I have Sky!

I will say though I don’t like Sparkpelt for how she acted at the very beginning of this book just because Nightheart changed his name. It just feels icky when you connect it to the real life equivalent of deadnaming. But I liked her in River.

Mothwing tells Tigerstar to mind his business and they don't need help. Tigerstar thinks they do, and Sunbeam hears darkness edge his mew as he insists. Tigerstar says that since they share history and borders, he thinks ShadowClan should start governing RiverClan. This is met with many objections from others who claim he can't be leader of two Clans. Tigerstar ignores them, and tells Mothwing the need a leader. Tawnypelt shoves her way to the front of the crowd and asks if he's forgotten his grandfather, who pulled the same stunt years ago, and she tells him that no leader should lead more than one Clan. Sunbeam is confused, but Nightheart briefly explains the actions of Tigerstar I.

Mothwing shares Tawnypelt's sentiments, and she says that RiverClan has already suffered under a Tigerstar and they won't be doing it again. As she says this, Sunbeam sees Tigerstar look hurt, and then snarls that he's not the first Tigerstar and he's already given sanctuary to cats wrongfully exiled from their Clans. He says he's not wanting to take over, but genuinely just help since RiverClan is in shambles. Brackenpelt hisses that Tigerstar seems to be forgetting about what happened with Darktail, her eyes filled with fear. Tigerstar says he's no rogue. Brackenpelt says it certainly seems like he's trying something similar since Darktail took over ShadowClan and then RiverClan. Tawnypelt objects and says to let RiverClan govern themselves, which is supported by Crowfeather, Duskfur, Mallownose, and Mothwing. Tigerstar flattens his ears in annoyance.

Leafstar steps forward, calls for quiet, and says that Tigerstar made his proposal, and while she's sure he has the best intentions, she offers Fidgetflake to go help in RiverClan, and with a look at Mothwing, she says that she respects Mothwing but her lack of connection to StarClan is part of the problem. Mothwing says they have Frostpaw. Leafstar says she's an apprenctice. Leafstar adds that Fidgetflake will only help with the nine lives, nothing more. Mothwing begrudgingly accepts the offer, but to Tigerstar's annoyance. Tigerstar says they'll worry about the catmint issue after the succession crisis is resolved, but Leafstar and Harestar too tired to argue and move on, but offer their condolences for Tigerstar of Rowankit's death. He doesn't agree. Leafstar sighs and says they'll need to figure it out at the next full moon and tells everyone to go home, and the gathering breaks up.

Sunbeam says she hopes Fidgetflake can figure out things RiverClan. Nightheart agrees, as he's resourceful and kind. Lionblaze hollers for Nightheart to come back to ThunderClan. Sunbeam and him say their goodbyes and split off.

Sunbeam catches up to Tigerstar, Dovewing, and Berryheart. Tigerstar is grumbling that Fidgetflake won't solve anything. Dovewing says he might, as he's far more experienced than Frostpaw. Tigerstar snorts and says Leafstar's just helping RiverClan play for time. Berryheart asks why he cares. Tigerstar, surprised, says that there's a weak Clan at their border, and it's best to deal with it before it gets worse. Berryheart argues that RiverClan shares a border with WindClan too, but Harestar's not stepping up to help. Dovewing says it's best to worry about these things tomorrow, as they're all exhausted. Berryheart and Tigerstar glare, but then break apart.

Sunbeam watches them, and wonders why Berryheart seems so set on confronting Tigerstar. Sunbeam thinks Tigerstar has noble intentions, but can't help but feel if Rowankit's death is clouding his judgement. But she knows that Berryheart will make Sunbeam choose sides some day, and it will be ugly.

tawnypelt did NOT hold back...she's really the backbone of shadowclan for real. i can't believe tiger even suggested that bro
i hope fidgetflake can help riverclan out! and i'm so for the rising tension between berryheart and tigerstar, even though i don't really like either of them

Tigerstar is really out here trying to be his evil grandfather and namesake without even realizing it. Somebody overthrow this fool already, for heaven's sake. Hurry up, Berryheart. Although my take on Tigerstar provoking a conflict due to his grief over Rowankit's death was correct. So, yay? Tawnypelt better scold her son further when they get home.

Good luck in RiverClan, Fidgetflake!

I'm actually kind of amazed they remembered the vole thing at all. Frankly, both sides have a point, but I just wish they'd stop arguing in general!

Tawnypelt and Leafstar are helping knock sense into everyone today, I love them. Props to Tawnypelt for telling off her son and Leafstar helping think of sort of a compromise.
This is really heating up, I'm really excited to see how the RiverClan succession crisis plays out.

- Nightheart is still doing apprentice duties. He thinks that the elders could maybe catch dead prey or ancient squirrels. Brightheart has nearly recovered from her greencough. He tries to work out how much longer he'll be doing apprentice duties as he wants Spotfur's kits to become apprentices. As he's finishing up, he decides to put in half the effort to fixing the nests as he assumes they won't ask him to do it again if it's terrible.

- Leafstar arrives in ThunderClan to speak with Squirrelflight and Bramblestar. Squirrelflight is friendly, while Bramblestar avoids her eyes and keeps shifting uneasily (Nightheart makes a comment that Bramblestar will forget how to hunt soon as well). Leafstar wants to talk about Tigerstar's plans with RiverClan, and she feels he's up to something. Squirrelflight agrees, but Bramblestar mews that Tigerstar has good intentions.

- Squirrelflight belittles Bramblestar a lot during the conversation for thinking positively of Tigerstar. Leafstar says ambition is in Tigerstar's blood. Bramblestar gets annoyed and says he and Tigerstar are kin. Leafstar says she means no ill will to Bramblestar at all, but she's still worried about Tigerstar's plans. She's worried that Fidgetflake may not be able to help Owlnose. Bramblestar says Tigerstar might be able to help, which Leafstar disagrees with. He points out he shut up about the topic after Leafstar asserted herself, but Leafstar grumbles she knows full well Tigerstar doesn't "shut up" about things. Bramblestar says he wants to see how it plays out before getting involved.

- Leafstar says she disagrees, but she's also not here to order Bramblestar around, and says she would like to just keep these things between the three of them, and leaves, but also says she feels Squirrelflight and Bramblestar are being naive. When Leafstar leaves, Squirrelflight starts yelling at Bramblestar for what he said and underestimating Tigerstar.

- As soon as Squirrelflight raises her voice, Bramblestar locks his eyes with hers and growls that he's the leader, and it's his call. Squirrelflight seems to contemplate actually hitting Bramblestar before walking off. Bramblestar then stops being angry and just looks defeated. Nightheart tries to creep away from eavesdropping, but Bramblestar catches him. Bramblestar doesn't seem to care (or doesn't know) that Nightheart was hearing the conversation, and invites him for a walk.

- Bramblestar asks Nightheart what he felt about the gathering last night. Nightheart says it felt odd. Bramblestar says he doesn't want to get involved in other Clans affairs. Nightheart points out it's happened before, like with BloodClan or the Kin, and reminds Bramblestar he took in several refugees from ShadowClan. Nightheart says he thinks they should help RiverClan because they can't be sure of what Tigerstar is planning. Bramblestar asks how he's sure of that. Nightheart suggests sending a spy to ShadowClan, and explains it's just to figure out what's going on in RiverClan and ShadowClan. Bramblestar leans closer to Nightheart and says that Nightheart knows a ShadowClan warrior quite well, and he's well aware that Nightheart and Sunbeam are close, having seen them together at the gathering.

- Bramblestar asks Nightheart to be the spy, but warns that he'd need to be careful and take a friend. Nightheart asks for Bayshine, and Bramblestar agrees. Nightheart sees that Bramblestar has no doubts over him, but then he whispers to Nightheart that no cat must know he's there, not even Squirrelflight.

*ignoring the BrambleSquirrel mess to keep my sanity*

Wait, wasn't there a mention of Nightheart possibly spying in that article about him which came out a while ago? Or at least didn't someone suggest he would be a spy on there? I can't remember the details right now.

But really though, why does the relationship drama between BrambleSquirrel always get worse when it's a Kate Cary book smh.

I don't think that will happen even though a lot of fans want it to. But considering that she fought for him in TBC and they also reconciled in her SE, there is no way the writing team will let them break up or kill off Bramblestar now.

This is one of the few times I agree with Tawnypelt to be honest. I'm glad she called Tigertwo out for his behavior again, and honestly considering his what we've seen o far, I don't think Tigertwo has the best of intentions. Even if he doesn't mean it, I feel like he'll take his anger and grief out on RiverClan after losing Rowankit. Imo that is far more dangerous than some young adult having conflicting feelings. Tigertwo is a seasoned warrior in a position of power, I don't trust him at all.

Thankfully some cats disagree with his idea. Also, can I say, I love Leafstar, man.

Also, it seems Berryheart is set on going against Tigertwo, and genuinely I don't know how I feel about that. I don't like either of them right now.

Why would that even be plausible? He's got PTSD and dementia? He's old. I don't think it's SquirrelBramble drama, it's just Bramblestar genuinely being unstable at this point mentally, and because they're cats he can't exactly just get medical treatment. Imo its a bit uncomfortable to word things that way, it implies that it took his mental health declining for him to "prove" his relationship with Squirrel was "bad" and she should leave him for that reason.

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.

A chronic or persistent disorder of the mental processes caused by brain disease or injury and marked by memory disorders, personality changes, and impaired reasoning.