Let's Read: Warrior Cats Series

[sweet tooth]

I kind of understand Onewhisker/star's transformation though. He was made deputy at the last moment, and pretty untraditionally (is that a word? I don't even know but oh well), so he didn't really have the support of many of his clanmates. Even he was a little apprehensive. He needed to show his clanmates that he was a strong leader they could rely on, which essentially meant having to break off his relationship with Firestar. Even before he was leader, a lot of his clanmates saw him depending too much on Firestar and Thunderclan. If he wouldn't have established himself as his own, independent leader of Windclan, there would have definitely trouble in the clan (cats questioning him, being suspicious, flat out refusing him, etc). I think it was really realistic and appropriate of him to quit being friends with Firestar. It was probably very hard on Onestar too, I mean, it's not like he wanted to be a jerk to his old friend (even though he was. A lot.). Also I think they hinted at how much Onestar disliked having to be a jerk in the text, but I can't remember for certain. It needed to be a clean, obvious break with Thunderclan, or both clans would have suffered in the long run. It would be like if the President of the United States grew up with and was friends with, say, the President of Mexico (countries which share a border, like Thunder and Wind). They can't keep up that close friendship once they're in charge of their countries because not only is it a blatant conflict of interest, how suspicious would that look? I don't know, it's just in my opinion, I think it was kind of necessary for Onestar. It was a necessary evil.

/whoops sorry for my paragraph

I was thinking the same thing, but I was at school so i cant go on my phone

[SklarmaDakflam]

I see your point, and totally agree, but he still turned into a jerk. I am glad it didn't happen to Whitestorm.

[SklarmaDakflam]

Prepare yourselves for a rant. I apologize in advance.

On another note, Flametail's death was bullcrap. He drowned while playing a cat-version of hockey. and Dawnpelt needs to get over herself. It's a tragedy that her brother died, and I understand her grief and need to blame someone, but it makes no logical sense to blame Jayfeather. Why would he have wanted Flametail dead? Why would he risk his own life to drown him when Flametail fell through, just to ensure his death? Jayfeather is BLIND, and a MEDICINE CAT, so why would he try to kill Flametail? He would be risking his own life, from drowning (not being able to find the hole in the ice) as well as freezing to death, to kill a fellow medicine cat that has done him no wrong? It makes no sense. And Thunderclan, lictening to Dawnpelt (a grieving cat from another clan that wants someone to blame) over Jayfeather (their own medicine cat), and suspending him from his duties. Really, has EVERYBODY lost their minds? Then, Ivypool almost kills Flametail's spirit (because she HAS to, but still no excuse) and when Jayfeather goes to Starclan to find Flametail so he can have his name cleared, Flametail is a jerk and almost lets Jayfeather die. That's another thing I don't like, in the later books they make Starclan closer, more accessible, and that reduces the shock of them. It seems less important when they communicate with the cats. A third point is Yellowfang. I loved her in her life, but she became a hypocritical jerk after she died. I can see where she's coming from when she stresses the trouble from medicine cats having kits, what with her own history. Still, she is a hypocrite. And what she tells the clan cats to do often caused trouble, rather than help the situation. My personal philosophy is always listen to Spottedleaf, even over all the rest of Starclan. She has the best intentions, and the smartest ideas. She didn't deserve to die. I wish they let her live longer, and built more on her character.

[sumireko]

spottedleaf makes me sad honestly. the very first medicine cat we ever see in the story, our very first intro to this Cool New Concept, and she's reduced to a poorly-writted plot device made to die for Sad Cat Boy Pains. she deserved better u_u

[hqmary]

Does it bother anybody else how powerful the Dark Forest cats are? They can suck living cats into the dark forest, keep them there, physically hurt them while there, and even gain solid form and come to living cats that way! Does anyone see Starclan do that?
Nope. They just sit there and deliver plot devices prophecies.

[Arcaii]

spottedleaf makes me sad honestly. the very first medicine cat we ever see in the story, our very first intro to this Cool New Concept, and she's reduced to a poorly-writted plot device made to die for Sad Cat Boy Pains. she deserved better u_u

Oh, you ain't kidding. Also, welcome!

[Atheon]

Spottedleaf is just an idiot and stalker.
Like, do you really have to creep in Firestar's dreams in every single book? She makes me mad and then I just cringe.

[sweet tooth]

Spottedleaf is just an idiot and stalker.
Like, do you really have to creep in Firestar's dreams in every single book? She makes me mad and then I just cringe.

Its just so then when spottedleaf dies again you will be bonded with her and you'll be like
"OMG SPOTTED DIED WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

"

Gawd. I LAUGHED when spottedleaf died again, cause I knew there fire would die too.

[Arcaii]

Chapter Twenty-One

Apparently, not only did no one notice the kits being stolen or Spottedleaf being killed, but there's no immediate investigation of the surrounding area for clues, or search parties, or checking Spottedleaf for a scent of the killer, or even finding Yellowfang and interrogating her. Bluestar actually orders that everyone stay in camp and not try to catch the thief before they reach the border (despite the fact that they're most likely ShadowClan, so they would know where to go to find them, and that they would be slowed down by hauling four kittens all the way across the territory).

"But Arcaii," a Devil's Advocate says somewhere within the crowd. "It's possible that the thief wasn't alone. There might be two or more cats, and a storm is coming so the trail may be lost quickly. Bluestar even points out that the kittens aren't likely to be in immediate danger, especially if they're supposed to be new additions to ShadowClan."

And? The Clan still has time to spread out in groups, track down the thief (thieves), overpower them, take the kits home, and leave the culprits to die on ShadowClan's border (even if the kittens weren't hurt, I'd certainly leave a message like that if I was leader). It would take much less time and effort than preforming a full on assault against ShadowClan itself. And with how big ThunderClan is, forming several strong parties to go through the territory they know by heart wouldn't be an issue at all.

However, Bluestar does make one intelligent decision: she orders Firepaw to hunt down Yellowfang and talk to her, even mentioning that Tigerclaw would not let her escape alive if he could and that Firepaw knows her best. This makes me think that maybe she ordered everyone to wait to give Firepaw time to find Yellowfang, but she could still save time and have at least a couple parties out searching for the kits.

Firepaw quickly dashes over to say goodbye to the medicine cat, straight up calling her "my sweet Spottedleaf". I think I'm gunna be sick.

And then this happens.

I just...

I cannot believe that anyone has just swallowed these rumors about Ravenpaw. The fact that no one looked at this skinny, scared and neurotic young apprentice who flinches and cowers every time his very aggressive and malicious mentor shows up, heard Tigerclaw talking about how this child is not to be trusted, recognized that Tigerclaw has been clearly desiring power for a while and has been treating the apprentice terribly since Redtail died, noticed that Ravenpaw was clearly threatened RIGHT IN FRONT OF AN ENTIRE CROWD, PUT TWO AND TWO TOGETHER, QUESTIONED BLUESTAR'S CHOICE IN DEPUTY, OR EVEN ASKED RAVENPAW HIMSELF WHAT WAS SCARING HIM SO MUCH.

I can't even count how many plot holes in this story would have been solved by anyone other than Firepaw having a gram of common sense. If anyone had separated Ravenpaw from Tigerclaw, or questioned Ravenpaw, or spoken to Bluestar about Tigerclaw's behavior, or just stood up for Ravenpaw at all, a vast majority of the issues I have with this book would have disappeared completely. Ravenpaw's treatment in the story is by far one of the worst things about it, and it's all because the Hunters had every other character read the script and stay inactive just to give Tigerclaw a leg up in his villainous goals. They never once considered the sheer amount of issues this would cause, just the conveniences it would allow.

Another Writer's Tip: If you come across a difficult point in the story, never ever go for a plot convenience. That's the quickest way to break your story, and it's just plain lazy writing. Even if you really really want something to happen in the story, a plot convenience will not excuse it. If a desired event ends up messing with the story around it, get rid of it entirely. You can do better.

Alright, enough rambling. I'm sure you're all yelling at me to get back to the story.

Ravenpaw actually almost gets attacked by Frostfur, and Firepaw realizes that the only safe place for Ravenpaw now is out of the Clan. He and Greypaw decide to rescue their friend and take him to Barley, where he'll be safe. Now, this isn't a bad idea, and it'll place Ravenpaw out of harm's way, but they do realize that the road to Barley's home is dangerous in and of itself and that they don't actually know the exact way, right?

Tigerclaw tries to stop them, but Bluestar saves the day by excusing the three to look for some herbs. Herbs is a pretty crappy excuse, honestly, but it gets Tigerclaw off their back and they're free to leave. Firepaw explains why Ravenpaw is fleeing the Clan, and because he's the protagonist of this story, no one but him will have ever come to the conclusion that he has. Sure enough, Graypaw is all amazed that any of this happened, and is somehow shocked that Tigerclaw means harm towards Ravenpaw.

Graypaw, I would say that I know you're smarter than this, but given what happens later in the story, I'm thinking otherwise.

They make it to the border, and Ravenpaw is sent off on his own. Firepaw promises that the truth will eventually be revealed.

As a side note, I know this post is a little short, but that's because I'm updating more than once today. I'm pretty excited to get to the end of the book, so just stick around and the next part will arrive.

Up next: Chapter Twenty-Two.

[sweet tooth]

Finally. We are done with this Tigerstarclaw abusing ravenpaw thing >.<