Aether's Book Review! + Warriors Chat
Feb 10, 2020 4:52:25 GMT -5
Uмвяᴀ, 𝓣𝓲𝓷𝓾𝓿𝓲𝓮𝓵, and 3 more like this
Post by aether on Feb 10, 2020 4:52:25 GMT -5
Aether's Book Review!
This is random, why do I care? You might be asking yourself upon entering this thread and honestly, you don't care. Nor do you have to care. I have been re-reading the warriors series as of late and I have reignited my Warriors passion from 5-6 years ago, when I stopped the reading the books. This thread is going to be a place of discussion (not argument, not even debate, really). I am going to do a little 'book review' where I discuss my thoughts and opinions on the books, the characters, the plot, etc and you can reply with your own if you'd like. Or you don't have too. This is more to entertain myself, than anything else. But if you fancy reading on about my thoughts and opinions, welcome! I am aether, and here it is.
This is also a peaceful place to just discuss your own thoughts, opinions, or other random tidbits. Just like a warriors chatroom I guess. Because sometimes I just wanna chat but don't have a good thread idea to discuss it, y'know?
Please note: not everyone is up to the same book as you or I, so anything that could contain spoilers, please put it in a spoiler box! Thanks.
Currently reading: Forest Of Secrets, The Prophecies Begin
Book Review 1: Into The Wild
Where to start. Re-reading this book after about 8 years brought back so many nostalgic memories. Also, re-reading it as an adult made me realize how much this book is dedicated to a younger audience because of its very minimalist writing style. Not a great lot of description, but enough to get one by with a picture in their head. Once again, perfectly appropriate for its target audience. It also meant I was able to read through the book in a matter of hours as I sat at work, alone, for a total of 8 hours just reading it on my phone.
Obviously, this book introduces the series protagonist: Firepaw. Along with him, there's Graypaw, Ravenpaw, Bluestar, and Tigerclaw (among the others, but they seem less important to the plot). We spend most of the first half of the book watching Firepaw learn about the ways of the clan whilst we see that Tigerclaw is obviously the antagonist, constantly being snarky and spreading rumours about Ravenpaw.
To me, I am bewildered as to how no one other than Firepaw and Ravenpaw was suspicious of Tigerclaw! Even Graypaw only tags along because he wants to support his friends, but he has his doubts. Yet it is constantly mentioned how Tigerclaw is growling, throwing dirty stares, making snarky remarks. I suppose it would be more obvious to Firepaw that he is doing it, but come on. Y'all telling me no one else noticed? We as the reader are given no other option but to accept that Tigerclaw is evil! Alas, the series would not be a series if everyone just automatically believed Firepaw and threw out the bad guy, but I feel like there was no subtly in this part of the plot.
Bluestar is also introduced and I have to say, more than before, I really love this cat. She is such a fair leader and even I, as the reader, seem to feel relieved when Bluestar is around! She always knows what to say and do. Graypaw also, such a goofy character in this book that one just can't help but love him. Finally, Yellowfang! Love this character, her grouchy personality tied in with her gentle side - what's not to love? I think the fact that Firepaw shares the common ground of not 'belonging' in ThunderClan, just like Yellowfang, really ties the pair together.
Now, let's talk plot!
It is introduced rather early that WindClan was chased out by ShadowClan, and now the clans are hunting in WindClan territory. This is a solid plotline that is weaved throughout the book, but I feel like the main focus of this book was setting up Firepaw and his merging into the Clan. This is totally understandable, as if they had just skimmed over that it would have seemed less dramatic and make me think 'well why does it matter if he was a kittypet anyway?' And that's fair. The end of the book happens pretty quickly, I'd say, but it was definitely satisfying. I was starting to feel as though it was getting slow towards the middle-to-end of the book, after Ravenpaw left, etc. Then ThunderClan had their kits stolen, the battle at ShadowClan happened, and it all worked out in the end with Firepaw and Graypaw becoming Fireheart and Graystripe. It was a solid ending that left the plot open to many more adventures! (Which will be had, indeed). I do feel bad for Dustpaw and Sandpaw though, who are still apprentices after Fireheart and Graystripe were made warriors. Seemed a bit rash to make them warriors first, but it was a good completion of the book I think.
Also, with Ravenpaw leaving the Clan it just happened so suddenly. Obviously Ravenpaw had to leave or else he may have been assassinated by Tigerclaw, but it happened really quick! Ravenpaw didn't even question it, he just up'ed and left when Firepaw told him too. It just happened very quickly, I think.
One thing about this book that I struggled to get was the relationship between Spottedleaf and Firepaw. The medicine cat and Firepaw seemed to interact like three or four times before Spottedleaf was murdered and even then they didn't even say much to each other! Firepaw just kept talking about how sweet her scent was. There was no indication of love or romance in anyway. Firepaw saw Spottedleaf every time he needed assistance (e.g., getting mouse bile - which is super romantic - and getting travel herbs). Their 'relationship' (if you could call it that) was hardly present, and I have no idea how FirexSpotted could even be a thing.
To sum up my experience reading Into The Wild, I have to say, it's an all-round good book. It certainly isn't the best book and I know that the series only gets better from here, but it definitely does a good job of setting up the scene for the rest of the series. Firepaw is a fine protagonist - he has his own struggles, yet he is a nice and generally makes good decisions. Tigerclaw is a looming antagonist who, as far as we can tell, is yet to make his move. The book indicates there is more to come, and I am quick to start reading the next book.
Obviously, this book introduces the series protagonist: Firepaw. Along with him, there's Graypaw, Ravenpaw, Bluestar, and Tigerclaw (among the others, but they seem less important to the plot). We spend most of the first half of the book watching Firepaw learn about the ways of the clan whilst we see that Tigerclaw is obviously the antagonist, constantly being snarky and spreading rumours about Ravenpaw.
To me, I am bewildered as to how no one other than Firepaw and Ravenpaw was suspicious of Tigerclaw! Even Graypaw only tags along because he wants to support his friends, but he has his doubts. Yet it is constantly mentioned how Tigerclaw is growling, throwing dirty stares, making snarky remarks. I suppose it would be more obvious to Firepaw that he is doing it, but come on. Y'all telling me no one else noticed? We as the reader are given no other option but to accept that Tigerclaw is evil! Alas, the series would not be a series if everyone just automatically believed Firepaw and threw out the bad guy, but I feel like there was no subtly in this part of the plot.
Bluestar is also introduced and I have to say, more than before, I really love this cat. She is such a fair leader and even I, as the reader, seem to feel relieved when Bluestar is around! She always knows what to say and do. Graypaw also, such a goofy character in this book that one just can't help but love him. Finally, Yellowfang! Love this character, her grouchy personality tied in with her gentle side - what's not to love? I think the fact that Firepaw shares the common ground of not 'belonging' in ThunderClan, just like Yellowfang, really ties the pair together.
Now, let's talk plot!
It is introduced rather early that WindClan was chased out by ShadowClan, and now the clans are hunting in WindClan territory. This is a solid plotline that is weaved throughout the book, but I feel like the main focus of this book was setting up Firepaw and his merging into the Clan. This is totally understandable, as if they had just skimmed over that it would have seemed less dramatic and make me think 'well why does it matter if he was a kittypet anyway?' And that's fair. The end of the book happens pretty quickly, I'd say, but it was definitely satisfying. I was starting to feel as though it was getting slow towards the middle-to-end of the book, after Ravenpaw left, etc. Then ThunderClan had their kits stolen, the battle at ShadowClan happened, and it all worked out in the end with Firepaw and Graypaw becoming Fireheart and Graystripe. It was a solid ending that left the plot open to many more adventures! (Which will be had, indeed). I do feel bad for Dustpaw and Sandpaw though, who are still apprentices after Fireheart and Graystripe were made warriors. Seemed a bit rash to make them warriors first, but it was a good completion of the book I think.
Also, with Ravenpaw leaving the Clan it just happened so suddenly. Obviously Ravenpaw had to leave or else he may have been assassinated by Tigerclaw, but it happened really quick! Ravenpaw didn't even question it, he just up'ed and left when Firepaw told him too. It just happened very quickly, I think.
One thing about this book that I struggled to get was the relationship between Spottedleaf and Firepaw. The medicine cat and Firepaw seemed to interact like three or four times before Spottedleaf was murdered and even then they didn't even say much to each other! Firepaw just kept talking about how sweet her scent was. There was no indication of love or romance in anyway. Firepaw saw Spottedleaf every time he needed assistance (e.g., getting mouse bile - which is super romantic - and getting travel herbs). Their 'relationship' (if you could call it that) was hardly present, and I have no idea how FirexSpotted could even be a thing.
To sum up my experience reading Into The Wild, I have to say, it's an all-round good book. It certainly isn't the best book and I know that the series only gets better from here, but it definitely does a good job of setting up the scene for the rest of the series. Firepaw is a fine protagonist - he has his own struggles, yet he is a nice and generally makes good decisions. Tigerclaw is a looming antagonist who, as far as we can tell, is yet to make his move. The book indicates there is more to come, and I am quick to start reading the next book.
Book Review 2: Fire and Ice
This book starts exactly where the last book left off, after Fireheart and Graystripe are made warriors. Fireheart is burning with worry about Tigerclaw and Ravenpaw and desperately wants to talk to Bluestar but can't seem to find the time. Finally when he does, Bluestar doesn't believe that Tigerclaw could be evil, and informs him she doesn't want to hear anymore talking-smack about her deputy. Great. AS IF YOU CAN'T TELL TIGERCLAW IS EVIL THO??
Anyways, Fireheart and Graystripe are given the task of fetching WindClan and bringing them back to their territory. I have no idea why Bluestar trusted these two brand new warriors (literally, days after being named) with the task. I wonder if maybe StarClan had talked to her, otherwise it doesn't really make sense that they would be sent and other warriors who have more experience weren't sent. Okay, okay, I get it, the plot, but I am just saying!
It takes them like a day? To find WindClan and there's not really any issue bringing them back. In fact I thought this part of the book was a bit slow, I think there was definitely more that could have happened. I get it, the cats are tired, hungry, and wet. They just keep saying that over and over until the cats are almost back to WindClan camp then Tallstar tells Fireheart and Graystripe to go home. For me, this is where the book started picking up.
There is a border fight because returning home they decided to take a short cut, and they are attacked by a RiverClan border patrol. Sandpaw almost falls to her death, but Fireheart saves her, and then RiverClan suffered a casualty at the paws of.... Graystripe (dun, dun, dun). This leaves a bad taste in the air and now RiverClan are holding a grudge. We see a change in Sandpaw as she realises Fireheart saved her life and she is thankful, and we see a change in Graystripe as he becomes depressed feeling responsible for Whiteclaw's death.
And then after they caused that Bluestar decides to give them apprentices? They've barely been warriors long enough to remember their own name has changed! This part kind of confused me because it seems so rushed. Once again, unless Bluestar was given a special omen, I think this is plain favoritism and I kinda demand a refund.
Poor Graystripe is super depressed, Cinderpaw is kinda annoying, and Brackenpaw is understated. The book just kinda continues going until the next notable part. Graystripe falls into the river and is saved by a RiverClan she-cat. Cue the oooh-la-la's in the chat. At some point, Graystripe meets up with his savior again and fall in love. In the meantime, Fireheart is catching up with his sister back in twolegplace.
This is the saddest part for me, when Graystripe and Fireheart start fighting about loyal and stuff when they are literally both as bad as each other. Fireheart is kinda worse in my opinion because he is so judgemental of Graystripe when Fireheart is literally doing the same thing - but Graystripe doesn't know that, so he is just made out like the bad guy.
The rest of the book is basically just relationship dynamics, the fight against the rogue bandits, Cinderpaw's injury, and then the finale which is a fight in WindClan that makes Fireheart and Graystripe rekindle their relationship. The end of the book is more eventful and I enjoyed it after the lull of Fireheart's internal dialogue which is mostly just "Tigerclaw bad. Graystripe bad. Cinderpaw sad. Bluestar mad. Sandstorm do be looking kinda cute tho o.o'
The second book was fine to me, but it was pretty much a book about changing dynamics. Once again, it set the scene but other than showing the change in Fireheart and Graystripes relationship and then clan dynamics (River and Shadow VS Thunder and Wind) there wasn't much else to it.
There is definitely more that happened that I skimmed over (like Bluestar losing her life, Yellowfang's admission that she is Brokentail's mother, Cinderpaw's life-changing injury) but that's about the jist of the book.
Now, I will backtrack and mention Cinderpaw again - I originally called her annoying and I stand by it. She was annoying. She was a cute little apprentice but as a character I just wished for TWO SECONDS she would slow down. Her destiny is on her, and I came to appreciate her when she was forced to slow down due to her injury. She became more likeable when her path changed.
I know a lot of people resent Graystipe in this book because of his actions, but like I said, I think Graystipe is just a helpless tom in love a cat he shouldn't be. I personally think Fireheart is annoying and hypocritical in this book, but as the protagonist we only see what he does too.
Fire and Ice is definitely, in my opinion, a weaker book in the series. It does a lot of setting up future plot but I feel as though much of the book itself is just to pass time.
Anyways, Fireheart and Graystripe are given the task of fetching WindClan and bringing them back to their territory. I have no idea why Bluestar trusted these two brand new warriors (literally, days after being named) with the task. I wonder if maybe StarClan had talked to her, otherwise it doesn't really make sense that they would be sent and other warriors who have more experience weren't sent. Okay, okay, I get it, the plot, but I am just saying!
It takes them like a day? To find WindClan and there's not really any issue bringing them back. In fact I thought this part of the book was a bit slow, I think there was definitely more that could have happened. I get it, the cats are tired, hungry, and wet. They just keep saying that over and over until the cats are almost back to WindClan camp then Tallstar tells Fireheart and Graystripe to go home. For me, this is where the book started picking up.
There is a border fight because returning home they decided to take a short cut, and they are attacked by a RiverClan border patrol. Sandpaw almost falls to her death, but Fireheart saves her, and then RiverClan suffered a casualty at the paws of.... Graystripe (dun, dun, dun). This leaves a bad taste in the air and now RiverClan are holding a grudge. We see a change in Sandpaw as she realises Fireheart saved her life and she is thankful, and we see a change in Graystripe as he becomes depressed feeling responsible for Whiteclaw's death.
And then after they caused that Bluestar decides to give them apprentices? They've barely been warriors long enough to remember their own name has changed! This part kind of confused me because it seems so rushed. Once again, unless Bluestar was given a special omen, I think this is plain favoritism and I kinda demand a refund.
Poor Graystripe is super depressed, Cinderpaw is kinda annoying, and Brackenpaw is understated. The book just kinda continues going until the next notable part. Graystripe falls into the river and is saved by a RiverClan she-cat. Cue the oooh-la-la's in the chat. At some point, Graystripe meets up with his savior again and fall in love. In the meantime, Fireheart is catching up with his sister back in twolegplace.
This is the saddest part for me, when Graystripe and Fireheart start fighting about loyal and stuff when they are literally both as bad as each other. Fireheart is kinda worse in my opinion because he is so judgemental of Graystripe when Fireheart is literally doing the same thing - but Graystripe doesn't know that, so he is just made out like the bad guy.
The rest of the book is basically just relationship dynamics, the fight against the rogue bandits, Cinderpaw's injury, and then the finale which is a fight in WindClan that makes Fireheart and Graystripe rekindle their relationship. The end of the book is more eventful and I enjoyed it after the lull of Fireheart's internal dialogue which is mostly just "Tigerclaw bad. Graystripe bad. Cinderpaw sad. Bluestar mad. Sandstorm do be looking kinda cute tho o.o'
The second book was fine to me, but it was pretty much a book about changing dynamics. Once again, it set the scene but other than showing the change in Fireheart and Graystripes relationship and then clan dynamics (River and Shadow VS Thunder and Wind) there wasn't much else to it.
There is definitely more that happened that I skimmed over (like Bluestar losing her life, Yellowfang's admission that she is Brokentail's mother, Cinderpaw's life-changing injury) but that's about the jist of the book.
Now, I will backtrack and mention Cinderpaw again - I originally called her annoying and I stand by it. She was annoying. She was a cute little apprentice but as a character I just wished for TWO SECONDS she would slow down. Her destiny is on her, and I came to appreciate her when she was forced to slow down due to her injury. She became more likeable when her path changed.
I know a lot of people resent Graystipe in this book because of his actions, but like I said, I think Graystipe is just a helpless tom in love a cat he shouldn't be. I personally think Fireheart is annoying and hypocritical in this book, but as the protagonist we only see what he does too.
Fire and Ice is definitely, in my opinion, a weaker book in the series. It does a lot of setting up future plot but I feel as though much of the book itself is just to pass time.
Book Review 3: Forest of Secrets
coming soon