athena_arisen's review
3.0
Honestly, I did not like this one as much as I liked the books in The Prophecies Begin
Don't get me wrong, it wasn't BAD, but I had a lot of personal reasons for not liking this one as much.
Seeing the length, much longer than the books in the standard series, I thought this meant there would be ample time for a story, and for there to be more content and for it to be a bit slower. I was right, though I wasn't as big on the story as I had initially hoped.
Some of the conflict between Firestar and his mate, Sandstorm made no sense. A source of tension for them more than once was Firestar and his feelings for Leafpool, the long dead medicine cat of ThunderClan. I could understand Sandstorm feeling a little insecure, as it was obvious Firestar had feelings for Spottedleaf. My issue rose with the book insisting Firestar and Leafpool had had a special connection, which in my reading was not really the case. Sure, it was obvious Firestar had feelings for her, but she had never given even an inkling of returning those feelings (something the book feels like it tries to retcon, with her making a comment about how she wuld give anything for things to have been different.) The only other way I can think of her and Firestar having a special connection would be that she is the cat who appears in hos prophetic dreams, though I had assumed this was because she was the best messenger for StarClan to Firestar, since he had loved and trusted her, which I hardly think would mean that they share a special connection, more than recieving a prophecy from another cat, but I digress.
I think the story was interesting for the most part. I wasn't very in to the idea that rats had caused the downfall of SkyClan. It was an interesting way for there to be a vaillain, for new SkyClan's problems to be solved, but I think it was just.... odd. A swarm of rats was enough to wipe the Clan from the gorge, and their hatred for the cats outlived the Clan itself, and the leader spoke. (I also remember feeling a little weird about the dogs in a Dangerous Path being able to speak, though their speech was much more limited, they only said a few words, whereas these rats were conveying the idea that they were going to get rid of all the ats because they hated them so much.)
Overall, I do feel like parts of the book dragged on a bit, it was very slow. I don't think slow would be a bad thing for the series, but I don't think it worked for me here.
However, I did really like some of the new characters. I really did enjoy Skywatcher, and I thought Cherrypaw was cute. It was interesting getting to see what it might have been like for the other Clans to have gotten their start as well, though they would have had each other to worry about, unlike SkyClan, who now is the only Clan in this area. It was also neat seeing cats who had no concept of the warrior code trying to learn it, like when Firestar joined his CLan from being a kittypet, but in reverse. A Clan cat had to train a new clan of Kittypets, rather than a Clan guiding a kittypet into the life of a Clan cat.
Overall, it expands on the lore and worldbuilding of Warriors in a way that is interesting and makes sense, but I wasn't personally the biggest fan of this particular entry in the series.
Don't get me wrong, it wasn't BAD, but I had a lot of personal reasons for not liking this one as much.
Seeing the length, much longer than the books in the standard series, I thought this meant there would be ample time for a story, and for there to be more content and for it to be a bit slower. I was right, though I wasn't as big on the story as I had initially hoped.
Some of the conflict between Firestar and his mate, Sandstorm made no sense. A source of tension for them more than once was Firestar and his feelings for Leafpool, the long dead medicine cat of ThunderClan. I could understand Sandstorm feeling a little insecure, as it was obvious Firestar had feelings for Spottedleaf. My issue rose with the book insisting Firestar and Leafpool had had a special connection, which in my reading was not really the case. Sure, it was obvious Firestar had feelings for her, but she had never given even an inkling of returning those feelings (something the book feels like it tries to retcon, with her making a comment about how she wuld give anything for things to have been different.) The only other way I can think of her and Firestar having a special connection would be that she is the cat who appears in hos prophetic dreams, though I had assumed this was because she was the best messenger for StarClan to Firestar, since he had loved and trusted her, which I hardly think would mean that they share a special connection, more than recieving a prophecy from another cat, but I digress.
I think the story was interesting for the most part. I wasn't very in to the idea that rats had caused the downfall of SkyClan. It was an interesting way for there to be a vaillain, for new SkyClan's problems to be solved, but I think it was just.... odd. A swarm of rats was enough to wipe the Clan from the gorge, and their hatred for the cats outlived the Clan itself, and the leader spoke. (I also remember feeling a little weird about the dogs in a Dangerous Path being able to speak, though their speech was much more limited, they only said a few words, whereas these rats were conveying the idea that they were going to get rid of all the ats because they hated them so much.)
Overall, I do feel like parts of the book dragged on a bit, it was very slow. I don't think slow would be a bad thing for the series, but I don't think it worked for me here.
However, I did really like some of the new characters. I really did enjoy Skywatcher, and I thought Cherrypaw was cute. It was interesting getting to see what it might have been like for the other Clans to have gotten their start as well, though they would have had each other to worry about, unlike SkyClan, who now is the only Clan in this area. It was also neat seeing cats who had no concept of the warrior code trying to learn it, like when Firestar joined his CLan from being a kittypet, but in reverse. A Clan cat had to train a new clan of Kittypets, rather than a Clan guiding a kittypet into the life of a Clan cat.
Overall, it expands on the lore and worldbuilding of Warriors in a way that is interesting and makes sense, but I wasn't personally the biggest fan of this particular entry in the series.
vanhooon's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
jasminawithab's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
2.75
this does not need to be this long omfg, i swear half of it could be removed and nothing would change. ik this was written after the third series or something, even tho its chronologically right after the first, so they kinda had to add some things in to provide more context for the second series but still. i also just feel like literally nothing was actually explained? like yea firestar has to bring back this clan and right the wrongs that happened but like,,,, why? its not like the new clan can live in the forest so theres kinda no actual reason for it imo. and even moreso, if they cant really interact with the other clans, theres basically no point for them to live like the rest of the clans and follow the exact same rules.
the spottedleaf thing was already bad but its so much worse in Firestars Quest. that one scene where spottedleaf is so unnecessary???? theyre completely forcing that relationship for literally no reason. i hate heteronormativity. so much.
idk who tf decided to name their cat but i desperately want to meet them i love it greatly. because of that, i really hate that the new clan cats
all in all, there are really good points in the book, but it just dragged way too long and i still think firestar and sandstorm are hella annoying.
the spottedleaf thing was already bad but its so much worse in Firestars Quest. that one scene where spottedleaf
Spoiler
says to firestar that she sometimes wishes things could be different between them (and right in front of sandstorm too????)idk who tf decided to name their cat
Spoiler
borisSpoiler
had to change their names to 'clan names' cause i wouldve adored a clan of cats with kittypet and rogue namesall in all, there are really good points in the book, but it just dragged way too long and i still think firestar and sandstorm are hella annoying.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Animal cruelty
Minor: Genocide
elaine_1604's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
leonajasmin's review against another edition
3.0
Nothing particularly stood out with this book- it wasn't bad but it wasn't the most exciting either. I didn't hate the plot or any of the characters, but this one was just a little too long and bland compared to the main series for me to be fully invested in it.
alokesti's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
kategabbitas's review against another edition
4.0
I haven't read this book, Because the library doesn't have it.
lordleeknow's review against another edition
3.0
To preface this review: I’m not sure when exactly I picked this book up, but I had put it down at page 255 and recently picked it back up.
- I feel like this book was waaaaayyyy too long
- I feel like this book was waaaaayyyy too long
madkatrob's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5