Post by 𝓣𝓲𝓷𝓾𝓿𝓲𝓮𝓵 on Apr 12, 2017 19:22:31 GMT -5
I really, really liked it. I think it's my favorite book in the series so far. This book also made me love Needletail and especially Violetpaw even more, though I'm still not sure how to feel about Twigpaw, but the scene where she reunites with Hawkwing was so sweet.
Which reminds me, SkyClan is finally back after all this time, and that personally makes me happy, nor was I surprised that Hawkwing and Pebbleshine are Twigpaw and Violetpaw's parents. It was really obvious.
I also like that both prophecies have been fulfilled and how the "clear the sky" one had more to do with SkyClan as a whole. Interesting how Twigpaw was the "spark that remains" though. I also liked how the Blazing Star—or at least something that was similar to it—was referenced. I also liked how Skystar—it was most likely Skystar, anyway—made an appearance.
Jayfeather once again addressing how vague StarClan is was great! XD
Darktail was a great villain too and he's become my favorite in the series. Like I said before, he's sort of like Sol and Tigerstar combined—very manipulative, but also brutal. He knows how to balance it out. How easy he can switch from a brutal tyrant to acting like a nice cat is actually kind of scary. The whole "sealing deals with blood" thing just makes him all the more creepy. And don't even get me started on the drowning! Honestly, my only complaint is that I feel like he died too soon.
As for Onestar... Where do I even begin? Let's see... he's always been a coward, for one. I get that he wanted to protect Smoke—or at least that's what he kept on telling himself—but he could've at least taken in their son. Even Violetpaw thought he could've made something up. Still, he acknowledges how horrible of a cat he's been and that everything that's happened is his fault. He was determined to fight Darktail himself and died a hero. A small part of me almost forgives him. Almost. I do like him as a character though. He was a great addition to the series and it's a shame he died, and just as he was being redeemed too.
I also really don't mind Onestar being Darktail's father. I think it's a great twist and, to be honest, Onestar was always a coward, even as a warrior. It doesn't surprise me that he turned away Smoke and Darktail. Plus, keep in mind that we never get his PoV—just because someone seems nice on the outside doesn't mean they always are in private. This also explains why he was so friendly towards Firestar in the beginning and his later erratic behavior. Everyone has secrets, and apparently so did Onestar. And looking back, there did seem to be some hints here and there, but many of us just ignored it as Onestar being Onestar.
But at least now Harespring's leader. GO HARESTAR!
And wow, do I feel bad for Whitetail and her kits!
I really liked the final battle between the Clans and the Kin, with the Clans using their skills to fight. My favorite part would definitely have to be RiverClan's part. That was genius of Whitewing to come up with that.
And for someone who doesn't appear much, Crowfeather just seems to be getting worse with each book, such as challenging medicine cats. Even Gorsetail thought he was overreacting. I'm not surprised that he defended Onestar by saying he's been a good leader though, especially since he was the first WindClan cat to support him.
I did find it a little funny when Ratscar says that now he knows what bad leadership looks like, but he was alive when Tigerstar became leader of ShadowClan (though maybe Tigerstar wasn't that bad of a leader until the whole RiverClan thing?) and trained in the Dark Forest. He also probably lived through Brokenstar's reign, too.
I'm upset that Purdy died, but not because he himself died. I thought the death was pretty underwhelming and a little unclear too (I think it might've been a tumor? Heart attack?). I would've preferred it if he died in his sleep after telling one more story. The scene between him and Alderheart was really sweet though.
I'm also kind of upset that Dawnpelt (and the other missing ShadowClan cats) are most likely dead. I especially feel bad for Strikestone and Juniperclaw. They've lost both their parents now and their sister was extremely loyal to Darktail.
Speaking of Sleekwhisker, I could rant about this cat all day. That's how much I can't stand her! Even her own mother didn't trust her.
I really like Loki, Zelda, and Max and I thought it was nice how they knew Minty. Poor Max, though. I also really liked the references in Loki and Zelda's names. I also really liked how the RiverClan prisoners rebelled despite their poor condition and how Zelda and Loki fought alongside them.
As for the bonus scene, It seems fine on its own, but I don't think it should've been a bonus scene, especially since Dovewing has gotten an arc and a novella told from her PoV already. I get that they might be foreshadowing TS, but it just comes off as annoying. And if they still wanted to write a TigerxDove bonus scene, then at the very least, have it told from Tigerheart's PoV.
And another thing, here I thought that Bumblestripe had moved on from Dovewing. It's been seasons since their break up and he suggests kits now, at a time when Darktail was still a huge threat? And just after Purdy died, too. Honestly, Bumblestripe. Just let it go already! I swear, this is just like Ashfur, but without the murderous vengeance. Tigerheart is seeming better in comparison, and I don't even like TigerxDove.
Oh, the Erins better not do that thing where a character seems really nice and then completely out of nowhere, said character becomes a total jerk just to make another character look better by comparison. I hate it when writers do that (looking at you, Sarah J. Maas! Not that I liked her books to begin with.) and I feel this is what they're going to do with Tigerheart and Bumblestripe. Well, I guess they've kind of been doing it already, but I mean I get the feeling it's going to be done more than before now, especially in TS.
As for the bonus scene itself, I feel like they should've chosen another character. Squirrelflight getting TAQ I kind of get since she's Alderheart's mother and I definitely get Needletail getting TAS since she's a main character, but Dovewing getting SS? Come on! If not getting to read more about Darktail and/or his backstory, I was really hoping for Pebbleshine to get it, but noooooo! We can't have nice things, can we?
Seriously though, this does seem to be setting up TS, at least somewhat.
I also can't really be mad at Dovewing since she did make an effort to move on even if she's clearly failing at it and actually considered getting back together with Bumblestripe. But she tried, which is so much more than I can say for either Tigerheart or Bumblestripe.
And finally, we have Hawkwing wanting his daughters to move to SkyClan with him. I still don't know how to feel about him, but I felt like he might've been pressuring Twigpaw and Violetpaw at least a tiny bit, but I guess I can't blame him considering all he and his Clan went through just to find the Clans. Whatever they choose, I just hope it won't cause too much tension.
Overall, I thought this was a great way to end the first half of the arc.
Which reminds me, SkyClan is finally back after all this time, and that personally makes me happy, nor was I surprised that Hawkwing and Pebbleshine are Twigpaw and Violetpaw's parents. It was really obvious.
I also like that both prophecies have been fulfilled and how the "clear the sky" one had more to do with SkyClan as a whole. Interesting how Twigpaw was the "spark that remains" though. I also liked how the Blazing Star—or at least something that was similar to it—was referenced. I also liked how Skystar—it was most likely Skystar, anyway—made an appearance.
Jayfeather once again addressing how vague StarClan is was great! XD
Darktail was a great villain too and he's become my favorite in the series. Like I said before, he's sort of like Sol and Tigerstar combined—very manipulative, but also brutal. He knows how to balance it out. How easy he can switch from a brutal tyrant to acting like a nice cat is actually kind of scary. The whole "sealing deals with blood" thing just makes him all the more creepy. And don't even get me started on the drowning! Honestly, my only complaint is that I feel like he died too soon.
As for Onestar... Where do I even begin? Let's see... he's always been a coward, for one. I get that he wanted to protect Smoke—or at least that's what he kept on telling himself—but he could've at least taken in their son. Even Violetpaw thought he could've made something up. Still, he acknowledges how horrible of a cat he's been and that everything that's happened is his fault. He was determined to fight Darktail himself and died a hero. A small part of me almost forgives him. Almost. I do like him as a character though. He was a great addition to the series and it's a shame he died, and just as he was being redeemed too.
I also really don't mind Onestar being Darktail's father. I think it's a great twist and, to be honest, Onestar was always a coward, even as a warrior. It doesn't surprise me that he turned away Smoke and Darktail. Plus, keep in mind that we never get his PoV—just because someone seems nice on the outside doesn't mean they always are in private. This also explains why he was so friendly towards Firestar in the beginning and his later erratic behavior. Everyone has secrets, and apparently so did Onestar. And looking back, there did seem to be some hints here and there, but many of us just ignored it as Onestar being Onestar.
But at least now Harespring's leader. GO HARESTAR!
And wow, do I feel bad for Whitetail and her kits!
I really liked the final battle between the Clans and the Kin, with the Clans using their skills to fight. My favorite part would definitely have to be RiverClan's part. That was genius of Whitewing to come up with that.
And for someone who doesn't appear much, Crowfeather just seems to be getting worse with each book, such as challenging medicine cats. Even Gorsetail thought he was overreacting. I'm not surprised that he defended Onestar by saying he's been a good leader though, especially since he was the first WindClan cat to support him.
I did find it a little funny when Ratscar says that now he knows what bad leadership looks like, but he was alive when Tigerstar became leader of ShadowClan (though maybe Tigerstar wasn't that bad of a leader until the whole RiverClan thing?) and trained in the Dark Forest. He also probably lived through Brokenstar's reign, too.
I'm upset that Purdy died, but not because he himself died. I thought the death was pretty underwhelming and a little unclear too (I think it might've been a tumor? Heart attack?). I would've preferred it if he died in his sleep after telling one more story. The scene between him and Alderheart was really sweet though.
I'm also kind of upset that Dawnpelt (and the other missing ShadowClan cats) are most likely dead. I especially feel bad for Strikestone and Juniperclaw. They've lost both their parents now and their sister was extremely loyal to Darktail.
Speaking of Sleekwhisker, I could rant about this cat all day. That's how much I can't stand her! Even her own mother didn't trust her.
I really like Loki, Zelda, and Max and I thought it was nice how they knew Minty. Poor Max, though. I also really liked the references in Loki and Zelda's names. I also really liked how the RiverClan prisoners rebelled despite their poor condition and how Zelda and Loki fought alongside them.
As for the bonus scene, It seems fine on its own, but I don't think it should've been a bonus scene, especially since Dovewing has gotten an arc and a novella told from her PoV already. I get that they might be foreshadowing TS, but it just comes off as annoying. And if they still wanted to write a TigerxDove bonus scene, then at the very least, have it told from Tigerheart's PoV.
And another thing, here I thought that Bumblestripe had moved on from Dovewing. It's been seasons since their break up and he suggests kits now, at a time when Darktail was still a huge threat? And just after Purdy died, too. Honestly, Bumblestripe. Just let it go already! I swear, this is just like Ashfur, but without the murderous vengeance. Tigerheart is seeming better in comparison, and I don't even like TigerxDove.
Oh, the Erins better not do that thing where a character seems really nice and then completely out of nowhere, said character becomes a total jerk just to make another character look better by comparison. I hate it when writers do that (looking at you, Sarah J. Maas! Not that I liked her books to begin with.) and I feel this is what they're going to do with Tigerheart and Bumblestripe. Well, I guess they've kind of been doing it already, but I mean I get the feeling it's going to be done more than before now, especially in TS.
As for the bonus scene itself, I feel like they should've chosen another character. Squirrelflight getting TAQ I kind of get since she's Alderheart's mother and I definitely get Needletail getting TAS since she's a main character, but Dovewing getting SS? Come on! If not getting to read more about Darktail and/or his backstory, I was really hoping for Pebbleshine to get it, but noooooo! We can't have nice things, can we?
Seriously though, this does seem to be setting up TS, at least somewhat.
I also can't really be mad at Dovewing since she did make an effort to move on even if she's clearly failing at it and actually considered getting back together with Bumblestripe. But she tried, which is so much more than I can say for either Tigerheart or Bumblestripe.
And finally, we have Hawkwing wanting his daughters to move to SkyClan with him. I still don't know how to feel about him, but I felt like he might've been pressuring Twigpaw and Violetpaw at least a tiny bit, but I guess I can't blame him considering all he and his Clan went through just to find the Clans. Whatever they choose, I just hope it won't cause too much tension.
Overall, I thought this was a great way to end the first half of the arc.