaypaw has to return to the medicine den. But before they can decide what to do Brichfall's patrol returns with Littlecloud, who wishes to speak to Tawnypelt. Sandstorm talks to Littlecloud while Squirrelflight goes to get Firestar. Firestar, Brambleclaw, and Tawnypelt come over and Tawnypelt insists she wants nothing to do with ShadowClan. Littlecloud tells her that things have changed and her kits have already returned. After receiving assurance that Sol is gone and the warrior code is back in place Tawnypelt leaves with him. The ThunderClan cats speculate what really happened since they don't believe Sol would just leave. Hollyleaf suggests that perhaps losing some cats made Blackstar realize he needed to get rid of Sol. Mousefur and Dustpelt worry about what trouble Sol will cause next. Hollyleaf is glad Sol is gone but Lionblaze hopes that he will come back and mentor them. Hollyleaf feels that Sol is nothing but trouble and that their destiny will happen no matter what but she is not sure her words convince Lionblaze. While out she runs into Sol. He tries to convince her that she needs him, but Hollyleaf will not listen. She tells him she and her brothers will find their destiny on their own. Sol hints that they might not be the cats of the prophecy and leaves. Back at camp Dustpelt is now sick. Hollyleaf assures Leafpool that she will cure all the sick cats and all will be well. As she settles down to eat she feels good - Sol is gone, ShadowClan has returned to the warrior code, Leafpool will cure the sick cats. She is ready to accept her destiny.

Leafpool confesses to Jaypaw that they are losing the battle against the sickness spreading through their clan. They have almost no herbs left, there is no catmint, they cannot go collect any by the island because hostility is too high between clans right now, and they cannot ask another clan for some without showing their weakness. As Jaypaw changes the bedding and then helps Millie and her kit into the clean nest he has a vision of StarClan. Bluestar, Whitestorm, Yellowfang, Spottedleaf, and Silverstream all fret for ThunderClan. They know so many cats are about to join their ranks that it might destroy the clan - but they also know there is nothing they can do because there is no more catmint. Jaypaw wonders why he is there when StarClan has no answers and doesn't even seem to notice that he is there. Suddenly a new cat appears, Brightspirit, and is greeted by Bluestar who says it has been a long time since seeing her. Two more cats, Shiningheart and Braveheart also appear. Jaypaw wonders who they are since he has never heard of them before. They smell faintly of StarClan and of something else far away. As the other two cats talk to Bluestar and her friends, Brightspirit comes over to talk to Jaypaw. He can sense she is no ordinary StarClan cat and confesses to her just how desperate ThunderClan is right now. She tells him to seek the wind and then the vision is over with and he is back to helping Millie settle into her clean nest. Sandstorm bursts into the den with the news that Firestar is sick.

Jaypaw and Leafpool race to Firestar's den. After giving Firestar some herbs Jaypaw leaves and Graystripe seeks him out asking after Millie. Unable to lie, Jaypaw tells him it is bad. He also tells Graystripe that Silverstream is watching over Millie. While happy. Graystripe takes no real comfort from Jaypaw's words since he knows that there is nothing StarClan can do to help. Frustrated, Jaypaw tries to figure out what Brightspirit was telling him. As he goes around the camp checking on sick cats he is short with everyone while also trying to assure them that things will be fine. Realizing that Brightspirit meant there was catmint on WindClan territory Jaypaw settles down to dream. He finds Krestlepaw and talks to him, choosing his words carefully so he can find out where his supply of catmint is. He finds it in a tunnel right as Leafpool wakes him to take care of Millie. After taking care of Millie and assuring Briarkit that they are taking the best care of her mother he seeks out Lionblaze. He tells him that he knows where catmint is and Lionblaze is eager to go get it until Jaypaw tells him it is on WindClan land. Lionblaze insists he will never go to WindClan and refuses to help Jaypaw.

As Lionblaze hunts all he can think of is his vision of killing Heatherpaw. He wants to help Jaypaw but knows he cannot go to WindClan territory. He wishes he could confide in his brother but knows he cannot show his weakness to Jaypaw when Jaypaw depends in him to be so strong. Back at camp he asks Jaypaw how the sick cats are doing but Jaypaw is furious with him for refusing to get the catmint. Lionblaze suggests asking Hollyleaf to get it but Jaypaw won't because it involves stealing from another clan and that goes against the warrior code so their sister will never agree. Squirrelflight tells Brambleclaw to get some rest and Lionblaze is worried to hear a rasp in Brambleclaw's voice. He worries what will happen if both their leader and their deputy become ill. As time goes by the cats get sicker and soon half the clan is ill. Firestar decides that all sick cats must leave for the abandoned twoleg nest to prevent the rest from getting sick. Leafpool tells some cats that Millie will die without catmint and Lionblaze feels guilty but he still won't go. All the healthy cats turn the twoleg nest into a home for the sick cats. They have to watch as the sick cats walk by them to their new home. They are forbidden to help and it is a hard sight to watch. Jaypaw and Leafpool come by, supporting Millie, who is barely breathing, between them. Graystripe is devastated and wants to go to Millie and Lionblaze has to help Hollyleaf hold him back. Mousefur tries to get permission from Brambleclaw to go with the sick cats to care for them but he refuses and tells her he knows that Firestar has already refused her request. The healthy cats go back to camp and Leafpool has everyone get the old bedding out and replace it with fresh, in the hopes that no new cat will fall sick. That night Lionblaze sleeps, exhausted, and dreams of collecting catmint at the WindClan border - only the stream is a river of Heatherpaw's blood. Horrified he backs away and Tigerstar speaks to him, taunting him for being afraid.

Leafpool tells Jaypaw to get some rest. He goes first to the stick to speak with Rock, but Rock won't come. He falls asleep and sees Fallen Leaves. Fallen Leaves asks if Jaypaw will stay with him this time but Jaypaw tells him he must know what happened to the cats. He races through the tunnels and hears the voices of cats ahead. He doesn't recognize the voices as belonging to WindClan or ThunderClan and slows down. The voices call out to him, calling him Jay's Wing.

So, Sol hinting that they might not be the three struck me. I think Jaypaw and Lionblaze are part of it, but Hollyleaf doesn't seem to. She alone has no special powers (beyond obsessing over the warrior code). I know Sol was just saying this to get under her skin (which, good for her for telling him to leave) but part of it rings true.

As for Brightspirit and the two other cats, I wonder who on earth they are. I know I haven't read the SkyClan books so I wonder if they are tied into that? Or is it something different? I did also notice this book that there is another series called "Omen of the Stars" after this series. I wonder if they tie into that? Or maybe those books will finally reveal what Hollyleaf's power is or why she and her brothers have this special power? I always thought there were only three warriors series (because that is all we owned). After I read book six I will have to look into just how many more books there are. I thought I was almost done with these books, but maybe not?

long shadows: part two

Jaypaw heads to the Moonpool. He meets up with Barkface and Willowshine. Jaypaw senses that Barkface wants to apologize for his clan's actions but cannot. Willowshine is jealous that Jaypaw gets to go on his own. Jaypaw thinks to himself that there is now no reason for Mothwing to come to the Moonpool now that Willowshine is a full medicine cat but he says nothing. Littlecloud never shows and Barkface is upset because he hoped that Littlecloud would keep faith even if his clan didn't. Jaypaw knows that Littlecloud probably wishes to come but knows he cannot say so without explaining spying on ShadowClan. The three cats head to the Moonpool together. When Jaypaw dreams Rock comes to him bringing Midnight. Midnight admits to Jaypaw that she is the one who gave Sol his information. She tells Jaypaw that there is more then one way to be a friend, and that knowledge does not always bring power. Jaypaw is annoyed with her cryptic answers and even more annoyed when she disappears. Next Raggedstar and Runningnose come to him and ask him to bring their clan back to the warrior code. Jaypaw is surprised that they have come to him but Raggedstar says he feels Jaypaw is the only one who can help. Annoyed, Jaypaw agrees. Raggedstar starts to say something else but Jaypaw suddenly wakes up. On the walk home Jaypaw mulls over Ragedstar's request. He thinks of Stoneteller lying to his tribe and gets an idea. Back at the camp he talks to Hollyleaf and Lionblaze in private and tells them his idea to fake a sign from StarClan. Lionblaze is unsure but Hollyleaf is so determined to bring the ShadowClan cats back to the warrior code she agrees. Looking at her Jaypaw realizes that nothing really does matter to his sister more then the warrior code.

Hollyleaf wakes up early. Thornclaw is coughing and might be sick too. Outside the warrior's den she speaks to Sandstorm who tells her not to try and take on too much responsibility. Hollyleaf thinks to herself that Sandstorm has no clue. Seeing her, Ashfur invites her to come with his patrol. While out they scent a fresh ShadowClan scent. Hollyleaf worries that Sol has convinced the cats to invade but instead it is Tawnypelt with her kits. Ashfur is hostile to them but Cloudtail is welcoming and tells Ashfur that what to do with them is Firestar's decision to make. The cats escort them back to their camp. As Brambleclaw takes Tawnypelt to see Firestar, Hollyleaf talks to Tawnypelt's kits. They want to go home to ShadowClan but they want to go home to their clan as it used to be before Sol came.

Firestar calls a meeting and Lionblaze heads over with everyone else. Despite some protests, Firestar tells the cats that for now Tawnypelt and her kits will be welcome in the clan. Tawnypelt will join patrols and the kits will be given new mentors. Lionblaze wonders if any of the kits are being visited by Tigerstar. He wants to warn them but he knows if he does that then he will have to admit that he used to speak to Tigerstar. Hollyleaf and Lionblaze go out on a hunting patrol. Hollyleaf tells Lionblaze of her idea to use the ShadowClan apprentices to fake a sign from StarClan. Lionblaze thinks it is a great idea and later back at camp he passes Hollyleaf's idea onto Jaypaw. At first Jaypaw is unsure but as Lionblaze explains Jaypaw comes around. Hollyleaf and Lionblaze round up the kits and take them behind the warrior's den. Jaypaw arrives and tells them of his plan to fake a sign from StarClan. At first the apprentices are unsure, fearing they will anger StarClan but Jaypaw tells them that StarClan asked him for his help. After some silly ideas are recommended and shot down an area is picked for the sign. The cats decide it is best to head there immediately.

They reach the marshy area the young cats picked out and Jaypaw quickly devises a plan to dig up some of the trees and make it look like the forest is falling down around ShadowClan. Tigerpaw is sent back to the camp to summon Littlecloud and Blackfoot and Hollyleaf follows him to make sure he is safe. Hollypaw watches as Tigerpaw reaches the camp and talks to Littlecloud. He tells Littlecloud that he and his siblings want to return to the camp but they are worried Blackfoot is angry with them. He asks Littlecloud to meet with his siblings in the marshy area and to bring Blackfoot. He also asks that Sol not know what is going on. Littlecloud agrees.

Lionblaze and the other cats wait for Tigerpaw to return with Littlecloud and Blackfoot. Toadfoot almost destroys everything by showing up. They quickly capture him and hold him down, unsure what to do with him. Blackfoot and Littlecloud arrive and they set their plan into motion. They knock down the trees they dug up and Jaypaw starts chanting a warning that the forest will fall if the cats do not return to StarClan. Blackfoot does not believe it is really StarClan speaking to them. Lionblaze starts to despair when more voices join Jaypaw's. Runningnose and Raggedstar appear and join in Jaypaw's chant. They tell Blackfoot that Sol is a darkness that must pass. They disappear and Blackfoot declares himself Blackstar again. The leader and medicine cat head back to camp. Toadfoot is shocked that StarClan warriors really appeared. He is upset that the ThunderClan cats faked a sign but agrees to keep their secret. After all the ShadowClan cats leave the ThunderClan cats worry what to tell Tawnypelt. They cannot tell her the truth and they don't want Firestar finding out the truth either. They also wonder why StarClan needed them to fake a sign. Lionblaze suggests that they appeared because the apprentices showed how badly they wanted to save their clan. Privately, Lionblaze wonders if Sol will return to them now and mentor them.

So, I don't really have much to say here except that I cannot believe these cats still want Sol to mentor them! Really, I feel like Sol is incredibly manipulative and almost evil. I think the sooner Sol leaves the better - except I fear he isn't going anywhere and he is going to make things much worse before they can get better.

long shadows: part one

Thunder, Shadow, River, and Wind call Midnight before them, demanding to know why she shared secrets with Sol. Midnight stands by her decision and the warriors fade away. Rock appears and tells Midnight that she had no choice, that she had to do it to prepare the clans.

Hollyleaf dreams of Sol blocking out StarClan, and of cats screaming out in terror. She is woken by Birchfall for a hunting patrol by the ShadowClan border. As they leave Lionblaze comes back from a patrol by the WindClan border. She runs over to confide in him that she is worried about seeing Sol and that he will speak of the prophecy. Lionblaze tells her that he is probably too busy lying around the ShadowClan camp stuffing himself with fresh kill. But he agrees with her that he wishes they never confided in the strange cat. On the hunting patrol Hazeltail almost crosses the border but Hollyleaf stops her just in time. A ShadowClan patrol approaches and accuses the cats of stealing prey. Brambleclaw comes over and Hazeltail admits her mistake but insists she never crossed the border. Brambleclaw tries to point out that the ShadowClan cats are right on the border but no one is accusing them of crossing it but the cats won't listen. They mock ThunderClan and their belief in the warrior code, much to Hollyleaf's dismay. Hollyleaf decides she needs to save them from Sol. ShadowClan's taunts lead to Birchfall actually attacking them. After the fight breaks up they head back to their camp, Hollyleaf afraid that Sol is going to destroy the clans.

Jaypaw checks on Millie and her cough. Now one of her kits might be sick too. He reports this to Leafpool who has him check on the elders. Jaypaw resents his apprentice duties. He is happy for his siblings but he wishes he could be a medicine cat. Even then he knows that Leafpool will still be his mentor. He doesn't wish her dead, he just wishes to be his own cat. After checking the elders Hollyleaf catches him and tells him they need to talk later. He meets Hollyleaf and Lionblaze behind the warrior's den to discuss ShadowClan and Sol. Hollyleaf is upset that Sol is brainwashing all of ShadowClan while Lionblaze is upset that Sol promised to help them and then didn't. Jaypaw is surprised at the anger coming off of both of his siblings. He suggests they should go over and talk to Sol. Hollyleaf is shocked at the idea and insists it is breaking the warrior code. Jaypaw tells her that sometimes you have to break the warrior code to do the right thing, and reminds her that Firestar has done it in the past. She is unconvinced but when Lionblaze agrees she does as well, feeling that if it saves ShadowClan then it is the right thing. Jaypaw doesn't care about that and instead is thinking of the prophecy but figures if his sister needs that to justify what she is agreeing to do then he won't argue. That night the three siblings sneak out to ShadowClan territory. They roll in the ShadowClan scent markers to help them sneak around. As they work their way towards the camp they are worried that they haven't seen a single patrol. When they get to the camp they hear Sol speaking to the assembled cats. He is telling them that StarClan is just a group of dead cats with no power and they should not listen to them. Jaypaw is disturbed. He feels that he and his siblings stand above this but other cats should listen to StarClan. Littlecloud objects to what Sol is saying and asks if everything he has experienced has been a lie. Sol tells him that StarClan is good at deceiving and uses their lack of knowledge about the eclipse to drive his point home. Blackstar speaks up for Sol, talking about how difficult life has been here in the forest. Tawnypelt points out that life was difficult in the old forest too, but Blackstar uses that to further his argument that StarClan really cannot help them. Lionblaze and Hollyleaf are worried that Blackstar might actually be thinking of taking his clan away. As they listen Jaypaw has a vision of a badger. He tells his siblings that they need to leave now, that they are in danger. The next morning Leafpool wakes him to help her. Noises startle Jaypaw and he acts jumpy causing Leafpool to ask him what is wrong. He tells her he had a dream of a badger and worries it could be a bad thing. After pressing him for details Leafpool determines it could be Midnight. Jaypaw wants to visit Midnight but Leafpool tells him that is impossible right now.

Ashfur leads a patrol along the WindClan border. Lionblaze is in it. As they walk along Lionblaze asks Ashfur if he will give him extra battle training. Ashfur is surprised by Lionblaze's request and tells him he is a warrior now, a great fighter, and he does no need any more training. Lionblaze is pleased by his former mentor's praise since he sometimes felt like he couldn't do anything right, but he tells Ashfur that he feels there is always more to learn and he wants the extra training to help stay sharp. Ashfur agrees and leaves to tell Brightheart to head back to camp without them. Lionblaze goes to the training hollow and thinks of how foolish he was to accept Tigerstar's help as he practices his moves. Ashfur complements him and then attacks him. The two cats fight and Firestar comes across them and breaks them up. He is furious with them and isn't really interested in their answer that Lionblaze asked for extra help. He feels that Lionblaze is now a warrior and no longer needs extra help. Plus, he felt like the fight was too real. He sends Lionblaze on a hunting patrol and takes Ashfur back to camp with him. That night he dreams of Heatherpaw dead by his paws with Tigerstar congratulating him. He wakes up terrified that he is turning into a cat who will murder.

Worried that Millie's whitecough might turn into greencough, Leafpool sends Jaypaw to get catmint. He takes Poppyfrost with him but they find almost all the catmint destroyed. They bring back what little they can but it is not enough. Leafpool is upset since Briarkit is sick too and Millie now has greencough. That night they are supposed to meet at the Moonpool and Leafpool is worried about leaving Millie. Jaypaw asks to go alone. Worried, Leafpool agrees.

It was interesting to meet what I assume was the original four clan leaders. I'm not sure how they really fit in to this story, though. I have nothing else to really talk about. I am still convinced Sol is a bad guy. I think Jaypaw, Lionblaze, and Hollyleaf are too obsessed with him - and with the prophecy and their power. Of course, I am also obsessed with it. When on earth will we find out why they have these powers? Like I said before, usually people (or in this case, cats) are only born with this type of power because it is needed for some reason. And, Ashfur and Lionblaze fighting really only drives home the point that Ashfur is bad as well. So when is that going to happen?!? What can I say. I am way too impatient for some of these story lines to wrap up. I will say that this series was better then the last but it is hard to sit through six books when you know something is going to happen but you don't know where or when!