Scan barcode
rinku's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Apprentice’s Quest is the start of the sixth Warriors arc. This book was a nice introduction to the new characters and the new main conflicts of this arc.
I was annoyed though by the fact that Vision of Shadows starts with new apprentices again – I know they’re doing this for new readers just getting into the series, but I still dislike it because it’s always the same: The apprentices are so excited for their new job but then they have to do some boring tasks which the don’t want to do, but it was something new for the series that Alderpaw is just not talented at being a warrior.
Even though it was a travel book, I enjoyed the main plot of The Apprentice’s Quest. I love what a good relationship Alderpaw and Sandstorm have and how she’s the only one who wants to hear about his visions and who remembers SkyClan. I like SkyClan (and even SkyClan's Destiny), so I was hyped to meet them again. Needlepaw going with them on the travel gave the group an interesting dynamic. She’s so random and it was fun to see what she would be doing next, I like her. It made me especially happy that Sandstorm came with them but her death is one of the most upsetting deaths in the series for me. I already saw it coming after she was hurt and it makes me mad: She just didn’t deserve to die at a random field and get buried there, I hate it so much. I would be so amazing to have her as an elder and meet SkyClan but of course this couldn’t happen . The plot twist that SkyClan has been driven out by the rouges was well written too, you could feel Alderpaw’s disappointment so much. I hate this plot point though that an important character dies before it can tell the truth to the main character, it was quite predictable .
The ending was great too and something new for a Warriors book: The found kittens were really interesting and it’s so much better than a forbidden romance plot that I was scared about that we would get one with Needlepaw and Alderpaw. Their beef in the end was really unnecessary though and I feel sorry for the kits .
I was surprised that I liked the writing style in this one quite much, especially the dialogues were well and engaging written. It was also nice that there was no POV changes but we’re just travelling with Alderpaw the whole time. We sadly still have classic plot points that annoy me aka prophecies without any explanation.
Alderpaw as a MC found a place in my heart instantly. He’s cute and really relatable with his insecurities and his anxiety. It was interesting to see his character in contrast to Sparkpaw as well, but I hate how he’s forced to become a medicine cat; Leafpool is literally the only ThunderClan cat who chose this career by choice. The medicine den must be so full now with three medicine cats and Briarlight lmao. Leafpool and Jayfeather working together there is honestly so cute and it’s so nice that Bramblestar accepts Leafpool as his medicine cat again (the only nice thing Bramblestar has done). Jayfeather is normally one of my favorite cats, but this time he was just unnecessary mean to Alderpaw.
All in all, this was a nice introduction and I can’t wait what this series has further to offer, since a great foundation was already laid in The Apprentice’s Quest.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
More...