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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
*** Warning: This review contains spoilers!!! ***
Maybe as a standalone book, this one would have been 3 stars. But in comparison with the original Warriors series, I felt I had to lower its rating relative to the other books in the series.
Fans of the Warriors series will know who Yellowfang is, and this book follows her life from the time she was a kit up until the point at which we first met her in the series, when she meets Firepaw. You don't need to have read the Warriors series to enjoy this book, as it introduces clan life assuming the reader does not have any prior knowledge of it. In that way, I actually felt the book had a slow start, as I was already well-versed in the ways of the clans.
Overall, this book has a more mature feel to it. Even though it's about talking cats, it seems like the target audience ought to be upper elementary school kids, or even middle schoolers. We have a fatherless kit who struggled with feelings of abandonment. Clan cats are pitted against kittypets, and the prejudice runs in both directions as neither group understands or accepts the other - except for a select few. There is an outright vengeful murder of passion, plus a lot of meaningless deaths later on. Yellowfang makes one difficult decision after another, and suffers painful consequences.
Mostly, I didn't know what to make of Yellowfang's pregnancy. On the one hand, she abandoned her kit, even knowing how much being abandoned affected Raggedstar as a kit. On the other hand, she was trying to do the "right thing" in terms of being disciplined and loyal and following the warrior code. Her dreams from StarClan seemed to indicate that there was no possible way to divert the evil for which Brokentail was destined - so is there no free choice in this world of forest clans? (In the Warriors series, we did see evidence of free choice when the united clans defeated BloodClan despite the omens Fireheart had received.) If there is free choice, are we to believe that the evil could have been avoided ONLY if Yellowfang had chosen motherhood over being a medicine cat, or worst yet, if Yellowfang had had an abortion? I don't know if this was the intent, but it sure felt like Yellowfang was being punished by StarClan for having broken the warrior code with Raggedstar. Frankly, in those extenuating circumstances, would it have been so bad if Yellowfang spent six moons mothering a kit?
Anyway, what I liked most about this book was when it tied into what I already knew from the Warrior series. I liked that the characters of Nightpelt and Runningnose were fleshed out, since we only saw glimpses of them in the Warriors series.
Maybe as a standalone book, this one would have been 3 stars. But in comparison with the original Warriors series, I felt I had to lower its rating relative to the other books in the series.
Fans of the Warriors series will know who Yellowfang is, and this book follows her life from the time she was a kit up until the point at which we first met her in the series, when she meets Firepaw. You don't need to have read the Warriors series to enjoy this book, as it introduces clan life assuming the reader does not have any prior knowledge of it. In that way, I actually felt the book had a slow start, as I was already well-versed in the ways of the clans.
Overall, this book has a more mature feel to it. Even though it's about talking cats, it seems like the target audience ought to be upper elementary school kids, or even middle schoolers. We have a fatherless kit who struggled with feelings of abandonment. Clan cats are pitted against kittypets, and the prejudice runs in both directions as neither group understands or accepts the other - except for a select few. There is an outright vengeful murder of passion, plus a lot of meaningless deaths later on. Yellowfang makes one difficult decision after another, and suffers painful consequences.
Mostly, I didn't know what to make of Yellowfang's pregnancy. On the one hand, she abandoned her kit, even knowing how much being abandoned affected Raggedstar as a kit. On the other hand, she was trying to do the "right thing" in terms of being disciplined and loyal and following the warrior code. Her dreams from StarClan seemed to indicate that there was no possible way to divert the evil for which Brokentail was destined - so is there no free choice in this world of forest clans? (In the Warriors series, we did see evidence of free choice when the united clans defeated BloodClan despite the omens Fireheart had received.) If there is free choice, are we to believe that the evil could have been avoided ONLY if Yellowfang had chosen motherhood over being a medicine cat, or worst yet, if Yellowfang had had an abortion? I don't know if this was the intent, but it sure felt like Yellowfang was being punished by StarClan for having broken the warrior code with Raggedstar. Frankly, in those extenuating circumstances, would it have been so bad if Yellowfang spent six moons mothering a kit?
Anyway, what I liked most about this book was when it tied into what I already knew from the Warrior series. I liked that the characters of Nightpelt and Runningnose were fleshed out, since we only saw glimpses of them in the Warriors series.
So I finally got around to the next favourite character's SE and I loved it. Yellowfang is such a tragic character. She wants to be a warrior and later a queen so she can have kits of her own. Starclan instead shows her that her destiny is to be a medicine cat, so she has to follow that path. She ends up having secret kits anyways, and Starclan prophesises that one of them will be a violent dark leader that will shed a lot of innocent blood- and it comes true when Brokenstar becomes a leader. I also absolutely hated Starclan in this book, first they accepted Brokenstar as a leader even though they knew that he wanted multiple cats killed so he could first become a deputy and then a leader- because he was a deputy and therefor he had to become a leader- there had to be a solution there, especially because they saw how ambitious and violent he was and because they knew how much blood will be shed before he is dead, later when he starts training small kits and banishes elders Yellowfang talks to Starclan again and she meets Cedarstar, her old leader again - and he is like: "welp nothin' we can do sorry deal with it on your own." - which really bugged me because they are supposed to be the most powerful clan of them all, they should've been able to do something. And if they bothered telling her: "yo you are pregnant and your son will be a monster" she'd at least have a choice/chance to maybe terminate the pregnancy or something, instead they kept her in the dark. I also despised how quickly her own clanmates turned on her and listened to Brokenstar at the end, including her own parents- you saw her being happy for you getting kits, you saw her playing with kits, yet when she is found with two clearly dead but still warm kits knowing that she can't do anything to magically resurrect them (because it clearly states that they've been shredded to pieces pretty much) you are quick to believe and jump the conclusion that she did it, this annoyed me to no end- her own siblings were on her side trying to fight for her but her parents were on the enemy's side in a second- I know that grief can make you do stupid things but this was beyond sad and it made me so angry. And I also hated how quickly they believed Brokentail is doing the right thing when he started training kits and when multiple kits died way too soon and when he banished the elders. I also loved Badgerfang and his mentor and I felt so, so sorry for them for what happened. I can't wait to read more super editions but this one, this one is both disturbing and really, really sad- too bad the book only shows the comeuppance Brokenstar gets in manga form because I would've loved reading that satisfying part again.
knocking this down from 5 stars after my 2024 re-read because holy plot inconsistencies, batman
Rereading these books almost ten years after I finished the series, I can clearly see that these books pass for kids and are geared towards them. I love young adult books, and this series was one that honestly got me into reading and writing much more, but damn, I wish the Erin Hunters would reread their books too. There were a few problems I had with this book. First, it seemed that the writers forgot about some of the warriors that existed while continually adding more and more characters, and just ghosting on the pre-existing ones that lived prior to the climax of the plot. Second, I'm not sure if the Hunters had passed time correctly for all the characters in this novel. It seemed that Yellowfang lived for years and years while the warriors, the forgotten ones, seemed to live just one before claiming their were ancient and moved to the Elder's den. There were also a few instances that I think missed a once-over and there were several miss-spellings, spoiled names (Raggedpelt/Raggedstar). I just wish that i could go back to being ten years old and thoroughly enjoy the beauty that is the Warrior's world before I started reading much more critically... life would be easier.
I may stretch this to a 3.5, but Yellowfang's Secret sort of fell short for me compared to the other Warrior Super Editions. The awesomeness of Bluestar's Prophecy made the bar pretty high. And with Yellowfang being an all-around excellent character, I was disappointed with this back story. She didn't have that spunk until nearly the very end. Actually, the entire story didn't hold a great amount of weight for me until 80% or so 'til the end. We know what happens, and we already knew part of her story because she explains things to Firestar. I'm just sorry to say that I found most of the story a bit flat and boring. I thought her relationship with Raggedstar lacked any true depth. They didn't have a connection, and yet suddenly they're spouting sonnets and having their fling.. where did that come from? It's like it was built into the story simply because we already knew it had happened.. and Hunter didn't fill that missing gap properly.
That out of the way, the conclusion to this story was very good. The last 20% gives it that extra half a star. Again, we already knew Brokenstar was a big douche-bag jerk. But seeing it happen and grow into this horrible mess, that's something else. And it was very well done. Those kits pulled at my heartstrings, and the fact that nobody truly stood up to him made me so mad. No wonder we have such a bad image of ShadowClan when we start Into the Woods.
I'm glad Hunter took the time to expand Yellowfang's past for us, and give us added information that may or may not influence your opinion on her character. If only some parts were better executed.. that's my only complaint.
That out of the way, the conclusion to this story was very good. The last 20% gives it that extra half a star. Again, we already knew Brokenstar was a big douche-bag jerk. But seeing it happen and grow into this horrible mess, that's something else. And it was very well done. Those kits pulled at my heartstrings, and the fact that nobody truly stood up to him made me so mad. No wonder we have such a bad image of ShadowClan when we start Into the Woods.
I'm glad Hunter took the time to expand Yellowfang's past for us, and give us added information that may or may not influence your opinion on her character. If only some parts were better executed.. that's my only complaint.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Miscarriage, Violence, Blood
im beginning to lose track of the millions of things going on
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Meine Meinung
Allgemein
Lange habe ich auf die Erscheinung dieses Buches gewartet und endlich habe ich es lesen können!
Ich liebe diese Katze schon seit ihrem Erscheinen in der ersten Staffel und dieses Buch hat es geschafft sie noch sympathischer rüberkommen zu lassen.
Das Buch wurde an manche Stellen sehr zeitraffend geschrieben, was aber überhaupt nicht störend war. Im Gegenteil. So wurden großteils nur spannende Szenen beschrieben und die wichtigsten Punkte in Gelbzahns Leben und man kam zügig durch das Buch.
Den Clan aus einer anderen Perspektive mitzuerleben ließ viele Gefühle in mir hochkommen. Man erlebt mit, wie der SchattenClan die selben Ziele verfolgt, wie die anderen Clans und das sie dabei genauso liebevoll und mitfühlend sind, wie andere. Doch nach und nach verändert sich der ganze Clan und es ist erschreckend diese Wandlung zu erleben. Gefühle pur!
So gut wie jede Katze möchte gerne Krieger werden - so auch Gelbzahn. Doch ihre Bestimmung erzählt eine andere Geschichte und der Zwiespalt, der Gelbzahn in jeder Situation verfolgt, ist sehr gut umgesetzt worden.
Teil von Gelbzahns Bestimmung ist ein tiefgehendes Gefühl und ein Geheimnis, welches nur eine Katze kennt. In der ersten Staffel der Reihe ist mir diese Besonderheit nie an Gelbzahn aufgefallen und die Idee ist einfach großartig!
Ab einem bestimmten Punkt erfolgen gewichtige Situationen Schlag auf Schlag und das Ende ist in Sicht. Und auch das Ende ist etwas besonderes. Gewohnt ist man, das am Ende eines jeden Buches gekämpft wird. Doch dieses Special Adventure bietet Spannung ohne Kampf und das Ende lies mich mit einem extrem beklemmenden Gefühl zurück.
Charaktere
In erster Linie geht es natürlich um Gelbzahn. Wer die erste Staffel kennt, mag gar nicht so ganz glauben, was für eine tolle und aufgeschlossene Katze sie die meiste Zeit ihres Lebens war. Ihr Charakter veränderte sich mit Beendigung des Buches und wer sie in Staffel 1 schon liebte, wird jetzt regelrecht in sie vernarrt sein. Sie ist zielstrebig und ehrgeizig. Kümmert sich liebevoll um ihre Clangefährten und ist vernünftig.
Auch die anderen Katzen glänzen mit persönlichen Eigenschaften und sehr hervorgestochen ist, das jeder einzelne Charakterzug einen in eine andere Richtung führen kann und das Leben vieler Umstehenden verändern kann. Ohne das diese sich oft im Klaren sind.
Schreibstil & Sichtweise
Einen gewohnt mitreißenden Schreibstil findet man auch in diesem Buch wieder. Sehr emotional wird man als Leser durch das Buch geführt und bekommt eine Menge der Umgebung und der Gefühle beschrieben.
Geschrieben ist das Buch aus der Perspektive von Gelbzahn in der dritten Person.
Cover & Titel
Ich liebe ja so ungefähr jedes der Warrior Cats Cover! Auf diesem Cover ist natürlich Gelbzahn zu sehen und die Farben sind richtig schön gewählt! Auch etwas mystisches überbringt dieses Cover.
Der Titel ist perfekt gewählt und doch unklar. Den Gelbzahn hat nicht nur ein Geheimnis, sondern gleich mehrere. Für sie ist es oft belastend diese nicht erzählen zu können. Die Geheimnisse ziehen sich durchs ganze Buch und somit ist der Titel gut gewählt.
Zitat
" 'Zu wissen, dass etwas geschehen wird, gibt uns noch nicht die Möglichkeit, es zu ändern.' "
- Seite 467
Fazit
Ein wunderbares Buch. Nicht nur für eingefleischte Gelbzahn Fans! Voller Gefühle und schicksalhaft. Einfach mitreißend.
Allgemein
Lange habe ich auf die Erscheinung dieses Buches gewartet und endlich habe ich es lesen können!
Ich liebe diese Katze schon seit ihrem Erscheinen in der ersten Staffel und dieses Buch hat es geschafft sie noch sympathischer rüberkommen zu lassen.
Das Buch wurde an manche Stellen sehr zeitraffend geschrieben, was aber überhaupt nicht störend war. Im Gegenteil. So wurden großteils nur spannende Szenen beschrieben und die wichtigsten Punkte in Gelbzahns Leben und man kam zügig durch das Buch.
Den Clan aus einer anderen Perspektive mitzuerleben ließ viele Gefühle in mir hochkommen. Man erlebt mit, wie der SchattenClan die selben Ziele verfolgt, wie die anderen Clans und das sie dabei genauso liebevoll und mitfühlend sind, wie andere. Doch nach und nach verändert sich der ganze Clan und es ist erschreckend diese Wandlung zu erleben. Gefühle pur!
So gut wie jede Katze möchte gerne Krieger werden - so auch Gelbzahn. Doch ihre Bestimmung erzählt eine andere Geschichte und der Zwiespalt, der Gelbzahn in jeder Situation verfolgt, ist sehr gut umgesetzt worden.
Teil von Gelbzahns Bestimmung ist ein tiefgehendes Gefühl und ein Geheimnis, welches nur eine Katze kennt. In der ersten Staffel der Reihe ist mir diese Besonderheit nie an Gelbzahn aufgefallen und die Idee ist einfach großartig!
Ab einem bestimmten Punkt erfolgen gewichtige Situationen Schlag auf Schlag und das Ende ist in Sicht. Und auch das Ende ist etwas besonderes. Gewohnt ist man, das am Ende eines jeden Buches gekämpft wird. Doch dieses Special Adventure bietet Spannung ohne Kampf und das Ende lies mich mit einem extrem beklemmenden Gefühl zurück.
Charaktere
In erster Linie geht es natürlich um Gelbzahn. Wer die erste Staffel kennt, mag gar nicht so ganz glauben, was für eine tolle und aufgeschlossene Katze sie die meiste Zeit ihres Lebens war. Ihr Charakter veränderte sich mit Beendigung des Buches und wer sie in Staffel 1 schon liebte, wird jetzt regelrecht in sie vernarrt sein. Sie ist zielstrebig und ehrgeizig. Kümmert sich liebevoll um ihre Clangefährten und ist vernünftig.
Auch die anderen Katzen glänzen mit persönlichen Eigenschaften und sehr hervorgestochen ist, das jeder einzelne Charakterzug einen in eine andere Richtung führen kann und das Leben vieler Umstehenden verändern kann. Ohne das diese sich oft im Klaren sind.
Schreibstil & Sichtweise
Einen gewohnt mitreißenden Schreibstil findet man auch in diesem Buch wieder. Sehr emotional wird man als Leser durch das Buch geführt und bekommt eine Menge der Umgebung und der Gefühle beschrieben.
Geschrieben ist das Buch aus der Perspektive von Gelbzahn in der dritten Person.
Cover & Titel
Ich liebe ja so ungefähr jedes der Warrior Cats Cover! Auf diesem Cover ist natürlich Gelbzahn zu sehen und die Farben sind richtig schön gewählt! Auch etwas mystisches überbringt dieses Cover.
Der Titel ist perfekt gewählt und doch unklar. Den Gelbzahn hat nicht nur ein Geheimnis, sondern gleich mehrere. Für sie ist es oft belastend diese nicht erzählen zu können. Die Geheimnisse ziehen sich durchs ganze Buch und somit ist der Titel gut gewählt.
Zitat
" 'Zu wissen, dass etwas geschehen wird, gibt uns noch nicht die Möglichkeit, es zu ändern.' "
- Seite 467
Fazit
Ein wunderbares Buch. Nicht nur für eingefleischte Gelbzahn Fans! Voller Gefühle und schicksalhaft. Einfach mitreißend.