My main issue in the book is Dovewing. Why is she an important character here? What purpose did she truly serve besides being a plot token? She also seemed very OOC. Like this girl faced the Dark Forest, she was a StarClan chosen. However when Tigerheart brings up the possibility he might be chosen for something she scoffs at it? She was also such a pain the ass during the whole time she was around that it brought up my feelings I had against her from back int the Ooats days I was way happier reading about Ivypool than her.
Tigerheart was alright by himself. When Dovewing was around. Oh boy, that was a PAIN in the ass. All I have to say about him. The story? So much fluff. So much of this book could be chopped out. I was even skimming at parts because I was bored out of my mind and I wanted the torture to end. And guess what. It didn't feel worth it. What point was there for Dovewing to have her kits in the city?
It was like the second trip to find SkyClan. Completely unneeded. And don't get me started on the ending. So much eye rolling from me there.
Guess what Erins, this is nothing special now. It's more annoying than anything else. It happens far too often and honestly I do not care anymore. Oct 08, 2. View all comments. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
Compared to all of the other books I have read in this series, this has to be the most unneeded edition in the franchise. This book was nothing but filler and did not make me invested on what was happening with these characters in particular. Reading this book has ruined my faith in the series going forward after having success with the current main series.
The first thing that I did not like about this book was the main character the story focussed on. Tigerheart is portrayed as an indecisive Compared to all of the other books I have read in this series, this has to be the most unneeded edition in the franchise. Tigerheart is portrayed as an indecisive deputy who cannot make up his mind if he wants to help his failing Clan and disgrace of a leader, or be with his wife who runs away and ditches him after he expressed his loyalty to his Clan over her, and continues this behavior throughout the book.
It got annoying very quickly and only stalled the main plot further. Then, he does absolutely nothing worthwhile to make the rest of the book worth it except die near the end. His POV was uninteresting to me, and does not improve his character from the previous arc. The second thing that I did not like was the plot. The plot reused plots from other Warriors books that focussed on journeying cats, and it is getting old.
They've done it five or six times already. Why can't the authors and editors come up with an original plot anymore? The plot was barebones. Tigerheart, Dovewing, and the other characters in this book barely had anything to do. They fought foxes twice, explored the city, gave birth to three cats, then came back to the lake. That's it. I had to skip pages because the characters were just sitting around bored. I feel bad for them, because the city cats were very unique and had a culture that I wanted to explore more.
Sadly, Kate had glossed over the more interesting characters for the boring, uninteresting ones instead. Also, why are they adding in another prophecy into the current main arc? We have three going on at once: the one from Hawkwing's Journey, the A Vision of Shadows one, and this one. That's too much. I don't think they'll have enough pages to complete them all. The third thing is all the plot holes created in the absence of a main series book.
Without the background information Darkest Night will provide, this book does not explain certain elements that are important such as: The fate of certain characters.
Aside from Kinkfur and Dawnpelt, who were both in StarClan, and Berryheart, Sparrowtail, Rippletail, and Cloverfoot, who are alive, the cats who died in Thunder and Shadow from yellow cough and the missing cats in Shattered Sky have unknown fates as of this review. What happened to him? What did he do to deserve his leader name being stripped away from him? He is just a terrible leader in general, and this book cements his awfulness. Twigpaw and Violetpaw moving to SkyClan.
Last time I checked, Twigpaw and Violetpaw wanted to stay in their original Clans. Why did they move? SkyClan's territory.
It sounds to me that they solve that issue within Darkest Night, but we barely get any background information to that. The book states that both ThunderClan and ShadowClan split territory by Tigerheart's suggestion, but how did they come to that decision? The fourth and final thing that I did not like about this book is the ending. Why would they make Tigerheart leader out of all things? I can think of better cats who actually deserve the position of leader than him. Tawnypelt, Needletail, and pretty much anyone in ShadowClan would be better.
This has presented confusion amongst the fandom. How are readers going to differentiate the two Tigerstar's apart from each other other than physical descriptions? Also, this leader and his mate are not punished for going behind everyone's backs and creating kits and creating more problems.
I would also like to mention that nobody questions this at all throughout the book. However, unlike Blood of Dragons, which ruined the ending of the entire series, Tigerheart's Shadow has left a bad impression on a series that started to rise from the average reception of Omen of the Stars and the controversy of Spottedleaf's Heart. This goes to show that even though A Vision of Shadows is doing wonders for the publishers, they can also manage to pump out terrible stories with characters that do not need a novella or super edition.
If you liked Tigerheart's Shadow, good for you. I'm glad that you enjoyed it. However, I am one of the few fans who does not like the character or this book that much. I hope that Darkest Night will be decent, because if not, I am officially done reading this series.
I have read better, more thought out books with intriguing plots and characters that I actually care about. I cannot keep up with the characters anymore because the series has gone downhill in terms of quality. The side books are not fun to read anymore and seemed forced. Overall, Tigerheart's Shadow is a waste of time. It does nothing worthwhile to contribute to the main plot aside from one character introduced who may have importance, created numerous plot holes and raised more questions than answers, and left interesting characters in the dust in place of characters who had previous development.
It also had an overused plot device in the journey trope, and a story that does not have higher stakes despite ShadowClan falling apart off screen. I recommend that you skip this one. View 1 comment. This book wasn't entirely bad, but it was a complete waste of a Super Edition.
Tigerheart's personality was barely developed at all--he just became the stereotypical good guy. I was super excited as soon as Tigerheart traveled into the city, but nothing came of it once they met the guardian cats.
Speaking of the guardian cats, I felt as if they had a lot of potential, but most of them Except for Fierce, Spire, and Blaze fell flat. I kept screaming at this book to show, not tell. Seeing city li This book wasn't entirely bad, but it was a complete waste of a Super Edition.
Seeing city life would have been fantastic, and seeing all the differences from life by the lake would knock this book up a few pegs, but the book delivered nothing. Most of the book is just Tigerheart and the guardian cats scavenging and fighting some foxes.
There's no conflict. I liked the characters of Fog and Tuna, because I felt Tigerheart wasn't doing the right thing by thinking that all cats should be warriors. Fog and Tuna weren't even that bad in my eyes, they were just trying to survive. Spire's visions made me really excited to finish the book, but there was nothing. I basically trudged through hundreds of pages just to reach nothing but Tigerheart dying??
Honestly, this book could have been done so much better. The only reason it's not one star is because it was okay. Dovewing and Tigerheart got some much-needed development, even if it wasn't that much. The best part of the book is at the beginning, when we can really see how ShadowClan is struggling and how Rowanstar is struggling to lead his clan.
Also, why was Rowanstar's death offscreen? Just like Blackstar I wouldn't read it if I were you. As Lightflame said on the forums, "I just thought it was really boring and unnecessary, and it's a perfect example of everything the new writing team does wrong.
Poor character handling, completely fumbled buildup and foreshadowing, pointless deaths, braindead characters, and lackluster climaxes are all here. View all 6 comments. When I was growing up these books were my favorite series! I don't know how I fell out of them but somehow I did which I sincerely regret.
Thankfully, I rediscovered them this past summer and I am slowly reading all the books again. I am so happy to have rediscovered this wonderful series. This super edition of course is no exception.
I absolutely loved it! I practically devoured this book! I really love how the cats personalities progress as the story goes on. I feel that by the end of their When I was growing up these books were my favorite series!
I feel that by the end of their long journey they all have grown. I wish now that I were all caught up with the new story arc but I know that will come in due time. However, I thoroughly enjoyed this book despite not reading the new arc. I know fans young and old will enjoy this book. This book was phenomenal. This book made me really excited to read Darkest Night! Blaze was definitely one of my favorite characters, but I also adored the brief characters of Ajax, Rose, and Fuzzball.
My favorite character in the book would have to be Cinnamon. She dedicated and strong but also kind. I loved this book, though I'm sur This book was phenomenal. I loved this book, though I'm sure many people will disagree. This book wasn't perfect, but it definitely was worth reading! View all 4 comments. As far as super editions go, this one was a bit underwhelming. Sure, it picked up and got exciting at the end, but only within As far as super editions go, this one was a bit underwhelming.
Sure, it picked up and got exciting at the end, but only within the last two or three chapters. I also noticed a lot of grammatical errors in this and the previous book in the normal arc, and while I understand that even editors gloss over some mistakes, these are such obvious errors and they occur so frequently that they broke my immersion in the story since I had to reread quite a few passages to understand what the line should have said if all the letters were there.
Finally, I found Dovewing really annoying in this book. Then when they finally get a four-hundred page book dedicated to their romance, the chemistry is lacking. Tigerheart was adorable but Dovewing made me want to shake her in frustration.
They fought over the most trivial things. They were really cute at the end, but throughout most of the book they seemed less like a couple and more like a bickering pair of kits. In the beginning she was so obsessed with dreams and how important it is to listen to them, but then she gave Tigerheart grief when he had concerns over his dreams of ShadowClan.
Instead she just brushes it off and makes it out to be no big deal that the Clan is falling apart. I am happy how she changed at the end though.
There was so much tension and I could finally feel the love between Dovewing and Tigerheart again. Will they willingly give the land back? Now that both Clans have more mouths to feed, will the shortage of land pose a conflict? I also want to know if Ant, Cinnamon, and Blaze will get warrior names. I wish Fierce had come with them, but I guess someone has to stay behind to help heal the city cats. I also want to know who Pumpkin was and how he knew about healing herbs.
I love that he got to join StarClan even though he never actually made it to the Clans. Really this whole book just felt like a dragged out excuse to get Tigerheart and Dovewing together while still being accepted by their Clans. I will say that despite the things I disliked about this story, I am still extremely excited for the next book in the main arc to be released and I really hope we get some explanation of what happened while Tigerstar and Dovewing were gone.
So they miss the simple pieces to the book. I enjoy him more then Lionblaze now because he now has this book to push his personality. They are a hugely underrated clan imo. Sep 04, Heidi rated it it was amazing. I enjoy all the Warriors books, but I enjoyed this one in particular more than others!
It was a very unique story and I loved the character developments and the settings. Tigerheart's Shadow is definitely a great book, especially since I read it all in one sitting. Many plot twists and turns happen, and left me on the edge of my seat. The book can teach you to follow where your heart belongs, and in Tigerheart's case, it was with Dovewing. Leaving the clan meant leaving his family, but he felt as if Dovewing was more important.
Sep 16, Crow Reichardt rated it liked it. Love this series. Dec 21, Historyprincess rated it it was amazing Shelves: warriors. Premise: Much like Darktail and his rogues have shredded ShadowClan from the inside, Tigerheart — ShadowClan's deputy — has never felt more torn in his life. Despite wanting to support him, he knows his misguided father is not the leader his Clan needs. Yet when the young dark tabby tom and the Clan's medicine cat share the same haunting dream, Tigerheart is forced to ask himself if he's meant to stay with ShadowClan at all.
Must he leave behind all he knows and loves? Or is ShadowClan's last hope for survival vanishing when they need him most? When Tigerheart was brought back to life as Tigerstar or Tigerstar II as I'm going to call him in the future to avoid confusion with you-know-who and I saw all these new characters with him and Dovewing, including his and Dovewing's kits, I HAD to know what they were up to!
And I am SO glad I read this super edition! It may be one of my favorites. I absolutely loved the themes of loss, return, trust, family, community, and forgiveness. They were all woven into a deep and engaging story that I might probably want to read again some time in the future, once I get caught up with everything else.
Not to mention this story is full of pleasant surprises I did not see coming! For example, when Dovewing in the beginning describes the place she dreamed about — the place where she wanted to raise her and Tigerheart's kits — I thought at first that it might be an apartment building or something like that.
Maybe it's because I'm a person of faith, but I thought that was a really nice touch. Not to mention that makes more sense as a safe place for Dovewing to raise the kits than an apartment building. Speaking of which, I like that this book takes place mostly in the city.
Not only is it a great change of location. It also really highlights the journey of our main character and how far he's traveled from home and everything and everyone he's familiar with.
But it's not a completely bad place. I like that both the advantages and disadvantages of life in the city are pointed out and discussed.
But by the time our heroes and heroines return to their homes by the lake, you also get this great sense of homecoming, that they're now once again where they belong at last. It felt like such a great story of personal and physical travel and I loved it from beginning to end! Characters: While it was a great starting point to have characters I was already familiar with, I loved how this super edition really got me invested in the new characters it introduced.
I was equally concerned with both the guardian cats and ShadowClan and wanted things to turn out okay for both of them, at least in a reasonable way. And I was immensely satisfied at how everything was brought together in the end for everyone. Tigerheart — I already really liked Tigerheart before this. Now that I've read his super edition, I can easily and proudly say that he is now one of my favorite ShadowClan cats and the best leader they're going to have in a long time.
I particularly loved how the Erin Hunter team wrote him as a flawed yet honorable and heroic warrior of ShadowClan, which in and of itself is surprising. ShadowClan has often drawing power-hungry cats, and they've traditionally been the proudest of all the Clan.
But Tigerheart was a great mix of humility and personal pride. By that I mean, he rightfully wants to take pride in his Clan like any other warrior does. But he wants to take pride in them the right way.
It reminds me of when Yellowfang told Firestar when he was an apprentice that in her day, ShadowClan was feared and respected because they in turn feared and respected the warrior code, not because they had a bloodthirsty and power-hungry leader like Brokenstar. And I can definitely see Tigerheart bringing a new golden age to the long-abused Clan. If anything, they need it now more than ever considering they've only barely been brought back from the brink of being lost forever. But back to Tigerheart himself, I loved how even though he does make mistakes, his heart is always in the right place.
And it's because of that that you really do feel for him early on. He wants to be there for his mate and their kits but he also wants to be there for his kin and his Clan.
He feels this immense pressure and responsibility to keep everything on both sides together. To the point that even though he does leave, you can't totally blame him.
And yet even though he does leave the Clans, he will always be a warrior. He shows great strength and even compassion as a leader when he not only helps the guardian cats defend their herb garden, but also convinces them to help Fog and her gang take back their home from foxes, despite how much Fog and her cats have been harassing the guardian cats.
Not to mention he proves to be an amazing mate and father. He goes through so much and gives so much of himself throughout his journey that by the time he does become the new leader of a newly-revived ShadowClan, he's totally deserved it.
I can't wait to see how they'll benefit from his leadership! It's great in general though to see her back after her time in the background since her novella. She's definitely matured in the three years since the Great Battle. But she's still the same tough and independent thinking ThunderClan warrior she always was until now, maybe, now that she's joined ShadowClan. Even if she and Tigerheart shouldn't have been meeting each other, you can tell they seriously love each other.
They really are one of my favorite couples in the series. What's great though is that they argue every once in a while, which ironically makes for a healthy relationship of any kind. And she isn't just the supportive mate. From the start, she never hesitates to speak her mind to her mate. When she tells him about the church she dreamed about, and how she knows it's the safe place where she wants to raise their kits, she tells him that she's leaving whether or not she comes with him.
And she does! Plus, if it weren't for her persistence and determination to get her dying mate back to the Clans, Tigerheart might not have been brought back to life in time. I also like how she and Tigerheart discuss life in the city. He's starting to get unsettled by it, while she prefers to be open-minded and doesn't mind living there, at least until their kits are old enough to leave. What's great is that neither mate is completely right or wrong.
You understand Tigerheart's desire to raise their kits among the Clans, but you also understand Dovewing's viewpoint and how she knows the reception of their eventual return will turn cold once their Clans learn they had kits together.
And as I said before in my review for "River of Fire," while it is unfortunate that she has to leave ThunderClan to be with Tigerheart, I appreciate that she wants her kits to know their father and that she's going to stick to her decision. I'm curious to see how she'll adjust to living in ShadowClan. If nothing else she at least seemed to get along well with the ShadowClan warriors they met on the way home. To give an overview though, the guardian cats of course look after stray cats who are ill or injured, or offer them a home if they have nowhere to go.
I thought it was fitting that they acted that way given that they live by or underneath the church. Not to mention it sets them apart from the regular street cats that often act hostile. I thought it was intriguing that the prologue focused on Spire, given I had no idea who he was or how important he was to the story at the time. He kinda reminded me of Tree in that he's obviously this very eccentric but very important cat the strange ones usually are. Even if he often looks like he's staring out into space, he proves integral to the story when StarClan speaks to Tigerheart through him, and of course when he saves Lightkit and then sacrifices himself to save Pouncekit.
I love that they gave him a warrior name so he could go be with StarClan. Blaze I thought was pretty cute. He kinda reminded me as a page or young assistant, since he often follows Spire around and helps him.
Blindly he staggered to his paws and shook out his fur. Juniperclaw and Scorchfur were dodging around the badger, lashing out in turns at its hefty flanks. The badger spun and snapped at them, its eyes frenzied. This badger was sick. He could hear it wheezing.
Was this why it. Had its denmates driven it away? The warriors faced the badger as it eyed them murderously. They lined up beside him and faced the stinking creature, ears flat. Juniperclaw bared his teeth. Scorchfur lowered his head, eyes like slits. Slowly, they crept forward, hissing together like snakes. Scorchfur lifted his head and snarled menacingly. With a grunt, it backed away. It stumbled into the ditch and floundered there for a moment.
The badger hauled itself from the ditch and shambled through the bracken, disappearing into the shadowy pines. Sunset had passed and left the forest in darkness. She might be gone already! The thumping in his head made him wince. He flicked his tail toward Juniperclaw. The bite might be infected. He had to do it now. Before he lost his nerve. Juniperclaw looked puzzled. But he could feel their surprised gazes burning his pelt. Panic drove him faster through the forest.
He scrambled around brambles, fighting the dizziness that swayed him one way and then the other. He leaped fallen trees clumsily. But did it cost me the one cat I love best? His heart beat in his throat as he raced on. When he reached it, the glade stood in shadow, empty.
He stared, at first in disbelief and then with awful certainty. A breeze whisked through the trees, and shriveled leaves fluttered to the ground. She left without me. Grief seared his heart. Above him, thick cloud hid the moon. Rain began to fall, pattering lightly on the canopy. He stood numbly, the ache in his head growing sharper. He could feel heat behind one ear where his head had struck the tree.
What do I do? Confusion seemed to weave his thoughts into knots. His paws led him forward. It hung in the glade, so fresh that his heart leaped. He could catch up with her. She must have waited a while. He lowered his head and followed her scent trail like a fox. He knew the Twoleg route that Did she know where this huge Twolegplace was?
Pain pressed above his eyes, dulling his thoughts. I just have to follow her scent, he thought numbly.
Their paws threw up spray. Were the Twolegs migrating? Their monsters streamed after one another like geese heading south for the winter, leaving no gap to cross. His head spun as he stared at the stampeding monsters.
He tried to glimpse a gap, but the speeding monsters made him dizzy, whipping past him one. Rain pounded his pelt, streaming into his eyes. Blinking rapidly, his head aching, he sank to his belly and watched the passing monsters helplessly. His heart seemed to crack open with loss and frustration. They should be facing this together. The night darkened around him; the burning lights from the monsters blurred.
Their growling faded as his thoughts jumbled and he collapsed into unconsciousness. He dreamed. The sun burned beyond the trees, casting black shadows in stripes across the clearing.
Grassheart yawned in the middle of the clearing and stretched as a dark shadow fell across her glossy pelt. His gaze was fixed on the clearing as the sun dissolved into the pale blue sky and the shadows evaporated like mist. He glanced toward his father. Then, suddenly, the sun brightened once more. He narrowed his eyes as the sun reddened and intensified until it looked like flame burning at the edge of the forest.
The shadows in camp darkened once more, reaching across the clearing, casting his Clanmates into gloom. His pelt shimmered in the fierce light. A chill gripped him and he struggled awake. Rain was seeping through his fur. When the sun is strong. He sat up. The rain was still falling. Weak dawn light filtered through the gray clouds. He felt groggy, his head still aching. He shivered with cold and fluffed out his pelt. The dream meant something. He could sense it. The sun.
The son! When the son is strong, the shadows are strong! Understanding burst like starlight in his thoughts. The son is the sun! His headache faded. Energy fizzed beneath his pelt. He had to get back to his Clan. He was the one who could save them! As he crossed the wet forest floor, the sound of rain pounding the branches above him, guilt jabbed at his belly.
The thought pricked his heart. His Clan needed him too much. She had to understand—his whole Clan was at stake. He reached the ditches and crossed them, his belly feeling more hollow with every leap. Grief tugged at his heart. I have to save them. He ignored the shame that clawed in his belly. The swelling behind his ear had eased since Puddleshine had treated it with nettles soaked in rainwater.
His headache had lingered for a day but was gone now. The others carried prey too. It had been a good hunt. The patrol had worked well together. Meanwhile, hunting and patrolling would bring the Clan together. Training their young to be great warriors would remind them of what it was to be loyal and brave. Would she come back once she felt their kits would be safe with the Clans? He dared not think about the dangers waiting beyond the Clan borders.
The thought comforted him. And the rogues. He pushed the thought away, fear slicing his belly so sharply he winced. Was his Clan really worth endangering his mate and kits for?
Frustration itched beneath his pelt. Why did he have to make such a choice? Juniperclaw halted as he reached the camp entrance. Stonewing and Whorlpaw stopped beside him. He dropped his prey and sniffed the air suspiciously. He could guess what they had wanted. Of course her sister would come here. His fur prickled nervously. Stonewing called to her.
His gaze flashed to Juniperclaw. You have to trust him! Whorlpaw shifted his paws uneasily. He was the only cat who knew the truth. He dropped his gaze. Ivypool must be beside herself with worry. You ate with her and talked with her like she was the only cat in camp. Your father needs you. He might never know them. As she disappeared through the bramble tunnel, urgency tugged at his paws.
He had to speak with Ivypool before she sparked suspicion in any other cats. Ivypool had to know that. His belly twisted. He slowed. Would that be so bad? His thoughts were spinning as he crossed the border. He could intercept her. He stopped as she marched toward him.
She was alone, her pelt bristling as she glared at him. And I know why. He pictured the desperation in her green eyes as she told him. He looked at Ivypool. She abandoned me! Ivypool spat at him. Ivypool was right. He had chosen to stay with his Clan. Ivypool thrust her face closer. He deserved it. He felt the sting of torn flesh and the wetness of blood welling on his nose.
He might even have been able to persuade her to stay. His eyes grew hot with grief. Ivypool stared at him with hatred. And a fox-heart. His throat thickened with grief, almost choking him. The scratches Ivypool had given him still stung. Each morning he woke to a fresh ache in his heart. The fresh-kill pile had dwindled to nothing as the forest creatures hid from the endless torrent. As he stood with the patrol now, he grunted at Grassheart. Juniperclaw paced behind him.
Strikestone and Snakepaw huddled beneath the shelter of a bramble, their pelts slicked against their skinny frames. It was a good idea. Grassheart shook the rain from her pelt and headed toward the patch of forest where, moons ago, beeches had found a gap among the pines and had grown vigorously, as though celebrating their small victory over the evergreens. Their leaves were browning in the leaf-fall chill. Some hung limply on bare branches. Most lay on the ground in sodden swathes around the roots.
Beyond it, the ground sloped upward toward the SkyClan border nearby. Spiky beechnuts scattered the ground, their skin peeled open, the nuts gone. Grassheart kicked miserably at an empty shell. It might take a while, but something is bound to come looking for food eventually. He threaded through the battered bracken stalks sprouting beside a beech and crouched just outside the cluster of trees. The rest of the patrol did the same, encircling the beeches.
Now we wait. He braced himself against the cold that began to seep through his pelt. Where was she? Was it raining there too? Was she wet and hungry? Their unborn kits would need food, and so would she. Would he ever see her again? Would he ever meet his kits? Grief swelled in his chest. He tried to push it away. But the scent of her still lingered in his fur despite the rain. Perhaps he was imagining it. He no longer knew. Paw steps thudded the ground nearby.
He stiffened, his eyes widening. Not yet. He flicked his tail to order the warrior to wait. He wanted to make sure the rabbit was surrounded. Suddenly a SkyClan warrior crashed across the border and streaked after the rabbit. Her fur was fluffed with excitement. As the rabbit reached.
Fast as a bird, she swooped onto the terrified prey and, clamping her jaws around its neck, snapped its spine with a killing bite. Grassheart marched between the beeches, fur bristling with indignation. Rain pounded the forest floor around the cats as they eyed one another angrily. He dipped his head to Plumwillow. Juniperclaw snorted. We have a hungry Clan to feed. His Clanmates were ready to fight for this prey. To help settle disputes like this. I chased it and I caught it.
It belongs to SkyClan. When we gave you some of our territory, we were doing you a favor. Now you steal our prey. With us patrolling, you know your border is safe from rogues.
Grassheart stared in disbelief. We are keeping your borders safe while you recover. But she did have a point: Having friendly allies on their borders was useful. Was she really prepared to fight for it?
He checked the slope to see if Plumwillow was part of a patrol, but it was deserted. He admired her courage. Plumwillow was right. She had chased this prey down and killed it. First his mother, now an apprentice.
Did everyone think they knew the warrior code better than he did? Irritation pricked beneath his pelt. He lashed his tail. He raised his muzzle. Snakepaw glanced at Strikestone, doubt shimmering in her eyes. Strikestone shrugged at her. Which is to let Plumwillow take her prey and go back to her territory. The SkyClan cat picked up the rabbit, nodded quickly at him, and headed for the border.
Juniperclaw lashed his tail as she disappeared over the rise. Juniperclaw exchanged an angry look with Grassheart while Strikestone nudged Snakepaw toward the undergrowth. Gradually they returned to their positions and dropped into hunting crouches. Had he made the right decision?
Of course I did. Rules were rules, but warriors needed to have common sense too. Surely, at the moment, a good relationship with SkyClan was more important than a single rabbit? He felt rainwater reaching through his pelt. Her gaze warmed with pride. He shot her a reproachful look. His instinct had been true: Warriors should be fair, and keeping peace with their neighbors was more important than one catch. Follow me. His Clanmates followed, exchanging approving glances, their pelts rippling with excitement.
He felt fur brush his flank. He wants to teach you how to lead. My turn. It needed allies on its borders while it recovered, not enemies. He remembered his dream and saw the strong sunshine glinting on his pelt as the shadows deepened around him. He saw the long, dark shadow he cast. Surely SkyClan would hear them coming? You are wrong. They were clearly relishing the prospect of a battle. Leafstar pushed her way through. Plumwillow, Sandynose, and Sparrowpelt followed at her heels.
Juniperclaw snorted, and Stonewing raised his hackles aggressively. Leafstar looked puzzled. Or perhaps you forgot the warrior code while you were in the gorge. He let Plumwillow take the rabbit. I guess he had his reasons. SkyClan was worth keeping as an ally. But his Clanmates clearly disagreed.
Scorchfur shot him a look of reproach. Perhaps this challenge to SkyClan would regain him the respect and loyalty of his Clan.
Leafstar whisked her tail lightly. As Juniperclaw, Scorchfur, Grassheart, and the others crouched, ready to leap, he shot between the two groups of warriors. He glared at his Clanmates, facing them with bared teeth. They blinked at him, shock freezing them where they stood. Before he could speak, Leafstar cut in. At least one leader was ready to be sensible. His Clanmates began to shift nervously, as though uncertain what to do.
Flowerpaw and Snakepaw hurried after them. That was surely a victory? We need them to remain allies. It hurt to disappoint him. Hopelessness flooded him. He could keep the love of his father or he could save his Clan. What choice was that? The three mice and two shrews he added to the fresh-kill pile meant that all his Clanmates could eat.
He crouched now beneath a jutting knot of brambles beside the warrior den. The night was cold, and his sodden fur did little to keep out the chill. The rain pounded the clearing. Snowbird and Scorchfur were patrolling the borders. The rest of his Clanmates had long since withdrawn to their dens. It pricked at his belly now. Had she found somewhere safe and dry to shelter for the night? Perhaps she was keeping ahead of this relentless rain.
As his father approached, he straightened and sat up, Rain streamed from his whiskers. You care about your Clanmates. You are a good warrior, but leading a Clan that has been torn apart by rogues is hard enough. Leading a Clan when your son and deputy publicly challenges your decisions is impossible.
SkyClan promised to return what they stole and everyone was left unscathed. I know that one day you will be a great leader. But it is hard to be eclipsed. Had it always been this way? Had he been out of his depth since StarClan named him leader?
Perhaps I was too young to realize until now. But when Blackstar made me deputy, I realized the difference between being a leader and a warrior. But how can I when I know better? Had his eyes betrayed his thoughts? You have moons left. I will support you if you wish to take my place. I can see that you are strong and wise, despite your youth. The responsibility snatched his breath. Every cat in the Clan would look to him for guidance, and rely on him to protect them.
His heart seemed to split with pain. His paws ached to run from the camp and keep running until he could escape from the endless rain and responsibility and think only of her and his kits.
He dipped his head sympathetically. It takes courage to lead. He seemed caught up in his own thoughts. No arguing. No contradicting. You must follow me without question. What else could he do but agree? Together they disappeared into its shelter. He wanted to look up at.
He stared at the gloomy clouds, which hid the night sky, and breathed deeply through the rain. Should he have taken it? As doubt swirled around him, paw steps sounded at the camp entrance. Scorchfur and Snowbird padded into camp. Scorchfur was carrying a rabbit between his jaws. But we have a rabbit instead of wounds because of you. Snowbird was already heading to her den. Scorchfur had picked up the rabbit and was carrying it to the fresh-kill pile.
How was that possible? He felt trapped, tangled by the need to help his Clanmates while honoring his father. What about my Clan? His heart ached while questions twisted his thoughts into knots. What about me? From now on, we will only take our orders from you. The den was damp. The moss at the bottom of his nest was soaked with rain. It chilled his pelt.
Stonewing and Grassheart breathed softly beside him, lost in sleep. Strikestone turned in his nest with a grunt and began to snore. What should he do?
The cats he cared about all wanted something different from him. StarClan, guide me! The stars were so far away, above the brambles, above the rain, beyond the thick clouds. Could his ancestors even see what was happening? What does my instinct tell me? Protect my kits. Protect my Clanmates. Protect my father. How could he do all three? My dream. He pictured the sun shining on his pelt, his shadow stretching darkly Puddleshine will know.
The medicine cat leaped up and scrambled to the back of his nest. Hissing, he narrowed his eyes defensively. Why was Puddleshine so scared? Puddleshine blinked at him, his arched spine dropping as he relaxed. Pelt ruffled, the brown tom hopped from his nest, his white splotches glowing faintly in the gloom. A cat was looming over me in the dream, and I woke up and you were.
His gaze dropped for a moment; then he stiffened. Had StarClan sent a sign after all? I felt cold, even though the sun was shining. There was blue sky, but I felt chilly.
Another dream about the sun. But you were blocking it. His pelt had shimmered in the sunshine. But the shadow I cast was darker than anything else in the camp. Suddenly he knew what the dream meant. He was getting in the way of the sun! Regret choked him as the idea cut through his muddled thoughts as clearly as the warning screech of a magpie.
Yours was the strongest shadow of all. His own thoughts were spinning, faster and faster. So many mixed messages. How could he support his father and lead his Clanmates at the same time? Of course it was impossible.
I know exactly what to do. It was true. He had something far more important to do. He scanned the clearing. There was no sign of movement. He could only smell the warm scent of sleeping cats curled in damp nests. Dipping his head in farewell to his sleeping Clan, he crept quietly to the camp entrance.
He slunk through the tunnel and padded softly into the forest. Only when he was clear of the camp and felt sure the pounding of the rain would disguise the sound of his paw steps did he break into a run. For the first time in days, his heart felt light. It chimed in harmony with his thoughts.
He was going to find her and, in another moon, welcome his kits to their new home in the strange gorse-spined den. The marshland had led to fields. Hedgerows had led to valleys, which skirted hills and drew him on over farmland where ridges and hollows seemed to create natural paths.
He had left her to make this journey alone. The days of rain had washed all scents clean, and there was nothing to guide him but hope. He pushed on, his heart lifting as he saw clear sky opening beyond the gray clouds ahead. As he padded clear of the rain shadow that had drenched the forest for so long, sunshine Before long, he felt drier than he had for days.
He fluffed out his fur happily. The worry that had felt like a weight in his chest for so long slowly lifted. As the sun began to slide toward the horizon, throwing lazy shadows across his path, he saw a Twolegplace sprawling across the valley ahead. Instinct told him to go around, but where there were Twoleg nests, there were kittypets.
Fluffing his fur against the deepening chill of the afternoon, he turned his paws toward the Twolegplace. He crossed a meadow edged by Twoleg nests. Twoleg smells reached his nose as soon as he neared the small patches of fenced land that lay behind them. Monster stench rolled over him. Strange food scents confused him. How could any cat hunt when prey-scent was hidden by such unnatural odors? Perhaps that was why kittypets ate the food their Twolegs gave them. As he wondered about kittypets, a thought lit him with hope.
A kittypet might have spoken to her. He reached a wooden fence and jumped. Hooking in his claws, he hauled himself up, sending.
At the top, he warily surveyed the patches of green behind each Twoleg nest. Birds twittered in the trees, which sprouted here and there among the patches.
His fur smoothed along his spine with relief. There were no Twolegs, and no scent of dog. No kittypets either. He frowned. He spotted an opening between the two closest nests, jumped down, and crossed the grass. Ears pricked, he pushed past a bush and slipped into the shadowy gap. He crept through it, relieved to see light at the end of a stone-lined path. He hurried along it, his pelt prickling. Monsters were rumbling in the distance.
The whooping of Twoleg kits pierced his ear fur. He slowed as he reached the end of the gap and peered out uneasily. Stretches of grass, dotted by bushes and young trees, lay beside it. Longing seared his heart. He should have been with her. He tasted the air, wrinkling his nose.
He crouched, waiting as it passed. His heart fluttered like a trapped bird. He just needed to find one friendly kittypet. Suddenly an excited mrrow sounded behind him. He spun. His pelt bushed as a soft bundle of fur flew at his face. It toppled clumsily over him and knocked him off his paws. As he rolled clear, he smelled kittypet. A tom, but a young one, his. Its yellow eyes flashed excitedly. With a squeak, it reared for another lunge.
Was this how all kittypets fought? The ginger tabby seemed unconcerned by the clumsiness of his attacks.
Then the kittypet bounced around him, ears twitching, fur bushed. Did the kittypet seriously think this was a real fight?
Flicking his head up, he flipped the tom onto its back. The kittypet spun. He lifted a paw as the tabby began to wiggle its hindquarters. Am I winning? The tabby paused. His pelt fluffed excitedly. What was that all about? Perhaps it was just hoping to scare him off. Did the tabby think that a few soft jabs were enough to scare a warrior away? Kittypets must have bees in their brain.
He shook out his pelt and crossed the grass. The sun was slipping toward the hillside. He looked toward the Twoleg nest where the voice had sounded. A pale cream shecat was crouched on a wide wooden ledge jutting from the front. She glanced down at him, her fluffy tail twitching at the tip. Are you lost? Have you seen her? She might have passed this way a few days ago.
She was looking for a den with spikes on the roof like gorse spines. The kittypet glanced at the low Twoleg nests surrounding hers.
Not you again!
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