A review by novelheartbeat
Long Shadows by Erin Hunter

4.0

3.5/5

This one was better than the last couple have been, thankfully. With the threat of greencough tearing through the Clan, it raised the stakes a bit.

Spoiler

However, I have to say I was equal parts relieved and disappointed that nobody actually died except Firestar (who has lives to spare, anyway). I was upset to see Firestar lose another life, but it felt really unrealistic that he was the only one to die with as severe as some of the cats were. I'm glad Millie didn't die, though, Graystripe has already seen enough loss and doesn't deserve any more! But someone should have died.

I've been suspecting a major secret behind Jaypaw's upbringing - it's been hinting at it for a while - and was thrilled that it was finally revealed because it's been driving me crazy!

Spoiler

I was honestly shocked that Squirrelflight wasn't their mother at all. I figured that she was the mother but that Brambleclaw wasn't actually the father - I had actually started to wonder if Ashfur was the father since he and Squirrelflight had a bit of a fling before she chose Brambleclaw. But it's apparently not a ThunderClan cat at all?? I'm super intrigued to find out who! And also, if they're not kin of Firestar's kin, who the hell are the three? The only three I can think of are Tawnypelt's kits, but that makes no sense because she's not related by blood to Firestar (I can't remember who the father is, though). I'm curious to see how this is going to play out in a way that makes sense!

I'm glad that Lionblaze is finally realizing how treacherous Tigerstar is. The direction his character had been taking the past couple of books was really bothering me, so I'm glad he seems to be back on the right path. I'm curious as to what the Tribe cats have to do with things -

Spoiler

part of me wonders if the three are Tribe kin, stolen away by Squirrelflight - BUT, at the same time, I'm also hardcore wondering if they're secretly Leafpool's? That would make them Firestar's kin, and there has been something going on with Leafpool as of late, some secret that she's hiding. Jaypaw also mentioned at one point that it felt like motherly love she was directing toward him, and she also had a pretty fierce conversation with Spiderleg about being there for his kits and telling him he should cherish his kits with every breath he takes, so it makes me think that she had to give hers up? I've always kind of wondered if she secretly had kits with Crowfeather. So it would make sense for them to be hers!