warriors: the new prophecy

I really struggled with this series. Actually, I feel like the series is in two halves. The first half/three books, I felt, were really long and drawn out with nothing really happening to move the plot forward. It was a long journey to the lake and then a long journey back home with lots and lots of empty filler. I was starting to get worried that the first series was it and I wasn't going to enjoy another Warriors book ever again and that all subsequent novels were just riding on the coattails of success from the first series. The second half/three books, however, proved me wrong by actually being really good. Those books covered Brambleclaw's struggle with his relationship with his father, sister, and half brother. Moreover, it introduced the Place of No Stars/Dark Forest, which was a really interesting alternative to StarClan, as well as gave a fascinating, manipulative, and devious villain in the form of Hawkfrost, who I really enjoyed (and still believe he was lying about never having been to the Dark Forest before). I was disappointed by how quickly Hawkfrost was written off, however he did have a respectable story arc and I did get to see his return later on. Also, this book series as a whole gave Brambleclaw the opportunity to grow and become more then just Tigerstar's son - which was very obvious as the story went on but was very clear when he chose a dying Firestar over everything else. And, it set up a great twist for Ashfur later on. It also gave us perspective from the cats of other clans - which while I wasn't in love with this, it was good to see things from a point of view that wasn't ThunderClan.

Warriors: The New Prophecy

1. Midnight
2. Moonrise
3. Dawn
4. Starlight
5. Twilight
6. Sunset

moonrise: part six

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

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

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

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

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

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

moonrise: part five

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

moonrise: part four

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

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

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

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

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

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

moonrise: part three

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

moonrise: part two

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

moonrise: part one

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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