STAR SPOILER THREAD (Summaries for Each Chapter!)
Oct 25, 2024 15:44:51 GMT -5
Sand, *Faith*, and 19 more like this
Post by Pixie on Oct 25, 2024 15:44:51 GMT -5
Proof that I have it:
Chapter four:
Chapter five:
Chapter six:
Chapter seven:
Chapter eight:
Chapter nine:
Chapter ten:
Chapter eleven:
Chapter twelve:
Chapter thirteen:
Chapter fourteen:
Chapter fifteen:
Chapter sixteen:
Chapter seventeen:
Chapters eighteen and nineteen:
Chapter twenty:
Chapter twenty-one:
Chapter twenty-two:
Chapter twenty-three:
Chapter four:
- A reminder that Sunbeam and Nightheart are in the ShadowClan camp.
- Nightheart and Sunbeam are together, watching Streamkit run faster than her siblings. Nightheart makes mention of how she’ll be a fine apprentice and Sunbeam says she must inherit her speed from her mother, Cinnamontail.
- Sunbeam is in a good mood because of Berryheart turning against Splashtail and hopes that her mother asks Tigerstar if she can return to ShadowClan.
- Tigerstar had asked Nightheart and Sunbeam to stay in the ShadowClan camp in case something happens while he’s gone.
- Sunbeam tells Nightheart he should eat, but Nightheart says it feels wrong to eat ShadowClan prey, and there is some back-and-forth about how long it will take for Tigerstar to return from RiverClan. Nightheart states that RiverClan will probably want to sort out their business themselves without ShadowClan interference, while Sunbeam replies that “ShadowClan has only ever tried to help.” Nightheart agrees, but he just wants to go home.
- The conversation turns into one about Frostpaw with the two being concerned for her.
- The invisible camera pans to Mothwing and Duskfur. Duskfur asks Mothwing how she’s doing and Mothwing responds with “better.” Duskfur then fetches Mothwing a stiff mouse.
- A patrol returns but Nightheart notices something wrong.
- Splashtail pulls up with RiverClan warriors.
- Nightheart notices Hollowspring and Sparrowtail in the patrol (Sunbeam’s brother and father).
- The cats start to realize that Splashtail planned this.
- Berryheart pads into the camp, no longer limping.
- Splashtail plans to take over ShadowClan. He mentions how Berryheart told him that Tigerstar is a bad leader.
Notable quote: “‘It’s for your own good,’ Splashtail told them. ‘You’ll see, in time. Once I’m the leader of both RiverClan and ShadowClan, everyone will be happier.’” (Star, p. 77).
- Cloverfoot attacks Splashtail and all hell breaks loose.
- Sunbeam sees Berryheart beating Blazefire up and realizes her mom had lied to her.
- Nightheart stops her from joining the fight between the two, knowing Sunbeam would never forgive herself if she hurt her mother.
- The mates split up. Nightheart stays to fight and since Splashtail wants Mothwing and Duskfur dead, Sunbeam takes the two to a hidden gully.
- Nightheart becomes aware of the fact ShadowClan is outnumbered.
- Nightheart and Lizardtail get into a fight and Nightheart asks him why he’s doing this.
Notable quote: “Lizardtail began to writhe in Nightheart’s grip. ‘We have no choice,’ he spat. ‘Splashstar already killed my son, Harelight. Now Gorseclaw is the only kin I have left! I have to protect him! Splashstar is holding the kits and Havenpelt hostage. If we don’t fight, he’ll kill them one by one. He says he’ll start with the kits’” (Star, p. 82).
- Nightheart realizes with horror that Havenpelt is Splashtail’s mother and that the kits are his kin as well.
- The chapter ends with Sunbeam racing back into the camp with the border patrol.
Chapter five:
- Chapter starts with Sunbeam racing back. She had made Mothwing and Duskfur promise not to leave the gully until someone came for them.
- She connects with the border patrol who were also on their way back to the ShadowClan camp, tells them that RiverClan attacked, and that Splashtail is still RiverClan’s leader.
- Sunbeam and the border patrol jump into the fight with Sunbeam heading to help Nightheart.
- The two square up with Mallownose. Oakfur calls the intruders a pack of dogs.
- New curse word drop: “fish-licker” (Nightheart calls Mallownose this).
- Sunbeam goes to help Oakfur who is struggling with Breezeheart.
- Another curse word drop: “webfoot” (Breezeheart saying that’s what Oakfur called her. These geezers man. If an old man called me webfoot, I’d beat him up too /jk).
- More fighting…ShadowClan is losing.
- Sunbeam tells Nightheart that he has to go get help from ThunderClan. Nightheart says that’ll take too long. She voices her fears about Splashtail finding Duskfur and Mothwing who are still technically on the territory. He begs her to come with him. She replies no, which prompts Nightheart stating that he’ll stay. However, Sunbeam presses on saying he needs to tell the other Clans what happened and that she has to stay because it’s her mother who caused all of this. After some more back-and-forth and urging from Oakfur, Nightheart finally relents and leaves.
- Tawnypelt saves Blazefire from receiving a killing blow. Sunbeam hurries to Splashtail and runs into him. Splashtail asks Berryheart if this is her kit. Berryheart basically says yes and to not waste energy on her. For a second, Sunbeam thinks her mom is trying to protect her until her mom continues on about how the only way to really hurt Sunbeam is to hurt Nightheart.
- The RiverClan cats officially win the battle. Tawnypelt tells Sunbeam to get out of there and that she’ll be of more help on the outside. Sunbeam argues a little bit and Tawnypelt says that she’ll make it harder on Squirrelstar if she becomes a hostage. She goes on to say that Sunbeam isn't a ShadowClan cat anymore. She needs to go get ThunderClan and save them.
- Tawnypelt helps Sunbeam to sneak out through a tunnel. Sunbeam, in the tunnel, hears Shadowsight arguing with Splashtail. Splashtail doesn’t want to give the wounded cats herbs because he is now in control of the herbs and their distribution. Shadowsight convinces him to let him treat cats because he’s not going to want unhealthy/sick warriors.
- Splashtail demands Berryheart to fetch the herbs and Sunbeam wonders what had become of her mother. She changes her mind about leaving and decides she’s going to stay and attempt to save her mother.
Chapter six:
- Frostpaw is wondering what’s happening in the ShadowClan camp.
- Tigerstar has been pacing, throwing threats, but hasn’t attacked the RiverClan cats guarding the group.
- Tigerstar says he hopes that there is a place in the Dark Forest reserved for Splashtail. Frostpaw says she just hopes Puddleshine is safe.
- Tigerstar wants to attack the RiverClan cats, but the idea is shot down by Stonewing due to how easy it would be to just push the ShadowClan cats into the water (they can’t swim). Frostpaw had offered earlier to sneakily swim beneath the bridge that goes off the island, but Tigerstar had said no to her, rationalizing that if she made it to ShadowClan camp, Splashtail would kill her.
- Frostpaw comes up with a new idea about swimming to the ThunderClan shore from the lake. The ShadowClan cats respond with how that’s too far even for a RiverClan cat. She says Squirrelstar will help them. Lightleap replies that WindClan is closer, but Frostpaw isn’t sure if Harestar will help. Tigerstar says he’ll have to take action once he hears about Splashtail attacking ShadowClan and killing Harelight. Lightleap then also mentions how Harestar owes Frostpaw for saving Leafkit. More back-and-forth dialogue about whether or not it’s a good idea. Frostpaw just says she has to at least try. Tigerstar asks if she thinks she can swim that far and even though Frostpaw feels anxious about it, she answers with how she’s been swimming since she was a kit.
- Tigerstar and co. distract the RiverClan guards. Frostpaw gets into the water and Lightleap asks her to be careful (side note: I just want to say that I'm quite enjoying Lightleap’s characterization in the book so far).
- Frostpaw falls into a swimming pattern, knowing the moonlight reveals her in the lake. She’s swimming mostly underwater, only going up when her body absolutely demands air. And it’s pretty cool seeing RiverClan’s skillset being put to use. Once she’s far enough, she starts treading water. Albeit, the cold is starting to get to her and she she went a bit off course. Also, there’s a fish starting to circle her which really gets her going.
- She eventually makes it to the WindClan shore, rests for a bit, and thinks about how her throat got slashed. Once she catches her breath, she goes on and runs into Woodsong and Sedgewhisker. She tells them she needs to talk to Harestar.
- Sedgewhisker is sympathetic to Frostpaw, realizing she had swum all the way from the island, and offers to ask Harelight for a nest that Frostpaw can sleep on.
- Frostpaw gets to Harestar and tells him everything. His hesitation throws Frostpaw into dismay. He then says he’ll speak to his Clan. He goes on about how he’ll speak to Leafstar and Squirrelstar at dawn and they’ll go to ShadowClan themselves to see what’s happening. This gives Frostpaw a sense of relief and the WindClan leader orders that Frostpaw be found a nest and for Kestrelflight to look after her.
- The chapter ends with Harestar saying they have a long day ahead of them tomorrow.
Chapter seven:
- Nightheart feels regret about not staying with Sunbeam. He helps Duskfur get the wounded Mothwing out of the gully. Duskfur then joins them.
- There’s some conversation about how it must’ve been rough leaving behind Sunbeam. Duskfur and Mothwing reassure Nightheart that everything will be alright.
- The three cats head through SkyClan territory where they start to wonder whether or not Splashtail might be aiming to conquer SkyClan next. They keep on going before they hear something. They realize there’s a kit. Nightheart says he’ll go investigate and tells Duskfur she needs to get Mothwing to ThunderClan territory in case anything happens. He tells them that if he’s not back by moonhigh, then to get to ThunderClan and stay out of sight.
- Nightheart recognizes Fognose pushing forward a white fluffy kit. Sneezecloud was with them as well. He starts to realize that the RiverClan cats are stealing SkyClan kits (omg, kit stealing is back). Splashstar had ordered them to do so.
- Nightheart launches himself at the RiverClan cats. He yells back at Mothwing and Duskfur to run to ThunderClan. Nightheart then offers himself to replace the kits. The two see his value in being a ThunderClan cat and Squirrelstar’s kin. Nightheart knows he can sneak off anytime and is happy that the kits are safe.
- Okay, Fognose and Sneezecloud are such a comedic duo or maybe I’m reading too much into the text idk. I’m reading their dialogue in a funny voice. I could be crazy. Anyways, there’s a mini timeskip and the two are arguing because they lost Nightheart. Nightheart is currently hiding in a bed of reeds, crouching low in water. This was his second escape attempt throughout the night.
- He wonders if he should make a swim for it, noting that RiverClan cats learn to do it as kits. However, before he completely backs away, Fognose plunges through the reeds and manages to grab ahold of him. Fognose and Sneezecloud beat him to exhaustion and he realizes that while he may not be able to escape now, he’ll find another way out once he’s back at the RiverClan camp.
- They arrive at the RiverClan camp and Fognose gets onto the others about not doing anything, threatening to snitch on them to Splashtail. It’s revealed that Hollowspring and Sparrowtail had to be ”persuaded” to take part in the battle with ShadowClan.
- Battle training has caused there to be little time for hunting. Nightheart has a conversation with Mosspelt and though she’s Splashtail’s mother, she says she hardly recognizes him anymore. She also says Mistpaw and Graypaw were named Mistslime and Graysludge by Splashtail due to being a traitor’s offspring and that their names will serve as reminders of Curlfeather’s betrayal (what in the hypocrisy).
- Breezeheart, Brackenpelt, and Podlight are Splashtail’s biggest supporters.
Notable quote: “Havenpelt was trembling. ‘Splashstar has convinced them that if we don’t control the other Clans, the other Clans will control us. He told them that Tigerstar’s occupation was only the start. It was just an excuse to make RiverClan part of ShadowClan. He said that the other Clans let him do it because they want to be rid of RiverClan too. New borders will give them extra land’” (Star, p. 125).
- This makes Nightheart realize that RiverClan has multiple crazy cats. The chapter ends with Nightheart asking Mosspelt and Havenpelt the names of trustworthy cats so that they can have an advantage against Splashtail. He states that they need all the advantages they can get.
Chapter eight:
- Sunbeam is hiding up in a pine tree. She had slept up there.
- The RiverClan cats get the ShadowClan cats out of their dens. Splashtail asks Nightsky if there has been any signs of Nightheart or Sunbeam, to which Nightsky replies that there hasn't, which makes Sunbeam stare.
- Berryheart says they must’ve went to ThunderClan. Owlnose says they’ll tell Squirrelstar what happened and Splashtail responds with the sooner ThunderClan is dealt with, the better.
- Splashtail tells Minnowtail and Graysludge to guard the nursery and then tells the ShadowClan warriors they can eat. Cloverfoot says she’s not eating the food RiverClan catches for them.
Notable quote: “Splashtail blinked at her coolly. ‘We’re all one Clan now,’ he told her. ‘Or hadn’t you realized?’ He lifted his muzzle. ‘This is the first dawn of your new lives as RiverClan warriors’” (Star, p. 129). I’m starting to really like Splashtail as a villain. I wasn’t too sure about him in Wind, but Star really kicks it up a notch into how manipulative he is.
- The ShadowClan warriors protest. Tensions run high and it seems like the ShadowClan warriors are about to fight the RiverClan ones. Splashtail shuts it down. “‘Every scratch you inflict on my warriors will be carved into your kits’” (Star, p. 130). I hope I’m not quoting the book too much.
- Sunbeam wonders if her mother was okay with all of this and watches as she calmly chooses a piece of prey from the fresh-kill pile. Splashtail says he needs to speak to the RiverClan cats. Sunbeam continues watching her mother. Berryheart doesn’t join them and insteads drop prey in front of Yarrowleaf and whispers into her ear. Sunbeam drops into the outskirt of camp and heads to a spot to eavesdrop on Berryheart’s conversation.
- Berryheart is telling Yarrowleaf that everything is going according to plan. She got Tigerstar out of the way and now she can be leader and ShadowClan can be run the right way. Snaketooth drops in and now all three of them are talking. Berryheart says she’s using Splashtail and that he’ll deal with Tigerstar. Once Tigerstar is gone, ShadowClan can go back to the way it used to be. Berryheart tells them to follow her lead and to tell the others she’s on their side.
- Splashtail calls Berryheart over. Owlnose had snitched. Berryheart says she was testing the ShadowClan cats and Splashtail tells her to prove it. He brings Yarrowleaf over and tells Berryheart to kill her. When Berryheart doesn’t do it, Splashtail orders for his warriors to get rid of her. He says he’s returning to camp and leaves Owlnose in charge.
- Once he leaves, an argument forms between Owlnose and Berryheart. Owlnose blames Berryheart for Harelight’s death and Berryheart says that Harelight was going to end up dead anyways for being weak. It escalates and Owlnose charges into her with Nightsky and Lizardtail right behind him. Sunbeam forces herself to stay put as she watches the cats gang up on Berryheart, thinking her mother will make a run for it. She doesn’t. She fights back. Sunbeam, realizing they do actually want to kill her, makes her way back into the ShadowClan camp and flings herself at Owlnose. She then joins Berryheart’s side and urges the other ShadowClan cats to help. Spireclaw is about to join them before Blazefire stops him. Blazefire says Berryheart wanted Splashtail to kill Tigerstar and that if they help Sunbeam, Splashtail will hurt the kits.
- Sunbeam steps forward, pleading with the others to let Berryheart go. Nightsky ends up charging her and Sunbeam manages to defend herself. She realizes the others are beating her mom up, so she once again steps in, fighting her way between Owlnose and Berryheart. Owlnose is about to land a killing blow on Sunbeam before Berryheart pushes her out of the way and takes it instead. Her throat gets sliced open.
- Sunbeam realizes that her mom is dead. Owlnose asks her if she wants to keep on fighting.
Notable quote: “Fury churned in her belly. Part of her wanted to kill him for what he’d done. Part of her wanted the violence to end. Part of her hoped that this was just a dream, a hideous nightmare she’d wake up from. ‘I just want this to stop,’ she whispered.
“Owlpelt’s pelt twitched along his spine. ‘So do I,’ he growled. ‘I’m sick of cats using RiverClan for their own needs. I’m sick of watching my Clanmates die so that traitors can live.’ He stared at Sunbeam, grief darkening his eyes. ‘I regret the day I turned back from the Moonpool. I should have taken responsibility. I should have agreed to be RiverClan’s leader. If I had, none of this would have happened’” (Star, p. 139).
- Spireclaw goes to console Sunbeam and they have a meaningful conversation. Spireclaw basically implies Berryheart did this to herself. The RiverClan and ShadowClan cats look at Sunbeam with pity. The chapter ends with Sunbeam going to her mother’s body, thinking about when she was in the nursery, and how she’ll never be able to feel Berryheart’s breath or smell her again.
Chapter nine:
- Frostpaw is leading a WindClan patrol to ThunderClan. She wished the WindClan cats were going faster. She was absolutely aghast when Harestar wanted to eat before leaving and even more so when he urged her to eat as well. Legit just a whole paragraph of her side-eyeing Harestar’s choices.
- Harestar had sent out another patrol to help Tigerstar and co. escape.
- Frostpaw is really going through it. She could barely sleep due to dreams about everything that’s happening. However, she feels plenty energetic (probably all of that adrenaline rushing through her).
- They arrive at the camp’s entrance and Lionblaze is the first to greet them, saying that Squirrelstar was about to send a message over.
- Lionblaze tells Frostpaw that he’s glad she’s safe and mentions Mothwing being there which gets Frostpaw going. She heads into the camp and spots Mothwing and Duskfur. She goes over to Mothwing who is getting treated by Alderheart. She asks where Sunbeam and Nightheart are. Mothwing replies that they think Sunbeam is still at ShadowClan’s camp. They don’t know where Nightheart is, though.
- The kits that Nightheart saved earlier are currently in ThunderClan camp (they went with Mothwing and Duskfur). Their names are Ridgekit (auburn she-kit) and Duskkit (white tom). The kits ask Frostpaw if she's there to steal them because she has RiverClan scent.
- Puddleshine comes out from the medicine cat den which causes Frostpaw to be relieved. They talk for a moment before Squirrelstar bounds towards her. She realizes Harestar is also there and the two speak. Anyways, everything that has happened gets explained. They hypothesize that Nightheart got taken by RiverClan cats and decide to assume that Sunbeam is a hostage in the ShadowClan camp. The two leaders are now united against Splashtail (therefore ThunderClan and WindClan).
- They’re creating a patrol to go to SkyClan to tell them their kits are safe. They also hope SkyClan will join them. Harestar says that with every Clan against Splashtail, he’ll have to give up. Frostpaw asks what they’ll do if he gives up. Duskfur says that should be for RiverClan to decide and Frostpaw wonders if there will be a RiverClan left.
- Frostpaw wants to lead the second patrol that’s going to go to RiverClan (a patrol for SkyClan, two for RiverClan, and at least one for ShadowClan). She knows a way into the camp that the RiverClan warriors won’t expect cats to come out from and only requires wading. Duskfur knows what route she’s talking about. Squirrelstar mentions how Frostpaw is only a medicine cat apprentice, but Duskfur stands up for her granddaughter saying it’s only because of recent moons that Frostpaw doesn’t have her name yet and that she also has warrior training.
- Squirrelstar asks Harestar if they should let Frostpaw do what she wants. Harestar says StarClan has shown faith in her, so there’s no reason for them not to. The chapter ends with Frostpaw thinking this: “I’m going to save RiverClan” (Star, p. 150).
Chapter ten:
- Back at the RiverClan camp, Splashtail had taken the kits to his den. He had returned before dawn and the majority of the RiverClan warriors were with him. Nightheart realizes that he’s probably also holding the ShadowClan kits hostage in their respective camp.
- Currently imprisoned in a bramble den, Nightheart had plotted escape with the others the night before. The plan ended up being void and now Nightheart is reliant on the other Clans to come and rescue them. Mosspelt and Havenpelt are concerned with what Splashtail is going to do with the kits.
- Nightheart starts plotting again, talking to Mosspelt and Havenpelt. Fognose gets brought into the conversation. Mosspelt and Havenpelt say she’s trustworthy. Nightheart calls her a kit-stealer, but they say that she did it for her kin. He decides to just go with it because she’s currently the guard and is within proximity.
- He gets her attention and I have to applaud Nightheart as an orator. I didn’t know he was so smooth with it. He gets under her skin and nitpicks the things that Splashtail does. Nightheart manages to slowly convince her that Splashtail should be driven out. However, during this conversation, Nightheart was a bit outside of the bramble den and Gorseclaw calls him out on it and brings him to Splashtail.
- As they approach Splashtail’s den, Nightheart hears Splashtail talking to himself. Gorseclaw makes Nightheart go inside first and when he sees Splashtail, he looks like he’s been possessed. He sees the kits and asks them if they’re okay.
- Splashtail asks Gorseclaw why he brought Nightheart in and Gorseclaw says he was talking to Fognose. Splashtail considers this to be trivial and tells Gorseclaw to go away. Gorseclaw asks what if Nightheart is trying to turn Fognose against him and Splashtail responds that if he’s so worried about it, just kill him.
- Gorseclaw is shocked. Splashtail says: “Don’t you want to?” (Star, p. 160). And then asks if he’s disobeying him. Nightheart is contemplating running. Gorseclaw pushes Nightheart out of the den and others are gathering around wondering what’s up. Nightheart tries to talk to Gorseclaw out of it, knowing that Gorseclaw doesn’t want to kill him.
- Splashtail comes out questioning what’s taking so long. When Gorseclaw hesitates, Splashtail says: “If you’re not going to kill that mangy squirrel-chaser, I’m going to kill a kit” (Star, pg. 162). Splashtail then goes back towards the den, then turns back, and asks if Gorseclaw has changed his mind. Gorseclaw says he’ll kill Nightheart and the chapter ends with Nightheart preparing to defend himself.
Chapter eleven:
- Sunbeam had stayed with her mother’s dead body all night. She thinks that if she hadn’t joined in on the fight, then Berryheart would still be alive.
- Sunbeam knows that she’ll never be able to have the conversation she wanted to have with her mother, not even in StarClan, and she wonders if her mother is already in the Dark Forest.
- Her eyes open when Podlight pokes her in the ribs and says that if she wants to bury her, there’s a patch of dirt near the dirtplace. He then goes on talking about how she’s like one of those cats who can’t keep themselves out of others business and that if ShadowClan hadn’t interfered with RiverClan in the first place, Splashstar wouldn’t have been so “riled up” (Star, p. 165).
- Sunbeams wonders what the flip Podlight is on about. She contemplates whether or not he really thinks that Splashtail is just angry, but she doesn’t have the energy to argue and goes back to closing her eyes and grieving. Podlight jabs at her ribs again, but when she doesn’t respond, he goes away.
- She only jolts out of her stupor when she hears fighting start. She opens her eyes and sees Crowfeather and Nightsky going at it. The ShadowClan camp is filled with WindClan, ThunderClan, and SkyClan cats fighting the RiverClan cats.
- She thinks that Nightheart made it to ThunderClan and scans the area for him. She doesn’t find him.
- The ShadowClan cats join in the fray against RiverClan.
- Sparkpelt hurries to Sunbeam and asks if she’s okay. Sunbeam then asks her where Nightheart’s at. Sparkpelt explains how Nightheart helped save SkyClan kits, but they don’t know where he’s at. She assures Sunbeam, though, that they’ll find him. She sees Berryheart’s dead body and offers Sunbeam her condolences.
- The Clans have the RiverClan cats cornered. They decide they’re going to go to the RiverClan camp and that ShadowClan is welcome to join, but they’re told to not act hastily. Harestar says that this isn’t a hunt and that Splashtail isn’t prey, but ShadowClan warriors throughout the crowd are calling for his death.
- Sunbeam calms them down by saying they're behaving in a way Splashtail would. Cloverfoot says Sunbeam is right and to act like warriors.
- The RiverClan warriors are insistent that they had no choice in the manner. Snowbird says warriors always have a choice and Scorchfur says they’ll make sure RiverClan never hurts anybody again. Now they’re talking about driving RiverClan out and tearing down their camp.
- Hawkwing intervenes and says that no harm is to come to RiverClan. Podlight, though his clanmates are cowering down, is being defiant, and claims that all the Clans want to do is control RiverClan. Hawkwing and Podlight fight. Hawkwing gets him pinned, but Podlight is insistent, and Sunbeam realizes he is as crazy as Splashtail.
- Squirrelstar asks what the rest of RiverClan believes and they say they’re mainly fearful for their kits.
- The Clans are waiting for information from Owlnose and Crowfeather. Owlnose was sent to see how many of his clanmates he could get to leave Splashtail’s side. Crowfeather was sent to tell Frostpaw’s patrol to hold back until the kits were safe. Eventually, they stop waiting, and go to RiverClan’s camp. When they get there, though, no one seems to be surprised they’re there. Owlnose had got beaten up in his quest.
- Splashtail keeps talking to an invisible cat. Harestar tells him that the Clans want him off Clan territory by sunset. Splashtail stands his ground and says his Clan will fight them (all of the other cats outnumber RiverClan three-to-one). When he looks around, though, all of the RiverClan cats are hesitant. He calls for a kit to come out: Troutkit. He uses the kit to manipulate the RiverClan cats into fighting.
- Nightheart comes out of his bramble den, alive, though blood is crusted over him. Splashtail urges the RiverClan warriors to fight and they do. It’s revealed that Nightheart’s speech didn’t convince Fognose to turn against Splashtail and she says that Splashtail is going to save RiverClan.
- Sunbeam protects Nightheart from Fognose and ends up wrestling with her, but then she starts losing the fight until Twigbranch joins in. Sunbeam then hurries towards Troutkit, wanting to get the kit away from Splashtail. Owlnose beats her to the punch. He then launches an attack on Splashtail while Troutkit goes to his mother. Splashtail, knowing he’s losing, flees and kidnaps Floatkit on his swim out.
Chapter twelve:
- Frostpaw can hear battling going on in the RiverClan camp and asks Crowfeather how long are they supposed to wait. Crowfeather says until Harestar calls for them. They get antsy and Frostpaw offers to swim over to find out what’s going on. Crowfeather and Tigerstar agree.
- Just as Frostpaw is about to get to the RiverClan camp, Splashtail hops through the reeds and swims past her. Frostpaw sees that he has a kit in his mouth. She notices Mallownose diving in after him. Fognose follows Mallownose, trying to get him to stop his pursuit, and she goes on about how Splashtail will save them. She and Mallownose get into a fight in the water.
- Realizing Splashtail is getting away, Frostpaw follows him. They both manage to make it to shore despite the strong currents. Lightleap calls from across the river. Her and the ShadowClan cats are racing to the stepping stones and Frostpaw knows that she just has to stall Splashtail until they make it over to her.
- Splashtail drops Floatkit, but keeps the kit pinned by the tail and he and Frostpaw start arguing. He’s saying the other Clans want to destroy RiverClan and that Frostpaw wants that too. That’s why she chose Owlnose to be the leader.
- Frostpaw says that’s not true and that she would defend RiverClan to death. Splashtail questions why she’s fighting with the others, then, and she says she’s defending RiverClan from him. She wonders how she could have ever had feelings for this cat and she tells him that he took everything that she’s ever loved from her. He replies that she’s undermined him.
- Frostpaw manages to catch him by surprise swiping at him. The kit gets away and she knows that she’s not going to win the fight, but she needs to keep Splashtail away from Floatkit. She basically takes a one-way beating and she thinks she’s going to die until Lightleap gets into the clash. Splashtail and Lightleap get into a rhythm before Splashtail eventually overpowers her. Frostpaw intervenes and Splashtail turns back to her. She’s about to be pulverized before she remembers something Harelight taught her and gains the upper hand. Somehow the tables have turned and now he's receiving a one-way beating.
- Splashtail is heavily wounded. He starts drifting and says that he’ll be “free of you now….You’ll be stuck in the Dark Forest….I’ll be in StarClan” (Star, pg. 195). He goes on about how he saved his Clan. I’m pretty sure he’s talking to Curlfeather, but moving on, he gives into his wounds and dies.
- Lightleap asks Frostpaw if she’s alright and the chapter ends with Frostpaw passing out.
Chapter thirteen:
- Nightheart is sore from everything. The battle is over. He tells Mosspelt that she can come out now. He sees Sunbeam comforting Havenpelt. Mosspelt asks if Splashtail is gone and Nightheart informs her that he swam away with a kit. Sunbeam follows his statement saying that Harestar will bring Floatkit back.
- Cats are just waiting around RiverClan camp, tense.
- Nightheart asks Sunbeam if she’s okay and if Fognose hurt her badly. Sunbeam says that she’s fine and tells Nightheart he needs a medicine cat. Nightheart says he isn’t the only one to which Sunbeam replies that Alderheart and Puddleshine will be at the camp soon. Nightheart then remembers the SkyClan cat and questions if they got away. Sunbeam tells him that Mothwing and Duskfur took them to ThunderClan camp. Sunbeam mentions Nightheart’s wounds again saying they look pretty bad.
- Nightheart doesn’t want to worry her, so he doesn’t tell her that the wounds were from earlier when Gorseclaw was ordered to kill him and others jumped in once he started defending himself. The thing that saved him was Owlnose coming in and distracting everyone. Splashtail had ordered Nightheart into the nursery and had retreated to his den where the kits were.
- The Clan cats start turning on the RiverClan ones for having followed Splashtail in the first place. They defend themselves saying they thought he was going to save them, that they wanted to feel safe, and he was the reason that Tigerstar’s warriors left the camp.
- Nightheart says that perhaps they really had no choice in following him. Squirrelstar responds that warriors always have a choice.
- Fognose and Mallownose come stumbling back. Havenpelt asks if Splashtail got away to which Mallownose says he doesn’t know because Fognose stopped him. Breezeheart is quick to defend Fognose, saying that she was protecting her leader. This all ends up turning into an argument.
- It stops when cats come into camp. Tigerstar is followed by Gullswoop and Whorlpelt who have the deceased Splashtail on their back. Harestar comes through with Floatkit on his back. Songleap and Brindlewing have Frostpaw on their backs. She’s alive. Cats crowd around wondering if she’s going to die.
- Discussion starts brewing about what RiverClan is going to do about their leader and medicine cat situation. Nightheart gets a bit ticked off wondering if a medicine cat is all Frostpaw is to these cats. Mallownose wonders aloud if a Clan can be a real Clan with no connection to StarClan.
- The RiverClan cats are divided in another sense now. Some are saying they’d rather live in another Clan if it means they’ll have a leader, some are saying they’d rather stay because it’s their home.
- Mothwing ends up padding into the camp. She sees a battered Frostpaw and says that neither her or Puddleshine will let her die. Once Frostpaw awakes, she’ll find out who the new RiverClan leader is supposed to be. Mothwing tells them to not give up hope and to trust StarClan.
- Fognose and Breezeheart are still yapping about how Splashtail was the world’s #1 boss. More arguing ensues. The RiverClan cats start circling in on the two and the two are exiled. They chase them out.
- Nightheart suddenly feels weary and Sunbeam asks if he feels okay. He says he wants to take a long nap (so real). He looks at Frostpaw and she assures him Mothwing won’t let her die. She tells him to go home and he asks what about her. She says she has something she needs to do. He asks what. She states that Berryheart is dead. Conversation about how that happened. Nightheart says he can go with her to bury her mother, but Sunbeam says she needs to do it along. The chapter ends with Nightheart feeling helpless.
Chapter fourteen:
- The grave for Berryheart had been dug. Hollowspring, Spireclaw, and Sparrowtail all helped with digging. Though Sunbeam wanted to do it alone, she knew that they had loved Berryheart too. They headed back to the ShadowClan camp.
- Sparrowtail and Hollowspring ask Tigerstar if they can return. Tigerstar basically tells them no. Sunbeam joins in and says that following a cat you love shouldn’t be punished. And Tigerstar asks her if she wants them to be ShadowClan again when she could ask Squirrelstar to take them in and never have to face them in battle. She says they don’t want to be a part of ThunderClan; they want to be ShadowClan.
- Sparrowtail tells her that this is their battle. He and Hollowspring manage to convince Tigerstar to let them back in and the ShadowClan leader says that it’ll take time for their clanmates to forgive them. Tigerstar then asks Sunbeam if she would like to rejoin ShadowClan. She says no and that her loyalty is to ThunderClan and to Nightheart.
- The cats go back to Berryheart’s grave for a ceremony. Snowbird and Yarrowleaf are also there. They exchange kind words and mention how they hope Berryheart finds peace in death. Sunbeam thinks in horror about how her mother is probably in the Dark Forest. Though, she starts to wonder if the Dark Forest was a place to find peace. “Perhaps it was a place where warriors could finally come to terms with the darkness that had shadowed their lives” (Star, p. 218). Sunbeam says she’ll remember that her mother died protecting her and some other things (I am lowk getting tired). She starts to wish Nightheart was there with her and she was relieved that she was going back to ThunderClan. The chapter ends with Sunbeam thinking that she won’t have the grave as a daily reminder and that she can almost pretend that her mother is alive with her clanmates and with her.
Chapter fifteen:
- Frostpaw awakes in a lot of pain. Things are flashing through her mind. She wonders if she’s become like Splastail and feels guilt for killing him, remembering back to a time where she planned a future of being his mate and the mother of kits. She wonders if her Clan is safe. She’s in a sort of half-dead state.
- She mentally lets go of RiverClan, thinking that they have to take care of themselves. It gives her peace and calm and she drifts into a mist. Curlfeather eventually comes into view and her ears are torn and she’s got a nasty wound. Frostpaw thinks back to her death and then her betrayal. She pulls away from her.
- She asks Curlfeather why she betrayed her. Curlfeather says power would’ve made her safe. Frostpaw struggles around saying that she was safe in RiverClan and flashes into reality for a moment where Mothwing tells her that she’s safe. Frostpaw goes back into the mist and Splashtail appears. She ends up backing into Curlfeather and she tells her that he isn’t real. Frostpaw says that he tried to kill her and thinks she sees regret pop up in Curlfeather’s eyes. She tells her daughter that he can’t hurt her anymore.
- Curlfeather and her walk and the fog reveals RiverClan camp where the cats are conversing about the necessity of a Clan leader. Mothwing reiterates that Frostpaw will wake up again which prompts Frostpaw to ask Curlfeather if she’s going to die.
- More of Frostpaw swishing through memories. Frostpaw sees Sunbeam and her family sitting at Berryheart’s grave. A transition to Nightheart chasing a squirrel. Frostpaw asks Curlfeather if she brought her here for something. Curlfeather tells her that this is her world and that she’s only there because Frostpaw wanted her to be. Frostpaw gets renewed with rage. She asks why she did all of this. If it really was necessary to kill Mistystar and Reedwhisker. Curlfeather says she wanted to make RiverClan strong. Frostpaw says RiverClan was fine as it was. She says that her mother had claimed that she was a medicine cat and that she could share with StarClan and that was a lie. Some more conversation. Curlfeather basically denies accountability and goes back to the Dark Forest.
- Chapter ends with Frostpaw knowing she’s going to have to fix everything that was destroyed.
Chapter sixteen:
- Leaf-bare has set in.It’s been a quarter moon since Splashtail’s death. Nightheart just finished leading a hunting patrol that had really good pickings. Lionblaze says a patrol is only as good as its leader. Poppyfrost makes a comment about how he’s becoming more like Firestar before Lionblaze shoots her a look, but Nightheart thanks her and the narrative says he isn’t sensitive about being compared to Firestar anymore.
- Nightheart gets Sunbeam a sparrow from the fresh-kill pile. He feels warm towards Sparkpelt and Finchlight who have been helping to take care of her in grief.
- Gorseclaw heads into the ThunderClan camp with Twigbranch. She and Lizardtail have been staying there since Splashtail died and Lionblaze asks him where she’s been. Gorseclaw tells him exploring and Lionblaze says that she shouldn’t be exploring ThunderClan’s territory when she’s from RiverClan, but Twigbranch who was with her defends her (him? Book uses both pronouns idek anymore). Gorseclaw says she’s thinking of joining ThunderClan and Twigbranch just wanted to help out.
- Squirrelstar says she’s honored that Gorseclaw’s thinking about joining ThunderClan, but shouldn’t she wait for RiverClan to come to a decision? Finleap says something about how it sounds like Squirrelstar doesn’t want her to join and she responds with that she just doesn’t think it’s a good time now.
- More discussion within ThunderClan camp. Talk about having more mouths to feed during leaf-bare. Poppyfrost says there’s overcrowding and she keeps tripping over tails. Twigbranch says that the warriors' den can be expanded and that Poppyfrost’s vision is probably failing if she keeps tripping over tails.
- Lionblaze states they’ve taken in enough cats and Nightheart feels Sunbeam stiffen next to him. Nightheart, Sparkpelt, and Twigbranch advocate for letting outsiders in. Squirrelstar quiets the discussion and says that they should wait and see what becomes of RiverClan. Though, the RiverClan cats in ThunderClan are worried if the Clan will ever find a leader or if Frostpaw will ever wake up.
- Squirrelstar calls Nightheart and Bayshine to her den. She says Harestar has called for a cross-Clan patrol to help RiverClan rebuild its camp since so many of its members met and they need the extra help.
- Bunch of different cats head over to RiverClan to help fix up the camp. Sneezecloud assigns tasks. While in RiverClan’s camp, Nightheart visits Frostpaw who is still in a coma. He gets back to work and more discussion about leadership continues. The chapter ends with Nightheart wondering when Frostpaw will wake up.
Chapter seventeen:
- Gathering chapter. Discussion about Frostpaw’s fate is up in the air. It’s been half a moon and she hasn’t woken up. It’s mentioned that Shadowsight has been taking frequent trips to RiverClan to let Mothwing have breaks.
- A lot of RiverClan warriors have been going into different Clans. Nightsky is in WindClan. Gorseclaw and Lizardtail being in ThunderClan. Mistpaw and Graypaw (they went back to their apprentice names) are in SkyClan and are hoping for Leafstar to name them.
- The above ends up being a pretty big topic in the gathering. Harestar says all RiverClan cats are welcome to WindClan.
- Sunbeam asks Nightheart about Frostpaw’s condition and he tells her that Mothwing told him that she needs to want to wake up. Sunbeam asks why wouldn’t she want to wake up and Nightheart replies that she may not want to return to a broken RiverClan. The mission that takes place in Ivypool’s Heart is mentioned. Frecklewish says SkyClan received a vision that says “If the frost cannot stay, the river will dry” (Star, pg. 257). StarClan is really putting all of this pressure on a single apprentice huh.
- They ask Tree to try to reach Frostpaw and he says he’ll try.
- Sunbeam and Nightheart go to Mothwing before the gathering disperses. Mothwing tells Sunbeam that when she treated Berryheart who was sick with a fever, she kept asking for Sunbeam over and over. This makes Sunbeam feel a bit better about things.
Chapters eighteen and nineteen:
- Riverstar shows visions of times to Frostpaw in the past when RiverClan nearly disappeared. She then shows her visions of all of the Clan’s camps deserted. At the end of the chapter, Tree pads towards Frostpaw’s spirit and tells her that RiverClan needs her. She says she’s tired of it all and the chapter ends with this line: “This time, RiverClan was going to have to find its own way” (Star, pg. 273).
- Another patrol to RiverClan to help out. Nightheart says Frostpaw might feel more inclined to come back if she knew that her clanmates supported her. Some acknowledgement about how RiverClan chose Splashtail over Frostpaw at one point. It’s mentioned how Tree got into contact with Frostpaw, but she turned away.
- The end of the chapter is Nightheart pleading with Frostpaw to wake back up. She’s barely breathing and she’s getting worse. He knows that she’s been through a lot, but she just needs to help with one more thing, and she won’t have to do it alone. She’ll have him and Sunbeam by her side.
Chapter twenty:
- The patrol returns from RiverClan and Squirrelstar’s eyes narrowed when she realized Gorseclaw and Lizardtail had returned with them. ThunderClan is becoming increasingly more hostile to the two. Despite it, though, Gorseclaw and Lizardtail want to take on trials to join ThunderClan, claiming that they’re Clanless now.
- Sunbeam notices Nightheart glaring at the two cats and he snaps at them that they should be helping their Clan. Lizardtail retorts with what, saying that all they can do is wait around to see if Frostpaw recovers. Squirrelstar asks how Frostpaw is doing and Nightheart tells her she’s doing worse.
- Lizardtail continues how ThunderClan is their only option and Squirrelstar said she made it clear at the gathering they’re not taking in new warriors. Sunbeam tells her the ways the two can help, but Squirrelstar goes on about leaf-bare and how if RiverClan falls apart, they might get swamped. Sunbeam thought it was cruel to deny a cat a home.
- More tensions in the Clan go on. A discussion between Lizardtail, Gorseclaw, and Squirrelstar. Squirrelstar rather have cats who want to join ThunderClan as opposed to joining because they think it’s their only option. Fernstripe and Sunbeam have a nice conversation about what it means to belong in ThunderClan and it goes back on Gorseclaw and Lizardtail who decide they will return to RiverClan because it is where they belong.
- There’s some fun teasing between Sunbeam and Nightheart and the end is Lionblaze waking Nightheart up (which in turn wakes Sunbeam up) because Frostpaw had taken a turn for the worse and Mothwing says that he should see her before it’s too late.
Chapter twenty-one:
- Frostpaw is still in her limbo state and now she sees her father, Jayclaw. She realizes she’s in StarClan. She asks him if she’s dead to which he says no, but that if she wants to stay, she can. She wants to stay, but something is pulling her back. Her responsibilities to RiverClan. However, she keeps being pulled to the idea of staying.
- Tree pops up out of nowhere and tells her that she has to return because RiverClan needs her. Frostpaw says she doesn’t need to be there to guide them; she can send visions from StarClan. Tree asks her “to who” and she falters. He’s like “Don’t you see?” and she does, but she doesn’t want to. She tries to come back to life but she’s thrown back to where Jayclaw is. She hears singing, however, and follows the melody. As the voices grow louder, she finally wakes up into reality.
- All of her clanmates are there. Even the ones who left for other Clans. Tree says he got the she-cats who loved her to sing for her because it’s something the Sisters do. Nightheart and Sunbeam are there as well. Duskfur apologizes for not believing in her and for the amount of pressure that was put on her when she was so young. The chapter ends with Icewing having returned and as it turns out, her voice had been the loudest among the singing. Frostpaw says she had come back just in time.
Chapter twenty-two:
- Frostpaw and Mothwing are on their way to the Moonpool. Frostpaw and Whistlepaw are expected to receive their full names. Whistlepaw’s name ends up being Whistlebreeze and she’s honored for her honesty, courage, and kindness. Frostpaw congratulates her.
- Frostpaw ends up being Frostdawn and she’s honored for her integrity, courage, and determination.
“Frostdawn. She felt a joy so intense it was almost like pain. If only Curlfeather could see this. Her mother had tried to make her into a fake medicine cat. And now that lie had become the truth. I am a real medicine cat. RiverClan’s moons of suffering were over. Frostdawn lifted her chin. I’m going to take care of my Clan. I’m going to make sure they never suffer again” (Star, pg. 310).
- Mini time-skip to the next day where Frostdawn is going to the moonpool again. Frostdawn notes that she has made this journey twice: once with Curlfeather and the next with Owlnose. This time it’s with Icewing. Frostdawn asks Icewing if they can make RiverClan into the Clan it used to be. Some back-and-forth and Icewing says they should aim to make RiverClan better than what it used to be.
- Frostdawn gets concerned due to Curlfeather and Splashtail having that mindset, but Icewing responds that she wants the Clan to be able to weather any storm and for their clanmates to always have honor. They have more meaningful conversation. Frostdawn mentions meditation and Icewing says they’ll make a RiverClan the way Riverstar envisioned it. They’re at the Moonpool now.
- They fall asleep and stars form into shapes. She recognizes Riverstar who tells Frostpaw she picked well. He tells Icewing rebuilding RiverClan won’t be easy.
- Anyways, the nine-lives ceremony starts: Jayclaw gives a life for the gift of intuition, Reedwhisker gives a life for the gift of sensing danger, Harelight gives a life for the gift of forgiveness, Leopardstar (who Frostdawn recognizes now from an earlier vision in the book) tells Icewing she will be one of the best. She gives a life for the gift of humility. Next up is a cat Frostpaw doesn’t recognize, but I’m pretty sure it’s Mudfur. He gives a life of wisdom. Willowshine is up next and she gives a life of strength to resist evil influences, Riverstar gives a life of tranquility. Crookedstar gives Icewing her next life and it’s a life of resilience. Mistystar is the last to give Icewing a life and it’s a life of courage.
- Stonefur takes a step forward and tells her he hails her by her new name and that StarClan grants her the authority to be the leader of RiverClan. All of the cats call out “Icestar! Icestar!” (Star, pg. 320).
- There’s another mini time-skip and they return home. RiverClan celebrates their new leader. She wants Owlnose deputy, citing that he had the chance to be the leader but he turned it down, and she respects that. Owlnose asks why saying he ran away from responsibility and blames himself for Splashtail’s actions. Icestar shuts that down. Owlnose officially becomes deputy.
- Icestar gives Graypaw and Mistpaw their warrior names: Graysky and Mistpool.
- Icestar honors Frostdawn for having shown courage like no other. As Frostdawn’s name gets yelled out, she feels all of her anger melt away and she realizes that she hadn’t been alone in her ordeal. She had Nightheart, Sunbeam, Mothwing, Duskfur, and Icestar. Even though they weren’t with her every step of the way, she knows she couldn’t have gotten as far as she did without them.
- Frostdawn’s final sentence: “For the first time in a long time, she was looking forward to tomorrow” (Star, p. 327).
Chapter twenty-three:
- It looks like Nightheart gets the final chapter of the book! Leaf-bare is ending and Nightheart is out on a hunt. Sunbeam is expecting kits, so she’s in camp. Nightheart, Finchlight, and Sparkpelt return to camp. Nightheart gives Sunbeam a sparrow. Sunbeam tells him that Finchlight and Sparkpelt have suggested some names for their kits: Blaze, Ember, and Scorch.
- The whole ThunderClan family is together and Finchlight asks Sunbeam if she considered naming one of her kits after Berryheart. She says she rather think about the future than the past. Nightheart says they’re not going to name their kits until after they’re born. Some teasing goes on between the two.
- Final line of the book: “He’d found a mate he’d love forever, and he’d proved to Sparkpelt and Finchlight that he could be brave and loyal and honorable whatever his name” (Star, p. 331).
