Thoughts on Shadow as I Read
Jan 3, 2024 15:38:41 GMT -5
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𝓣𝓲𝓷𝓾𝓿𝓲𝓮𝓵, vectoring34, and 1 more like this
Post by Katanaheart on Jan 3, 2024 15:38:41 GMT -5
Finally, I have Shadow! My goal is also to be finished with the book before the end of the year. My second goal is at least having this book completed before the next college semester starts on January 8th.
Prologue
And didn’t expect for the Prologue to open with Berryheart’s near death at the paws of Darktail. I can’t remember if she’s supposed to be pregnant in this scene or if she discovers so later. Considering the age difference between her litter and Dovewing’s it’s likely she and Sparrowtail mated while they were both in exile/on the run.
Also ShadowClan’s had a fairly long history of being ruined by outsiders on various levels: Sol, Darktail, Tigerstar I, all outsiders so Berryheart does have a very realistic and believable fear. Doesn’t apply to Fringewhisker but knowing that Berryheart was one of the near drowned cats, her trauma is rather intense. And she’s just one of the few that got away which was likely paramount to her success. If any of her Clanmates had succeeded like she did, Darktail definitely would be slicing throats before sending the bodies into the deep.
She must also be where RC and SC’s borders kinda connect, at least in relation as to how I have imagined Tigerstar II and Dovewing’s route to the Guardian cats.
I miss the Guardian cats.
Chapter 1
Frostpaw! Yay, Frostpaw! I was worried I’d be opening into a Nightheart chapter.
Ah, the immediate aftermath of Tigerstar II’s takeover, great.
To be fair, you couldn’t predict dogs eating your mom, Frostpaw. So I wouldn’t exactly count that as a failure. Owlwhisker was a very poor choice and everyone dropped the ball on that one. (Good job, Mothwing)
“I want hunting patrols. Not all of you are badly hurt.”
And who hurt them, Tigerstar II? Who hurt them?
Who nearly killed grandma Duskfur because he wants to be like his namesake so bad?
And let’s desecrate another Clan’s gathering spot while we’re at it, Tigerstar II. Get your claws out of the Highstump.
You’re here because you want to take your anger out on something and believe your StarClan’s gift to the Clans, owl-food.
No, Harelight! If everyone attacks Tigerstar II together, I can be free of him! Surely, one of you can rip into his underbelly if you all attack at once!
Lights in the Mist, I hate that dumb title.
It is totally fair, Icewing. It IS Owlnose’s fault. If he had bothered with attending the ceremony, RiverClan could potentially even have answers as to who the next leader should be.
But nope, got cold paws.
But I do agree with Icewing that now isn’t the time, even if I do want everyone to charge Tigerstar II and rip him apart.
The Clan does need two healers right now who can tend to wounds after a coup.
“This is not a conquest.” You came in, nearly killed a senior warrior of RiverClan, and started barking orders. Don’t give me this wasn’t a “conquest,” nonsense.
Leaving your deputy specifically is a bit of a dumb move, Tigerstar II. Who’s going to organize the patrols while she’s gone?
I’m glad there’s one cat here who accepts that I’ll lord over you. Is more like it.
I also agree with Duskfur, you’re only choosing Icewing because she’ll listen to ShadowClan as she owes ShadowClan, her life.
Splashtail also hasn’t had an apprentice, choose Breezeheart instead. She needs screentime and is mentoring an apprentice.
I find it funny that Frostpaw’s thought process implies that Mothwing isn’t a real medicine cat.
Is this talk going to be about a future as Icestar, Icewing?
Chapter 2
It was a conquest, it was always going to come to blows, Sunbeam.
Berryheart is correct up until the point of outsiders. The only large group right now is the Sisters and they migrate too much, they’re not going to be an issue. Although Sleekwhisker and the Kin remnants are a possibility, of course, that isn’t who Berryheart is referring too. She’s referring to Fringewhisker.
Hopefully they’ll invade ShadowClan and kill Tigerstar II or beat him up, both are too much for me to hope for. But I can dream for a Cloverstar leadership.
Me suffering through more Nightheart screen-time, that’s what is going on, Sunbeam.
And now he’s lying to Gullswoop.
Someone drag him out of camp, please!
At least Gullswoop is uninterested because of food or she just doesn’t believe Nightheart.
Likely the former.
Yes, thank you. Berate him for his foolishness and not even telling you about it.
No, no, you should have snapped at him. He deserves it.
You don’t even know if you want a mate and here he’s waltzed in, loudly spoke to people about both of you being mates, when you don’t even like him in such a manner.
It was not.
He wants an escape from TC.
Berryheart, calm down. This is the opposite of Spireclaw’s situation, although the factor of Nightheart being more trouble than Fringewhisker is… more of a reasonable concern, tbh. (More in the fact that he’ll get himself killed like Lightleap and Blazefire or needlessly argue with ShadowClan cats.)
Using Fringewhisker was not a good argument, just mention to Berryheart that you didn’t even ask him to join ShadowClan. This was his idea.
Why suffer heat when you can reasonably and honestly throw Nightheart under the bus, as he deserves?
These are all reasonable concerns and the last thing is why I’ve been hating this whole Clan-switching.
Chapter 3
Why couldn’t I have been present for Tawnypelt screentime? At least make his pov bearable.
And why bring Nightheart, an untested ThunderClan warrior to an emergency gathering? Do you want to throw your weight around at your uncle and be all: Look, who has your grandson!
This is very poor political decision making but I imagine Tigerstar II is too busy fawning over himself to realize that.
And yes, because hostile conquest and nearly murdering a senior warrior to get RiverClan to further surrender is… reasonable.
And yes, Tigerstar II is behaving like good old grandad or great grandad in your case, Nightheart.
Did Fringewhisker tell?
Famous grandpa, Leafstar. Ancestor is being it like Tigerstar I was around when Mapleshade was alive,
He says as he takes over RiverClan like the first Tigerstar. Just instead of swaying his hips for Leopardstar, he nearly killed Duskfur. (I’ve never read Tigerclaw’s Fury so I’m guessing his charisma did him some favors as usual.)
I’m helping by invading, putting my deputy or puppet RiverClan cats in charge, see?
That does not explain at all, what happened. You only found that out AFTER you conquered RiverClan.
I don’t feel sorry for Owlnose, even trying to meet at the Moonpool could have gotten RiverClan something. Silence or even word that he wasn’t leader would have been better options.
Help and advice, he says when he caused the people he was advising to bleed and need healing.
We attacked them in their camp, that proves they can’t defend themselves.
Unbelievable fox-dung. This is almost Brokenstar levels of talk considering he drove out WindClan instead of lording over them.
(Also RC and SC later on in Fire and Ice if TC hadn’t helped out.)
And if they don’t accept it, you’ll actually kill one of their warriors this time, right?
He has no good reason for what he has done, stupid, brainless, Nightheart.
Also notice one of your warrior ancestors IS Tigerstar I and Oakstar, who I imagine might be very pleased that RiverClan is broken and that most of Appledusk’s descendants are dead.
Thank you, Bramblestar for pointing that out!
And why did you have to bother speaking? Sit down, the leaders are talking! You don’t hear Crowfeather yapping, do you? Sit and shut up with your fellow loud mouth.
Once again, showing how TC is fractured and Squirrelflight is too impudent to be a deputy, let alone a leader.
And he’s letting his puppet do the talking. Mothwing, do anything instead of being a dead bug on a log!
At least TC and SkyClan don’t believe Icewing, a relief.
And they weren’t injured by another Clan, Nightheart, that’s the positive.
Probably peacefully and I’d have less of a headache with Squirrelflight around.
Yes, another cat who can’t hear StarClan, aka your son.
And Puddleshine, while he has a StarClan connection, I doubt RiverClan would listen to him.
Stop ordering people around and go choke on a mouse.
Frankly, I feel Alderheart would be best as it could remind Mothwing of Leafpool. (Although I do want some WindClan action regardless.)
I’m not surprised by Bramblestar being indecisive when it comes to his nephew, yet again. He’s allowed his kin to cloud his senses before and he’s doing it now. If this was Harestar’s decision making, Bramblestar would likely be responding differently.
Also for all of Squirrelflight’s yapping, Leafstar isn’t going to do anything. It’s like an annoying ginger fly with a white wing buzzing around.
I would also like that better, Berryheart.
I also agree with her that the tests need to be more difficult and include the skills of the new Clan. ShadowClan has the perfect examples of stealth, ambushes in shadows, and night hunting.
And here’s the other peanut gallery, hi Crowfeather.
A good idea from Finchlight as long as the tasks aren’t super easy and miss the point.
And he missed the point, entirely. Good job, Nightheart!