I just finished River of Fire (spoilers)
Apr 10, 2018 17:21:07 GMT -5
via mobile
Moonblazer and Fawnwing like this
Post by 𝓣𝓲𝓷𝓾𝓿𝓲𝓮𝓵 on Apr 10, 2018 17:21:07 GMT -5
I liked it, or at least more than I did Darkest Night, anyway. Twigbranch was somehow more bearable than she was in previous books and she seems to be more self-aware at least. Also, it's going to take awhile to get used to that name. I also really wish we got to see more of her relationship with with Sparkpelt, so it's too bad we only got like two or three scenes with them together.
Alderheart's chapters were still a little boring, but somehow less so in this book. As for his relationship with Velvet—sweet as she was—I'm glad it didn't go anywhere besides friendship and attraction. And it better stay that way. Than goodness Jayfeather and Cinderpelt talked to him about it before it was too late. And he actually listened, so bonus points there!
As for Violetshine, I found her chapters to be more enjoyable, as always. Her relationship with Tree has really grown on me since it was foreshadowed in DN, and it was cute when Hawkwing was embarrassing her with the idea of her taking Tree for a mate and having his kits one day.
As for the bonus scene, I liked it. It was great to have a RiverClan PoV this time, and one that focuses on Willowshine too. It was great to see her perspective on things, and I like how they addressed some things, like why Mothwing still doesn't believe in StatClan and why RiverClan doesn't get involved with the other Clans much. Also, given the track record of these authors and editors, was anyone else surprised that they even remembered that Mosspelt was Willowshine's mother?
Now for the other stuff: Speaking of RiverClan, Mistystar's behavior honestly didn't bother me that much, oddly enough. Honestly, I'm just glad that RiverClan has opened its borders again.
I liked that Breezepelt's actions were addressed, and in a pretty funny scene, too.
And speaking of funny scenes, basically almost anything with Fuzzball and Jayfeather in the same scene has me laughing. They play off each other so well, and I thought the scene with them at Briarlight's vigil was sweet.
Which reminds me, I'm so glad that Briarlight is finally dead. This is the wild. Even the early arcs as well as DotC had a sense of realism in them, so having her live for so long was just ridiculous. It's because of I didn't feel anything when she finally died. Honestly, I felt more sympathy for Jayfeather and Briarlight's family than I did for Briarlight herself. That being sad, I glad she was at peace with dying and also that she's finally going to be able to walk again in StarClan. But really? Illness kills her? Well, at least it wasn't greencough.
It was nice to see Dovewing reuniting with her old Clanmates, and I like how there was another reason for her leaving ThunderClan than just the nightmare she had. But like I've said in the past, I'm honestly just glad her story arc is finally over. I'm also glad that Bumblestripe has been a good sport about it, and I hope he finds his own happiness someday.
Another thing I liked is that Yarrowleaf and Sleekwhisker are back, and they played off each other well: Yarrowleaf is genuinely repentant of her actions and came back as a loyal Clan cat. Sleekwhisker however has gotten worse, and I wish Violetshine or Tawnypelt had killed her! I even got a new name for her: Trashwhisker. Or just Trash. Either one will do. But seriously, she's probably the only cat I've ever come close to actually hating. And I love it! It's why I'm glad she didn't get redeemed; she makes a good antagonist in my eyes.
Tree being given the rank of a mediator was interesting, and certainly fits him given what we've seen of him throughout the book.
Rowanclaw died honorably as I assumed he would. Really, where was this cat throughout the arc? I also kind of wish he had better parting words for Tawnypelt, but at least he's finally at peace now.
Speaking of Tawnypelt, I feel so bad for her. First Flametail, then Dawnpelt, then Tigerheart runs away, and now she loses Rowanclaw. Then she loses her chance at becoming leader and yes I'm still salty about it, but at least she was deputy after Tigerheart left, so that's something at least. I also understand why Puddleshine wanted to wait, but it still feels disappointing.
I also love how Leafstar was more stern in this book. She's really come a long way from the leniant leader we saw back in SD.
Rippletail being a kittypet was disappointing, though. Which makes me question what the official story here is: either Buster is actually supposed to be Slatefur, or Rippletail really did become a kittypet and his appearance in TS was actually supposed to be Slatefur. Still, if it is the latter, it's good that Puddleshine has his brother back after losing all his kin.
The ending also kind of bothered me a bit. Usually penultimate books in general are supposed to foreshadow what's to come in the last book, but it didn't feel that way in RoF. Actually, this book felt more like a finale to the arc, if anything.
Overall, I thought this book was just okay.
Alderheart's chapters were still a little boring, but somehow less so in this book. As for his relationship with Velvet—sweet as she was—I'm glad it didn't go anywhere besides friendship and attraction. And it better stay that way. Than goodness Jayfeather and Cinderpelt talked to him about it before it was too late. And he actually listened, so bonus points there!
As for Violetshine, I found her chapters to be more enjoyable, as always. Her relationship with Tree has really grown on me since it was foreshadowed in DN, and it was cute when Hawkwing was embarrassing her with the idea of her taking Tree for a mate and having his kits one day.
As for the bonus scene, I liked it. It was great to have a RiverClan PoV this time, and one that focuses on Willowshine too. It was great to see her perspective on things, and I like how they addressed some things, like why Mothwing still doesn't believe in StatClan and why RiverClan doesn't get involved with the other Clans much. Also, given the track record of these authors and editors, was anyone else surprised that they even remembered that Mosspelt was Willowshine's mother?
Now for the other stuff: Speaking of RiverClan, Mistystar's behavior honestly didn't bother me that much, oddly enough. Honestly, I'm just glad that RiverClan has opened its borders again.
I liked that Breezepelt's actions were addressed, and in a pretty funny scene, too.
And speaking of funny scenes, basically almost anything with Fuzzball and Jayfeather in the same scene has me laughing. They play off each other so well, and I thought the scene with them at Briarlight's vigil was sweet.
Which reminds me, I'm so glad that Briarlight is finally dead. This is the wild. Even the early arcs as well as DotC had a sense of realism in them, so having her live for so long was just ridiculous. It's because of I didn't feel anything when she finally died. Honestly, I felt more sympathy for Jayfeather and Briarlight's family than I did for Briarlight herself. That being sad, I glad she was at peace with dying and also that she's finally going to be able to walk again in StarClan. But really? Illness kills her? Well, at least it wasn't greencough.
It was nice to see Dovewing reuniting with her old Clanmates, and I like how there was another reason for her leaving ThunderClan than just the nightmare she had. But like I've said in the past, I'm honestly just glad her story arc is finally over. I'm also glad that Bumblestripe has been a good sport about it, and I hope he finds his own happiness someday.
Another thing I liked is that Yarrowleaf and Sleekwhisker are back, and they played off each other well: Yarrowleaf is genuinely repentant of her actions and came back as a loyal Clan cat. Sleekwhisker however has gotten worse, and I wish Violetshine or Tawnypelt had killed her! I even got a new name for her: Trashwhisker. Or just Trash. Either one will do. But seriously, she's probably the only cat I've ever come close to actually hating. And I love it! It's why I'm glad she didn't get redeemed; she makes a good antagonist in my eyes.
Tree being given the rank of a mediator was interesting, and certainly fits him given what we've seen of him throughout the book.
Rowanclaw died honorably as I assumed he would. Really, where was this cat throughout the arc? I also kind of wish he had better parting words for Tawnypelt, but at least he's finally at peace now.
Speaking of Tawnypelt, I feel so bad for her. First Flametail, then Dawnpelt, then Tigerheart runs away, and now she loses Rowanclaw. Then she loses her chance at becoming leader and yes I'm still salty about it, but at least she was deputy after Tigerheart left, so that's something at least. I also understand why Puddleshine wanted to wait, but it still feels disappointing.
I also love how Leafstar was more stern in this book. She's really come a long way from the leniant leader we saw back in SD.
Rippletail being a kittypet was disappointing, though. Which makes me question what the official story here is: either Buster is actually supposed to be Slatefur, or Rippletail really did become a kittypet and his appearance in TS was actually supposed to be Slatefur. Still, if it is the latter, it's good that Puddleshine has his brother back after losing all his kin.
The ending also kind of bothered me a bit. Usually penultimate books in general are supposed to foreshadow what's to come in the last book, but it didn't feel that way in RoF. Actually, this book felt more like a finale to the arc, if anything.
Overall, I thought this book was just okay.