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

the first battle: part six

Wind lives on the moor with Branch. Ever since her mother and sister died, Branch has taken care of her. Wind is hungry, and wishes they had taken up the river cats on their offer of fish. Branch is annoyed with Wind, and tells her that he will hunt for her. Wind smells a dog, but Branch dismisses her, telling her he too scents the dog but it is far away. They spot a rabbit and Branch circles around it. He will startle it so the rabbit runs straight into Wind's paws for the kill. Branch startles the rabbit, and it races towards Wind but the  stops. Branch, too, freezes. Confused, Wind looks behind herself to see the dog. It attacks her, clamping down on her leg. Wind screams out in pain and tells to Branch to help her. He does and they escape to a sheltered area. Wind passes out, worried about her leg. When she wakes up Branch is there with a rabbit. She is not hungry, but he tells her she needs to eat to keep up her strength. Wind is confused by how cold Branch is acting. She assures herself he is just worried. The next few days Wind drifts in and out of consciousness as her body tries to heal. When she finally wakes up the rabbit next to her has rotted and Branch is no where to be seen. Feeling betrayed, Wind resolves to heal and move on.

Time has gone by and Wind is doing well. She lives alone on the moor and her leg has healed. An intense heat has set in and food is scarce. Rain is coming on the horizon, and with it life will return to the moor. Wind catches a rabbit and settles in under a tree to eat it. As she does she hears two kits - Frog and Willow - commenting that they can smell rabbit. Their mother, Tansy, tells them she will hunt for them as soon as she is well enough. Frog resolves to go hunting for his family before they starve. Wind stops him and offers part of her rabbit. The kits are so hungry, though, and she remembers how she almost starved after Branch abandoned her, that she feels bad and gives them all of the rabbit. She tells Tansy that she should move their nest, as the gorse bush thorns is what wounded Tansy to begin with. Tansy offers to share the rabbit, but Wind refuses and leaves. She walks away and another cat speaks to her. He is Gorse, and he tells her that was kind. Gorse tries to be friendly with her and offers to hunt with her but Wind refuses, insisting she hunts alone. Gorse leaves her. She tries to catch a bird but the rainstorm suddenly breaks, scaring the bird away. She realizes the gorse where Tansy and the kits were sheltering is on fire.

Wind races to help Tansy and her kits. Willow is safe but Frog has climbed up a holly tree, which is slowly catching on fire. Frog is too frightened to climb down so Wind goes up to save him. Gorse joins her and between the two of them they safely get the kit out of the tree. Exhausted, Gorse takes her to a place they can rest. When she wakes up Gorse is gone. She is upset but tells herself that there is no reason why he would have stuck around. Gorse returns with prey for them to eat. Wind is shocked to realize this is actually Gorse's den, not just a place for them to take shelter. He invites her to eat with him and she realizes she doesn't have to be alone anymore.

To start with, I really don't like Branch. I wonder if we will ever see him again? From the very beginning he came across as controlling. He wouldn't let Wind eat the fish, he wouldn't let her hunt, when she smelled dog he dismissed her, then when she was attacked by the dog he abandoned her. He wasn't taking care if her - he was using and abusing her. He really is not a nice cat.

I'm glad she found Gorse. I didn't realize she and Gorse were mates until this book. I thought they were just good friends. But, if this is their beginning, I can see why she let herself fall in love with him.

the first battle: part five

Even though they are vastly outnumbered, Thunder and his friends rush into battle. Thunder ends up in a fight with Snake - who is actually trying to kill him. Lightning Tail saves him and expresses shock at how vicious Clear Sky's cats are being. Thunder tells him they will just have to fight to kill as well. However, despite his words, Thunder is upset. He can't believe how easily Clear Sky's cats are willing to kill - even Falling Feather and Quick Water - and he can't believe how easily his friends are willing to fight the same in return. He saves Gray Wing from Petal, who is trying to kill him for revenge for Fox. Fircone attacks Thunder, and when Thunder tries to point out that Fircone didn't want this his old tribe mate responds that times have changed. Tall Shadow kills Fircone. Snake kills Frost. Clear Sky kills Rainswept Flower when she accuses him of being greedy. Horrified, Gray Wing attacks Clear Sky. He tells him he is glad Storm is dead so she doesn't have to see the cat Clear Sky turned into. Thunder tries to reach Gray Wing but Falling Feather stops him. She tries to kill Thunder, but Jackdaw's Cry stops her by attacking her. Thunder desperately tries to figure out how to stop the two sets of siblings from killing each other when Leaf attacks him. Defending himself, Thunder thinks he has accidentally kills Leaf. He is devastated at what he has done and cries out for Dappled Pelt. She arrives and tells him Leaf will survive. Thunder tries to reach Gray Wing yet again when a cry turns him away. He sees Falling Feather and Jackdaw's Cry kill each other. Thunder turns back to Gray Wing and Clear Sky. His father has his uncle pinned down. Clear Sky orders Gray Wing to give up, but Gray Wing refuses. Instead he tells Clear Sky to just do it, to kill him and live forever with the knowledge of what he has done. Clear Sky can't do it. He looks out over the battlefield and sees the destruction. He announces that the battle is over.

Clear Sky tells his cats to go away. He feels he does not deserve to lead since he could not bring himself to kill Gray Wing.  Nettle asks who won, and Clear Sky tells him no one. Confused, Petal tells everyone to return to camp. Clear Sky watches as Thunder, Lightning Tail, and Acorn Fur find Hawk Swoop's body and mourn her. He comments that they are acting like kits. Gray Wing tells them that they are kits, Hawk Swoop's kits, even Thunder who she raised. Clear Sky feels guilty for hurting his son, but pushes the feeling down. The forest cats collect their wounded and leave. Dappled Pelt, Lightning Tail, and Acorn Fur head back to camp for Cloud Spots and supplies. The moor cats refuse to leave, wishing to sit vigil with their dead. Clear Sky is upset. He feels that this battle was supposed to prove how powerful he was, how he could take any land, how he could take care of his cats. Instead all it proved was that the moor cats were willing to fight just as hard as he. He wonders if they all traveled here just to die. River Ripple arrives. He says that he saw the fight but did not join it because it was not his battle. He accuses Clear Sky of bringing death. Clear Sky argues that he just wanted enough prey for his cats. Looking around at all the dead bodies, River Ripple points out that there will be plenty of prey now. Gorse Fur says maybe they should leave the moor. Wind Runner insists they will stay and fight for it. An argument breaks out amongst the survivors over Clear Sky's greed. Much to Clear Sky's shock, Gray Wing speaks up, saying Clear Sky was never greedy in the mountains and that he cannot have changed that much by moving here. Suddenly starlight turns the dead cats silver, and Storm walks into the hollow.

Gray Wing watches as shadows of the fallen cats rise up from their bodies. Hawk Swoop comforts Thunder; Falling Feather and Jackdaw's Cry make up. The former rogues are shocked by what they see. Gray Wing and Clear Sky speculate at this turn of events, feeling that Stoneteller would understand. Turtle Tail and Emberkit arrive. Emberkit assures his mother he is fine, and that he now has Turtle Tail to care for him. Turtle Tail calls Clear Sky a fool for forgetting where he has come from. She and Gray Wing move aside to speak the goodbyes they never got to say. Turtle Tail says they have come with a message and then turns towards Storm, who is loving towards Clear Sky.

Clear Sky and Storm argue as he tries to make her see his side. She accuses him of greed but once he starts talking about Fluttering Bird she realizes, to her relief, it was fear that drove him. Storm asks Thunder if he can guess the message, but he cannot. He also doesn't understand her telling him that now is the time for him to make things right. Shaded Moss dresses down Tall Shadow for her part in the bloodshed but she refuses to agree with him that she holds any blame. River Ripple speaks up, feeling he knows the message. Clear Sky tries to silence him by telling him he doesn't belong, but that angers Storm. She tells Clear Sky that this is his problem, he is too busy trying to tell everyone who does and doesn't belong there. A star falls across the sky. Everyone sees it as a sign. The dead cats tells them that this is their message - unite or die. Thunder speaks up, saying Clear Sky prefers the tree while Gray Wing prefers the moor. How are they supposed to unite? The dead cats insist they must find a way - or die - then leave. River Ripple asks if their ancestors walked among them in the mountains. Tall Shadow says no, just with Stoneteller. River Ripple points out that maybe that is because there was no need for then to in the mountains.

StarClan has officially come! I'm so glad! And, the full moon peace at Fourtrees is being born! I have been waiting for all of this for forever! Of course, that is also because it has taken me months to get to book 3, let alone finish it.

I'm glad Clear Sky received a dressing down from his fallen kin. He was sorely in need of it. I'm also glad he couldn't bring himself to kill Gray Wing. Hopefully peace will now come between the two groups.

When will the other three clans appear? I know Thunder is destined to become Thunderstar but what about everyone else? And when will Pebble Heart travel to the Moonstone? I am so impatient! That is the problem with prequels - at least with me. You already know what is going to happen so you are in a rush to get there.

the first battle: part four

Lightning Tail points out to Thunder that the kits will never be happy here. He has a plan to distract Tom sp they can safely get the kits away. First they go over and tell the kits how much they will miss them while making the moor sound wonderful and the Twoleg nests awful. Then Lightning Tail deliberately attracts the twolegs by yowling. When they arrive he starts purring and rubbing up against them, allowing them to pick him up. The kits are horrified and Thunder points out that they will have to behave the same way. Tom becomes jealous of the attention Lighting Tail is receiving and heads over to the twolegs. Thunder has River Ripple steal the kits then goes and saves Lightning Tail from the twolegs. Tom follows, angry that they took the kits. The moor cats slip and imply Turtle Tail is dead. Tom intends to use this information to take the kits again, since he is their father, but Lightning Tail points out that it is Tom's fault Turtle Tail is dead - and if he doesn't leave the kits alone, he will make sure the kits know this. They collect the kits from River Ripple and return home.

Gray Wing waits for everyone to return. Thunder and Lightning Tail bring the kits back - as well as news of Turtle Tail's death. The kits are upset over the death of their mother and the loss of Tom, but Gray Wing reminds them that they have him. The group grieves, especially since they have no body to bury. Wind Runner apologizes to Gray Wing for her harsh words. She offers to let him carry Emberkit, and turn the baby's funeral into a funeral for both cats. Gray Wing agrees. After the funeral Tall Shadow tells him and Thunder to rest, as they need to save their strength for tonight.

Thunder gets ready, alongside Tall Shadow and Gray Wing. Gray Wing says goodbye to his kits. Pebble Heart tells him to be careful, as danger lies in the hollow. Thunder is surprised by the kits words and is even more surprised at how seriously Gray Wing takes them. Tall Shadow orders everyone to stay in their camp. Some cats want to set a guard but she forbids it, feeling they must stick to their intentions. The three cats head to Fourtrees. Thunder presses Gray Wing for a meaning to Pebble Heart's words. Gray Wing won't give him that, but he does admit that Pebble Heart has dreams that come true, like Stoneteller. He tells Thunder that he is only telling him this in case he does not come back from the hollow, so that the information does not die with him. They reach Fourtrees and can scent all of Clear Sky's cats around them. While they are still hidden in the grass, Clear Sky calls out to them.

Thunder is leery of a trap, but Gray Wing wishes them to approach the rock. Clear Sky invites them all to come up. Gray Wing and Clear Sky speak, but nothing gets resolved. If anything, things are made worse by Thunder getting so upset over his father's words. Tall Shadow speaks. She talks of the land being there before them, and lasting long after they leave. She speaks of the stars and moon, of borrowing the land, of life continuing on. As she speaks the forest cats start to come out of the trees, moved by her words. Even Clear Sky gives pause. But then a starving Jackdaw's Cry attacks a bat to eat. Petal is furious that he would steal prey from the trees - the fact that this is neutral ground means nothing. Thunder is furious to find out that Clear Sky has been starving Jackdaw's Cry. This leads to Thunder and Clear Sky getting into a fight, in which Thunder realizes just how much his father hates him. Clear Sky gives the order to attack. Vastly outnumbered, the moor cats take refuge on the rock. Gray Wing distracts Clear Sky and his cats so Thunder can escape. He takes to the trees and gets some distance before Clear Sky realizes what has happened. He calls out to his cats to stop Thunder. As Petal and Snake almost catch up to him he dives into a rabbit tunnel, hoping to find his way to camp.

Snake and Petal stay outside the tunnel, mocking him for running away. Unable to go back, Thunder is forced to move ahead. He follows the tunnels, accidentally running into a badger, but he gets away and eventually makes it back to camp. He demands of Pebble Heart to explain his dream, but the young kit cannot. Thunder turns to everyone else and tells them what is happening and asks for volunteers. Everyone but Wind Runner's new kits, Turtle Tail's kits, Cloud Spots, and Jagged Peak go with him - Jagged Peak wishes to go but Thunder points out to him that Cloud Spots will need someone to help him care for and hunt for the kits. Frost, who is doing better, volunteers to go as well. Wind Runner and Gorse Fur are determined to fight as well. The cats leave the camp and reach the hollow. Clear Sky mocks Thunder, claiming he was so scared he needed to get help. Thunder responds that he is there is rescue Gray Wing.

I'm really disappointed in Clear Sky. He deliberately attacked a group of cats that he knew he outnumbered at least 3 to 1 - if not 4 or higher. And he seems determined to kill them. This is his brother, son, old tribe mate (who he has starved), and old leader. How would he be able to live with himself if he succeeded? And how can Falling Feather and Quick Water be okay with this? Clear Sky knew there were no more moor cats nearby to help them, and he did not care. And then he tried to stop Thunder from getting reinforcements, then mocked him when he returned with help. I feel like he really is lost. I appreciate him getting a POV, but he is so twisted it is hard to feel sympathy for him right now.

I liked Tall Shadow's speech. It was a nice one. And it might have worked if Clear Sky hadn't of broken his word about feeding Jackdaw's Cry. And I liked the touch of the moon going behind the clouds. That always happens at Fourtrees when the clans break the truce.

I still have a sinking feeling Gray Wing will not be walking away from this fight. But maybe that will be what saves Clear Sky, realizing he has killed his best friend.

the first battle: part three

Thunder is given the task of making sure Gray Wing rests while Wind Runner has her kits. Turtle Tail sends her kits to play in the grass in the camp and and focuses on Wind Runner. While Thunder is alone with Gray Wing, his uncle tells him that danger is coming but he knows Thunder will see them through it. Gray Wing falls asleep and Thunder thinks on his words. Turtle Tail arrives and tells Thunder that Wind Runner's labor isn't going good. She needs him to get a stick. Thunder leaves and sneaks into Clear Sky's territory to get one, then heads back to camp. He comes back and gets to witness the birth of Wind Runner's four kits. He and Turtle Tail leave her den happy, but when they get outside they cannot find Turtle Tail's kits. Everyone splits up to look for the kits, while Tall Shadow watches over Gray Wing. Jagged Peak's yowl alerts Thunder and Lightning Tail. They race to him and find him at Bumble's grave. Jagged Peak tells them that Tom has taken the kits and Turtle Tail has gone after him. Thunder and Lightning Tail chase after her, telling Jagged Peak to return to camp and give a report.

Clear Sky is patrolling his territory with Snake when they come across a kittypet with three kits just outside their territory. Clear Sky questions him, and doesn't believe Tom when he says the kits are his, but let's him pass on his way anyway. He and Snake head back to camp, where Clear Sky has his cats practice battle moves with claws unsheathed, much to Jackdaw's Cry's horror. Clear Sky also refuses to let Jackdaw's Cry eat while he keeps him hostage. This upsets Quick Water and Falling Feather but they don't push the issue. Later, Clear Sky goes out again and finds Thunder and Lightning Tail following Tom's trail. He refuses to give them any information about a tom with kits, and mumbles under his breath that maybe the kits belong with their father. This angers Thunder since Clear Sky never wanted him. They exchange words and Clear Sky stubbornly insists he knows nothing. They leave and Clear Sky is left with his angry thoughts.

Thunder and Lightning Tail follow the trail but lose it. They come across a rogue named Swift and she gives them a hard time when they ask for information - though she does give it to them in the end. They follow her directions and reach a river. They cross the stepping stones but Lightning Tail slips and falls into the water unconscious. Thunder panics but River Ripple has seen them and dives into the water. He saves Lightning Tail and then resuscitates him. They explain that Tom has stolen Turtle Tail's kits and River Ripple offers to help them. They reach Twoleg place where a monster startles them and almost hits them. Then they see Turtle Tail's dead body.

Thunder and Lightning Tail are upset. River Ripple explains it looks like a monster hit her. They hide her body, unable to bury her or bring her home, and then continue on their journey. River Ripple brings them to Flower, a cat who knows everything. Flower doesn't like wild cats but when they explain that Tom has stolen their kits she agrees to help, since she feels Tom is a bully. She brings them to the area where he lives but refuses to bring them to his exact shelter out of fear of what he would do to her. The three cats quickly find Tom and the kits but are unsure what to do. The kits are complaining about being hungry and Tom tells them they will eat soon. They ask if he will hunt for them but he tells them they don't need to hunt while with him. The kits talk of returning to Turtle Tail soon, but Tom lies to them and says their mother knows they are with him. Thunder can hear something coming, which Tom clearly hears too because he tells the kits to hide for a game of hide and seek. The kits do so and Thunder hopes to snatch them as they come outside but Tom makes them hide in den they are in. A Twoleg comes and drops off food. Tom begs for more and the Twoleg obliges then leaves. Thunder realizes Tom is hiding the kits from the twolegs. Tom calls the kits out to eat, but the kits are upset he didn't try to look for them. Thunder and his friends confront Tom, but Tom refuses to give over the kits. He tells them that he has told the kits the truth, that he is their father, and they belong with him. Thunder is unsure what to do now. He cannot attack Tom and steal the kits if they know the truth. But Lightning Tail comes up with a plan and tells Thunder they should leave for now.

Gray Wing wakes up to find the kits and Turtle Tail missing. Tall Shadow tells him everything is fine but he can tell that his tribe mates are worried. He wants to go after them but Tall Shadow forbids it, feeling that Gray Wing must save his strength for his meeting with Clear Sky. This gives Gray Wing the idea to check out the Fourtrees area. He and Tall Shadow go to scope it out and decide what to do. Tall Shadow tells him that she and Thunder will come with him to the meeting. This upsets Gray Wing, who intended to go alone, but he sees her wisdom. They head back to their camp but still no one has returned. And worse, while they were gone one of Wind Runner's kits died. Gray Wing tries to comfort her by saying maybe the kit is in a better place, but his words anger the grieving mother. She lashes out at him saying he would never understand since he doesn't have kits, isn't a mother, and Turtle Tail's children aren't really his own. Hawk Swoop comforts him by saying Wind Runner doesn't really mean her harsh words. Hurt, Gray Wing settles down to wait for his mate and kits, worried about them.

Of course Tom takes the kits the moment everyone is distracted. And of course Clear Sky refuses to say anything. That one I am disappointed in. Clear Sky should have behaved better - if only to prove he is better then the moor cats, like he is always claiming. And now Turtle Tail is dead - and I blame Tom. His argument of wanting to be with his kits doesn't even make any sense. He was cruel to Turtle Tail so she left. He was cruel to Bumble so she left - and died because she was incapable of surviving in the wild. He attacked Thunder then played victim when Thunder attacked back. He then lied to Thunder about his reasons for wanting to see Turtle Tail and the kits. He tried to kill Turtle Tail when they argued over the kits. And he lied to the kits and Clear Sky when he took them away. If he had not of stolen the kits Turtle Tail would still be alive. Flower is in fear of him. And he is hiding the kits from his twolegs for some reason. I can't believe it is fear that the twolegs will take the kits away, not when he didn't care when Turtle Tail still lived with him. He is throughly bad news. And now part of Pebble Heart's dream has come true - Turtle Tail is dead. I wonder when Gray Wing will follow. Based on his other dream involving kin, I assume Clear Sky will kill him. Which has me thinking. This book is more then half done, and we are moving towards the meeting between Gray Wing and Clear Sky. I assumed the meeting would fail and a battle would follow. But perhaps the battle is between Gray Wing and Clear Sky alone? Perhaps the battle is Gray Wing's death at the meeting?

Anyway, enough speculation. Pebble Heart's dreams prove that he is intended to be a wild cat. StarClan has already started to speak to him. When will they appear?

the first battle: part two

Clear Sky has taken Alder and Birch out for training, against the wishes of Petal. He takes them racing through the trees, frustrated at their inability to keep up. Privately he thinks they have to do better if they expect to survive. When the kits object to how hard he is pushing them he discounts their concerns. They reach their goal and Clear Sky announces that they will now play hide and seek. He tells Birch to wait while he and Alder hide. He takes Alder to a spot that he has already picked out. He tells her to roll around in some foul smelling mud to hide her scent, hide behind a tree, and attack Birch when he comes. Alder refuses to attack Birch, feeling it isn't fair since Birch won't be expecting it. Clear Sky grows more and more frustrated with her and actually lashes out with his paw. He calms down and apologizes but then Alder hears a dog and races off after her brother. Clear Sky follows and back at the tree where they left Birch they find the dog has chased the young kit up the tree. Clear Sky freezes, unsure what to do. Petal arrives gets the dog to chase her. Clear Sky joins her and they lead the dog away from her kits towards some twolegs wandering around. The twolegs deal with the dog and they return to the kits. Birch and Alder want to go home and Petal tells them they can. Alder admits that Clear Sky wanted her to attack her brother and Petal is angry, feeling that Clear Sky should have shown them how to hide from an enemy before how to attack one. As they head back to camp Clear Sky wonders if he is doing the right thing, and just what Gray Wing, Quiet Rain, and Bright Stream would think. Later on, at the camp, two rogues arrive. Their names are Dew and Thorn and they wish to join Clear Sky's group. All the other cats are hostile, but Clear Sky thinks it might be a good idea. He asks what they bring to the group, so Dew and Thorn speak of their skills. Clear Sky tells them it is not enough so they admit to spying on the moor cats. They tell Clear Sky that the moor cats are practicing battle moves and are even training their kits how to fight. They also tell him that Thunder is with the moor cats. Clear Sky is furious and believes that Thunder was sent by Gray Wing to spy on them. He decides that if Gray Wing wishes for war then he will have it. Clear Sky welcomes the rogues into his group.

Hidden in the mist, Thunder and Jackdaw's Cry wait for the others to arrive. Unable to bear the silence any longer Thunder confronts his tribe mate, since he knows Jackdaw's Cry never wanted him around. Jackdaw's Cry is surprised by Thunder's words, and stands by his decisions. But he also tells Thunder it doesn't matter since Thunder is here to stay. Before Thunder can respond Gray Wing shows up. He asks Thunder and Jackdaw's Cry to go alone and set up a meeting in two days time with Clear Sky at Fourtrees, because it is neutral ground. The two cats are scares but agree. They enter Clear Sky's territory where they are met by a hostile Petal. Thunder tries to remind her of their friendship but she is uninterested. Falling Feather is with her. She is thrilled to see her brother and offers to bring the cats to Clear Sky. They go to the camp.

Clear Sky is furious at the arrival of his estranged son and former tribe mate. Petal makes sure that he knows that Falling Feather led them to the camp. Clear Sky decides to hear their message from Gray Wing, even though he thinks this is a farce, and takes the moor cats along with Falling Feather to a secret location. He believes that the moor cats are lying to him and are trying to deceive him, since they are already training for battle, but he decides to go along with the charade. The cats arguing, with Clear Sky insisting he only wants his cats to flourish. This angers Jackdaw's Cry who points out that Clear Sky crippled Jagged Peak and murdered Misty. Falling Feather speaks on Clear Sky's behalf, much to his surprise. He agrees the meeting with Gray Wing and they head back to his camp. When they reach there he announces that he will meet with Gray Wing at the full moon and that Jackdaw's Cry is willing to stay in the camp as a hostage until the meeting is over. He makes it very clear that whatever happens to him will happen to Jackdaw's Cry. Thunder is horrified since they never agreed to that but Jackdaw's Cry insists it will be okay. As soon as Thunder leaves Clear Sky announces they must prepare for battle.

Worried, Thunder races back to camp. Along the way at cat attacks him. He attacks back and the cat claims he was just playing. Thunder points out that cats who play have their claws sheathed, which he did not. The strange cat introduces himself as Tom and says he is looking for Bumble. Thunder takes him to Bumble's grave. Tom also tries to find out where Turtle Tail and his kits are. Tom goes back and forth between friendly and angry so rapidly that Thunder begins to feel uncomfortable. He deliberately avoids giving Tom any real information but he tells him that he will pass along his message to Turtle Tail. Tom makes Thunder so uncomfortable that when he heads back to the hollow he follows a rabbit trail to do so to hide his scent. He doesn't know why but he feels he must protect the kits from Tom.

Back at camp Gray Wing and the others are impatiently waiting for Thunder and Jackdaw's Cry to return. Gorse Fur offers to go hunting near the border so he can keep an eye out and Tall Shadow agrees, telling him to take others. But before he can leave Thunder arrives alone. Gray Wing is worried, especially after Thunder gives his report. Some cats, including Hawk Swoop, Wind Runner, and Turtle Tail, wish to lead a rescue mission to save Jackdaw's Cry. Gray Wing feels like everything is unraveling and there will be war before peace talks can happen. However, Lightning Tail and Acorn Fur speak up and say their father's wishes should be honored. In the end, Tall Shadow sides with Gray Wing and those who wish to wait. Thunder then tells Gray Wing about Tom. Gray Wing wishes to go chase him off but Turtle Tail says this is something she must deal with. Gray Wing, Turtle Tail, Tall Shadow, and Thunder go to meet with Tom at Bumble's grave. There, Turtle Tail and Tom exchange words, arguing over her refusal to return and her refusal to let him meet their kits. They fight, but Tom is so large he pins Turtle Tail down and starts to smother her. Gray Wing and Thunder attack, helping Turtle Tail. Tall Shadow puts a stop to the fight, telling them to show respect for Bumble's grave. Gray Wing accidentally mentions the area where they live and Turtle Tail tries to pretend she cares nothing for the kits, but Tom isn't deceived. They part ways, worried they haven't heard the last of Tom. As they leave, Tom says it is a pity that Bumble was the one who died, not Turtle Tail. Gray Wing has an attack where he can't breathe and his tribe mates have to help him back to their camp. Cloud Spots gives him herbs and he sleeps. As he sleeps Stoneteller tells him to wake up, that his loved ones are in danger. Panicking, he wakes but he convinces himself it was just a dream. He falls back asleep but then Turtle Tail wakes him to tell him Wind Runner is having her kits.

So much is going on here! First of all, neither side wants war but both see it as inevitable, which is helping to bring the war about. And, the first full moon meeting - which is always a truce - is about to happen at Fourtrees.

Tom is not going to give up on his kits so easily, and I suspect even Stoneteller sees this and that is what her message was about.

Lastly, serious props to Jackdaw's Cry for calling out Clear Sky on his bullshit. However, I do think Clear Sky does care about his cats, I just think he is showing it all wrong. I'm glad he got a POV this book. He is still completely wrong, but it is nice to see how he logically arrives at his decisions.

the first battle: part one

Gray Wing finds himself in the mountains, watching his tribe mates go about their lives. He misses them and wishes he could let his mother know that he and his brothers are okay. Stoneteller assures him that she will pass that message on. As Gray Wing thinks on the situation between his group and Clear Sky's group, Stoneteller seems to read his mind. She tells him that none of this is his fault, and that those who have gone without for so long and learned the importance of sharing can turn greedy when there is more then enough to go around. She also tells him that change will come born of blood, but it is a beginning and not an ending. Gray Wing is unsure.

Clear Sky watches Thunder leave. He feels frustrated that he couldn't make Thunder understand. He tries to tell himself that he couldn't have Thunder around undermining his authority but that doesn't help. He meets up with Falling Feather and turns his fury on her. He tells her that he knows she considered leaving with Thunder. She tells him yes, but she chose to stay. Clear Sky is furious that she doesn't see what is wrong with this. He feels that loyalty to their group is important before all else. They get into am argument and Clear Sky actually attacks Falling Feather, slashing her nose. They separate and head back to camp. He sees Falling Feather speaking to Quick Water and realizes he has to act fast. He summons a meeting where he talks about the importance of loyalty - and calls out Falling Feather by pointing out maybe she isn't loyal to the rogues who have joined their group. He gets everyone worked up and with Petal and Leaf backing him he declares Falling Feather's punishment to be the lowest cat in their group, subject to the whims of everyone until she proves her loyalty again. Clear Sky also announces that they will begin patrolling the borders and practicing fighting moves to make sure they are ready for anything.

Gray Wing watches as the moor cats argue over what to do about Clear Sky. Everyone is upset and some want to fight. Gray Wing feels that there must be a way to avoid a fight. Gray Wing and Cloud Spots are able to break up the gathering of the cats - but they are unable to fully calm them down. Just then Thunder arrives with Frost. Gray Wing finds that he is actually worried that Thunder might have been sent by Clear Sky to spy on them. He is relieved when he finds out they had to leave. Cloud Spots takes away Frost and Gray Wing pulls Thunder aside privately to find out what is going on. Thunder tells him the truth about Frost's banishment and Clear Sky's actions. He begs his uncle to talk to Clear Sky, feeling only Gray Wing can calm him down. Gray Wing agrees and tells his plan to the other cats. Some cats volunteer to go with him and Cloud Spots ask that they wait a few days, as Clear Sky is very angry at them right now. Turtle Tail is upset with him for delaying the inevitable but he calms her down. They and their kits settle down for the night. Pebble Heart dreaming wakes Gray Wing. The young kit is having a nightmare of kin fighting. He is still asleep and tells Gray Wing that the worst part of the dream was the fact that Gray Wing and Turtle Tail were gone. Uneasy, Gray Wing goes back to sleep.

Thunder comes back from hunting a feels a little unwelcome in the camp, so he decides to bring prey to Frost. While there he gets talking to Frost and Cloud Spots. Cloud Spots says that after lots of rest and herbs, Frost should be fine. He is also shocked to discover that there are no healing herbs used in Clear Sky's camp. Thunder wonders if he is being judged and leaves. Outside he finds Jagged Peak teaching Turtle Tail's kits how to fight. Upset, Thunder puts a stop to it. Jagged Peak is angry, and tells Thunder he has no right to interfere. They end up fighting and Thunder walks away. Hawk Swoop finds him and tells him that the rest of the cats just need time to adjust to his return. She tells him that Lightning Tail and Acorn Fur are happy he has returned. His old litter mates seek him out and welcome him back. But then Wind Runner pulls them away for battle training and Thunder becomes upset again. Wind Runner informs Thunder that no one asked for his opinion on this. Tall Shadow overhears and stands up to make an announcement. Thunder hopes she is going to put a stop to this but instead she fully welcomes Wind Runner and Gorse Fur as part of their group. Turtle Tail pulls him aside and calms him down. She points out that it is better to prepare now - even if there is to be no battle - then to sit around and do nothing. Thunder realizes she is probably correct.

Gray Wing returns to the camp and sees the cats standing around the rock. Tall Shadow informs him of her decision and Gray Wing is happy with it. He sees Thunder is upset and pulls him aside. Thunder explains about teaching the kits battle moves but Gray Wing doesn't see the harm in it. He points out to Thunder if they cannot find a peaceful solution then they may have to fight. Tall Shadow calls him back over where she explains that there is a problem - Wind Runner and Gorse Fur are expecting kits. Gray Wing is happy for them and feels this is not a problem like everyone fears. He and Tall Shadow formally welcome the cats - while announcing the pregnancy - and Gray Wing is happy to see Tall Shadow's fears assuaged as well as the group happily accept the cats. Gray Wing also thinks that maybe one day Wind Runner will lead them and he finds that it is a comforting thought. Later, Gray Wing wakes up to hear Jagged Peak and Rainswept Flower talking in private. They feel that Clear Sky won't listen to Gray Wing because there is too much bad history there. They feel it is best to use someone from Clear Sky's past who would make Clear Sky be embarrassed for the cat he has become. To Rainswept Flower's shock Jagged Peak suggests that she talk to Clear Sky. They go away and Gray Wing is left with his thoughts - and feeling like his tribe mates don't have faith in him.

I wish Thunder had a better welcome, but I can understand why everyone is so upset. He chose to leave them for a cat who is essentially their greatest enemy. But on the other hand, Thunder never wanted to believe how awful his father is, which is completely normal for a child, and deserved to either establish or reject a relationship with Clear Sky on his own.

Aside from the obvious title of the book, a battle must be coming. Things have been getting worse and worse for far too long. An explosive showdown is long overdue. However, the same can be said of Clear Sky's camp. So far everyone has quietly left, but I am surprised it hasn't turned into more then that. I am surprised that no one has challenged Clear Sky. Then again, the rogues are happy to have group protection and there are very few tribe cats left. If Falling Feather or Quick Water isn't willing to step up and challenge him then no one will. And while Thunder challenged him he wasn't willing to fight.

I know this is only book three but I am impatient for the creation of the clans. I am impatient for the introduction of the Moonstone and StarClan. I am impatient for medicine cats and the gift of nine lives. I am impatient for deputies and border patrols. I am impatient for the introduction of the things I am used to. When do they become five clans?

And lastly, is the upcoming battle going to kill Gray Wing? Or is Pebble Heart dreaming of another battle? The "kin fighting" clearly refers to Gray Wing and Clear Sky since the rivalry is wholly between them. Does Clear Sky kill Gray Wing? Will that finally be what makes Clear Sky realize he is acting so wrong? Because for all his talk of protecting his cats, he doesn't. He uses them then discards them once they are no longer useful. Otherwise, he would have cared for Frost who was never anything but loyal.