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zhespy's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Tallstar's revenge follows the journey of Talltail working through his grief and anger regarding losing the love of his mother and the cats he loved who had died. Also, he is not (but is) gay lover Jake who he gallivants with on his journey to avenge his father's death. Two things that the Hunter's are really good at writing are 1# a violent death that takes you a moment to process and remember that you are reading a book for young readers (and also some graphic descriptions of being poisoned) 2# emotions, especially when a cat is furious. You get to see this writing a lot throughout the Power of Three series and it's good to see it here too. I liked Tallstar's Revenge when I read it the first time years ago and I still like it now. I, however, think it was missing something just a little extra (what I have no idea) it just needed a bit more in it and I think if they were brave enough and made Jake and Talltail explicitly in love with each other, I think that would have been it. Their friendship is good but they leave it open like there is something more and sadly you never get to see it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
glomdi's review against another edition
3.0
I'm going to try to avoid spoilers, but there may be some light ones!
The main thing I've noticed about Erin Hunter is that she(for the sake of this review, I will treat Erin Hunter as one person) creates very good and sometimes unique problems - Tallpaw has some major issues in this book and she did a good job of creating his alienating personality and builds up his Clanmates slipping away from him, and actually managed to avoid pointless romance. She threw in some really good quotes and [she-cat]slapped some cats that deserved it. However, endings are very, very important. For me an ending can ruin a book or make it perfect. This ending didn't quite ruin it, but it certainly didn't compliment the majority of the story, either. There were these intense moments of "ohmigosh shes gonna do it shes gonna make her warrior do somethin baaad" and then it was like... oh. Not a crazy, startling killing scene or a revolutionary forgiveness. It was just like, k. No biggie. Are you kidding me? After reading five hundred pages I get that? Bull.
Another thing that pissed me off was that when Shrewpaw had the same circumstances that Tallpaw later had, everyone was sympathetic to Shrewpaw and turned on Tallpaw. But when the same thing happened to Tallpaw they were all defensive of Sparrow, the poor rogue who just wanted to explore. Hecks no. Defend your Clanmate you punks, not the random rogue that's living in your camp.
I'm also getting sick of Super Editions being Super for no reason. Five hundred pages, and for what? For four hundred and ninety of them to be super build up and ten to be just kay? These Super Editions need to get over themselves. Firestar's was amazing - every chapter was filled with adventure and awesomeness. Bluestar's Prophecy - well, Bluestar. Need I say more? Then we got SkyClan's Destiny, which had some major flaws, yes, but was decent nonetheless. Yellowfang's... eh. I guess. Crookedstar's pissed me off, which is just what it intended, so I'm good with that. Tallstar's Revenge was a little like that, too. But the most major flaw all of them but Firestar's had was that it was loooooooong. For. No. Reason. Why are these so long?! The majority of it is filler. Hunting, fighting pointless battles, training, and there's always a cat that picks on the main character for no reason. And most of the time they're racist. But that's beside the point. The point is these should be probably the size of a normal Warriors book - maybe a little longer. I feel like I'm speaking heresies here, but even Bluestar's was a little boring at parts. (I'm so sorry, my one true love!) Want to know something about hunting? It's boring. I've read about it like 30 times from Erin Hunter. I'm done with hunting. I don't need more. I get that they're cats. Just stop the hunting!
2.5 stars for this book. I was really feeling for Talltail, and that gave it some points. But between the filler and the unsatisfying ending, it really wasn't that great.
The main thing I've noticed about Erin Hunter is that she(for the sake of this review, I will treat Erin Hunter as one person) creates very good and sometimes unique problems - Tallpaw has some major issues in this book and she did a good job of creating his alienating personality and builds up his Clanmates slipping away from him, and actually managed to avoid pointless romance. She threw in some really good quotes and [she-cat]slapped some cats that deserved it. However, endings are very, very important. For me an ending can ruin a book or make it perfect. This ending didn't quite ruin it, but it certainly didn't compliment the majority of the story, either. There were these intense moments of "ohmigosh shes gonna do it shes gonna make her warrior do somethin baaad" and then it was like... oh. Not a crazy, startling killing scene or a revolutionary forgiveness. It was just like, k. No biggie. Are you kidding me? After reading five hundred pages I get that? Bull.
Another thing that pissed me off was that when Shrewpaw had the same circumstances that Tallpaw later had, everyone was sympathetic to Shrewpaw and turned on Tallpaw. But when the same thing happened to Tallpaw they were all defensive of Sparrow, the poor rogue who just wanted to explore. Hecks no. Defend your Clanmate you punks, not the random rogue that's living in your camp.
I'm also getting sick of Super Editions being Super for no reason. Five hundred pages, and for what? For four hundred and ninety of them to be super build up and ten to be just kay? These Super Editions need to get over themselves. Firestar's was amazing - every chapter was filled with adventure and awesomeness. Bluestar's Prophecy - well, Bluestar. Need I say more? Then we got SkyClan's Destiny, which had some major flaws, yes, but was decent nonetheless. Yellowfang's... eh. I guess. Crookedstar's pissed me off, which is just what it intended, so I'm good with that. Tallstar's Revenge was a little like that, too. But the most major flaw all of them but Firestar's had was that it was loooooooong. For. No. Reason. Why are these so long?! The majority of it is filler. Hunting, fighting pointless battles, training, and there's always a cat that picks on the main character for no reason. And most of the time they're racist. But that's beside the point. The point is these should be probably the size of a normal Warriors book - maybe a little longer. I feel like I'm speaking heresies here, but even Bluestar's was a little boring at parts. (I'm so sorry, my one true love!) Want to know something about hunting? It's boring. I've read about it like 30 times from Erin Hunter. I'm done with hunting. I don't need more. I get that they're cats. Just stop the hunting!
2.5 stars for this book. I was really feeling for Talltail, and that gave it some points. But between the filler and the unsatisfying ending, it really wasn't that great.
diana_099's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
thebooklovingpanda's review
4.0
4.9 starsI also loved the novel's lesson about the destructive effects of anger, especially the hidden poison of words left unspoken. Talltail learned this the hard way, and now I know his backstory, it made a lot of sense now why Tallstar (after the Clan cats reached the lake) ended up . This quote right here is gold, simply stated but no less true:
I LOVED this. Possibly the best Warriors Super Edition that I've read so far! It was emotional, action-packed, amusing and opened up a whole new side to the Warriors universe.
I have always liked Tallstar's character, especially as he was good to Firestar (one of my favourite fictional characters of all time), and this was a nuanced, rich telling of Tallstar's backstory. I never expected Tallstar to have been an angry, grumpy young warrior, but the heart-wrenching struggles he overcame (and there were a great many) and the lessons he learned made sense in how he became the great leader he was. One thing I loved was how the writing wasn't anywhere close to purple, yet I still vividly felt Tallpaw/Talltail's pain, joy, fear and love throbbing in each word.The supporting characters were also amazing. Hunter made me care about all of them, especially Barkpaw, Jake (especially his relation to Firestar!!), Palebird's other kits - and even though I thought I hated Shrewpaw/Shrewclaw, I still
Spoiler
cried actual tears when he was killed. It was just so sad, especially after we saw how he cared about Talltail after all.Spoiler
demoting Mudclaw and making Onewhisker deputyI give you this life for forgiveness. No death need ever be avenged. Forgiveness brings peace far more surely than vengeance.PREACH. I also found very interesting what seemed to be quite a segregated society within WindClan (tunnelers v.s. moor-runners), with several Clan cats having attitudes reminiscent of the old 'separate but equal' thing in the US.
The only thing holding this back from 5 stars is that Cedarstar's motives were never really explained. There was some vagueness about how ShadowClan ought to be allowed to hunt WindClan prey (because ShadowClan cats are able to or something?) - which doesn't make that complete sense, and I can't help feeling that there's something deeper going on. It must have been very important to risk all those warriors in battle.
Other than that - LOVVVEEE.
sarahchurchmanpulido's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
delliomellidom's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.5
After reading the Dawn of the Clans books, which were utterly depressing, I picked up the final Warriors book I currently own. This book is one I absolutely enjoyed. There is still tragedy and loss, but there are more moments of joy and character development that bring hope.
I loved that we got to visit a clan other than Thunder Clan (though I adore them). Dawn of the Clans had renewed my desire to learn more about the other clans, and in this book we see Wind Clan. Tallstar's character growth had me rooting for the character the entire time. The differences between Wind Clan and Thunder Clan gripped me, as well as their similarities. The adventure Tallstar goes on lets us meet more cats, as well as see how some rogues and kitty pets live.
Tallstar isn't the only cat to receive development. Many cats grow; some are individuals I go from disliking to appreciating or even loving. This book also had several quotes that resounded with me. It's one of the Warrior books I think I'll pick up more often than others.
Jake and Tallstar have such a strong bond; and knowing the connection Jake has to the series made me so giddy.
I loved that we got to visit a clan other than Thunder Clan (though I adore them). Dawn of the Clans had renewed my desire to learn more about the other clans, and in this book we see Wind Clan. Tallstar's character growth had me rooting for the character the entire time. The differences between Wind Clan and Thunder Clan gripped me, as well as their similarities. The adventure Tallstar goes on lets us meet more cats, as well as see how some rogues and kitty pets live.
Tallstar isn't the only cat to receive development. Many cats grow; some are individuals I go from disliking to appreciating or even loving. This book also had several quotes that resounded with me. It's one of the Warrior books I think I'll pick up more often than others.
Jake and Tallstar have such a strong bond; and knowing the connection Jake has to the series made me so giddy.
sparrowwing12's review
5.0
This book was amazing! The plot was great, and I'm glad that the authors decided to focus on one cat from every clan in the super edition books. I have to admit that this book made me cry quite a bit, but that proves how good it is. I never expected this book to have a link to the main character from the first books in the Warriors series.
dont_question_this's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sharlappalachia's review
5.0
Spoilers!
This is the most emotional, heartbreaking, and dark Warriors book yet, in my opinion, apart from perhaps A Dangerous Path and The Darkest Hour.
There are so many emotions, I've been moved to tears several times reading this.
First, there's the fact that Sandgorse hates him.
Then, there's the fact that Palebird ignores him.
Thirdly, his father dies.
After this, Tallpaw becomes extremely cold and unfriendly, distancing himself from his Clan and even further from his mother as he plots avenging Sandgorse's death, as he feels a living cat is responsible for the way his entire life is and his estrangement from his Clanmates.
When Tallpaw, now Talltail, goes on a mission to kill the cat "responsible", he befriends the nicest, wisest, sweetest, friendliest cat in the entire world. Jake, a kittypet who helps save his life, joins Talltail for his mission, giving advice along the way.
"I know who you are. You're my best friend, and you always will be." -Jake
"I'll always be your friend, Talltail. But I'm a kittypet, and you're a warrior. You'll always be a warrior." -Jake
That was when the floodgates opened. ^^^
Erin Hunter has done the impossible and topped every other novel she's ever written with this one.
Not to mention Hopkit, Shrewclaw, Dawnstripe, and Barkface.
"Wormcat?" Shrewclaw rasped weakly. "Avenge Brackenwing for me."
Crying again.
This is the most emotional, heartbreaking, and dark Warriors book yet, in my opinion, apart from perhaps A Dangerous Path and The Darkest Hour.
There are so many emotions, I've been moved to tears several times reading this.
First, there's the fact that Sandgorse hates him.
Then, there's the fact that Palebird ignores him.
Thirdly, his father dies.
After this, Tallpaw becomes extremely cold and unfriendly, distancing himself from his Clan and even further from his mother as he plots avenging Sandgorse's death, as he feels a living cat is responsible for the way his entire life is and his estrangement from his Clanmates.
When Tallpaw, now Talltail, goes on a mission to kill the cat "responsible", he befriends the nicest, wisest, sweetest, friendliest cat in the entire world. Jake, a kittypet who helps save his life, joins Talltail for his mission, giving advice along the way.
"I know who you are. You're my best friend, and you always will be." -Jake
"I'll always be your friend, Talltail. But I'm a kittypet, and you're a warrior. You'll always be a warrior." -Jake
That was when the floodgates opened. ^^^
Erin Hunter has done the impossible and topped every other novel she's ever written with this one.
Not to mention Hopkit, Shrewclaw, Dawnstripe, and Barkface.
"Wormcat?" Shrewclaw rasped weakly. "Avenge Brackenwing for me."
Crying again.