Post by Katanaheart on Dec 29, 2022 18:23:32 GMT -5
Idk if this will continue to be a chapter by chapter thing or not. But I felt this would be interesting.
Chapter 1
Flamepaw’s relationship with his foster siblings is kinda odd to me, since he was very briefly fostered by Sorrelstripe, from what I remember from SQH.
I demand more grandma, Lilyheart interactions!
I don’t particularly care for the code changes in general and Flamepaw’s ideas I also find to be dumb.
(Thornclaw, you weren’t even an apprentice yet when Brokenstar was driven out. But he was kinda present since I can’t remember in the events when he and his siblings were reclaimed. I also don’t remember if Nightstar gaining lives became common knowledge over time or not. Side note, really wish Birchfall had been included in Thornclaw’s mention of being a DF trainee along with Ivypool. Technically, everyone present in this conversation was a DF trainee, Lionblaze being the only one with sense to leave early before the “fun,” began.)
Also I forgot Rosetail and Mousewhisker were related for a few seconds but yep, definitely puts some stuff into hindsight.
At least Flamepaw has some self-awareness, yes, you were stupid and that’s why you failed. It doesn’t matter how flashy you’re being or more difficult the catch, it matters that you’re catching food. Flashy moves to show off to Grandma Lilyheart isn’t going to feed the Clan. You’re being graded on hunting and successfully catching prey.
Lilyheart also being sympathetic and disappointed was nice to see. (Give grandma interactions that isn’t Squirrelflight, plz. I imagine her relationship with Flamepaw is going to be tossed aside by the time he’s a warrior but I can dream.)
Chapter 2
First page:
Frostpaw’s white and brown pelt.
*Goes back to look at allegiances page.*
Allegiance: Light gray she-cat.
Me: ???? Typo, yes. But then, who are you grooming Curlfeather?
I guess Mistpaw, she’s a tortie. The sisters have changed fur colors.
Mothwing, I remember being kinder when she was younger with Willowshine. I imagine she never expected to be training another apprentice later in life.
Frostpaw’s excited and I’m glad we have Whistlepaw here. (I expected her to also be super new like Frostpaw but it’s good that she’s been a medicine cat for a bit as well.)
Kestrelflight, how did you miss her having dreams?
Also, Mothwing and Jayfeather getting in each other’s fur like old times sake.
I forgot Frecklewish existed, it’s probably because she’s just described as a brown tabby she-cat. When she’s supposed to be mottled and spotted, so I was just very: WHO?
And then Mothwing mentioned her name and I was like: Oh yeah, SkyClan.
I wish this Chapter was longer. I wanted Willowshine and Frostpaw to talk! Maybe even mention some doom and gloom stuff or allude to something else? But nope. Fun stuff about the half-moon meetings ignored.
Welp, onto ShadowClan where I’ll just throw tomatoes at Tigerstar II.
Chapter 3
Just from their banter, I feel like Sunbeam and Blazefire might be better off as friends. They’re cute as a brief couple though. I also enjoy Sunbeam fitting her name and just lazing around on the rocks.
Ah, Lightleap… Our gal Tigerstar clone. Let your sister have mentioned screentime, plus very cool with what she did.
You’d probably be a dog chow if you tried to claw the dog’s eyes out.
(Also Hopwhisker characterization with daring to do foolish things.)
And talk about being ungrateful, good to hear you don’t even care that you injured your friend. (Other than the quick: I’m sorry, are you okay?)
Which was quickly abandoned by “I don’t want to get in trouble.”
And more Pouncestep screentime! Sunbeam, hang out with the better sister, she’s at least concerned for your well-being.
At least she told the truth to Shadowsight, just hopefully he doesn’t go and tell mom or dad on Lightleap, since that’ll just make the Tigerstar clone upset at Sunbeam.
Chapter 4
Yeesh. It’s like the AVOS gatherings but instead Flamepaw has the chance to actually talk to people. But nope, he doesn’t.
Also him mentioning about not knowing anyone from the other Clans to even be friends just had me all: Really, I wonder why, if you behave like this all the time.
Also Graypaw being rude, which was unexpected. There was another apprentice also teasing Flamepaw, which is probably either Beetlepaw or Beepaw. (I feel like if Mistpaw was joining in, it would have been mentioned or pointed out. And none of the other Clans have apprentices that aren’t medicine cat apprentices.)
Also of course, apprentices wouldn’t speak out at gatherings, think for two seconds, Flamepaw. Use your brain, I know you have some brain cells. (Apprentices essentially being teenagers here, Flamepaw out here giving me rash and stupid Sleekpaw and Needlepaw vibes.)
As for the changes to the code, obviously hate them. I don’t like the code changing but I do appreciate it being a far more difficult process than I had expected. (Not that it’s going to stop any cat from taking advantage and then tearing the Clan out from the inside or deciding to benefit their birth Clan in some way over their new one, which are always potentially awful possibilities.)
As for Flamepaw’s idea, this one was okay, better than his earlier one. I think apprentice duties and learning how the new Clan works and acts would be a better display of his idea than a full demotion.
I also kinda wish Leafstar and Harestar had gotten to speak and report their news instead of Mistystar hitting us with the important stuff.
Let me enjoy what gatherings are meant for, plot, calm down.
Also Sunbeam making her comment about Flamepaw had me amused mainly because: Yep, she’s totally thinking of Blazefire. Lol
Chapter 5
Don’t really like how brazen Curlfeather is and how she brushes off her daughter’s concern and nervous feelings. I also enjoy that Owlnose was present for the scene with Mistystar considering I know he becomes pretty relevant later as a candidate. Unfortunately, what RC is discussing will come to pass but by the claws of another Tigerstar. (I feel I would agree with RC’s warriors anyway here but my opinion is bolstered by Sky spoilers.)
Mistystar seemed to have expected her death, as did Mothwing. I kinda think she had a heart attack from old age and stress. It’s also very unfortunate that her last conversation with her Clanmates was arguing with them.
(Which was fair of the cats of RC, considering the other contenders all had reasons to change the code in relation to forbidden relationships, having all been connected to one in some way, sans Violetshine. I also find their titles to be silly and unneeded but I felt that way back in ALITM.)
The green eyes! While I haven’t checked yet, I believe them to be Reedwhisker’s. (Willowshine was also my first thought but considering Frostpaw was unsure, I don’t think it was her either.)
It could also have potentially been one of Mistystar’s other kits, since I think her other immediate family all have blue eyes. (Sans Oakheart, who I’m pretty sure has green eyes? Welp, be prepared for an edit with an eye color update later.)
Chapter 6
Very short chapter but there’s not much Sunbeam can do right now with her back. Lightleap is a horrible person, Blazefire still appears decent and cute with Sunbeam. (Kinda wish his relationship with a DoveXTiger kit would go to the mature sister than the whining five years old.)
Her immediate reaction with Shadowsight was horrid, and yes, I hate both of you. But Shadowsight has had his five thousand escapes from death so you’re more likely to die, Lightleap.
I also don’t really get why Sunbeam is being potentially punished, if she hadn’t played any part, I imagine Lightleap would have just left her on the ground with a wrenched back, potentially even grabbing someone else to carry her “traitor of a friend.”
Chapter 7
Flamepaw’s whole discussion of fur color really just having me going: Go talk to Hollytuft. She is literally Firestar kin and shares your same coat. Her sister is your foster mom that you like a lot, go talk to her. (She’ll probably be rude about it, since she’s been snappy before. But you’re not being that great either.)
I also don’t see how Sparkpelt could really check in on you unless she wanted Ashfur to throw more dogs at her or something. (I really want that to be brought up again, of all the cats Ashfur failed to kill, Sparkpelt could have made for excellent drama, at least use the aftermath of it!)
Disappointed Lilyheart Grandma is disappointed but Sparkpelt to save the day.
Also really wish Flamepaw would have given the actual reason he failed to Brackenfur. “I was trying to be flashy and thought catching difficult prey would be better than catching any prey..” (That is the actual reason you failed, dummy.)
I also kinda wanted Brackenfur to bring up his siblings since I feel their experiences could have been relevant somehow.
Alderheart also had similar experiences to Flamepaw with his more impressive sister, but nope! Not going to talk to my kin that would understand me. (Also that mental jab that Alderheart’s never been a dad, I wonder what he was to Twigbranch then?)
Chapter 8
Podlight’s first reaction makes me suspicious of him. Fognose as well. I wonder if the idea was to have something happen to Reedwhisker but have someone else as deputy for the time being? Since no one expected Mistystar to die…
Also I don’t know if the foggy Mistystar was even her, since that doesn’t seem very StarClan like either.
Chapter 9
I feel like Blazefire’s tune may have changed if Sunbeam told the whole truth. Instead Sunbeam is too in her own head about dealing with someone who clearly doesn’t want anything to do with her. (Blazefire is also correct that this is Tigerstar II, and since he’s scolded Sunbeam already, yeah, he’s going to favor his kids over others like usual.)
The evidence for it being Lightleap is a bit strange, if she had fought and killed Reedwhisker, shouldn’t there have been more blood? (Also more injuries than just a limp?)
The Clans also may need to start fighting each other again if a ShadowClan warrior doesn’t feel great about their fighting skills…
Chapter 10
Hey, Honeyfur screentime! Angry gal.
Also shame, you lose cool grandpa Bramblestar and get Grandma Squirrelflight, who’s already angry. (Understandably so, for once. But it’s Squirrelflight…)
I imagine this is going to go so well. :/
While I do agree it was dangerous af and Flamepaw was being dumb again.
If Lilyheart had considered it worthy of passing, he should have passed.
Squirrelflight clearly should have kept her mouth shut but of course not. (I imagine Bramblestar May saved his opinions for later instead of letting himself influence Lilyheart’s decision by speaking…)
Flamepaw being an angry brat when his sister is trying to be nice.
And I’m so sorry Ashfur traumatized all four Clans, Flamepaw. We can’t all move on immediately like you want. :/
(Also yeah, it is clearly still affecting RiverClan and parts of ShadowClan. And of course you wouldn’t know because you don’t talk to people at gatherings, mouse-brain. Unfortunately we don’t get to know how WindClan feels because we’re stuck with you because we have to have TC’s pov.)
Also disagree with Finchlight on TC being the natural leader of all the Clans since that’s only been a thing since Firestar. But TC thinks they’re better than everyone else which isn’t really new. (I vaguely desire Myrtlebloom screentime. Or Eaglewing, gimme more of my favorite ginger kitty in ThunderClan.)
Chapter 11
Frostpaw, you were probably better off waiting in the medicine cat’s den for Mothwing instead of just walking out with the omen…
Your Clanmates can’t read signs and are certainly going to interpret it incorrectly.
(Frostpaw needs a Leafpool like Willowshine had. *Grabs Kestrelflight.* Be useful!)
And ending of the chapter just gives me sad vibes since I’m already aware Curlfeather dies. Although I don’t remember if that’s in River or Sky…
Chapter 12
And here I was hoping RiverClan could keep things a secret for the entire book.
That is if the patrol does decide to go Mothwing.
I also find some amusement that it’s Hopwhisker who’s injured since she dared Lightleap to cross the RiverClan border. I wonder if she feels borders will no longer exist, in time?
Sunbeam, you’re supposed to be a rule follower, no sneaking off!
I wonder what Nightsky and Lizardtail were discussing exactly…
Perhaps as Reedwhisker’s apprentice, Lizardtail feels he should be deputy?
Chapter 13
Really not caring for how Finchlight thinks how TC is best.
And that explains why Bramblestar was worried about prey earlier, when reprimanding Twigbranch…
Oh good, Squirrelflight being herself again. But instead more openly. “Hey everyone, I’m going to defy our leader’s orders for peace and go be self-righteous to another leader!”
Also Bramblestar mentioning both sun-drown place and ALITM shows that he probably wants things to remain quiet for a bit longer. WindClan is TC’s more rowdy neighbor since ShadowClan is far away, so they shouldn’t really be purposely rocking the boat here over one vole.
Now, I vaguely want a battle just so this can all blow up in Squirrelflight’s face.
Chapter 14
Enjoyed the Mothwing and Jayfeather banter. Also Mothwing’s comment about toms, since she and Frecklewish are the only senior medicine cats who are gals now.
I wish Leopardstar had spoken more since I really don’t think she would have approved the changes so easily. I could have totally seen her debating with Frostpaw over every little detail but the trouble in RiverClan likely takes more precedence in her mind.
Chapter 15
I demand more Snaketooth and Sunbeam interactions, former mentor and apprentice now!
It’s also amazing Lightleap hasn’t killed someone yet…
Relatively mature break-up from Blazefire, good job! (I still don’t think he should be with Lightleap, that’s more of a pairing that’s likely to get them both accidentally killed. And we need your non Clan blood, Blazefire. It prevents the incest and TBC already took one of the Church cats from us.)
Chapter 16
Sadly, no battle.
But Squirrelflight is at least proven wrong by Crowfeather of all cats, actually being fairly kind and fair over the situation. (So essentially what Bramblestar was saying anyway.)
Also the good ole’ “Getting Sparkpelt in on lying to her dad again because I’m too self-righteous for my own good.”
And now it’s going to bite you since you can’t not tell Bramblestar now. You’ll get a bunch of WindClan prey unless you intend to have cats lie and roll it around in ThunderClan scent.
Also Flamepaw being attracted to Nightcloud, so that’s a thing. (I wonder how he felt about Reedwhisker since he also doesn’t have a name that fits him at all. Reed gives me more golden colored cat vibes but he also has an ill-fitting prefix.)
Chapter 17
Reedwhisker’s face during his final moments do make me think Lightleap was involved… However, I don’t remember if the hunting patrol was close to the Greenleaf Twoleg Place. (I really wish the lake territories had more notable borders…)
Other than that, I don’t think Frostpaw should have been leading the patrol and Mothwing should have led with Frostpaw’s guidance.
How did a majority of RiverClan miss him for this long? Side-note: Badger claws is also strange. Which makes me think someone with long and noticeable claws or a good fighting prowess killed Reedwhisker.
Chapter 18
Gullswoop is great and I love her. Thank you for trying to support Sunbeam.
Spireclaw is the brother Sunbeam dislikes, it seems. She sounded like she got along better with Hollowspring in an earlier Chapter.
Interesting, that Blazefire doesn’t seem to love Lightleap yet but I do still like how mature he is being here. (I also think his recent injury played a lot into his current mindset, if he had minor injuries, I feel SunXBlaze would still be together.)
Sunbeam, do not be your ex-friend. She is not the role-model we want to emulate here.
Chapter 19
Of course, you don’t have friends. You don’t talk to anyone to meet them, Flamepaw.
(Can we have gatherings from anyone else’s pov? Gatherings are supposed to fun and help us get to know the other background cats the pov ones don’t see that often.)
Instead both TBC and River so far, has given us gatherings that are either skipped over or they just barely interact with anyone.
Can we have Sunbeam’s pov for a gathering, I want to see different cats!
Apprentices are allowed to come to gatherings, Flamepaw. This is like one of the best rewards and you’re just being a little brat.
And Squirrelflight makes one of the worst political move she can make and Bramblestar looks like a laughingstock.
Ugh, if Bramblestar was in his right mind, she should be demoted. (He should have kept to his word and demoted her back in SQH and then we wouldn’t be having this mess now. Ashfur could have easily promoted her back so there’s not much issue with TBC’s plot.)
I think Berryheart’s point is technically proven right since I think Fernstripe goes back?
I might be misremembering that spoiler.
You failing your assessment the first time was your fault, Flamepaw. Second time was entirely on Squirrelflight’s paws, I’ll give you that. (Lilyheart was totally going to promote him but nope.)
Chapter 20
While Curlfeather seems obvious. (And the fact I know she dies, she’s the incorrect one.)
I feel like it being a feather, a component of a wing is important. The feather also being white feels important.
Icewing is the most obvious after Curlfeather herself but RiverClan also has other white cats. (Harelight and Gorseclaw being other contenders.)
Chapter 21
A boring test of strength, really?
Ugh.
I was hoping the tests would have to do with the Clans talents themselves.
Fringewhisker should be tested on how well she adapts to night hunting not whether or not she can drag a tree across camp.
(She doesn’t even have to do perfectly, just show signs she has potential to learn what makes ShadowClan, ShadowClan.)
Anyway, Berryheart, agree with ya due to the negative potential these changes can bring if they’re not gradual. But you’re starting to sound like a cult over there and it’s not helping your case.
Tigerstar, if you have any brain cells that isn’t revolving around your family specifically, realize Sunbeam had something important to tell you.
Chapter 22
Squirrelflight, you’re not supposed to be here. Leave.
I do agree he should have passed the second assessment.
Really Sparkpelt? You should be praising your grandmother, not your grandfather.
She was one of TC’s best trackers/hunters.
Also shame, no one mentions Sandstorm anymore. It’s all Firestar, Firestar, Firestar.
Huh, didn’t expect for Bramblestar himself to change the prefix.
If only he had chosen a different one. We have three Nights now and Nightheart’s name is the most boring of the three. Still wish he had been named Darkheart instead but now knowing it was Bramblestar that changed his prefix, it’s understandable that he wouldn’t want a reminder of his father’s lackey with his great grandson.
(I had been under the assumption that Nightheart himself had changed his prefix not Bramblestar.)
(I also don’t think -heart fits him either. Something more creative or even whisker would have been more suitable.)
Chapter 23
And I did not expect Curlfeather to die that violently and practically in front of Frostpaw. I knew she was killed by dogs but I always imagined it was like on a patrol and away from her pov.
But nope!
At least Duskfur is sympathetic to her granddaughter’s plight.
Anyway, number one cat to blame for Curlfeather’s death: Mothwing.
Seriously, Mothwing? Why are you sending an 8-9 moon old apprentice on the trek to the Moonpool alone? (Frostpaw probably also has limited battle training and zero battle experience. So I’m guessing she’s going to be dead weight in a fight. Plus, of course, Curlfeather is going to protect her kid over herself.)
You’re there, you can go with them! You won’t learn or do anything at the Moonpool but you were trained as a warrior first.
It was one thing with Splashtail since it was a gathering night and they probably parted from the whole earlier but seriously?
So yeah, if Mothwing had gone with them. All three could have been safe and up the tree or at the very least, we have a dead Mothwing instead of a dead leader candidate.
Anyway, Curlfeather’s final words: Trust no cat.
Not very helpful there, Curlfeather but you’re being ripped to shreds so can’t entirely complain.
Still going to give Frostpaw needless paranoia after your traumatic death though.